Leilani Barkan

My poor abandoned blog

2009-03-14T17:22:22Z

It has been so long!

Checking in to say hi and that I am working on my home office so that I have a dedicated place to write among other important work.

I am posting lyrics to a song that I have been singing lately. I love this song!

"Where I Stood"
Missy Higgins

I don't know what I've done
Or if I like what I've begun
But something told me to run
And honey you know me it's all or none

There were sounds in my head
LIttle voices whispering
That I should go and this should end
Oh and I found myself listening

'Cos I dont know who I am, who I am without you
All I know is that I should
And I don't know if I could stand another hand upon you
All I know is that I should
'Cos she will love you more than I could
She who dares to stand where I stood

See I thought love was black and white
That it was wrong or it was right
But you ain't leaving without a fight
And I think I am just as torn inside

'Cos I dont know who I am, who I am without you
All I know is that I should
And I don't know if I could stand another hand upon you
All I know is that I should
'Cos she will love you more than I could
She who dares to stand where I stood

And I won't be far from where you are if ever you should call
You meant more to me than anyone I ever loved at all
But you taught me how to trust myself and so I say to you
This is what I have to do

'Cos I dont know who I am, who I am without you
All I know is that I should
And I don't know if I could stand another hand upon you
All I know is that I should
'Cos she will love you more than I could
She who dares to stand where I stood
Oh, she who dares to stand where I stood

Kicking off the New Year's Resolution one step at a time - a marketing piece

2009-01-04T16:54:39Z

For Writers that want to Speak, from a Speaker that has been told that she can write

Hearing the words Writer and Speaker is something that most people would consider an oxymoron. Ask just about anyone and they would tell you that they stereotypically think of writers as introverted. Most writers would probably tell you that they have at one point have dodged the limelight and public speaking, risking losing opportunities as a writer. There are even writers who have quit writing after a certain point because their fear of speaking in front of an audience is unbearable.

What is most important for you to know is that writers are not alone. Most people could probably talk for a long time about their own fear of public speaking, after all public speaking is said to be the number one fear, even over death.

Knowing that you could spend a day talking about the fears you have of public speaking - why not risk being different? Be bold and make the decision today to stop talking about your fears and put that energy towards working on the fear! Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and start building your public speaking skills.

If someone told you that becoming an effective public speaker is something that can be learned by adding a few skills to your bag of tricks and then dedicating yourself to present on a routine basis is what it takes to become a better public speaker, would you take the next step?

What if you were told that public speaking could be the most effective thing you could do to sell $10,000.00 more worth of your product in one year, would you take the next step?

Did you know that as a writer you have more public speaking skills than most people do to effectively communicate in front of an audience, are you listening now and would you take the next step?

Now that you are warmed up to the idea of public speaking let me tell you why, as a writer, the most valuable thing you can do it to comfortably use the word Writer and Speaker in the same sentence without a stutter.

Public speaking is the most important skill set a writer can develop and improve for a very successful career. Here’s why.

Authors who are skilled at public speaking…

○Have greater credibility

○Receive wider name recognition

○Build strong rapport with the listener

○Sell books in the back of the room at speaking engagements

○Get paid extremely well (Can you say more money for promotion?)

○Your listener becomes a walking publicity tool

○Expand their network to public speakers who also promote their work

○Have obtained the number one skill needed for a book tour

○Perform very well on television and radio

Is there a need to say more? The answer is always yes if you are a writer and speaker. Let me tell you and show you how you can work on enhancing your presentation skills through a highly interactive workshop designed especially for the writer who is ready to add speaker to their resume.

Plan on attending the workshop? Please bring at least a one page sample of your work to share with the group.

About the Facilitator:
Leilani Barkan decided to face her fears of public speaking in 2005. After first became comfortable in front of a group of 15 familiar and friendly faces her first year as a public speaker. Leilani, who believes there is always room for improvement, has challenged herself to continually push past her public speaking fears by adding new goals as soon as she finds herself becoming comfortable.

In 2007, Leilani hosted an educational session "The importance and skills needed to effectively communicate in your interpersonal relationships".

In early 2008 you would have found Leilani running away from the nightmare of speaking in front of 150 people, today she cannot wait for the next opportunity to speak in front of 150 people. In 2008, Leilani competed two times in a contest representing northeast Ohio in front of an audience of 150 people. She placed second in the second competition with her speech "Germus Operandi".

