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Besides the fact that Baby Kitty decided it was a good idea to poke holes with her teeth in the cover of my new philosophy book “Lucid Living” by Tim Freke, I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read so far. I’m not certain what someone else would think about it though who has never heard him speak, because I can clearly hear his voice as I read along…which gives it another level of impact. He has great pauses and a British accent that only add more charm to what he is saying. I really admire people who can stand in front of large groups and express bold ideas with courage. It just goes to show that if you don’t believe in what you are saying or doing, no one else will either.
If you’ve noticed a new private “page” on my blog, it’s because I’m about to launch my book presentation to help attain an agent as well as a book contract. I’ve been spending a lot of time on it lately to polish it up. Keep your fingers crossed, I hope to start sending out my proposal next week to a select list.
For those of you who live in Alabama, or are from Alabama, I hope you make special note of Alabama Gives Day on February 2nd! This is a chance for us to collectively give to some of our favorite local causes. It’s no secret that two of my favorites are the Sidewalk Film Festival and Humane Society (both Greater Birmingham & Shelby County). While looking through the list of charities, I randomly came across the fundraiser that I did last January & February for the Great Birmingham Humane Society (Jen Jogs for Cats and Dogs)…and guess whose little photo was on there? Sweet Kitten’s. It is now a happy memory. I will certainly be donating on Alabama Gives Day in remembrance of her.
A page from the book I am reading.
I have really missed writing in my blog for the past few days. While I still did my daily post, the last three were very short due to time & exhaustion. It’s nice to be sitting in front of a computer again thinking about what I want to say. The windows are open this morning and the cool air is pouring in. In fact, it is almost a little chilly. I love it.
This past weekend was more than I could have ever asked for. I had some anxiety leading up to it about a few things, but once it got going I never looked back. I met so many new friends from in town and out-of-town, and my normal schedule was totally thrown out of the window. It was like time didn’t exist. Well, time didn’t exist until the no sleep pattern started to catch up with me on Saturday. I really enjoyed running the Sidetalk panels, even if I do miss a lot of the movies that are playing at the festival during the day. I get to hear some interesting conversations about independent film that I would otherwise never be privy to. All and all, it was a great weekend. And while I didn’t take too many photos myself, I know that I was in a bunch taken by the festival photographer. Those will be posted in the next few weeks so I’ll be sure to upload them here as well.
Can you believe that Thursday is the first day of September?? I can’t… but I am so grateful. I feel like there are happy times waiting for the rest of 2011, and the coming of fall is just the beginning of that. I can’t wait to wear a comfy sweater or to put on some high boots!
Sidewalk weekend is officially in full swing! Most of the out-of-town filmmakers arrived yesterday just in time for the first two parties, which lasted well into the wee hours of the morning. An electric chemistry happens when you put a lot of creative spirits together at an event like this. It’s not news that making a film can be an all-consuming project, so being able to kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor at film festivals such as this one is a huge reward for a job well done. A lot of the filmmakers here in town are highly accomplished and have big futures ahead of them. It’s really cool to be a part of that for one weekend a year.
It was a smart call to take off of work today. I still got up at my usual time (thanks body clock) but I plan to take it easy for the better part of the day. I will probably squeeze a run in sometime after lunch, as well as a nap. :) Tonight is the opening night film, which I believe is pretty close to selling out at the Alabama Theatre. There is a “red carpet” party before the movie, followed by a post party at the B&A Warehouse. Sounds like another late night…
With friends on top of the Kress building in downtown Birmingham!
Even baby Mali loves Sidewalk!
Ali the super photog!
Today is the first official day of the Sidewalk Film Festival weekend!! I am still going in to work today until about 3 p.m., then I head home to get ready for 2 fun parties tonight. I am officially off of work tomorrow & Monday, because heavens know that I am going to need the extra rest. My time this weekend will be equally split between having fun and volunteering. Sleep is totally secondary. :)
For those of you in the Birmingham area, I hope you take advantage of the special menus during Birmingham Restaurant Week. I have two reviews left to post for Little Savannah and The Gardens Cafe. While visiting these establishments, I realized even more how important it is to support our local businesses. Plus, they are offering a whole lotta good food for very little money this week. For a full list of participating restaurants, click this link.
