When I was a child, there were so many books I loved that I can’t just pick one so I’m going to just list some of them.

The boxcar children by Gertrude Chandler Warner.

Then again, maybe I won’t buy Judy Blume.

The lion, the witch and the wardrobe by CS Lewis.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg.

Mrs. Frisby and the rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien.

Island of the blue dolphins by Scott O’Dell

These are just a few… 😉

As always, thank you for reading.

-aaa

It’s a difficult question so I try to pick three of my favorite friends when I have so many.

First, I must say this book is one that changed my life. I read this book at a time when I really needed what it shared. Book is called The Untethered Soul by Alan Singer. This book discusses and questions the concepts of wha consciousness truly is, how to achieve unconditional happiness, and what our emotions truly are. Also how they all interact.

My second book is one that I have read a number of times. This is by my favorite science fiction author Orson Scott card called Ender’s Game. Simulated wargames in zero G, space genius children in orbit learning to become great leaders, what’s not to love? One gifted child standing on his own, having to deal with what adults deal with great story.

My final book is one of the silliest wittiest books I’ve ever read. Joseph Heller’s masterpiece of anti war satire, Catch 22. Great characters and very witty dialog. Some of the funniest names you’ll read in a book. Many funny twists and turns as antihero protagonist bombardier John Yossarian tries to escape future deadly dangerous bombing missions by feigning insanity. His attempts are in vain though, because the very act of faking insanity to preserve his own life is actually an act of sanity. Hence the expression catch 22.

Frankly, many other books could be in the top three for me as I’ve read many great books in my life. These (current too 3) are my favorite ones right now that I’ve read most of them more than once.

These are the kind of books I wouldn’t mind having if I was on stranded an island.

Thank you for reading. 😊

-aaa

One big fear I’m still trying to overcome is that the first 50 or so years of my life a lot of them were a waste.

I married two narcissistic women, engaged to a third. I gave them 26 years of my life and it was all in toxic relationships. I’ll never get those back. So that’s my fear that I wasted half my life so far.

On the other hand, everything happens for a reason, and I have to believe it was all part of my journey to become who I am right now. I’m the best person I’ve ever been, and I don’t know if I would be if I hadn’t gone through all that.

So I guess I am conquering my fear that it was a waste those hard years.

Thanks for reading as always have a great rest of your Sunday.

-aaa

This is a great question. The most simple source of joy in my everyday life is writing.

Pouring my heart and soul into my words in many written forms brings me immense joy. Sharing some of these works here, and having people actually read it, and like it is even more joy, bonus joy. 😊

As always, thank you for reading.

-aaa

We all need to unplug sometimes. For me it’s when I start to get overwhelmed by life’s stressors.

To alleviate this I quite simply, turn off all technology, disconnect from all social media, and go to nature.

Go for a walk, a hike, an adventure.

A beach, the mountains, a park, something outside and not requiring a phone, computer, or TV.

Or I turn on the music and get lost in the melodies and the vivid imagery they bring about.

I call the above activities, “Recharging my batteries”…

Thank you for reading.

-aaa

Well, I’m sort of been a jack of all trades master of none in my careers.

I’ve worked in technology, customer service, and utility sectors.

But here are the jobs I have done or am working on currently:

Courtesy clerk (box boy)

Project manager

Customer service representative

Technical support engineer

Tech-support level two

Tech-support engineer level three

Helpdesk

Systems analyst

Business analyst

Trainer

Data conversion specialist

Senior technology specialist

Information technology risk assessor

Information technology budget manager

Network administrator

Technical writer

Poet

Biographer

Ghost writer

Percussionist

Writer

I guess that’s enough. And one level or another, though I perform those tasks above some at the same time, others by themselves.

As always, thank you for reading. 😀

-aaa

This is a very difficult question for me. Yes I am religious, but in the name of of religion, members of my own family were murdered.

