Top 3 people I'd love to meet

I've decided to do a little something different with my blog for the next couple of weeks. I'll be doing a Top 3 or 5 every week and making and making personal posts in between. I want to invite my followers to submit things they'd like to see as well. I have a list of about 10 as of now and will be using them until they run out.

My first list came to me when I was trying to think of five people I'd love to meet in real life. Unfortunately, I could only come up with four, so I'll include the last one in this blog as a bonus.

Top 3 people (alive) that I'd really like to meet:
1. Christian Kane
2. Joss Whedon
3. Sherrilyn Kenyon

I'm sure you're looking at these names and wondering who they are, so I'll do a little intro on them to help you out. Then I'll tell you why I want to meet this person.


Christian Kane

Christian has played many roles since he first began acting. His most recent role is that of Eliot Spencer on TNT's Leverage. But most of us remember his role as bad boy lawyer Lindsey McDonald on Angel - the spin-off of Buffy. He's also made appearances in Dawson's Creek, Las Vegas, and a short lived series called Close to Home. You've probably glimpsed him in movies like Secondhand Lions, Taxi, Friday Night Lights, Just Married and Life or Something Like It.

This soon-to-be 35-year-old is talented in several ways that have people following him on every venture he sets out on. Not only is Christian a soulful country boy actor, he's also a singer and songwriter. Though the band Kane is now under Christian's solo name, he and friend, Steve Carlson have written several Americana/Country songs. The song More Than I Deserve was actually in Christian's movie The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron and Sweet Carolina Rain was the song that Christian sings as he walks down the hall to his hotel room.

The reasons I want to meet Christian are many, but mostly I want to meet him because he's never given up on his dreams. He left home to go to LA to pursue his acting and though he's still not as famous as some actors, he's stayed around, making a name for himself. Through all of his hardships in the business, Christian has always pushed through with the unending love and support from his mother.

With his talents, his laid back style, and his country boy attitude, I know that Christian is an excellent person to know and be around. Just the easy way he makes himself humble - thanking people and being polite - he's one of those guys I can honestly say "his momma raised him right!"

Joss Whedon

If you haven't been watching television for the past 10 years, you probably don't know this guy. For those of you who can't place him, think Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Writer, Director, Producer - Joss Whedon is obviously a jack of all trades kind of guy. So, unless you've been living under a rock, you know who this guy is. For you rock dwellers, I'll give you the bio. Joss is the creator and writer and often director/producer for such shows as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly and most recently Dollhouse. He's written for the tv show Roseanne, where he got his start. Joss is famous for his quick wit and rewrites of scripts such as Speed.

Joss is one of the funniest, most gracious people that have the luck to become great and work with great people. There are so many reasons why I'd love to meet this man - he's smart, talented and the world's best boss to those he directs. For all the shows he's done, Joss has put his mark on them, showing us his funny side as well as his serious side. He's written things that have made us think about things. He's made supernatural beings become our best friends and people that we can related to - he made Buffy a girl we could all want to be like. He made Angel the dreamy, brooding guy that girls would love to go out with - despite his "problem" of being cursed with a soul. All of these are great reasons why I'd love to meet this man. He's a legend who has created pop icons for us to follow and grow attached to. That's why he's great.

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Sherri is one of my very favorite supernatural erotic authors. She's known for her Dark Hunter series, which includes the Dream Hunters and other interesting supernatural characters. The series is known for its twist on Greek mythology and Artemis being the "bitch goddess" who turns another god into a servant she can control - only she makes the mistake of betraying him. Acheron becomes more powerful than her - gaining his own powers as the Destroyer - the last living god of Atlantis. Her writing style and her ability to draw in her readers are things that make Sherri's books go to the bestseller's list.

Sherri's way of interacting with her fans and love of writing have made me want to write even more. To be able to meet someone who inspires you is one of the greatest things you can ever do.

All of these people inspire me in their own ways and I'd love to meet them and tell them how they've touched my life.

The fourth person I'd love to meet should be obvious since he wasn't on the list of the top 3. In high school I became a big Smashing Pumpkins fan. Billy Corgan became one of the heroes of my life through his music. I'd love to meet him because he's inspired me on so many levels. He's kept going even though the band broke up - and he's always kept on writing. That's the kind of people that inspire me.

I hope you guys have found this amusing at the least. It's way past bedtime and I've got a headache. Sweet dreams and happy thoughts for the future - maybe I'll actually meet these people in real life one day!

ETA: I knew I should've done this when I was more awake and when I was at work because the pictures really slowed down my connection and made me have several typing errors. I hope you guys enjoy these! Look for the next one tonight or tomorrow!