Sometimes when I get really excited about something (for example, Sidewalk), I start to develop anxiety as well. I guess when you really think about it, excitement and stress make you feel similar ways… except one is positive and one is negative. As most people who know me would say, I am overly full of energy at any given moment. That energy is either translated as a joy for life or worry and anxiety. Usually I can find healthy ways to channel my energy, other times it is a little more difficult. I do this in anticipation of big trips too. I get so excited in the weeks leading up that my mind starts to run away with me. So, an ongoing challenge for me is to realize that it’s hard to really experience something until it’s actually happening to you. And while looking forward to something can be fun, I shouldn’t let it consume me. Once again the word balance pops up in my life. Simple moments are important, too.
Simple moment this morning.
This is the beginning of Sidewalk Film Festival week, which is so special & important to me that it’s almost bigger than the holidays. This is the 13th year of the festival, but I’ve only been attending for the past 8. In fact one of the first things I did when I moved back from Atlanta in 2004 was go to the very first Sidewalk Salon, their monthly meeting/presentation held at Rojo. I instantly made friends that I’ve kept to this very day, and I fell in love with independent film. It’s really amazing that we have such a nationally recognized festival here in Birmingham. Every year I try to be involved as much as I can, whether through managing the Sidetalk panels or having a movie in the festival myself like I did in 2006 with Piece of Cake.
Today also kicks off my reviews for Birmingham Restaurant Week. Be on the lookout for a post on all things delicious at Ted’s Restaurant around lunchtime today.
I kept having the strangest dream last night, that someone was in my room near the landing of the staircase. I even woke up once and screamed. It was a man and he was green. How spooky is that? I am pretty sure it’s because of the scary movie I watched with my friend Rebecca, Insidious, a few nights ago. It was pretty cheesy for the most part, but we still screamed like little girls several times during the extra creepy parts. I really don’t think that my carriage house is haunted, it’s just my imagination going crazy. Famous last words…
I go through phases where I think I write really great blog posts, then there are days when I struggle with what to say. Sometimes it comes easily, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m sure that if I went back and read The Jen West Quest all the way through that I would see a pattern very similar to what I am describing. Do you know that I’ve never actually read my own blog? I’m sure I will one day, and I’ll be glad that I documented my life in this unique way.
So I lied about not reading anymore self-help books. 
Turns out that my therapist has written a book called Restoring my Soul, and it’s all about finding your authentic self. I’ve really enjoyed it so far. It doesn’t ask you to go back into your past to rehash or relive painful events, instead it asks you to go on a journey to find yourself. It’s very insightful and the exercises are fun. Click here to see Andrea talk first hand about the process. You can even see her office tapestries in the background of the video, which makes me smile. I am so glad that she came into my life, and not a minute too soon. I don’t know if any of you remember, but I wrote about finding the authentic self as part of my 2011 Quests. Click here to read the entry. Looks like I am on track!
Living a good life means different things to different people in different places. As I was watching the Sidewalk Film Festival sneak preview last night, several documentary trailers were shown that reminded me of just how good we have here in the United States. I know some of us are more or less fortunate than others, but we all seem to have a pretty decent shot at opportunity. Would you agree with that? All I know is that I feel very lucky to have been born here. Maybe this would have been a good thought to share on the 4th!!
A new life chapter is about to begin. I think by the time fall comes around (my favorite time of year) everything is going to be on the upswing… and it is already starting. I believe with all my heart that the most challenging days of 2011 are now in the past. Having a new place to live as of August 1st is going to kick-start everything off!
The next big things on my radar are fixing up my new mini-house, training for the Half Ironman in late September, then preparing for the Sidewalk Film Festival the last weekend of August. Besides those, the next month or two look pretty quiet as far as the weekends go. I am really proud of myself for not doing too much lately, and not having a ton planned for the immediate future. The ultimate goal is to live day by day and enjoy every moment (or at least 75%).
Speaking of Half Ironman training, I can’t believe it’s already time to prepare for Augusta! I’ve also got a sprint triathlon picked out that I will be participating in the last weekend of July in Columbus, GA with my sister. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I was a little concerned about my knee with it being so sensitive in the past few weeks, so I will have to take it easier than usual with my training right off the bat to see how it does. If I had to, I could always just train more on the bike & swim since those don’t irritate it. I can use the Arc Machine as a supplement, and run only when I feel OK to do so. I think that is a fair & reasonable plan, one that will definitely get me to the finish line with a smile on my face.
