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I think 2011 has positioned me for some significant positive opportunities in 2012. The farther into December we get, the clearer the future becomes. Yesterday I had brunch with my friend Graham, whom I’ve known for a long time but just recently became close to. He is probably one of the smartest people that I know – a true intellectual functioning on a higher mental level than most others. He is also very humble and down to earth while being very giving of himself. What was supposed to be an hour long meal turned into a four-hour conversation about almost everything under the sun. I left there feeling understood, inspired and validated. He is the curator of American Art at The Birmingham Museum of Art, so stop in there sometime to say hi. He is the real deal.
Speaking of people who understand your soul, I feel like I am surrounded by kindred spirits these days. I’ve always viewed myself as being a little different (or, eccentric) from most people in this area of the country. People use the phrase “free spirit” often when trying to describe me, but I’ve never really known exactly what they meant. I find that since I’ve changed jobs to be surrounded by more creative “free-spirited” people, I’ve also discovered a little bit more about myself. These people who I’m around everyday really own their individuality and aren’t afraid to be unique and different. Some are covered in tattoos, some wear beautiful bold makeup, while others express themselves through clothes and personality. They also have big dreams and are passionate about their work, which makes it easy for me to market them during my day job. Ambition is contagious though, and while I’ve always been fairly ambitious myself, I feel even more so in this environment. It really makes me think about my own personal passions and goals, like writing and filmmaking. They have taught me that in order to achieve something significant, you have to live and be it every single day.
Which makes me think, I wonder what would happen if I existed in a totally creative environment… not just at work. If I was constantly inspired and felt like I belonged on every level. I still think a move is in my future, but I don’t know where or when just yet. I’m going to let that unfold naturally.
I keep forgetting about Weigh-In Wednesday… so once again, I’m doing it on Thursday! – WW #70: 150.6
Can you believe it’s been 70 weeks since I’ve started doing this??? I sure can’t. Another self high-five for being a rock star.
For aspiring authors in the Birmingham area, the Birmingham Public Library is holding a great brown bag lunch series that you should check out. I went to the first one yesterday with the editor of PYR Books and learned a great deal about the book industry. The free talks are every Wednesday during the month of August from 12 – 1. Click here to read a little more about next week’s topic & speaker.
Do you ever walk into a building and just feel like it’s haunted? I’ve felt that way every time I walk into the older building of the library, Linn-Henley Research Library, where all of the older books and city records are located. The second you walk in it feels like you are transported to another century by the smells of paper and old marble. Touching an old book even has its own special energy, like you’ve been privileged enough to become a part of history by reading it. It’s one of my favorite places in Birmingham, especially the section with the old Alabama books on the 1st floor. I’ve often thought about what it’d be like to spend the night there. Which makes me wonder, do ghosts read?
Several friends have asked me if I am still planning on painting the mural in my new place, and the answer is that I’m not sure yet. It will have to be after I move everything in at this point, which is actually pretty smart since I will get to see where all of the furniture ends up. I’d still love to do it, if I’m not sick of paint by then. :D
I look tired, I feel tired, I am tired. And it seems like I’m not the only one whose life is just GO! GO! GO! right now. Maybe it’s because the summer is coming to an end and schools are starting back this week & next. Our events season and programs are starting to kick up again at work, so that means my job is pretty busy right now. On the home front, I made some major progress last night and finished painting the whole bedroom. All that’s left to do now is trim work (a little upstairs, but mostly downstairs) and I can start painting the floors, which is the very last step. Luckily we have some flexibility on when we have to move our things out of our current house, so I’m sure I’ll move stuff this weekend & next. The renovation has definitely taken a lot longer than I expected, but I couldn’t be happier with the results! I can’t imagine trying to do what I’ve done to a whole house… that would take soooooooooo much more work and time. I guess that’s why people hire professionals to help them. :) By doing the work myself I’ve been able to buy things for the carriage house that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Photos soon, I promise!