Family and inspiration

Tonight while I was driving home from work, I was thinking about all those profile sections that Troy, Brewton and Atmore have been doing in the past few weeks. I know ours for the Star-News is coming up and of course I was thinking about who would make the best stories. Naturally most profile stories are about people - feature stories on people who have impacted the communty.

So, I came up with the three people who have been inspiration in my life.

The number one inspiration on my list would be my mother, especially since she raised me on her own since I was six. My mother was always there for me, even when I wasn't the best daughter. She raised me in the church, taking me to Sunday school and Vacation Bible School throughout my young years. She taught me about God and Jesus and how to always put my faith first and trust in God. Through all her trials, my mother was strong. She went through losing my father, back surgeries, and a stroke that eventually led to her leaving this world.

My second inspiration would be my Uncle Clyde - my mom's brother. Those of you who have known me for a long time probably remember my Uncle Clyde. He lived with us all of my life and he was the one person that was constantly there for me after my mother passed away. He and I were close and we took care of each other - more me taking care of him since he only had an eighth grade education. He went to church every Sunday and was there for every service. He enjoyed singing in the choir, though he couldn't really read that well, he knew almost every song in the hymn book. Uncle Clyde was with me through my first year of college and in the fall of 1999, he fell on a fishing trip and broke his hip. He underwent a hip replacement and complications set in. He went to USA hospital in Mobile to have his stomach removed and never came home.

My last inspiration would be my Uncle Robert. I know I don't talk about him much and there have been times when I deeply dislike him, but he is a great man. He has always put his faith in God first and led his family from his study of the Bible. My Uncle Robert and Aunt Gloria moved from Pensacola in 1995 to Andalusia so they could become my guardians. I know it was a hard transition for my Aunt Gloria, who loved the city. But it was never a hardship for Uncle Robert. He loved the country - and the country life. He loved the old home place - "the country house" that belonged to my grandparents. He still lives there to this day - even though he's well over eighty. He and Aunt Gloria made Andalusia their home and Mobley Creek their home church. Uncle Robert willingly took over Sunday school duties and leading the choir. If anyone in my life knows God's unfailing wisdom and will, it is my Uncle Robert. Uncle Robert knows the Bible better than anyone else I know. He has notebooks full of notes on every book in the Bible that he uses for his Sunday school classes. He never fails to go to church every time the doors are open. Through his trials and the loss of my Aunt Gloria, he has always been strong. He has had a mild heartattack and does not hear so well anymore, but still he presses toward the mark - to the high calling of God.

These inspirational people have touched my life and have made me the person I am. They have taught me to always be strong and even through my faith wavers at times, to always keep God in my life to guide me.

It's my life...and what's going on...

I'm a crappy updater, but I figured it's time. Right now I'm sick - allergies and weather changing is getting me all messed up. Other than that things seem to be going okay. I'm hoping to get a short story published soon, but I won't know anything until much later next month if it goes in or not. It won't be much for payment, but it'll be a start in the right direction.

Jonathan's been going through a lot lately. He called me frantic the other night and I didn't get his call until two hours later. He's got an ulcer from all the stress he's been under. So keep him in your prayers (and me! that I get over this cold quickly). He's stressed big time right now because of a lot of stuff that's going on with the DoD and the Navy. I can't really say what, but it still looks like he'll be going away to basic training at some point.

Work is the same. I'm sick of it, but I still have to make a living. I've learned some HTML and CSS, so I know pretty well how to make a webpage. It's interesting what makes a webpage work, but I wouldn't want to sit around doing it all day. Here's hoping I get a little bitty raise for my trouble.

I'm so glad I finally got my car fixed. I don't know if I mentioned that in previous posts, but I'd had problems with the heater core for over a month. It's a blessing to have it fixed with the cold weather that's coming our way. Now I can turn on my heater and be warm while I'm driving home.

I've been talking to a very sweet guy I met online - just online chatting and emails so far. I'm not hoping for much - just some new friends would be great. I'm so busy and not very social these days, that it's impossible to get to know someone unless they email/chat/call me regularly. Yes, I know I'm horrible! I can't help it. I'm trying to keep up with everyone better one step at a time.

I just found out recently - because I was putting up the obits on Star News website - that my best friend from high school's dad passed away. Brandi and her family have been distanced for a while, so I have no idea if she came home or not. I really do hope so. I know her mom and her sisters probably need her right now.

I've got things to do besides sit here and blog, so I'd best get on with it. I hope all of you are doing well.

