I found what I lost...

Thank you to everyone who submitted a name suggestion for my writing room.

On Thursday, at the end of my day, I played with all the words, from the names I was given; I looked them up in my Thesaurus; I tossed them in the air and stirred them around in my head. Then I planted them in my subconscious and from that seed blossomed the tree from which I picked the name.

As I mentioned, in an earlier post, I don't play music when I write...usually. 

But as I sat on my chair, comfortably tilted back, my ipod plugged into my cranium audio ports playing tunes from my FAV Playlist, I closed my eyes and watched as words danced in my mind’s eye amongst the backdrop of music.

I know for certain my taste in music is not as diverse as some, nor as particular as others, but I do know what I like and for me a little rock goes a long way in clearing the clutter in my head.

It was late - I was exhausted and tired but when Midnight at the Lost and Found started to play  - I smiled.

I knew what the name of my room would be.

I realized that for the first time, in this particular lifetime, I had found myself; my lost soul was letting me know that right here was where I should be.

Right here - in the Lost and Found - a room where a long journey has come to an end and a new journey is about to begin. 

The name of my writing room was inspired by You and Meatloaf from my Hits out of Hell collection.

Note: I tried to embed a link to the song through YouTube - but it is copyright protected and although I tried several of them, none would work. (it only let me know that is was © protected after I posted it which was doubly annoying)

But...that won't stop me from giving you the actual link to YouTube, where you CAN listen to it if you are so inclined!

This is the cover photo of my CD

Also, here are the lyrics - I like knowing what I'm listening to and maybe you do too!

Midnight at the Lost and Found Lyrics

Hey Ricky, now mine is empty, how about one for you

We could sell it out together, seems tomorrow's overdue

Captain Video, done went home, one pilot laid to rest

And dragon ladies now talk that talk, about who loves who, who loves best

Silver bullets in the jukebox, spin another round

Everybody at the back of the line, it's midnight at the lost and found

Chorus:

Midnight at the lost and found, lost souls in the hunting ground

A remedy for all your ills, at the lost and found

Midnight at the lost and found, midnight

Have a double, it's gettin' late, you'll get home, just rely on fate

Place just finally came alive, good old boys just arrived

Stools keep changin' faces, and the night just slips away

And like a long distance love affair, soon you've got to pay

Silver bullets in the jukebox, spin another round

Everybody at the back of the line, it's midnight at the lost and found

(chorus)

Hangin' on barely, hitch a ride away

Belly up and bury, boy, all the hurt you feel today

(Solo)

Hangin' on barely, hitch a ride away

Belly up and bury, boy, all the hurt you feel today

Silver bullets in the jukebox, spin another round

Everybody get back in line, last call for the lost and found

(chorus repeats out...)

Songwriters: PAUL CHRISTIE, STEVE BUSLOWE,

                     DANNY PEYRONEL, LEE ADAY

My writing room is officially named 

"The Lost and Found"

Now...go out and find what you lost!

Thank you for following, for commenting, for being out there and in here.
Jenny

The name game...

This was the opening paragraph on my post titled: Yes, I do need to sit..

I’ve decided I need to call my writing room something other than “my writing room” - so, put your thinking caps on and fire off some ideas...I might write something nice about the person whose suggestion I choose! 

(emphasis on might...could go either way...depends...so many factors to take into consideration...global cooling, the reconstruction of the deteriorating last few bricks of the Berlin Wall, the decline of the Tsetse fly population, I could go on...take a chance, see what happens!)

The brave few that risked life and limb (given that bricks were falling) are cool bloggers and you all need to give them a nod.

Here they are….and the name(s) they suggested.

Possum at Possum - The Font

Mynx at Dribble - The Grotto

darev2005 at Attitude and Pepper Spray - Happy Cheeks (squared) Publishing

Thisisme at Southhamsdarling - Creativity Room

ib at Habitual Hobbit - S-U-G-A-R-M-A-M-A (not sure if that was a suggestion, but hey it sounds good!)

Becca at Everyday Life - Emporium of dreams

Carole at Carole Reid Artist - The rabbit hole, Jenny’s den of words, Jen’s den, Hide out, THE room, Where magic happens and Time out chair

WOW! Go team! 
When I finish my draft...and it will happen, remember I’m a glass-runneth-over kind of gal (that’s better than glass half full, by the way) I will be counting on you to be part of my “draft reading team”! So, bear that in mind...it was either that, or falling bricks…

Today, I was wearing my “I’m an esthetician” hat until about four in the afternoon - then I donned my “I’m trying to be a writer who’s trying to name her writing room” hat - what I should have been doing was sorting through about three hundred bottles of nail polish...but that’s another story!

I digress...but couldn’t you go for a grilled cheese right about now? 

The names, above, and several that I was trying on for size, were whirling around in my head, bumping into each other and trying to co-habitat, some were even trying for the conjugal visit - but to no avail...

I tilted my chair, I stretched my legs, I even took a one hour nap on my new electric facial (just for you Drake) bed and upon rising and seeing the fog still hanging tight around my ears I decided to pack it in for the night.

