I plan to tackle the following things:

• Send review copies in to be considered for the S'Indie Award
• Get Rabbit's Lucky Number reviewed by more Rape Crisis Programs
• Land another interview somewhere...that will see the light of day
• Complete podcast
• Complete youtube video and facebook business page
• Complete at least ten blogs (3 down, 7 to go with this posting)
• Complete first chapter of new book
• Complete first scene of Rabbit's screenplay
• Unveil new cover

Writing down the tasks ahead of me allows me to put it out in the Universe, stay focused and feel accountable.

Small steps toward being spectacular in '09!

Quite frankly, sticking to just publishing bores me (and probably you) to tears. While it is my intention to use this blog to share information, my other intention is to write, and to get better at writing. And if I lose the mojo to write because I am not really too pressed to write about publishing, then guess who's not writing about anything whatsoever? Me. The supposed writer.

So stay tuned for more randomness that is Lee, publishing links and information, and my intentions going forward. And oh yeah, she's baaaaaaack!

We elected the first Black President of the United States. We watched the financial market sink faster than the Titanic - post iceberg hit.

Extreme? Yes. But balanced.

In 2008, I have met many great people and have also been reacquainted with so many others from the past, both by circumstance and obviously fa.ceb.ook - stay tuned for that post...lol. I've also cut some folks loose. (Or maybe they cut me loose...lol. I dunno.) But it's for the best.

I've made many great strides, both personally and professionally, but I've also made so many mistakes this year. I've been humbled by some of them, yet I have become more confident in my abilities and aware of my shortcomings. Now, some of those mistakes, I've had to pay for (literally and figuratively) but they've all been learning experiences and many have turned out to be rewards. The thing I am most happy about is that I can look myself in the mirror and say, I tried. And not only did I try, I tried my best, succeeded at some things, but most importantly exceeded my own expectations.

I had a car accident where I had to get five stitches in my face, but I've had the confidence to wear my hair off my face and still feel beautiful inside and out.

In all my reflections of 2008, I realized that one of the greatest things I could have done for myself was to let God take the wheel. This has been the second year that I've actually refused to stand in God's way with my meddling hands and I have been blessed to see many beautiful things come to fruition. But let me tell you...in the meantime, the devil has been busy.  It is an ongoing fight.

I pray I am able to maintain balance in 2009 and to be better than I was in 2008.

We are made in His likeness and I really like my new reflection.

God bless.  And happy new year.

Lee

1. The Arkansas woman who has had her 18th baby... EIGHTEENTH. And this is only her third C-Section.

Question. Is the body THAT elastic? I'm just saying.

Question. Don't these folks have a television, or playstation, or I don't know, outside interests besides ummm, well you know. ;)

Question. Can you imagine what 'J names' one of our cousins would have named eighteen kids? I'm thinking it would be along the lines of Toni Childs with Jumanji, Jamiriquai, Jujubee...lol.

2. Bernard Madoff

This guy bilked people out of $50 BILL-ion.  My spidey sense is telling me this guy had no intention of stopping. But could he have? Either way a few big organizations were going to fall and take him down.

Question. Is it me or does he have a perpetual smirk on his face? And doesn't that seem to make his crimes seem worse?

3. Ohio workers win $207 million jackpot

Question. Doesn't that lone black man allll the way to the left look like Uncle Willie? You know...Uncle Willie...on Daddy's sister's other brother's nephew's side of the family...lol

4. Reverend Al and Caroline Kennedy do lunch

I know they're talking seriously, but the one thing I think Rev. All wants to know is...

Question. You gon' eat yo cornbread? lol

Happy Friday!

Fine. I don't get angry often.

I get annoyed at little things...like toast crumbs in the butter. And water splashed all over the sink counter...and slow drivers in the left lane. I roll my eyes, maybe cuss a little bit, but in a matter of seconds I'm over it. This is not to say I'm sugar and spice and everything nice...lol. But I'm cool, ya know?

I was in a car accident over the weekend. I've got five stitches over my eye that look like something of a pirate's scar, a swollen cheekbone thats gone down considerably, and a few minor aches, but I'm okay. My (unhurt) friend that was driving apologized. And I was not mad. It could have happened to anyone.

Even though I was bleeding, ruined my favorite scarf, had a dented back wheel and rear passenger door and was feeling vulnerable and so unpretty in the ER, I was just happy to be alive and able to walk away on my own. Thank God.

So on Sunday, I stayed in bed, nursing a hangover and the aftershocks. On Monday, I stayed in bed because the liquor was out the system and now I could feel the discomfort. On Tuesday, I got up to take care of my baby.

My friend asked me all these questions about where I'd get it fixed and how much I should haggle and so on. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He recommended me to this guy, except the guy didn't do the work necessary and was going to recommend me to a place over near my house. Now the wheel on my car needs fixing, so I say skip the guy who is doing the recommending and go to the recommended. Except that got all blurry.

After trying unsuccessfully to get him on the phone, I went back home.

My friend wants to ask all these questions and say well what happened to the guy I told you to go to...and did you go here and did you go there and skrrch.

Record scratched.

All this time, I'd been saying I didn't want to be driving around with this bent up wheel and this negro is asking me all these questions about comparative pricing. To hell with it if the wheel falls off because he has to get the hookup. I was livid. I told him I'd call him back. And I did. One second later to say he didnt even take it upon himself to take the got-damned day off to even go with me, but he got all these damn instructions.  What does he say? Nothing. Nothing! Silence. *sucking my teeth*

What I don't say because I know he feels badly enough is that even though it's my car he should be doing the clean up work because this was ALL HIS FAULT. And since he's not, this is one of those times when a man should say just let me know how much it is and then he shuts the hell up. And on top of that, I havent been mad about any of this mess, including a busted up face that by the grace of God did not produce a black eye, but it is clear that he does not appreciate that.