I am a quarter Armenian and my great grandparents both perished in the Armenian Genocide of 1917, as did 1.5 million other Armenian citizens, many of which were women and children.

I hold no anger or resentment or desire for revenge for what has happened. I have learned to love and respect EVERYONE! No matter what you believe in, no matter the color of your skin, no matter who you love, I love you all.

We should all be the same way who are we to judge anybody based on religion or anything else? We’re not we’re human. we are gods we can’t cast judgment on another people. It’s not our job. Yet so many do specially in these last several years.

I keep scratching my head to this day…

-aaa

I have to say I’m real lucky. I was born into low technology, far before the Internet became what we know it today to be. I think back then it was still an idea to keep network connectivity in the event of a nuclear holocaust. Definitely a different application than what is used today.

I mean right now as I’m typing this on my smart phone, utilizing the information super high and a fiber optic connection as my personal broadband.

We had to use a lot more creativity, imagination to get what we needed out of the available technologies of the time. I was born in 1972 so I’m definitely a Generation X.

I also have a unique perspective as in college. I was there before, and after the advert of the Internet. I remember spending seven hours in the library reviewing and printing microfiche a various periodicals. I didn’t mind that didn’t mind the Dewey Decimal System.

Then along comes the Internet, information far too easy to grab, we become so lazy as a society. Everything handed to us. I believe the more recent generations have no patience because they are used to instant gratification. Fast results fast information.

I think the older generations had to use a lot of creativity because we didn’t have everything handed out to us or arms length if you had a tablet or phone or computer at your disposal, which almost almost everybody does this day and age.

That’s my humble opinion I’m not saying it’s and I’m not putting anybody down, but I’m saying the fact that I’ve got to live with and without technology I feel like I use it more responsibly.

Just my five cents thanks for reading…

-aaa

This is a great question and it’s difficult because I’m modest, but I’m gonna go ahead and run with this one.

Things that I’m good at:

Writing poetry and short stories and articles.

Technical writing and technology and computers and helping people with those.

Percussion and drums since I was eight.

Singing since I was five.

I’m also a very empathetic human being and a healer, I help people find the answers and the questions.

I was a strong site reader also as a musician.

I play piano by ear self taught.

And have borderline perfect pitch.

Feels weird answering these as I feel like I’m acting like an egotist and I’m not. But there are great many things. I’m pretty good at Jack of all trades master of none maybe.

thanks for reading. I know haven’t done one of these in a while.

-aaa

This is actually a pretty good question. At least this one doesn’t sound like a marketing research question, lol, but you never know. 🙄

It’s quite easy for me to balance home and work life as I live alone and I work from home. By day, I’m a tech writer for the gas company. By night, I’m a blogger that’s the challenge.

It’s like working two jobs, having two muses, and trying to keep them both happy and still have a life in between it all.

I just find that I’m pretty much constantly writing all the time right now. I’m approaching new poetic styles and forms on here challenging myself every day. And I’m also working at my tech job gathering requirements for information systems we’re replacing using all of my information technology experience from the past 28 years.

In between everything I clean I cook I keep my apartment immaculate because I see it is an extension of myself. This falls under self-care we all need to not forget self-care, no matter how busy we are with our writing, our efforts, our jobs.

The only time I really relax and rest is on the weekends and even then if I get a lot of ideas, I’ll do a lot of writing still. 

Truly challenging all of it and I like it. I like having to push myself and my creativity as far as I can.

Each day, a new challenge, but I like it. And I hope I do all my muses justice…

-aaa

What sacrifices have I made in life?

Well, there are sacrifices that are worth it and there are ones that are foolish. Honestly, I think the return you get on your sacrifice, will determine whether it was worth it or not. For instance, sacrificing your time, money and health for someone you loved that doesn’t love you back isn’t worth it. This is a very hard lesson that I have had to spend about 30 years with three women learning. And as I am divorced yet again I’m learning it again.