In 2009, Leilani is planning on placing first in the northeast Ohio speech contest and facilitating a workshop for Writers that are looking to improve their Public Speaking skills.

Another year in review and a look forward to an even better year

2009-01-02T02:40:37Z

I have been thinking long and hard about this particular post. I have taken a sabbatical from LJ for a brief time because I can't tear myself away from Facebook, my life gets busy (as everyone's does) during the holidays and mostly because I have been evaluating how I want to continue with my blog.

I started this blog almost one year ago, thanks to the suggestion and encouragement of brianohio! What I have noticed as I have gone along is that I sure do post an awful lot about my own self and my life and somehow that seemed a bit arrogant on my part.

I have finally come to a decision that I will move forward by continuing to document the events that have happened to me along my journey in this life.

I have found this blog to be so many things:

-A wonderful way to share what I have been doing with myself to family and friends (I encourage my family and friends to do the same).
-A great way to meet new friends that I share similar interests with.
-A way to write and to keep track of the happenings in my life (there is so much we forget along the way).
-A great way to recall events and stories for upcoming speeches and stories
-A way to be to be an example to others - being an example of how you can find happiness and freedom in spite of the circumstances that you are dealt in this life (see more below). This is what I want my life’s work to be - a way to inspire others to be absolutely the best they can be and find their gifts to this world.

This past year has been the best year of my life - I have pushed myself very far from where I was 3 years ago. The first 2 years of this journey was a lot of paving the way to lead me to what I have experienced in 2008.

I have about 7 or 8 rather large circumstances in my life that put me into a place where, as I look back, I was not a happy person. I have always been happy in my presentation to others, but deep down inside I was very passive about the life I had been GIVEN. I was hiding from the world - I did not share myself with others because I feared that people would not like who I was.

Today, I have the life that I WANT and I am the person I am meant to be - and I realize the worst thing I could have done was to continue to let life pass me by. The past 3 years I have chosen to take the steps I needed to take to be alive, awake and free to sculpt my world. I am happy to report that I have little to no fear in my life at this point. I want to be careful here because I would not be this person without the love and support of my dear family and friends and without having a relationship with God.

My relationship with God has been the biggest occurrence to me in 2008. Although, I have always been a believer, it wasn't until last year on January 2nd, 2008 that I pronounced to a couple of close friends that I really know what it is to know God. I have given him control of my life and the most amazing things have happened to me and my life has changed 180 degrees in just one year. I am so happy I can barely sit still most days. My enthusiasm and excitement for life is incredibly optimistic and I know that I will be given everything that my heart desires in the future. This has led me to enjoy life so much more - I have no anxiety, fear and my confidence has increased so much because of this.

I would like to add some of the significant events that have happened to me this past year.
-I have seen someone that I love who has suffered from mental illness for many years go into a remission that has brought this person back to me. Nothing short of a miracle in my mind.
-I have been given financial opportunities that I would have laughed at last year at this time (I didn't know what being financially comfortable was like).
-I no longer have a need to be in a relationship with a man. I know that some day I will be with the right person for me and it does not have to happen tomorrow. Basically, I have filled myself up with everything that I need - nobody has to do this for me and I am not looking for someone to do this for me.
-I am on the right path to becoming what I am supposed to do as my life’s work and I continue to work at becoming the person I am meant to be and what I am here to share.
-My 2008 resolution was to get paid to speak 2 times. I only got paid to speak once (10.00 - LOL) but I competed 2 times in front of 150 speakers and that was way better than getting paid to do it. Plus, last year I would have crocked at the thought of speaking in front of 150 people - this year I can't wait to be in front of 150 people again.
-My relationships with my family and friends continue to deepen and enrich my life.

Here is what I am proposing as resolutions for 2009.
-Win at the district level for speaking.
-Start and finish an office in my spare bedroom.
-Write a chapter for a book in January. Follow thru with an additional chapter each following month.
-Learn how to salsa dance.
-Continue to expand contacts, knowledge and experience to start my own businesses so that I can be self-employed by 2011.

I encourage anyone reading this email to commit to what you want and to search for who you are by starting to wake up every day and realize that the small choices you make absolutely have everything to do with the person you become. You have the power to choose and define who you are! If I can do it, anyone can do it. Share yourself with this world!

leilaniroseb @ 2008-12-08T10:37:00

2008-12-08T15:36:27Z

More on Dontambor

2008-12-03T02:28:16Z

The waterfall, Dontambor live somewhere at the top.