~ Esther

A historical day: Obama sworn into office

Today, January 20, 2009 was one of the most historical days America has ever known as a nation. We have successfully put the first African-American president into the highest office of this nation. He is now our commander in chief, the head of our armed forces and the leader of our nation.

Though I still have my concerns about President Obama, I feel more secure in the fact that he is looking out for our best interests. He wants this country to be great again - just like every American wants. And that is enough for me to stand up and get behind him as president.

We know that change needs to occur. And we should know that change does not occur over night. Sometimes it takes months and even years and decades before change is sufficient enough to notice. But I believe if we all stand up and let our opinions be known and show this president that we want our nation to be one of the best in the world - he will help us to achieve that collective goal.

Over the past 100 years we have seen many changes for the better. We have seen slavery be outlawed. We have seen African-Americans be given the rights to vote. We have seen women take on more roles than just being homemakers - and the big right to vote and make the choice about their bodies through abortion rights. I agree with all of these changes. I am glad they happened. I'm glad we are no longer segregated by the color of our skin and that we can come together as many Americans did on this day and watch as our 44th president is sworn into office.

This is a day that we will remember for the rest of our lives - because we were the first to do it. And when change has come, when things get better in the next four years, maybe we will finally be ready for a female president.

I am proud of our country. I'm proud that so many people came together to celebrate this day - a day of change.

To quote President Obama from his inauguration speech: "For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

We must do whatever we can to bring peace and pride back to our country. And we must do whatever we have to do to make this country stable again. Our economy needs a turn around and we have to step up - we have to have more jobs created and more resources to make this economy grow again.

Here's hoping the next four years are as good as we all hope they are.

Life isn't like what you read in books...

Life has been...well, busy lately. I've still been working a whole lot. Yes, this job keeps me busy and so do all of my online friends. I roleplay a good bit and that keeps me entertained. I'm writing a book - well, still working on finishing a book is more like it. I'm just about done - just need to get the plot finished. And I'm working on a story for an eBook an online friend is collecting stories for - well stories to consider. I hope mine makes it, but I don't have high hopes right now. There are people out there far more talented than I am.

My writing has gotten much better in the past few years. I think roleplaying helps a good deal - getting to write a story with someone else and seeing yourself in that character doing every action they do is really fulfilling. If I can just get a beta for my short story and a good beta that I trust for my book, I think I'll be on the road to being a real author.

I'm proud that I wrote 50k in 30 days, but I know I'll be even prouder when I can have it finished to start sending to publishers. I really want to have something I'm proud of in book form - even if very few people will actually read it. I've always been a dreamer. I've always had things in my head - pictures of events and people and I know that's why I've always been writing. Journalism was just another way to write, but I want to be creative when I write. Sure, being a reporter can help with that, but you've got to make it interesting and hook in your readers - and trust me, there are NOT any journalists here at the paper now that can do that - well save maybe one (our copy editor). Human interest. Features. Telling something isn't how to hook someone - you have to SHOW them what happened so they can picture it. Yes, that's the way to go.

Okay. I'll stop being a writer now and let you guys know I'm still alive even if I'm getting a little bit sick right now. I know it's because I've been driving around in my car without heat for over a month and because I go from a heated room to a colder room every night. Plus, allergies aren't fun right now with all the weather changes. Here's hoping the weather will make up it's mind for the next few months. But hey, who knows. We could have snow in south Alabama! lol

I hope all of you are doing well. My resolution for this year is to keep in touch with more people by reading their blogs or whatnot. So I'm going to strive to get on MySpace more and try to check Blogspot better. I really have enjoyed catching up with everyone that blogs. I find it's really nice to be able to write about your day and let people read about the things you're doing. It's a great way to get encouragement and communicate.

Esther is very bored...lol

Here I am bored at work again and I know there's about 10 things I'd rather be doing or should be doing. I should be working on my book or the short story I started to submit to a friend for an ebook. Of course, those things are on my personal computer at home and I'm at work so I can't do anything with them right now.

I know I should probably update my journals on LiveJournal and InsaneJournal, but I'm not in the mood. Besides, there's not much new with me anyway, so I figure I'll save people the trouble of reading "blah, blah, blah" all over again.

Don't get me wrong, I love that I have a job, but sometimes it's not all it's cracked up to be. Especially the pay and all the things I usually have to do in my day before I get to go home around midnight or 1 a.m. I'm grateful that I can get out of bed and come to work and that I do have some pretty amazing people to work with. But sometimes I just have those days where I look at my life and think "why am I still here?" or "why am I still doing this?" Come Saturday the 16th, I will have my 3rd anniversary with the newspaper. Yep. 3 whole years I've been here. Who knows, I may be here another two years or I may find my niche in the writing world in two months. No one knows. I go wherever life takes me. I let God guide me and hope for the best.