Up to that point here is what I had been conjuring up...on paper, in my mind and while sawing some serious logs...on my new (say it with me Drake) facial bed!

The Window Box, Keypad Corner, Laptop Lounge, The Tap Room, Zen Zone, Writing Quarter, Happy Hideaway, Bower Box, Jinn Jungle, Lone Voice Lounge, The Vaulted Alcove, The S.T.I.L.L. Room, Lore Lounge, Treehouse, Vaulted Vagary, The Writers Block…

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This room is on the second floor, has a vaulted ceiling, is ten feet across and eight feet deep, and has these beautiful windows facing west. I just took these photos after playing around with the names above...so you can see what my inspiration for some of them was.

 Looking south-west 

Looking north-west 

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After my snooze I ventured down the hall to visit the throne room (toilet to the rest of you - I like to make every occasion memorable - so every room needs a name...see my dilemma).

Upon my return, and with laptop in carrying case, I was ready to head out - got to the door and thought...no I can’t go home with this hanging on my head…

I put my goodies down on a reception chair and, with all the lights off, I headed into my “writing room” to sit in my very comfy new chair and reflect on what this space, my writing space, means to me.

I decided to “feel” the room and get a sense of why I was in this particular space and why this was where I wanted to write...my soul found itself and the name came to me…

But, it’s late and I need to hit the hay...so, you’ll just have to check back here later and find out what I came up with.

Bad Jenny, Bad!    HaHaHaHaHaHa (do you hear the evil lurking in my laughter...still thinking of running...go, I’ll give you a head start...but I will find you!)

Thank you for following, for commenting, for being out there and in here.

Jenny

Yes, I do need to sit...

I’ve decided I need to call my writing room something other than “my writing room” - so, put your thinking caps on and fire off some ideas...I might write something nice about the person whose suggestion I choose! 

(emphasis on might...could go either way...depends...so many factors to take into consideration...global cooling, the reconstruction of the deteriorating last few bricks of the Berlin Wall, the decline of the Tsetse fly population, I could go on...take a chance, see what happens!)

Today’s topic...MY NEW CHAIR.

Well...

I need something to sit on in “my writing room”, right?, so to that end today I went and bought this baby…

Sweet!

It has more levers than a tractor trailer has gears, well, okay, slight exaggeration but you get the picture. 

Here...see, levers…

I opted for arms, and it has a tilt feature...you know, for those times when I’ll be in deep thought and will need to recline back, arms gently resting, rather than dangling, while I let the little wheels turn in my head, conjuring up images and ideas that will eventually find their way to my fingertips. (aka afternoon nap)

Yes, I needed tilt...and I decided not to scrimp. There are some things you just shouldn’t go bargain hunting for - chairs and face cream - these two things will make or break you.

Think about it for a quick minute - keep your face well hydrated and protected and you’ll maintain your youthful complexion your whole life.

It’s the same with a good chair - if your tush and back fit into it, as if made to measure, you will avoid neck, back, and leg fatigue all your sitting days.

On this you must trust me. 

For all my working years the two things that have been staples in keeping my vitality and stamina at a level most younger chickadees would envy are a high quality chair and top quality face cream. 

I speak from experience when I say that your well-being truly is determined by a happy tush and a smooth complexion. Really...would I steer you wrong...hmmm...would I, my sweet loveable little possums! (big fan of Dame Edna!)

Actually, if you look at your 'sweet cheeks' in the mirror you'll see how soft and smooth they are. Now you can see what lack of sun exposure would do to your face...yup, it's true! You would look as cute as a 'butt'on if you didn't bake your face off in the sun!

So...

This chair is designated "my writing room” chair, as opposed to the chair I use in my esthetic room, and today, I sat down in my new chair, in my soon-to-be-renamed "writing room", and whipped up this post...just for you!

So, there you have it my writing room is almost complete...still a few more things to tidy away, toss out and acquire...but all in good time!

Well, tell me, what do you sit on when you are madly typing away?

Thank you for following, for commenting, for being out there and in here.

Jenny

The inspiration...

Regarding my post, The end of a chapter..., I give you the inspiration behind the words.

-------------------

July 25th, 2011

The morning started a little different for a “day-off” Monday. Rather than filling my day with domestic chores and at-home responsibilities I jumped in my car to take care of a few loose ends at my studio.

As some of you have read, in past posts, I am doing some minor renovating at my studio - more cosmetic than structural - and there was one task that needed attending to.

I needed to dispose of my original facial chair. 

I had waffled with the idea of somehow saving it, just in case - what exactly the “just in case” should be I’m not sure. 

I had toyed with bringing it home and tucking it in a corner somewhere, but hesitated; I try not to bring work home and this would be a big chunk of work staring at me day and night; it was not an option.

I even tried giving it away...to no avail.

You see...it’s old...and no one wants old.

Twenty seven years ago I started my own business. The location was a bustling hair salon and the room I would be renting had a facial chair, a magnifying lamp and a steamer in it - left behind when the key to the salon had changed hands, months earlier.

I bought the three pieces on credit from the new owner...fifty dollars a month for five months. With nerves frayed but confidence high I forged forward toward the distant shores of success.