Dontambor's living arrangement on top of the waterfall, I believe.

Dontambor's view from the top of the waterfall, I believe.

Another view from the top of the waterfall with Dontambor, I believe.

I am going to email Dontambor and have him check the facts I am assuming here. Maybe he can give a picture of the view from the top of the waterfall.

Back to my cube

2008-12-03T00:41:47Z

I returned to my cubical and office yesterday. You see, I was away for a month. One week of vacation and 3 weeks on site with my client. Here is what I found out when I returned: I missed almost everyone and I have no business being behind a computer. I have way too much energy and too much to say to be productive in a cube. That's all I gotta say about that - except I have a major case of aunts in my pants!

#1 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-12-02T03:17:45Z

This goes for any vacation. Some of us get one week, some two, some five weeks of vacation. Take it easy and relax. If you are completely relaxed you will be able to pay attention to what is exactly happening at that time - the conversations you have will be remembered in more detail, the sand running between your toes will be more memorable, the taste of the margaritta more sweet. This is how I retain my memories. As I sit in my cold cubicle in Ohio, I am able to recall the memories of the good life. I can't wait for another chance to experience another culture, watch an ocean sunset and find out what unpredictable adventures may occur.

#2 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-12-02T02:53:44Z

Where do I begin with this one? I have been looking forward to writing this post on Mexico the most. We spent one day outside of the resort in Yelapa. Yelapa feels like and island, but it isn't an island. The biggest reason that it feels like an island is because we had to travel one hour by water taxi to get there. We could have driven but it would have taken 4 hours to get there because of the hills and thick trees.

I found out about Yelapa from two Australians' that were staying at the resort with us. They had been to Puerto Vallerta many times and to Yelapa as well. This time they were investing in staying on Yelapa for a few days of their 2 week long trip. They love Yelapa and described it in great detail, it didn't take much to talk my travel companions into it. Two days later we were on our way, the funny thing is we bumped into the same couple that told me about Yelapa on the water taxi.

On our way over to Yelapa we had the great fortune to meet a local - Dontambor. Dontambor is a English chap who grew up in the United States. He came to Yelapa in 1976 and fell in love with it. He has been living on the island for 15 years. He is probably the biggest hippie I ever met. I completely admired the fact that he marches to the beat of his own drum. Dontambor was the name given to him by his fellow Yelapians! His real name is Don, tambor is the spanish word for drum. Don makes drums out of Rosewood, native to a tropical forest near Yelapa. You can visit his http://dontambor.populus.org/ .

The arrow indicates Dontambor

Not only does Don make drums, he also lives on top ofthe 150' waterfall. After I delivered my internet dating speech and germ speech at the cyber cafe he admitted to having problems keeping woman around - they just don't want to climb to the top of the waterfall. Don is in better shape than probably anyone that I know. He was very thin at the time I met him, although he admitted to just gaining 30 pounds while he was visiting his son for sometime, his son just had a baby. Don also charters boat rides on the Ocean, rents his two properties, has drum making workshops and is in 4 bands in Yelapa. 4 bands -t oo funny, since Yelapa's population is 1400 people. He mentioned his band "The Coconuts" several times, each time with a big smile. I think he is partial to this band.

We enjoyed Corona's at the Cyber Cafe with Don. The Cyber Cafe was so funny - A simple Mexican patio. We learned that Yelapa only received electric 4 years ago. Here is what I found the most interesting. We visited the island the same day as the USA Presidential election - on this little piece of land in Mexico they were having a party to watch the USA Presidential elections unfold.

The Cyber Cafe in Yelapa

#3 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-12-01T01:56:05Z

After the cyber cafe, we had to travel a mile up hill to reach our destination at Yelapa, the 150' waterfall. The hike was long for some of the older people but there were plenty of friendly merchants along the way, I did a shot of tequilla (which I hate hard licquor and refuse to do but they told me it was a high quality - the result it wasn't bad). I especially enjoyed the merchants that carved the Rosewood found on the way. There were banyan trees, flowers bigger than my head, elephant ears (I have one at home that grew 3 gigantic leaves - the ones on Yelapa have 30 gigantic leaves) and butterflies bigger than my head. The place was amazing and as close to Hawaii that I have ever come. It was very tropical. We reached the waterfall and it was more than I expected. I wanted to go in but my reserved self held back, but that is when I realized I had to go in. It was hard to climb over the rocks I almost slipped and when I was actually in the smaller rocks in the water were very sharp. I moved closer to the waterfall and the water became much colder. I was about a foot away from the waterfall before I decided it was time to get out. I did enjoy every second of the refreshing swim and the land of Yelapa.

