Dormant

Sometimes it looks like things are a little sleepy here at Divergent Pathways. But whenever my blog goes dormant, it usually means it's doing the sleeping for me. Because I'm not sleeping much at all.

Here are a few of the things that are currently keeping me from sleeping (not counting the THREE dinner parties I hosted last week):

Author Haven Kimmel

1. Haven Kimmel. A couple of weeks ago I had a brief (as in, eight-minute) lunch (the library brought her in, and I was among the first in line for tickets—possibly the only thing I've been early for in recent history) with this favorite best-selling author. (If I were less mature I would follow that up with seventeen exclamation points.) Haven—who is completely delightful in person, just as you'd imagine—afterward, at the book-signing, actually asked me to send her the manuscript I'm writing. (Oh, what the heck: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Opportunity of a lifetime! So I'm frantically whittling away at my second draft, hoping against hope I can have something great to send her, so I don't BLOW this phenomenal invitation!

2. Tell Me Who I Am. Six of my essays are being published in this collection, a book scheduled to come out in March. The other writers are stellar and it's an honor to have my work nestled beside theirs. I also volunteered to add the cover art and a handful of interior illustrations to the mix. (Just so you don't think I'm completely insane, I offered to do this BEFORE the Haven Kimmel opportunity presented itself; otherwise, no way. But I'm keeping my word.)

3. Story at Home Conference. I'm speaking at this event, March 9-10, in Salt Lake City. It encompasses several of the somethings I'm passionate about: Storytelling, Family History, Blogging—and the combination promises to yield something symbiotic and wonderful. I'll be speaking about Balance—which actually made my husband LAUGH when I told him my topic! But I assure you I'll be honest and forthcoming about my failures, as well as my one or two successes. Please join us! The December discount package is still available! (Again, I committed to this BEFORE the Haven Kimmel thing; but I'm keeping my word, and questioning my sanity.)

4. Jeff's schedule and projects. Mr. Wonderful is working on a couple of super-secret new media projects right now. I'll let you in on the secret as soon as it's safe to tell. Plus post a link or two. In the meantime, think MOMEDY (mothers and comedy) and know that I'm trying to sleep vicariously for him as well, since he gets home at, oh, roughly 4am most nights. (Notice that the juxtaposition of "a.m." and "night" is an oxymoron.) Busy guy. But that's the price I pay for being married to a handsome, hilarious genius. (And Jeff's speaking at Story at Home too.)

5. Our 12-year-old is singing along to a catchy tune whose chorus is "Black-on-Black Murder." I even caught myself humming the chorus last night. What the--?!?  When did MURDER become an acceptable topic for mainstream teeny-bopper music? I'm ready to take out my own homicidal tendencies on a few music industry execs right now! I looked up the lyrics online, and to their credit the song is protesting racial violence and extreme wealth. But still, how uplifting a message can a song deliver that starts out, "Bloody, bloody MURDER?" (Speaking of Kanye, if you want a good laugh, check out this video instead.)

Just writing all this put me in such a tranquil state, I had to go take a nap. I dreamed I was on a trip, and I was completely unprepared. Couldn't find my paperwork, lost my airline tickets, forgot my luggage and had to rush back for it, didn't pack enough snacks and had to raid the airport's stash. I'm noticing a theme here.....

Can you see why I'm losing so much sleep right now?! I do try to stop in and visit your blogs as often as I can, although I'm not leaving as many comments as I used to—which, frankly wasn't a lot to begin with. But—and I mean this—I would LOVE it if you'd send me a link when you write something spectacular or revealing or hilarious that is NOT TO BE MISSED! Because even when I'm dormant, I hate to miss out on the action, especially when it's your best work! Please email me when you post something you'd like me to see and comment on. Anytime. Even 4am.  :)