Sacrificing who you are and what you like in exchange to be more accessible to other people isn’t worth it. You need to attract people that resonate at the same frequency that you do. That like the same things that you do, and that are worth all that you are willing to sacrifice for them.

Sacrificing your passions in exchange for a paycheck or an income or financial security truly isn’t worth it either. You need to find a career that is aligned with what you love to do and your passion I don’t care what it is too many of us have compromised what we truly love to do in exchange for monetary security. I’m now doing what I love and I’m making the most money I’ve ever made and it’s very fulfilling and satisfying to do that every day. And writing every day is truly bliss. I regret not doing this from the get-go.

I’ve learned these things The Hard Way, the hardest way of all. I’m 52 years old now, I’m not young anymore. I know I’m not old or ancient, but I gave up a lot for people that didn’t give a solitary care about me and that was because I didn’t love myself.

I had to learn the hard way that everything starts and ends with us so you need to love yourself and create boundaries and know you’re worth or your sacrifices in life will all be waste. And all you’ll have for all those years and difficulty is a bunch of bills and lessons to teach to people so they don’t make your mistakes in life. And also, you won’t be sitting there with your head between your hands, in, wondering what happened and how it all went by so fast.

Know you’re worth before you make any sacrifices for other people in this life. Because, many people aren’t worth your talents, your love, your money, or most of all your time…

-aaa

The oldest thing I’m wearing today is this mug… 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Short and sweet today thank you for reading…

-aaa

Honestly, I’m a bit of both. in music, I was a leader for many years as drum captain and first chair. In Junior High and in high school.

In technology and in my job now I also am a leader, and I frequently run meetings and present information to management.

I’m very also relaxed that’s where I’m not a leader too. I’m really go with the flow. I’m by no means and alpha. I’m more like a theta lol

-aaa

Though I still suspect this is for marketing purposes by region, I’ll share mine (in no particular order).

1. Bananas

I’ve loved these since my childhood they’re always delicious with cereal and desserts on ice cream or just buy themselves.

2. Rainier Cherries

To me these are the best tasting cherries you can get. They’re the most expensive and they look very different. They’re orange and yellow versus Bing, which are red and various shades of purple and even black. Try them sometime they’re worth it.

3. Kumquats

Ever ever since my childhood my Nana had a kumquat tree and I always had them and they’re just like an orange inside out. The skin is the sweet part and the inside part is more bitter.

4. Plums

If possible, I prefer the Italian plums. Very very sweet. Delicious when they’re right juicy a real delight on a hot summers day.

5. Pineapple

Another frequent go to for me. I love pineapple always have always will very sweet and tangy delicious and drinks. Delicious by itself. Delicious on desserts. Chocolate covered pineapples are good too.

-aaa

Today’s question is an excellent one. I have many answers that come to mind, but I will choose the most appropriate. This encapsulates most closely to me for my journey and I hope it helps.

One small improvement you can make in your life very simply, change. A change in job, a change in venue, a change in your life, a change in diet, a change in careers, a change in relationships.

They say growth comes from change and I say they’re right. These past couple of years I’ve been through separation/divorce, moving from one state to another, and a major career change. These occurred almost all simultaneously (aside from my last move, which happened October of last year).

I’d be lying if I told you that this was easy because it’s not. It’s been very difficult. I often nickname this part of my life, my “fire journey” for a reason. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Through change you achieve growth. Through growth, you change your perspective on your life, your past your present, even your future, and that is where you find peace and even grace. Despite all the bad things that happened in the past.

But change is scary. It’s the greatest thing we all resist. Our brain for some reason tells us “no don’t do it, it’ll be too difficult!!”. What we have to learn is sometimes our brain is wrong. This idea of preserving our ego at all costs is foolhardy.

New books and new ideas often say shedding the ego the way to go and I agree. The best way you can do that you do that, is through change. That’s been my experience and I’m sticking with it. Good luck everybody and be brave!!!