Flowers as big as your head!!!

Rosewood artist and tequilla encourager!!!

Me under the waterfall - it was cold!!!

And just because the waterfall
was so beautiful, another picture!!!

#4 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-11-30T22:45:08Z

Saying goodbye to Yelapa!!!

As we left the Yelapa, I saw the Canadian man that told me about this beautiful piece of land sitting on top of a very large brick wall. I waved to him from the water taxi but I did not think he would see me. He did, and gave me a big wave goodbye. I found this to be very significant!

On our way back to Puerto Vallerta from Yelapa, we finally settled into a much smaller water taxi than we rode out on. It turns out the larger water taxi finally broke down in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. For some of the older people on the trip the water taxi ride, on top of getting in and out of the taxi, was very physically challenging. Everyone settled in for what we hoped to be a safe ride back.

About 10 minutes into the hour long ride the taxi suddenly stopped. Two whales were spotted in front of the taxi. When we heard them say whales we all gasped in awe - we waited for a few moments and the two whales dove around the boat. Absolutely amazing. We were very lucky to see these two whales. I was hoping to just see dolphins, common in the Bay of Banderas. Whales however, do not swim this part of the ocean this time of the year. We were there in early Novemeber and the whales don't typically arrive until December to give birth to there young. Seeing two whales has to go on top of one of the coolest things I have ever seen or experienced in my life.

I did not take pictures of the whales, I would rather witness it. The amount of time we were able to see the whales was only for one minute. Imagine how much I would have missed had I tried to grab my camera and take pictures.

#5 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-11-30T22:29:50Z

Get estatic on the first day because the resort has water aerobics, my excercise of choice! I could do water aerobics 6 days in a row - woo-hoo! I waited the first day (my schedule was tight) but know one showed up until 12:30 - it was supposed to start at 12:00. I had to meet my friends so I skipped. The next day I jumped right in. The insturctor: Lucio - have I died and gone to heaven. Water aerobics starts with a bit of music and Lucio announing that everyone join in for "the most important activity of the day!" in both English and Spanish. A few minutes later Lucio comes down the steps pretty much gyratting his hips! Okay, this should be fun. We started with some stretches. As this continued for 5 minutes I realized I wasn't in for much of a workout that day. Our hands stayed above water and we didn't do anything with our legs. This water aerobics was like pre-k to my PhD water aerobics back at the North Canton YMCA. But Lucio was teaching, and again I just giggled and watched as this energitic, child like instructor lead the class of 12 ladies. I imporvised and put my arms under water as the others followed his instruction closely. About 15 minutes into the session things got more interesting as we all found ourselves in one big group hug. Hint to future visitors: Strategically place yourself next to the instructor before this activity!!! There was great hand holding and hugging going on. The last 5 minutes was a massage session where we all stood in a circle and massaged shoulders and scalps! I hung out for a few days until I think the activities guys caught on to why I was hanging around and they switched instructors to Dani. Dani was okay but not quit as upbeat, sweet and good looking as Lucio. I would rather work out on my own.

My good friend Barb

2008-11-30T02:35:57Z

Tomorrow I will post the last 5 posts about Mexico. Today I want to talk about the nice time I had out with my good friend Barb. Barb and I have been friends for 20+ years. Barb is getting married January 2nd to a wonderful man named Steve. I am so happy for both of them. I was not able to attend Barb's bachelorette/shower (very tame since we are 35 now) because I was in Mexico. Since I was not able to attend I took Barb out for a pedicure (with 5 extra minutes of leg massage), a bottle of wine during the pedicure and a very nice meal at 91! We had such a nice time laughing. I know she really enjoyed herself because she called her finace and in between everything she said she made the statement "...and we are drinking wine!" LOL.

Congrats to Steve and Barb - and there will definetly be more to come about the wedding!