So I hang up and take the car back to my Dad's mechanic.

Dude calls back. Two hours later at 3pm. To ask where I am and say he was going to come meet me to go to the place.  Nope. Took it already. Talk to you later. Where was he going at 3pm? And that meant he wouldnt get to me until 430pm. And it gets dark by then and no thanks.

He calls back again. And I am convinced then that he wants to argue. Maybe assuage his guilt, I don't know.  But I'm not with it because I'm calm again and the problem is solved...at least in my eyes. 

And then we are texting. Text arguing, mind you, and he keeps asking me all these questions and then...he tells me to relax. 

Relax.  THAT makes me mad. Angry. Heated. Whatever. Because I am relaxed. I've BEEN relaxed.

And so that sets it off again.

The final outcome: Just let me know the damage since you know everything'. Oh. He didn't know? lol

I just needed to vent...but two days later, I'm mad over it again.

I've come to a place in my life, that I'm comfortable in my relaxed skin. I don't get riled up about much, and I am fine with it. On the occasions that I do blaze up the place, I tell my girlfriends that I am channeling them and they always laugh and say good or finally!

But is it safe to say that people don't respect it? Or that they want to see you lose it? And that they have no right to get mad when they push you over the edge because obviously it takes a lot?

I'm gonna wooo-sah on this.

I really, really need to.

The average book buyer unless referred by a friend does in fact judge a book by its cover.

My co-worker says she looks at the cover, reads the back and reads the first line. She's not sure if she would have bought it if it wasn't mine. Miss Crystal at Brownstone Books indicated the reader looking at the cover may wonder if he or she has to like basketball to follow what's going on and that it doesn't give you any emotion. Two votes for change.

On the flipside, God's Grace Book Club said they liked the cover for it's symbolism and simplicity. Five votes for 'keep it as is'.

And here I am...caught in the middle.  So with that being said, I leave it up to the majority.

      ORIGINAL COVER                REVISED COVER

Thank you for participating!

1. A rape crisis center in the Bronx wants to use excerpts from Rabbit's Lucky Number for their treatment program. (12/3 update--->) Another in Brooklyn has just contacted me to say the same. I am still amazed! My work, although entertaining (as I've been told) will serve someone in healing and moving forward.

2. Thanksgiving was quiet. The folks headed down the turnpike to visit family with my collard greens in tow. I opted out and sat at the kitchen table all day cooking and eating.

3. Thanksgiving dindin for one turned out so well, Bro-in-law took leftovers to work the next day. He doesn't eat anything but his mom's cooking and my sister's. My cousin even called from her neck of the woods to ask how to make them. Imagine that. :)  Go me, it's ya birthday.

4. RLN is now available on Kindle E-Reader at Amazon!

5. My jeans still fit...even though they reeeeallllee shouldn't.  Giving thanks for good genes/jeans! ;)

Hope your Thanksgiving was equallee ful(filling)!

Thank(full)lee,

Me

Bodyguards are not your friend. Well other people's bodyguards aren't. I'm sure if Big Sexy were my bodyguard we'd be pals.

But since he is Tyra Banks' big corn fed brickhouse bodyguard, I maintain my initial stance.

I, in my absence from this blog, have been on a quest to gain exposure. With a fairly nonexistent budget and an increase in workload, I've had to get creative and also ask folks for help.

So far, I've accosted a radio personality at Mc.D.onald's on my way to work and then was invited to a show, where I was formally introduced by a friend who happens to know him. Don't wanna jinx it, even though I've been putting Tyra's name on blast...but we shall see!

So anyway, I took a day off last week and went over to the studios where Tyra shoots based on a new insider tip.

I'm sitting in my car, with my homegirl riding shotgun. Scoping it out. I go inside the studio, give a lil rundown as the receptionist fake smiles and says, 'sounds great'. She then hands me a xeroxed copy of the instructions on how to get on the show - online. Like everyone else.

I come back to the car. I'm still watching for Ms. T. I notice there's a black car sitting across the street by the studio and I have an idea. And that's when I see the swoll Kevin Costner doing his job most efficiently.

Can't let him stop my shine...

You Tyra's guard? I ask.

Yep.

I give the spiel about the book, Rabbit's Lucky Number, great, Pearson Lee, great, blah, blah, blah, great.

What does he say?

Get online. Keep emailing producers. Be persistent. Thanks Buddy. Upon further questioning, he adds that she is not approachable and that I would not get close enough to give her anything and neither would he give it to her. All this said while he chews on a toothpick.

And when I go back to my car and look back like I am contemplating an approach anyway (I was), he gives me this look that says don't do it to yourself.

And well, I have an aversion to the chokehold...and the cops.  See? Bodyguard=not friend.

So I let it go...for now. 

If anyone wants to join my crusade to get Rabbit's Lucky Number on Tyra (or Oprah!) feel free to get online and say 'Hey, I read this great book! You should have her on your show!'

Stay tuned for the next episode!

Lee 

PS. No bail money necessary...at least for the present moment! Love ya!

God's Grace All in 8 Book Club out of Jamaica, Queens

We had a wonderful time even though according to my friend Joyce, I was all eyes! LOL. We had lasagna (yummy!) and they asked me some serious questions about the book, including the most frequently asked FAQ. But that's to be expected. And the fact that they read the book, in my opinion gave them license to ask. Very shortly after I arrived, when it was clear the vibe was cool, I mellowed out and the lids lowered to half mast.

Big thank yous to God's Grace for being such spirited company and wonderfully gracious hosts!

Hugs,

Lee