First page story.

Today's good news: My contribution to NOVA Fortnightly on the front page. I didn't have time to pick up a printed copy yet, but it was the front page story of the Web site too.

I like.

Score!

All the frozen pizzas gather up together.

We were talking about associations the other day in one of the PR classes. I don't know if that is why I have started to take notice of them, but this morning, I learned about no less than three associations I didn't know existed; the America Frozen Food Institute, the National Frozen Pizza Institute and the National Potato Council. They were all mentioned in the same news story.

How brilliant is that? A whole institute for frozen pizza. I am wondering, really, what they talk about during their get-togethers. Well, one issue seem to be to convince Congress that tomato pastry could pass as a vegetable.

I think it's wonderful that we have institutions in our society fighting for the small things. I would definitely like to know more about the National Frozen Pizza Institute. The fact that it even exists shows quite significance, doesn't it?

When the Stars direct me.

Washington Post's Stars tell me this today:


"Moving around too much can create a feeling of being disconnected and unfocused, which is the last thing you need right now. So try to stay close to home, and avoid too much action today. This is not a day for physical contests or sports. Conserve your energy, and instead spend your time catching up on correspondence or doing light housework that you've been neglecting. In a new relationship, you will have an opportunity to move things to a new level."


I listen, because it seems to fit in quite well. Tonight is the night we have all been waiting for, the night when a bunch of big assignments will be out of our way. I will hand in a first draft on my story on Halloween this morning, study for a communications exam all day, write the exam tonight and then relax. Mr Headache has not left my system, so taking a day off exercising seems wise.


Thank you Stars, for giving me directions on how to play my role today. I listen and I dance slowly.

New York City Opera.

I need to put a label on it.

How it annoys me that I am part of a society where I feel such a great need of labeling everything and especially everyone. Because I do.

I believe that I always give people I meet for the first time an honest chance to show me who they are, without me analyzing too much in advance. I want to greet new people with an open mind and see them as a blank piece of paper -- regardless of their appearance, their accent or what it may be.

And I think I do at least pretty well, trying not to judge. But it always comes to a point when I need to know certain things. It's not that I only want to know, out of curiosity, but I need to know in order to proceed.

Why is it so important for us to determine whether a person we talk to is a man or a woman? Why do we feel the need to define our relationships with other people? Are we friends? Are we enemies? Are we lovers? When do I become your girlfriend and how will that change the way we see each other? Where do you come from and what do you know? I certainly need to know, to understand how I will continue talking to you.

How it annoys me that I need to label everything. But I do. I need to know. Are you a man or a woman?

The good, the bad and the ugly.

Three types of news today! Let's start at the top.

So, the good news is that I must have played my cards right on the interview on Friday, since the company, today, offered me a full-time intern position [insert endless amount of exclamation points]. Needless to say, I accepted the offer. It's so extremely exciting!

The bad news is that I cannot get too excited about the good news, since it makes my head even more close to explosion than it already is. Migraine again and I am wondering why bad things must happen to good people. This is just not fair. I was looking forward to a writing afternoon. Now I still have to write, but all I want is to find the cure for this evil condition.

And the ugly news. Well, due to the migraine that would simply be me an my appearance at this very moment. A total mess. As I told the guys at the gym: "I feel like I'm drunk and hungover at the same time." And no, that is not a pleasant feeling as someone incorrectly interpreted it.

That's all the news for today, folks. Good, bad and ugly.

# # #

Write it on a piece of paper.

As much as I do love my computer, there is nothing like the real thing. When I need to see things clearly and organize my thoughts, my best tool is a good old fashioned pen. Preferably a felt-tip pen. I am somewhat of a penoholic actually. Yes, I admit it. Pens are my friends and I like to write it on a piece of paper.

Think it, try it, evaluate it.

"This is not rocket science - we just do it," said the woman in the advertising/marketing/pr business.

And yes, it most certainly is so. When I feel a bit tired, I am so extremely happy I did not choose to become a heart surgeon or the like.

I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my hair.

I need the right feeling. I have a 3000 word Halloween story due on Tuesday and I want it to be more than just facts presented on a paper. I try to get my fingers to dance, but so far, they are a bit stiff.

Too bad I forgot to bring my wig. I think that one could have been helpful getting in the right mood. The mood of creativity and the character of a storyteller. Something sure happens when you get a wig on your head. Is it all in the hair? It could be.

There must be room for so much more ideas in that piece of headgear than my regular very straight hair. Curls and a mess versus straight and tight. What story do I want to tell?

Hmm. Maybe my straight hair is quite messed up and weird too. Who ever thinks these things?

To my wise Father.

Father's Day is the third Sunday of June here in America, but in Sweden it is today, second Sunday of November. Apparently that is also the case in Finland, so even more so, a good reason to send out some extra loving thoughts to my dear father.

Miles and miles away, he still sends me words of wisdom when I need it the most. With his constantly encouraging words, he makes me believe that I can do whatever I want. He makes me understand that I do know a lot of things. And he tells me that I have to be patient and not scream when I don't know things.

Hard working and extremely empathetic. Definitely a role model and the best dad in the whole wide world! Lots of love to you, isä.

The social experiment.

Still here, at Busboys & Poets in Hyattsville - now we have tried them all. We are beginning to feel like some kind of social experiment. Two ladies sitting on thrones in the middle of the big room that is this restaurant. Mostly extremely focused on our computer screens. From time to time looking at each other laughing until we almost cry. Ordering fantastic food from their brilliant menue. Could it be that we contribute to half of today's turnover? Wow, I should really get commission for being the B & P advocate that I am!

People come and people go. But the ladies on the thrones remain. Being served by Matt. Currently on the table: pecan pie and umpteenth cup of coffee. Mental break. Now it's time to continue the studying.