My ecosystem

2008-11-28T21:55:28Z

I was just out raking and I noticed I had a dead bird in my leaves. The bird was, how should I say it, shredded. My neighbor (who I like a lot) has wild cats that have found out that the birds in the neighborhood feed at my house. I have seen them around a lot over the past 3 months. We have worked hard to create an ecosystem in my backyard (and I know cats would probably be a part of that but I don't want it). Should I approach my neighbor about the subject? Any words of advice on what I should say?

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T01:21:54Z

More Mexico adventures to come this up coming weekend, what I hope to be a long holiday weekend. I am working on installing furniture and equipment for a brand new hospital. If I finish tomorrow I will be off Friday. Wednesday will be a very long day!

I couldn't be in a better place this year. I am happier, more at peace and more thankful than ever! I hope that all that read this feel just as happy, at peace and have all types of wonderful reasons to be thankful this year.

Gobble, Gobble!

#6 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-11-24T02:38:18Z

Manage to capture the attention of the very attractive, fun and equally sweet activites leader Lucio. Innocent flirting is so fun and completely harmless. I have not laughed and giggled so much in a long time - I felt like I was sixteen again.

My favorite salsa instructor y water aerobics instructor y volleyball instructor y beach walker guide y casino night host y Mexican - Lucio! Muy bonito!

#7 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-11-24T01:54:51Z

Take full advantage of all resort activities (by yourself) when your traveling companions do not want to venture out into Mexico land. There is no better way to meet people. By the end of the week I knew the staff and what felt like all the guests. I never made more friends in one week. All ages, all different countries - including some that did not speak English. I danced, I laughed, I ate, I gambled, and I sang with everyone. I was also very safe.

One of my favorite nights was meeting four ladies (all from Ohio originally). They were a blast. We spend the evening singing karoke. My favorite was Lois. She was my side kick. I will sing but I like to have someone with me. She always said she would be my background and flap her hands. After karoke I walked back to my room with these four ladies. Lois was no longer background at this point. She went into the closed pool with her close on and began swimming, several other guests followed her lead. I was one margaritta away from getting wet. Besides two days before I swam under a waterfall in my clothes (more later). I made up with it for drinks and craziness the following night.

Some of my friends. The arrow is pointing out my favorite Pointer Sister, Lois. Not my favorite picture of myself but a must post of my old friends and new friends.

#8 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-11-17T03:39:20Z

Take full advantage of the resort amenities at times when no one else is using them. There is nothing like hearing the waves crash on the beach as you are doing the back float in this outdoor pool on a perfectly clear night. The best part - nobody is watching and no one is in the way.

#9 - How to travel first class in Mexico

2008-11-12T02:18:15Z

Have a true appreciation for all of the natives of Mexico. I really admire Mexican's - they work very hard for many many hours and do not bring home a lot of money. They never complain and they are so eager to please. The girls in the market work so hard - if you leave and come back they know exactly who you are and what you were looking at the last time you visited their tent. And, where else can you pick up a braclet that was originally offered to you for $100.00 dollars and leave with it for $30.00 dollars - even though you still didn't have the budget for it, who can pass up a deal like that.

#10 - Ten ways to travel first class in Mexico

2008-11-11T02:28:35Z

Travel with friends twice your age who have invested in time shares and use wheel chairs at the airports.

My friends Cheryl and Bobbee invited me to go with them on a trip to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Cheryl and Bobbee are 68 years old. I am so glad that I went, I had a blast.

Thanks to Cherly and Bobbee I was able to stay in a 5 star hotel for pennies on the dollar - plus I had my own room and bathroom! The resort was open air and there were palm trees everywhere. The pool spilled over into the ocean - amazing! This was the perfect hotel for us. I stopped by a few of the other grande hotels in the area and they were so much more pretenious - 40'-0" ceilings, 3'-0" columns, granite and marble everywhere - no thanks. We ended up in the perfect spot.

On top of it both Cheryl and Bobbee have problems getting around so they requested wheelchairs all the way thru the trip. If you are with someone that is in a wheelchair you receive similar benefits - you get to pass everyone in line for check-ins and customs. I am not one to take advantage of services like this - but what could I do - I couldn't tell them to walk. I did smile to myself several times as I was permitted to ride the electric carts in the airport with my friends. I let go and just enjoyed the ride!

Strawberry Daquiris and the things they do to you

2008-10-19T15:34:39Z

Well, I woke up Saturday morning realizing I had perfected the strawberry daquiri but not my speech! Yikes - the speech was going to be as god as it is going to get - I didn't want to practice on Saturday either. Sometimes you need to distance yourself! I just took it easy Saturday morning and arrived at teh contest not nervous Saturday afternoon. This time I drew #5 of 5 so I was to go last - I knew my luck would run out eventually, I have drawn #1 the past 5 times, what are the chances?