Thanks for reading and subscribing!!! 😊

-aaa

Well, I know we’re all talking about this today and I’m gonna do the same. Politicians it’s hard to trust them at all and that’s because I’d stay over the last maybe 8 to 10 years they’ve solely had their own interest at heart. Put dollars in their pocket from the lobbies and PACs is what they’ll do.

The constituency as a joke in this era of PACs lobbyists. and I have us all pitting against each other, Democrat against Republican Republican against Democrat.

The truth is they want us to fight so that we don’t watch what they’re doing very slowly diminishing our rights in America all for the the Almighty dollar.

I’m grossly disappointed in all of our politicians right now. It’s quite question of who they’re working for right now? It sure doesn’t feel like the American people, I’ll tell you that. 

I said this a few times today and I’m gonna say it again “politicians solely tell the truth when their lips are not moving.”. I hope one day we find our way again seems like we’ve been lost since pre-Covid. Just my humble opinion.

Thank you for reading.

-aaa



I intend to write and blog like I am now for the rest of my life.

I plan to have my works published in multiple anthologies.

I’d also like to obtain my doctorate to teach writing/English courses at a university.

-aaa

The last live show I saw was Depeche Mode at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles a couple weeks before Christmas 2023.

The show was very good and the band did not disappoint. Highlight of the evening was a stunning rendition of my favorite off of violator, Waiting for the Night to Fall.

This was my sixth time seeing Depeche and I feel quite nostalgic recalling my first time seeing one of my favorite bands some 36 years ago.

The Depeche Mode Pasadena Rose Bowl concert of 1988 was my first concert and I was 16 years old. It was the 101st and final leg of their Music For The Masses tour. This was long concert that was almost a mini festival. With Wire as the opening act, followed by Thomas Dolby, then Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, and the heading band.

This set the tone for what would become a lifetime love of live music and concerts that continues to this day.

Music is my greatest passion and love and I’m privileged to have seen many great live bands. I look forward to enjoying many more. Whether you’re 16, or 24, or 36, or even 52, there’s great music out there to experience. I’ll see you all at the next big act!

-aaa

For a time I volunteered at a food bank and found it very satisfying and fulfilling. I will likely do this again in the near future I can’t volunteer at that food bank because my ex-wife often goes there to help. there are a lot of food poor in America and food banks definitely help and the food is not squandered, and people are not taking advantage.

Even when I got my masters degree in English, I devoted many of my projects to helping the food poor. To better have volunteers, sponsors, and monetary donors find a Food bank and be able to make a big difference.

I designed the website, did a couple of YouTube videos and presentations, and even filled out a whole grant on how to fund it.

I think one day in the near future, I’ll bring it back to life and try and make it happen for real rather than in the classroom.

Thank you for reading.

-aaa

I’m doing it now day and night, writing a storm of material. 😊

The best part is it’s for more than one day it’s for every day. 😊

-aaa

I have many people I look to for advice. I have some very dear friends I’ve known for a number of years. I trust them and their judgment and that they’ll be frank with me.

I have definitely turned to family for similar reasons as friends as trust and honesty are present as well.

Lastly, I trust my intuition and judgement when encountering changes and challenges in my life. I augment that with the knowledge I’ve learned from experience and the advice of trusted family and friends.

-aaa

This is yet another great question, as it’s important and grants me the opportunity to show how I’ve learned to let my brain and heart work together.

I give myself direction in my life. I choose with the ebb or flow whether I stay or go. start a sound like a Clash song here I wonder what Joe Strummer would say?

I trust myself and my judgments now more than ever in my life. I have taken the hard lessons I have learned to augment my intuition and make better decisions that way.

I trust my gut, but also the lessons I’ve learned and that is how I have direction in my life. Doing what I love, pursuing what I love, and living a life, I love.

-aaa

This is an excellent question. I’m going to talk about quotes or rather mantras I’ve created for myself that I’ve really helped me on my journey, especially as of late.