Over the years, the magnifying lamp was replace with special glasses; the steamer with heated towels, but the facial chair remained a constant - solid, firm and reliable.

Three years ago a car accident torpedoed that ship of mine and distant shores no longer dotted the horizon. I was adrift.

With compass in hand, charts spread out, and a quick roll of the dice, a new course was charted and my bearings adjusted.

Facials would be the new land of opportunity. However, to give this land the potential to bear fruit I needed to invest in, and upgrade, my studio and equipment.

In March, I purchased a beautiful and highly functional electric facial bed - yes, this one can safely be called a bed; it’s wider and longer than my previous one and much easier on my hands.

This new facial bed is lovely but we have no history - there are no stories woven into the padding; it smells - of new and shiny - of plastic and chrome  - of hope and promise - but we have no history.

My chair, my facial chair, that solid, old, reliable facial chair of mine was the harbour for many souls that, over the years, came to shore during their hours of rejuvenation and pampering; it was an extension of my hands - and now it is no longer...my chair.

I cried.

Yes, I cried over saying goodbye to my facial chair. It deserved no less - it was my friend. We had forged a bond, an understanding, and we worked seamlessly together for over a quarter of a century. 

The room, in which this facial chair of mine had lived, has now become a room for me to pursue my other passion...writing.

Late in 2004 I started working, sporadically, on an epic novel...it garnered a nod of encouragement, at a writers conference in 2006, from a New York Times bestseller author.

In pursuit of my dream I have said goodbye to a piece of yesterday so that I can write today, in my peaceful writing room, the words you will read tomorrow.

My writing room overlooks a beautiful, lush, treed parcel of land, bisected by a now defunct rail track; I can hear birds chirping and leaves rustling amongst the din of cars and people. 

I do not play music, as I did when this space was my facial room; now the rhythmic tapping of fingers on laptop keys is the music that makes me smile.

Goodbye goodbye my cherished friend

You’ve served me well these years

The time has come for you to go

And I must learn to fly

-------------------------------

There you have it...the end of a chapter, and the start of something new!

This is the first piece written in my new writing room - my tribute to change, to wings and to being inspired by objects that surround me.

-------------------------------

Has there been an inanimate object, in your life, that you had a hard time saying goodbye to?

Thank you for following, for commenting, for being out there and in here.

Jenny

The end of a chapter...

Goodbye goodbye to a wee bit of me

I know that this is right

I hold you in my thoughts I do

But now I lay you down

Goodbye goodbye to wee bit of me

I thought I knew you well

But now I see what you have done

I cry no more for thee

Goodbye goodbye my cherished friend

You’ve served me well these years

The time has come for you to go

And I must learn to fly

Hello Hello what do I see

Are these the wings you give to me

I will do what must be done

To help me find my way

Hello Hello I see it now

The way to go is clear to me

I’ll start my journey now today

These wings will show the way

Thank-you thank-you for all you’ve done

For the years, the wings, the love

I know that all will be okay

This butterfly is now set free.

Thank-you thank-you for teaching me

to fly to fly to fly so high

I’m free to find the space called me

In there I know I am.

In there I know I am.

There are many things this could be about...one in particular inspired it...a story for another day; therefore I invite you to enjoy it and see in it the story you choose.

Do these words stir a memory of your own?

Thank you for following, for commenting, for being out there and in here!

Jenny 

Al...are you sure it's a dog's life?

You tell me...

No dogs were killed in the taking of this photo...at least I hope not!

Original source - unknown...it came into my sick and twisted hands by way of an equally sick and twisted compadre on the other side of the globe, where this kind of humour is the norm...so I guess I’m the only sick and twisted one, eh Al!

Made you laugh!

Cheers, Jenny

Whipped again...this time with zest!

I couldn’t just stop after chocolate and carrot without doing lemon some justice.

So...it starts like this…

(yes, Bets and me...at it again!)

then continues with a layer of whipped cream (double yum) and fresh raspberries...

put the two halves together and this is what it looks like.

Now… this frosting is sinful; why you ask; because I made it from scratch and used real lemon zest! (that ridiculously fancy name for grated peel)

Here is my gin glass (I refuse to use martini glasses - I drink gin neat, one rock, three olives  usually) but for this occasion I just poured my Bombay gin right over this lemon half, after squeezing the life out of it, and added a pinch of sugar - clever and very zesty.

Now...here is the cake with its innards exposed - I must say (since you can’t really tell by licking your screen) it was really very juicy; tangy and sweet too!

In between all this domesticity I managed to find time to put together this desk for the writing space I have created at my studio - damn I’m good!

See, if you wanted it done yesterday, give it to a woman today!

All in all...my daughter and mother, whom I had over for dinner (yes, I cooked a wonderful meal too boot) loved this cake. 

But the real verdict was in when Gerry came by and had a slice - yup chocolate still floats his boat - but he allowed that this cake would definitely buoy his spirits if his chocolate boat should ever sink. 

He did mention that should this cake baking sickness come upon me, say next year around his birthday, I was to go the route of chocolate and double up on the frosting! 

What is it with men and frosting anyway?

There you have it...my baking days are done! 

Cheers, Jenny