As inauguration day draws nearer, I still wonder if this country is ready for the changes Obama is proposing. I wonder if they are for the best - if these changes will take us deeper into depression or if we will come out of it quicker in the long run. Will our health care really be reformed? Will we have free clinics and free insurance for those who don't have it? Will the government give us more money back when we file our taxes? Will other nations look at us and be proud or are we giving them a reason to attack us by our choice in president? These are the questions still floating in my mind as the day draws nearer and we will put our 44th president into office. I can only hope and pray and put my faith in God that our country will go forward instead of back.

Now, I've found something to occupy my time until something else comes in. I hope all of you are doing well. I spoke with Karen last night for a few minutes and it was good to catch up with old friends. I'm doing my best to keep in touch with everyone, but with my work schedule it's become very hard to socialize at all. Take care all!

Blogging for the sake of bloging

Wow. Two blogs in one day?! Esther must be bored - and yes, I am by the way.

I always seem to be stuck at work these days, so hey, why not make the most of it by blogging, eh?

I spent the day today in Pensacola with my cousin, Jonathan. I am as proud of him as I would be of a brother - we're that close. We talk often and he's the most amazing 22-year-old I know right now. He's going into the Navy in March to work with the Department of Defense or at least that's what I think he said. (Will clarify if I'm wrong in a future post.)

Jonathan is a very smart and articulate person. He plays the piano and organ. He's held a job since he was fifteen and though he dropped out of school at sixteen, he went to LBWCC and got his GED. Now, he's almost finished with PJC after several years of trying to finish up two years of college. I'm so proud of him and his GPA is more amazing than mine was in college. He's part of a business honor society and is hoping that he can get his associate degree before he ships off for basic training. But he still has to find out if it's possible.

I know I will miss him while he's gone, though I will be able to write him letters. Jon has been the one constant person in my life. Even though Mary Ann (his sister) and I have been friends since we were children - we have drifted apart and Jon is the one who has come in to take her place. I can talk to him when there is no one else to talk to and it makes me feel good to know he's there when I need him.

As for my book, it is going to take more time than I thought. Maybe not the finishing up bit, but the editing enough to send to publishers is going to take a great deal of time. For those of you who are curious, it is a paranormal romance - dealing mostly with vampires and a bit with werewolves. There is a love story going on throughout the entire thing, which is written in first person. I have dreamed ideas that came from mythology - Greek and Roman and I have probably confused myself more than once on the idea of gods and goddesses and God. One of my heroes, who will have his own book is deeply religious (in the Christian sense). And the tale of how the vampires came to be is a little confusing to him because of his faith. I am sure I deal with a lot of things that people sometimes don't want to deal with - losing the one you love to someone else, finding out a shocking truth, and then there's always the big betrayal. Sometimes these come out of my experiences and sometimes I simply dream them up. I think the series would be great since it's pretty different than anything I've read before. We will see what happens. I've got an idea for a teen novel about a boy who travels back in time to save a girl from dying. It might come to life at some point. I'm simply proud of myself for writing 50k in 30 days.

Well, it's back to work or back to finding something to do around here while I wait on sports to get finished so I can go home. :) I hope you all are having a wonderful Friday and that you have a wonderful weekend! RTR! (if we can win the Sugar Bowl!!!)

Happy New Year!

Just nine years ago we were frightened about going into the new millennium, but now here we are in 2009 and we're still going strong. Our nation may not be the most secure place to be right now, but we're still here - even through a recession. Our nation is still one of the best places to live and with a new president-elect going into office in just 18 days, we're going new places we've never been before.

I'm excited about this year. Mostly because I hope it's a new beginning for me and because I know we are taking a new turn in our nation with the first African American president. I'm anxious and excited to see what Obama will accomplish in this great nation we live in. I know it can't be worse than the last 8 years with Bush - which weren't all bad - we did get a stimulus check that we all desperately needed.

Mostly I'm excited about this year because I will attempt to be a published author by the end of the year. I'm really hoping to finish my novel by the end of January since I have been slacking this December. It's something I've been working on since I was 15 and something that has taken many turns and twists as the characters have come alive on the page. I have simply let them guide me and take me on this journey and I have come through NaNoWriMo with over 50k and still going.