1) “Everything starts with us“

We are not victims of our pasts, we are victims of ourselves. Decisions/choices we’ve made people we’ve loved married, etc that have hurt or harmed us in our lives, those are on us. Now granted the way they treated us is on them but we made the mistake of choosing them. Hence everything starts with us.

Another aspect of this quote is about love. To love other people effectively we have to love ourselves and there’s a reason why that adage holds true. If we don’t love ourselves, we will unconsciously choose people that don’t love us either.

I know because that’s what happened with me and three different women that I was involved with. I married two, and was engaged to the third. All of these relationships were toxic and all three women were narcissists. Had I loved myself and known my value I never would’ve let them in my life let alone as my significant other partner.

2) “Just keep going!!”

This has been my mantra for the past six months now as I’ve got my own place my own life and many changes. I just keep repeating to myself “ just keep going” anytime I’m unsure about anything. going on a blind date, just keep going. Unsure about my work project, just keep going. Unsure if my blog is going to be big, just keep going.

I also share this with my family, friends and even strangers. It’s so simple subtle and yet powerful. Try it yourself. You might find it really works.

3) “Any person place or thing that does not contribute to my: happiness, inner peace, or well-being, I partways with”

This one I’ve also learned firsthand from experience. I’ve had to cut ties with a lot of people in my life and items in my life that we’re not serving the purpose of my best interests, and this quote encapsulate all that.

-aaa

This question is a double edged sword for me. My favorite holiday and least favorite holiday are the same at this point in my life.

That holiday is Christmas. It used to be my favorite holiday to celebrate with my favorite people. Unfortunately, many of those relatives and friends are gone (passed away). All that remains is a big space where they used to be and it makes the holiday of Christmas a much more difficult.

I guess that makes me selfish, wanting to have my favorite people in my life present on my favorite holiday. I’m feeling like it isn’t my favorite holiday without them.

I’m not alone. I know a lot of people feel this way. I just make the best of it each year, and try and use the generosity of the holiday as a means to pick up my heart and spirit.

I am hoping someday to make new great memories for Christmas and definitely am going forward with my heart open to that, but it is challenging.

-aaa 💔 🎄 💔

This is a great question. I sort of see it as when do you get inspired or when you feel motivated to write and I have a lot of answers because it happens to me all the time.

Honestly all the time. When inspiration strikes I always start jotting down everything on my iPhones notepad app.

I get a rhyme I get a line I get some stanza. I get some kind of idea and I either I write it down immediately and build on it later or at the time.

That moves and drives me to write something down when I’m productive and that can happen anytime.

For instance, this morning, I was grabbing a hamburger and fries from a little local joint nearby called Avalon and I got this idea because I kept being in the wrong place and everybody’s way while I was waiting for my order to be completed and so I got these two lines “I’m always in somebody’s way no matter what I do or say” that’s often how poetry starts for me.

A notion an idea something I just can’t get out of my head. Earlier today, I fellow author wrote about how thankful she was about her grandmother being in her life. This really hit me hard since I haven’t had a grandmother and almost 20 years and how much that love and support meant to me I was motivated to write something about my grandmother although I loved them all and I shared it earlier today.

Be productive as long as you feel like it as long as it flows out of you. When you get stuck or get writers block sometimes you have to take a break and not do anything.

Meditate on it come back to it. I do often as well. just my $.10. 😊

-aaa

This is a different question, but I’ll do my very best to answer it the best I can.

There are many emoticons. I use often in my post, my texts and emails and social media entries. I’d have to say the following are my favorite emoticons to use: ❤️😊😀🥰😝🤩🤣😘😋😢.

The emoticons are used to convey emotions using pictures that are charged for various reactions. Pictures worth 1000 words and emoticons may be worth 50 or 25 worth ways to say “I love you. “ or “you’re beautiful.“ or terms of endearment if you’re sad that something happened to someone you might use a sad face.

