(Great ?)Thoughts on a Great Day

Today has been a great day. I got a lot done at work and around the house. I learned some new "tech" stuff (more about that in a minute) and four Holiday catalogs arrived in the mail!!

In fact, today has been such a good day, and I am in such a great mood that I didn't even get upset a few minutes ago when hot oil splashed on my shirt--more than likely ruining it. In the grand scheme of things, losing a shirt is not that big of a big deal. (Plus, I bought it at Target for $12, and it's my own d*mn fault for not wearing an apron while cooking.) So, to congratulate myself on a day well done (and a winning attitude), I've poured myself a glass of wine and I'm sitting down to chat with all of you while Husband is working late.

I mentioned above that I learned a few new tech-related things today. More specifically, I met with Michael, a.k.a the social media manager for HP Software. While ingesting some awesome Mediterranean food over lunch, Michael gave me tons of pointers for how to brand myself and my new website, TheStyleGeek.com (shameless plug, I know). For the rest of the afternoon, I mulled over what Michael said and some of the key things he asked me to consider before launching my website: What name am I going to use to brand myself? Who is my target audience? And, most importantly, what is my goal?

All of Michael's questions made me ask myself this one: Why do I want to have my own website in the first place? Is it money? Fame? Authority? Maybe. But when I really boil it down, I think the reason I want to have my own website--or even just keep writing this blog--is the same reason that anyone else writes for the web: I want to have a voice.

Life moves so fast, and all too often, we (particularly we women) lose ourselves and our identity in the things we do and the people we love. While I'm happy to relinquish it, I've felt a part of my identity slowly slipping away since I got married. (I suppose that's part of the whole "two become one" thing.) I'm sure I'll feel an even stronger sense of "loss" when I have children.

So, to bring this already long entry full circle, I suppose the reason that I want to blog, launch my own website and send my thoughts out into the world wide web is because at the end of the day, I just want to be heard; and I really can't thank you all enough for listening!

Until Tomorrow,
Jennifer Lynn

P.S.- Fall Fashion N to Z from Zee will continue tomorrow...Don't worry! I haven't forgotten!

Celebutards

David Letterman fans beware: I've always preferred Leno. I think my friend Valery put it best when she asked: "Since when did cheating on your wife become funny?" Well, Valery, I suppose since America's favorite late-night talk show host did it and confessed to it in an oh-so-witty-way on national television.

I won't lie, what Letterman did was a brilliant PR move on his (or his "rep's") part. In fact, body language expert and Huffington Post blogger Patti Wood said she was "awed by his near perfect example of how to handle a crisis." Stunning crisis communication tactics aside, I am appalled by what Letterman did and even more so by our nation's response.

Five point seven million Americans tuned their television to CBS on Thursday night, when Letterman broke the news of his misconduct, and 5.9 million viewers watched his show on Monday night to see if there would be any fall-out or follow-up. What is wrong with our society when we not only pardon, but very literally applaud, a man who has an extramarital affair??

Then again, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. This is the same society that watches My Super Sweet Sixteen, idolizes Lindsey Lohan and pays money to attend Marilyn Manson concerts. Those of you who know me know that I'm just as guilty of idolizing celebrities as anyone, but there comes a point when even the most star-struck of us all can no longer turn our heads when basic morality is being violated. Or, in this case, we can simply turn the channel.

Until Tomorrow,
Jennifer Lynn

P.S.- If you're looking for a good laugh at another celebutard's expense, check out Nancy Grace stickin' it to Jon Gosselin.

In Search of My Thing

First of all, for those of you who think the title of this entry sounds a bit inappropriate...get your minds out of the gutter!

Second of all, what a pleasant surprise to log on tonight and see that my last post received three comments! Many thanks to Ashlie, Mike and Morgan for giving me such a warm, fuzzy feeling!!!

I needed that "warm fuzzy" this evening, as I'm having one of those days when I just don't feel very "good" at anything. It seems like everyone I know has a "thing"--except for me. Honestly, I'm noticing more and more how talented my friends and family are in one area or another and how positively average I am in, well, pretty much everything.

For instance, my friend Maggie is one of the most intelligent women I know, particularly in the area of education policy. My knowledge of education policy goes as deep as the tidbit of information I just gleaned from Jay Leno's opening act about how Obama wants to keep schools open later on weeknights and open them up on weekends in order for America's youth to have a safe (educational) place to go to at any given time.

Or, what about my friend Mary who works at Warner Bros. Records and writes an awesome blog called Mary's Monday Musicology. Not only do I love the artists she recommends, but I'd love to be able to make my blog look that professional. Wait! Don't I work in the tech industry? Shouldn't I at least be good at designing my own blog?! Ugh! This entry just keeps getting more and more depressing!

Maggie and Mary are only two examples of people I know who have their very own "thing." My friend Beth makes jewelry, my friend Justin is an artist, my mother-in-law cooks, my dad hunts... you get the picture.

So where does all of this leave me? (Other than sounding like a broken record. I know I talk about stuff like this all the time.) To be honest, I'm not sure. I don't foresee my desire to find something that I'm good at going away any time soon; but I do know that every time I start getting down about not having a "thing," the Lord puts some type of a reminder in front of me about where my true identity should come from.

Tonight's reminder came from the book I'm (re) reading, Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes:

"The woman clothed in strength and dignity will behave in a manner worthy of her honored position. She knows who she is and she carries herself with assurance--not to impress or intimidate anyone but to honor her Creator and Redeemer."

A great reminder for everyone-- whether you have a "thing" or not.

Until Tomorrow,
Jennifer Lynn

What Would You Say If...?

I’ve been re-reading some of my entries from the past few days. UGH! Can you say VANILLA!? I know I’m my own worst critic, but seriously, who cares what I think about Seth Godin or The September Issue? I struggle with how personal, political, religious or sarcastic to get in my entries. (Yes, you can be religious and sarcastic at the same time!)

I mean, I'm always honest with you, but that's because I don't write about anything that I wouldn't be comfortable being truthful about. However, I'm thinking I should test my limits in this post. I'm going to give you my (somewhat controversial) opinions on a few things and I'd like you to give me your thoughts. So, let's play a little game that I like to call "What would you say if..."

What would you say if I told that I think Kanye West is a complete jerk for interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the VMAs (apparently President Obama agrees with me), even if I'm not a fan of Swift's music. He was just upset that the country-singing white girl beat out the African American pop star. (To be clear, Beyonce's video was smoking hot and I am not racist, but Kanye was COMPLETELY in the wrong.)

Or, what would you say if I told you that I think Bill O’Reilly is spot on with his political analysis of just about everything, and I would vote for him for president in a heartbeat.

Lastly, what would you say if I told you that I hate the fact that no one in California dresses up for work. There's a time and place for shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops, but that place is not the office. (Ironically, I think this last statement will enrage more of you than the first two.)

Well, there you go. Now, feel free to let me know whether you like my polite, thoughtful side or my loud, outspoken side better. (Mom, I already know your answer.)

Until Tomorrow,
Jennifer Lynn