I’ve had to put exercise on a back burner for the last two weeks, so I am really beginning to question doing the Half Ironman in Augusta in late September. I haven’t completely dismissed it, but I am giving myself some flexibility in case I am not ready physically. I would only have 7 weeks to train, but honestly it sounds like a lot of fun to not have a rigorous training schedule this time around. :D My body trains back up fairly quickly as long as I take caution with my knee. My next exercise goals will be to try again for the marathon next February, then follow it up with the Half Ironman in New Orleans in April. Those are my two staple races!
After doing some research, I’ve discovered that you can stay up to 90 days in Europe without needing any sort of visa. If I left with a solid outline, I think that would be plenty of time to write my book. The question is, how do I raise the money needed to stay there that long? I would need to have a solid financial and business plan in place for the trip & a predetermined time afterwards to really make it happen. Next fall is seeming like a great time to do this. And maybe I can make two dreams happen at once – working in Italy on book, then returning to live in New York. This is not out of the realm of possibility if I can sell my idea. Good thing I have some time to mull it over and then make it happen, if that is in fact the direction I’d like to take my life in.
There’s nothing like sleeping in on a Sunday morning in a quiet house. I’m actually still in my house robe and it’s almost 10 a.m. as I start to write this. I’m so close to finishing my new place that I can taste it… so I’m looking forward to diving in today and making it happen. I may even get to start painting the floors by this evening, which is the very last step before I can start moving things in! My parents picked up two armoires this weekend from my sister Christy’s in Columbus, so those will be the first two pieces that I move in. YIPPEE!!!!!! It will be interesting to see how everything fits, since this is a much smaller space.
I can sense a major change in the air for me, maybe in 2012. I’m not sure what that is just yet, but it feels big and exciting (TWSS, thanks Debbie). I’m tempted to say that I will move to another place (maybe even another country) and that I will finish my book, all while finding the freedom that my soul desperately seeks. When I really think about it, it makes sense that I haven’t attacked my book yet. It is all going to be based on The Jen West Quest, and I’m only about halfway there to full self discovery. While I don’t want to put it off, I still feel like there are valuable experiences waiting in the wings. The good news is that I have this blog and I’ve written in it every single day, so I have a full-blown reference & guide when it is time to tackle the big book project.
Last night I had dinner with some good friends, and one of them was from Europe. She told me that it’s easier than you might think to live over there, especially being an American. I wonder what I would do if I did that? Would I try to stay in my current career path as a graphic designer, or would I do something less demanding that would allow for more personal creative time to write? Moving to another country does feel really exciting, and also a little overwhelming. It would definitely change my life, but do I really need that big of a change to find real self-actualization? The goal is to unlock my potential and set my “self” free. But I don’t want to run away, either. I wonder, what are your thoughts?
If you get the chance today, you should click this link and check out my friend Will Nevin’s weight loss story today on CNN.com. Will finished losing 175 pounds earlier this year, and is good buddies with my friend Stephen Vinson. They both crossed the Mercedes Half Marathon finish line together in February, a very emotional sight to see (read my post on this here). Way to go Will! You can also read his blog here.
Last night I was on the panel for So You Think You Can Blog with two awesome women – Rachel Callahan (Grasping for Objectivity) and Laura Kate Whitney (Magic City Manifesto). (And of course Javacia Bowser (Georgia Mae) who put the whole event together and is also the brains behind See Jane Write.) Rachel is super smart and Laura is incredibly funny. I learned a lot from hearing both of them talk. We also had the treat of listening to Trish Bogdanchik of BirminghamMommy.com discuss ways to monetize your blog. There are so many talented women bloggers (and writers, for that matter) here in Birmingham. Last night made me really proud to be a part of this community. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’m in the same league as these ladies, but I’m not telling on myself anytime soon.
It’s the big move-in weekend!! Well, not really. I highly doubt I will be finished painting… so it will more than likely be piece by piece next week as I can get to it after work. My goal is to be completely done with picking up a brush or a roller as of Sunday, though. If I see another can of paint anytime soon after that I can’t be help accountable for my actions. 
I’ll post more photos this weekend of the progress, it’s going to look completely different in there!