All of the contestants were good this year at the humorous speech competition. The audience really showed up ready to laugh. Last year I was only an observer and no one laughed! It is so great to be in front of a big audience, every joke you deliver usually gets a laugh from 10 people and the rest of the audience picks up on it. If you are with a smaller audience you can really bomb out on quit a few of your jokes. The worst audience is a college classroom. I visit a friend of mines class every time I compete to practice and the students just don't laugh - if they do you know it must be really good material. The students are usually very nice about your work but they are a tough crowd. I always want to give up after I visit the class.

After seeing 4 really great speeches and realizing I could have preped more but somehow avoided it at all costs I placed everything in God's hands minutes before I performed. He brought me thru and I placed second in the division contest that represents northeast Ohio. The first place winner was EXCELLENT!!! I feel very lucky to have placed 2nd. I am even happier that this whole public speaking thing is so much easier than I ever thought it could be. There is always room for improvement and I still have my eyes on first place.

Instead of a song, I want to post a quote "Sometimes success is just a matter of hanging on!"

Why stop at 10?

2008-10-18T01:14:24Z

My working list of additional ways to procrastinate the night before speaking in front of 100 people.
11. Decide that strawberry daquiris are no good unless you have whipped cream, and go out and buy whipped cream.

Ten ways to procrastinate the night before a speech contest

2008-10-18T00:51:18Z

1.    Clean out your internet dating inbox with all of the people that you don't want to date.
2.    Make Strawberry Daiquiris, very strong Strawberry Daiquiris.
3.    Clean your closet, your entire closet.
4.    Post at live journal at least 3 times in one night.
5.    Do your online banking.
6.   Visit Facebook and find 10 long lost friends.
7.   Do all of your laundry. 5 loads worth for one person
8.    Burn all your important account information that you no longer need in the fire pit.
9.    Start to pack for your vacation that is 2 weeks away.
10. Go out and buy your dogs Halloween costume.

It's scary around here!

2008-10-17T23:13:19Z

It must be in the air around here today.

I stopped next door at my mom's she is asleep with her phone held up to her face. I just stared and laughed for a few moments. She woke up for a second at the sound of my giggle to say, "I am trying to get to the bottom of Issue 6!" Great, better her than me. Joking

My dog Romeo has 20 squeaky toys but he clearly prefers 5 of them. He has lined up all 5 on the couch tonight and is playing musical squeaky toys with his nose going around to each one as if he is playing an instrument. Way too cute!!!

Me, well I should be working on my speech for my speech contest tomorrow but instead I am deep cleaning my room. I don't deep clean anything very often unless I am avoiding something! Yikes, I may officially be in trouble.

OMG!!!

2008-10-14T01:29:22Z

I am bitter sweet!!!

I just found out something great. 8 months ago, as many of you already know, I gave an internet dating speech for a competition. I probably gave this speech 100 times - to the point that the speech actually started to become too obnoxious for me to repeat again. While giving the speech I know of at least two people that started online dating and met someone they liked right away! I just found out about 10 minutes ago that one of these young ladies is engaged to the fella she met online 8 months ago! I immediately emailed the other lady to see if she was engaged yet.

This is so cool because I am actually inspiring people to go after what they want in life! Dating, authentic career choices, etc. I feel as if I am getting closer and closer to filling my ultimate job description. If you are that interested in what that long description is, go back to my April posts. Anyways, I am so happy that someone has found something real.

I only take credit for putting a few people into action - they have to be the ones to make the relationship work - and that takes a lot more risk in my opinion! Perhaps the people I have inspired can now write and give a speech to me on how to make a relationship work! I am still trying my hand at the internet dating thing, I am embarrassed to say, for 1-1/2 years now. This past month I have been on a break, so a 1 year and 5 months would be more accurate. Do you think I'll ever be able to give up my idealism and try another approach?

Smiles and good spirits to all!!!

Daily thought

2008-10-14T00:58:23Z

Leilani is thinking about letting herself go and not painting her nails for the winter!

Lori if you are reading this you are so funny, I couldn't resist using your material! You are probably the funniest person I have ever met. When you come up with your material I laugh and laugh for atleast 5 days!