Preparing for a presentation

 Wing it!

Just give them the basics!

I had to resist those words of advice from associates when it came to preparing for an upcoming presentation.

As a person with an acting background, I know the value of rehearsing, preparing, gearing up for the big presentation.

So, I've been practicing, going over the script, gearing up emotionally and getting ready.

I don't want a seat-of-the-pants style.  

I'm going before the group with resolve, conviction and determination.

When I come before this body next week, I'm doing everything I can to present a focused, compelling, convincing pitch.

I'll be ready.

Memory Moments Are Memorable

Yesterday, my sister and I had to go by my parents' house to check on its condition.  As we walked through the various rooms, we recalled moments from childhood.  Every memento evoked a memory of moments with family.  The bedroom we shared.  The little room under the stairs that scared us.  The cubby hole in the furnace room where my brother would escape and meander around the neighborhood.

Filled with memories, we drove around the neighborhood.  We toured past our elementary school, the park where we learned tap dancing, the candy store where we used to buy Mary Janes for a penny.  And, of course, the viaduct under the tracks.  

I took her on a tour of where she lived soon after marrying. She recalled the park where she would take her baby son....now a grown man of 53.

We smiled.  Laughed. Even got quiet as we recalled our parents -- both gone.

Somehow, we got quiet with reflection.  And, in the end, we hugged.  But we also mused on the days we have left because we now are at the age where we must think about life and must resolve to cherish these memories.  Every moment is precious.  EVERY. MOMENT.

Some lemons can't be turned into lemonade

I bought a used 2017 Mitsubishi in August 2020 that had logged only 17,000 miles.  I was super happy to get what I thought was a dream deal.  Plus, my trusted mechanic sold it to me so I didn't think I'd have any problems.  And, if I did, he'd fix it...pronto and for no charge!

But it has been a nightmare.

Soon after I got it, the car began to shake.  I took it back and they "fixed" it.  Then the annoying signal "Service Engine Soon" kept flashing.  Again, I took it back.  They fixed it to the point where the signal stopped.  But a few days later, both the shaking and the signal continued.  

So, I took it back -- AGAIN!  The warning light was off and the shaking stopped.

Three days later, everything was on: The flashing warning light and the shaking.

This time, I took it to another shop, which has a diagnostic device..  They diagnosed it as a carbon build up.

The cost: $1200.

I got it back and everything was beautiful -- for a month.

Then Saturday, the warning light about the engine began flashing again.  I called the new place and they said to bring it back for another diagnostic review.

Yesterday, I was shopping and when I started to go to the next stop, the car wouldn't fire.  I prayed that I wouldn't have to call AAA but after 15 minutes, I got it connected and drove it straight home.

I was talking to my boyfriend and he used the "L" word to describe it:  As in a Lemon.

I wrote my accountant for advice on how to max out the tax advantages on this car because I'm not inclined to spend a lot of money if this car is a lemon.

And, I'll cut my losses if it's determined that this car is a lemon that can't be turned into lemonade.

When Will It End?

 When Trump lost in November, I thought the Trump train had screeched to a halt.  Then came the incessant rants about election fraud and he continued to be in the limelight.

But when Biden was inaugurated, I thought it would end.

But no.  The weak Republicans continue to be tethered to him.  So, my question is?

When will Trump go away?

When will the media stop covering him?

When will we become Trump free?

WHEN WILL IT END?

Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff

 Amid all of the mayhem surrounding the Capitol insurrection there was a major news event that was lost. So, I'll say it loud and proud:

REV. RAPHAEL WARNOCK and JON OSSOFF won their runoffs in Georgia to be United States Senators.

This was historic on so many levels:

Rev. Warnock becomes the first Black from Georgia to be a Senator

Jon Ossoff becomes the first Jew to be a Senator 

The pair held back two competitors who were the incumbents.

The pair emerged the winners despite the ugliest campaign mounted by their opponents.  The two relied on Trumpian tactics -- LIES, DISTORTIONS, FABRICATIONS -- they threw everything out there.  It was toxic...ugly...vile

Trump "campaigned" for them while defiling Republican leaders and airing his own grievances about losing the election.

In the end, the two prevailed. In the end, the two won over the people of Georgia.

Fueled by a massive voter registration and get-out-the-vote offensive, and led by Queen Stacey Abrams, the two got the win.

So, I'll say it...again and again. 

RAPHAEL WARNOCK and JON OSSOFF won their runoffs in Georgia to be United States Senators.

RAPHAEL WARNOCK and JON OSSOFF won their runoffs in Georgia to be United States Senators.

RAPHAEL WARNOCK and JON OSSOFF won their runoffs in Georgia to be United States Senators.

RAPHAEL WARNOCK and JON OSSOFF won their runoffs in Georgia to be United States Senators.

AMEN!

Wonderful boyfriend

 The end of the year is a time to reflect.  And, my personal life comes into focus.  I don't talk about it but, as I think back on this year, his dedication and his love mean so much to me.

I am so fortunate to have him because he is such a caring boyfriend/man/boo.  

He moves me in the most charming ways...simple ways.

On Christmas Eve, he spent the night so I wouldn't be alone on Xmas morning.  That's because the family was being COVID cautious and wasn't having a family gathering. And, even though his family wasn't adhering to guidelines, he made sure I'd be OK.

I was.

He took the time to open some hard-to-open packages that I would have given up on in a few seconds.

Because he knows I love sweets but don't need them. he removed three cookies from a cookie tin that I could eat and then threw the others way.

He mounted a picture my neighbor had given me for a gift.

And, of course, he gifted me with what I wanted -- even though he thought it was quirky. A toolbox. He went way over the top as I'd expressed a need to learn how to repair basic things.  Now, I have all the tools and I'm going to find a course where I can learn to make basic repairs.

He has a quiet style about him that moves me.

I don't often talk about him but on the day after Christmas, I called him to thank him for giving me the best gift EVER!

No.  Not the toolbox...but his loyalty, support and love.

I should have gotten to know her..but now it's too late

 Dr. Jane Smith was a supernova.  From a child, she was groomed to be an achiever, an influencer and one those spirit would shape the world.  And, she was absolutely gorgeous with a beautiful eyes that radiated her look. 

Did I say smart?  She was whip smart.

We were in the same class at Spelman and her aura was spellbinding.

With her confidence, and the way she carried herself, I must admit:  

I was jealous!

I never got to know her at Spelman but I admired her from afar.

We graduated and I didn't see her until she was executive director of an organization that brought her to Chicago.  That was over 15 years later.  I'd seen her mentioned in the Spelman magazine for years so I knew she was doing well.  We connected and for the first time, I saw why she was so valued.  She was phenomenal.

We chatted and I felt no edge about her, no snark, no nothing. She fondly called me "Chicago."  I realized that she was kust a nice person -- about something.

I saw her at our 50th reunion and, as she always did, she called me, "Chicago."  She was with a friend but I told her I would like to talk to her.

She didn't stay long but waved and gave one of those shrugs as if to say, "I know you want to talk but I'm tied up with this guy so...please understand."

On December 10, she died after a brief bout with cancer.  I was stunned.  I mean, some folks are never supposed to die and you can't imagine that happening to someone so awesome.

But when her sons shared the news, I knew it was true.

I never got to know Jane -- not really.  But, I understand why she was beloved and why she was so admired and inspiring.

I just wish I'd gotten to know her better.