After the talk last night, I got several inquiries about writing a book based on my experiences in The Jen West Quest from people who had no idea that it was already in consideration. It was very affirming and inspiring to hear others suggest it. For those of you who follow my blog often, you know that I’ve struggled with the commitment. Deep down though, I know that the fire will be lit when it’s the right time to take it on. I’m not there quite yet, but it’s in the near future…
My daily life is a huge contrast compared to a day at a music festival like Bonnaroo. There were no rules there – almost anything was allowed, except for violence. You could stay up as late as you wanted, wear what you wanted to (or go naked), an altered state of mind was the norm, amazing music always in the background, good food around every corner and a friend in almost every stranger. As I prepare to go back to work this morning, I am on a strict schedule again and I’ve managed to plan out my entire week to the last second already… even my off time. I wish I could find a nice balance between the two, because I loved the freedom and independence of being thrown into a whole new existence. Sometimes I feel like I am following life in a step-by-step manual instead of forging my own path. I don’t think our lives are meant to be scripted or predictable. And right now, I am feeling pretty cookie cutter.
So in light of this revelation, I need some uniqueness in my life. Changing the way I look seems to be the most attainable thing right off the bat, so maybe a new haircut and some new clothes are in order. I need to experiment more with how I do day-to-day things as well. Maybe I will start riding my bike to & from work and stop relying on my iPhone calendar so much to plan my schedule… especially my spare time. Instead of trying to write my book on a computer, maybe I should write in a notebook for a little while. Instead of eating lunch at my desk everyday I should go for a walk or draw outside. Practice yoga, dance more, lay in the grass… just do what I want to do when I want to do it. I’m sick of anxiety and stress, so it’s time to start being proactive against feeling that way. So beginning today and for each day of the next month, I am going to do something out of the box that brings me happiness or makes me think. I wonder what I’ll choose for Day 1?
Weigh-In Wednesday #60 – 149.2
Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around. – Vanilla Sky
I’ve discovered a GREAT time to work on my book – during my lunch hour. I know I’m going to eventually need more time than that, but it’s a good starting point for the time being. I am very fortunate to work right next to a coffee shop that I can just pop into with my laptop (that Mike graciously let me borrow) and type away. So no more new lunch dates from this point on! My mornings are typically reserved for running or getting extra rest, and my evenings/weekends are a work-in-progress that can be eventually molded into whatever I need them to be used for.
Speaking of evenings & weekends, after living as a single person for the past month or so my entertainment bill has gone up significantly. That has to stop. I’ve got to find a balance between being social and peace in my pocketbook. Any suggestions are welcome, if you have any. My personal calendar is so full that it actually causes me anxiety just to look at it. I think I’ve just got to stop committing myself to things and leave my time flexible for whatever I feel like doing. This will also come in handy for finding future writing time.
Speaking of writing, my friend & personal hero Katie Finley posted this image below on my Facebook wall yesterday. I hope you find some inspiration from it as well. 
What. A. Fabulous. Weekend. Thanks to all of my friends who made it happen in a big way. I am trying to think of a highlight to share, but there are so many to choose from. :) I can tell you a low point though – watching Bridesmaids last night. Maybe it was because I was too tired to appreciate it, but it was terrible to sit through. And I don’t think it was just me… the whole audience didn’t seem to laugh very much. It was a little awkward turtle.
This morning I kicked off the week by doing 5.5 miles with Vero, Brandi & our newest running partner – Nathan. I needed that jolt to come back to the real world. :) I accomplished my goal of running 30 miles last week (along with other supplemental workouts), so this week I am bumping it up to 32. And after that pizza by the pool yesterday, The Jen West Quest needs to burn a few extra calories over the next day or two. ;)
As for my book project, I am going to treat writing it like I would training for a Half Ironman, by breaking it down into small steps with an end goal in mind. And while I don’t ever think I will win medals or achieve great accolades from my sports career, my writing career is a whole different story. You know how you just have an instinct sometimes when you are really good at something… when it just comes naturally? That’s how my confidence is when it comes to anything creative. The sky is the limit.