From the American flag photo shoot.
I KNOW I CAN!
It’s Friday… and I’m feeling a bit emotional. It’s a combination of happiness and overwhelm. It’s been a big week on the job, but it’s also been a big week in my personal life with the birth of my new niece, seeing my “I Did It” article in Health Magazine, and also the Birmingham Bombshells photo shoot. All wonderful, wonderful things! I know I worked really hard for a lot of it to happen, but I also feel very lucky too.
I’ve mentioned before that I wrote & directed a short film in 2006 called “Piece of Cake” that starred Mo Rocca (and one of my dear friends Alison Britt starred & produced). Well last night my friend Rebecca, who works in the Sidewalk Film Festival office, came across an old promotional video clip that featured me at one of my heaviest times in life. I remember being under intense stress & pressure, and then turning to food to soothe my nerves. I still encounter similar moments from time to time, but I’ve now learned how to manage my stress without eating.
Speaking of overwhelming & exciting creative projects, my NaNoWriMo pace is not as quick as I need it to be in order to reach 50,000 words by November 30. In fact, I’m pretty gosh darn behind. It is starting to bother me quite a bit, because finishing this book should be #1 priority. I haven’t give up yet though, but I might need some words of encouragement!!
I will be 142 pounds by December 1st at this rate, which will have me at 50 pounds lost on The CarbLovers Diet! My strength training has also been going really well. I have a routine now that takes me about 10-15 minutes to complete, and I am trying to incorporate it 3-4 times a week after my runs. While doing the Birmingham Bombshells shoot, I was so proud of my shapely & muscular legs that I’ve been working so hard for!
Tonight I am heading to Third Friday in Forest Park with my sister & Mike, then tomorrow night is our huge annual gala at work (hence being so busy for the past few weeks). Vero and I are going to do 12-13 miles on Sunday for our long run as well. Between all of that, I am going to ship myself to a local coffee shop and work on my book. I WILL FINISH!!!
What day is it? Oh yes, Sunday. I don’t think the month of September could have been any busier for me, but I am SO GRATEFUL that it’s been full of things & people that I love. September has been a month of friends, festivals & opportunity. Cheers to that!!
Yesterday I had zero energy left to make it to the big Saturday night Sidewalk Film Festival party. I shouldn’t be shocked… it happens every year. But Mike went and represented for the both of us while I was snoozing in our bed.
This morning I am going to get in a long run then head to SideTalks again until about 4ish. After that, I will go in to work for a while since I will be out-of-town Monday-Wednesday for the social media conference. I will end my day at the Sidewalk award show at WorkPlay… one of my favorite events of the festival. Can’t wait!
While I’m in Jacksonville I am going to set aside a few hours each day and really plan out my book. I’ve been thinking about it all weekend and can’t wait to get my ideas down on paper. Guys- this is it. This is the creative opportunity I’ve been waiting for, and I’m going to do it in a big way.
My friend Clay Shannon and I take a break from films at the "Sidelot".
Last night while I was watching the Sidewalk Film Festival trailers at the Alabama Theatre along with a crowd of about 2,000 people, I felt a rush of inspiration to be surrounded by so many creative people. To make a film is no small undertaking – there has to be a great script, talented production crew, good director & producer, and an excellent post production team to make a quality film exceptional enough to get in to film festivals such as Sidewalk. I was sure to take a few moments to absorb all of the strong creative energies floating around.
Today & tomorrow I am managing the SideTalk panels at the festival – so if you are around be sure to come visit me.
People are really excited about my book, which makes me want to dive in this very second to start writing it. My friend Wade Kwon had the great idea of posting “pages” each week (to eventually replace my bikini weight-loss photos). I am definitely going to do something along those lines so there is a visual to measure my progress.
I was going to get my exercise in this morning, but I am running out of time fast. My next option is to run after my SideTalk panels (around 5ish) before all of the evening’s festivities start. I’m a little concerned with what to eat for lunch today too… but there are plenty of food options close by. I may just walk over to the Subway and get my go-to Veggie Delight 6 inch sub on whole grain bread. YUM!!!