I come from the old school where we used certain phrases in chat or in thread of discussions or emails, we use: “LOL” laugh out loud, or “LMAO” for laughing my ass off, or my favorite “ROFLMAO” rolling on floor laughing my ass off.

Also we had low tech versions of emoticons in the days of MySpace and other early social media platforms. Here are some that I used to use an emails, early text messages and the like

:-)(-; for romantic gestures. ❤ for a heart. Various smiles/smileys 🙂 :0) 😉 Or for sympathy or empathy 😦 :0( ;-(

Emoticons have replaced a lot of these phrases that were used many years ago when a lot of these chats and various social media systems were invented. Currently I sort of do a hybrid of both. I use a emoticons and I use a lot of the reserved language for lack of a better word that was invented 20-22 years ago.

-aaa

There are many but I’ll brainstorm in a rate brief answer to this question.

Items I’d like to explore in Daily Questions include:

Love

Relationships

Music (songs, albums, lyrics, genres, concerts)

Musician Experiences

Art

Life

Nature

Beauty

Heartbreak

Emotions

Lessons Learned

Divorce

Marriage

Education

Dreams

To name a few. 😝

-aaa

Like many of us I’m getting a sense of Deja vu with today’s question. i’m gonna take this opportunity to discuss when risks are worthwhile and when they’re not.

I believe we take risks every day. Some are worthwhile, while others blow up in our face. But you can’t let the bad moments take away your sensitive adventure, and your desire to grow through change.

That my friends is where the risk is going out on a limb, trying something new, someone new, loving someone new, changing careers, etc. These risks and they don’t always come out with great outcomes, but still worth it for the growth and knowledge that they bring.

We go through life and learn through our mistakes which risks are worthwhile , and which risks should be left alone. that’s called learning and it’s very important part of life. I pity those who don’t take risks, because they basically sit behind walls and never go out and live. The risks I’ve taken haven’t always gone as well as I would’ve liked, but they’re still worth the wealth if experience and self understanding I gained from them.

I have to say, though in the end at all the risks I’ve taken in my life, many of which were very foolish were worth it to be the person. I am now. I am empowered, I am brave, I am ready to live the life of my dreams and I won’t stop until I do. One risk, one change, one challenge at a time. 🔥💪 🔥

-aaa

This is an excellent question, each day these are great and today is no exception.

In anticipation of a career change 6 years ago I made the decision to pursue my Master’s Degree in English. This was a real departure from the 22 years I’d worked in information technology. Not to mention the 25+ year hiatus and going to school/college. I enrolled at GCU (Grand Canyon University).

At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get it done. Learning about the new for me new APA writing format was so difficult to adjust to versus MLA which I used pretty much up until that point. Assignments were awkward class participation, and threaded discussions was such a new thing for me.

But once I got into a good flow, everything fell in the place, and it was pretty effortless to be honest. I wrote my papers if not all of them the night they were over 3 to 4 hours each time. And as crazy as it may sound I got “A”s on everything I touched.

It was weird. It was like I’d go into almost a trance and just go stream a consciousness, and my essay/papers would just take shape. And to deal with my problems with the new APA format I basically would take my previous paper, gut it rename, it save it, and then put the new content in there. this assured that I would not have any issues with format or design of my assignments.

Since my masters degree, was online, one new and challenging part was submitting each essay for originality. There’s actually software out there that will compare your paper to other papers written for the same courses and scan all the text and give a score. The lower the score the higher the originality so I was always shooting for under 10% and often got it. 99% of the students in my classes were teachers versus me, coming from technology perspective, so as a result, my papers were very unique.

Before I knew it two years gone by and I finished my 11 classes and gotten my masters degree in English. I’d leverage that degree for writing jobs and even change careers and write full-time now (as well as part-time here).

In conclusion, I must say that the risk was worth worth it all. Writing is my passion and working in it for a living is a dream come true and far more lucrative than I ever imagined…

-aaa