This week & the next I am going to build my outline & flesh it out as much as I can, while also constructing a reasonable time structure for each writing phase. This evening is dedicated to sitting in a coffee shop doing just that.
It’s official… today is ME DAY! :D Actually, it’s going to be ME WEEKEND. Not sure what that means yet, but I’m allowed to only do fun things for the next 72 hours. I’m taking a much-needed personal day off of work which just so happens to be perfect timing with my workflow.
I can’t even BEGIN to tell you how important my friends have been over the past few days. Some make me laugh, some let me cry, but most importantly they listen. I have about 10 friends on stand-by at any given time just in case I need to talk or have a glass of wine (or in more recent cases sweet tea vodka). I’m not sure what I did to deserve them, but I’m one lucky girl. :) Everyone should have friends like these.
WARNING: Cheese. Do you know that song by John Mayer with the lyrics, Say What You Need To Say? (If you don’t or just care to watch it, click here.) God I love that song. It has special meaning for me at this time. If you have something to say, right or wrong, say it. Because there could be a time in the immediate future where you will lose your opportunity. As my boss always says, put it ALL out on the table. Don’t hold anything back or anything in. Have a voice.
I had coffee with my friend Wade Kwon yesterday, and as always he asked some really hard questions about my personal goals. He is such a logical thinker, which is great balance to my own way of rationalizing things. He seems to have the uncanny talent of getting down to the bare bones of the issue… in this case, writing my book. He knows it’s important to me, and he also knows that I haven’t been working on it. I told him that I felt like I was putting too much pressure on myself to get it done within a certain time-table. He made the great point of saying that I’ve obviously had some personal issues that have gotten in the way, but he always sees me perform at my best when under the pressure of a deadline. He said that’s how I’ve done anything significant in the past, and that I always rise to the occasion. :) So, maybe he’s right… maybe I need some structure around this project. Just like anything else worthwhile, I’ll have to make sacrifices with my time & energy and put it all into writing the book. So my goal for tomorrow’s post will be to create a timeline & post it publicly. I know I’ve got it in me to write something really amazing, I have full confidence myself. And it’s a great thing to be able to say that. :)
For anyone seeking out blog consulting or the like, you should check out Wade Kwon’s Birmingham Blogging Academy by clicking here.
Weigh-In Wednesday #55 – 147.4
I think the weekend is finally catching up with me, as I’m feeling very fatigued and run down today. I am pretty sure I was riding a high from being out-of-town and completing the Half Ironman, but now I’ve been dropped flat on my butt. I think I could sleep all day, but unfortunately that’s not an option. I am really grateful to have nothing too major going on this weekend so I can relax and catch up on my rest.
I was going to make the announcement today about my new running coaches, but they’d like for me to wait until next week when their website is complete. They are in the middle of launching an exciting new company, and I will be one of the first customers. I am very, very excited to start working with them.
I got a lot of solid leads & feedback yesterday on all sorts of things from sponsorships to coaching for the bike & swim. People are really eager to help and are showing their support & enthusiasm in lots of ways. I see myself in September with several sponsors on my jersey while kicking some a** & taking names!!!
I’ve been struggling lately with my creativity at work. I cherish my job as an artist, even if it is in a corporate environment. I have been given a challenge to break out of the box, and to “color outside of the lines.” This is a hard thing to do since a lot of my tasks come with predetermined guidelines. I got two different pep-talks yesterday about how I should explore my wild ideas first, then put them within the structure that they inevitably have to have. It’s a great challenge, and one that I’m excited to take on. I’ve come a long way in my professional career to build confidence in my work and myself… so it’s time to apply all of that and create the art that I know I can do.
Tonight after work, I plan to hit the gym for a bit then buckle down afterwards somewhere to really work on my book. I am making a commitment to dedicate at least an hour a day to it. I’m also craving some solitude, so this might be a good opportunity to get some of that as well. While it is really great to be staying with my folks temporarily, I am looking forward to having my own place again with my own things. All in due time!!