Sometimes I do have my doubts about being a writer, but then I sit here and think about what else I could be doing. There's nothing else I would rather do if I'm completely honest with myself. Sure, I could be an English teacher, but I'd much rather be a writer. I'm no journalist - I'm no Lois Lane by a long shot - investigative reporting is still alive in the bigger cities, but in Andalusia, there's no use. The biggest story we've broken was the money scandal in the probate judge's office. Wow.

Let's all try our best in 2009, no matter what resolutions we've made. My only resolution is try to keep in touch with everyone a little better than last year. I want to make time for friends and family instead of keeping to myself so I can get back into the world a little more.

Here's hoping 2009 is the best year yet!

Things about me and the holiday season

Hi guys! Now that I have some new followers, I suppose it's time to write a regular blog.

I ran into Lori, a friend from high school, at Corner Market tonight and found out she and a bunch of my other high school friends have blogs on here. So, I'm attempting to let you guys know what's going on with me - which, by the way, is a big nothing.

I'm still working at the Andalusia Star-News and I fear I will be there for may more years. I have been working on finally writing a book and I am over halfway finished with it. I simply have to finish up the ending and wrap up the plot. I wrote for NaNoWriMo last month and wrote over 50,000 words. I'm rather proud of myself for doing this. This is the first time I've written anything over 11,000 words. I'm just hoping my plot works out - so far I've simply let the characters carry me wherever they want to go. It's worked out well. I'm hoping to be in the stage of editing by January - that is, if I can finish writing by then. I'm hoping to get a series deal, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to the point of sending off samples to publishers.

Mostly, my life revolves around work, sleep and writing - which is kind of sad, but that's what it takes to get by right now.

If you guys need get in touch with me, send me an email or leave me a comment. I check my email often - and have it open at work.

The holidays are coming closer. Just a week off and I'm not sure where I will spend it this year. My cousin and best friend, Jonathan, has joined a government program and I am not sure if he will be coming home for Christmas or not. I hope so. I would like to see him before he goes off to train because he will be out of contact for at least 6 weeks. I will get to see Mary Ann, Doug and Ally this Christmas at least. I have not seen Ally since she was around three months or so. She just had her first birthday last month and I am looking forward to seeing my niece and my cousin for Christmas. Presents aren't even in the plan this year - except for what I get for Ally. All of us are suffering from the economy and low paying jobs. Hey, at least mine pays more than minimum wage, but without insurance it's a bit hard to do much of anything still.

In the coming year, I am hopeful that I will either find a better job, get something more out of the job I have or become a published author. Any of these will make me happy and that's all I want for the new year - to be happier than I am right now.

I wish all of you the same - a Happy and Bright New Year and a wonderful Christmas!

Acceptance and Defeat in the Presidential election

First off, I want to say that this blog is not meant to offend anyone, it is simply my opinion on the recent presidential election. Secondly, I did not get to watch debates from either of the candidates as I was working. So, this is based on commercials, coverage I got to see of the race, and the things I have read online.

I just read John McCain's concession speech and I find it uplifting despite the loss for the Republican party. McCain was very gracious in his defeat, but his supporters did not seem to take it as well as he did.

My hope is that after the dust settles, all of the McCain-Palin supporters will rally to the side of our new president. Because it is a historic event. And we are all a part of it no matter who our vote was cast for. The American people spoke and this was their decision - that Barack Obama be our first black president.

Barack Obama's acceptance speech proves that he is an excellent speaker - perhaps only saying what the American people want to hear. I don't say this because I do not believe in him as president. I say this because I know over the past years that I have been able to vote - we have not seen change. We have not had a president in office who has kept his word. That took his campaign platform into office and started making things better. They have all waited until the end of their terms to try to change things for the American people.

My biggest question and concern is: Will Obama be able to make sure all of his promises happen?

Broken promises are always a part of electing a president to office. And, though I did vote Republican in this election, I do have hopes that our country will be better for the Democratic leadership.

I agree with most of Obama's policies and I would like to see these things happen once he claims the office of president. Health care, energy, taxes and the economy are big things on thing minds of almost every American.

My prayer for this country is that we will all unite and stand firm in what we believe in. We have the right to disagree with the choice of president elected to office, but in the end we must accept it and move on.

Petty differences and over the top acceptance or denial will not remove this man from office. Together we must go forward and look to the future of this good nation. We must be proud to be Americans with freedoms that other countries still do not have.

We have the freedom of press - the freedom of religion even if ours is not the same as that of our president. We have the freedom to give our opinions to everyone.

We are truly blessed. And we should never take it for granted.