That Girl

On my way home from New York, I spent a long time selecting a book to read on the flight home. On a side note, I normally do not buy new books. I buy used books unless it’s an author I must support, and they are few and far in between. The only deviation from this practice is when I travel. For some reason, I allow myself to buy a new book to read. Mind you, sometimes I have to search high and low to find a book worthy of me. LOL. On another side note, what I should do is plan ahead and hit up Half Price Books before each trip and save some money.

Anyway, the book I ended up purchasing was about a girl who ended up being solicited to be a party girl at the parties of a prince of Brunei. She is my age, and, as I was reading, I was trying to figure out what I was doing when we were 18, 19, and 20. Before joining the harem (this is her word), she was a stripper and then an escort. She then joins this “court” and is a party girl/lover of the prince.

As I read about the expensive jewelry he gave her and the shopping sprees she went on, I realized I will never be “That Girl”. The book is called “Some Girls”. I’m not the type of woman who would be invited backstage at some concert. I am not the type of woman who would be invited to the VIP section of a club to join some famous athlete or musician.

This is not a slight on her lifestyle choices or me. It’s just an observation. I can’t imagine anyone stopping me on the street and offering the “opportunity” to me. At this point in my life, I know that a man will never whisk me off to some getaway and plow me with diamonds, rubies, pearls, clothes, etc. This is neither good nor bad. It just is what it is.

For me, there are some things that are sacred. They are not to be entered into lightly. Physical intimacy is one of those things. I was once told that sex was “just a thing” and I vehemently disagree with that statement. It is not just a thing and it something that doesn’t have a price because it is priceless. Again, this is to me. People can and do whatever they want. I am not the moral police, but I do wonder how lightly and easily people today take on more and more partners.

They say that everybody has a price. I was talking about the book to one of my bus buddies. I was marveling (and perhaps salivating) as I talked about the many, many gifts that were given to her. My bus buddy listened for awhile before telling me that everything has a price. Yes, she was getting money, gifts, and perks, but they came with a steep price. It’s like being married to a man who can give you everything and anything but is unfaithful to you. Is it worth the price, and is it only part of the game?

I would like to think my price is much higher, but it is easy for me to say what I wouldn’t do without having been offered the carrot.

I feel like I am not adequately saying what I am trying to get across, but the thoughts are bouncing in my head.

Random Musings

I had the strangest thought this Mother’s Day. I don’t remember every spending a Mother’s Day with my mom. I was 16 months old when my mom sent us away, so I know that I spent at least one with her. I don’t have memory of any other Mother’s Day I may have spent with her.

I also don’t remember spending any birthdays with her, but there were at least two. There was the birthday before we were sent away. I also have a picture of another birthday when I was little. I am sitting on her lap and smiling and my sisters are smiling standing next to her. There is a cake that says Happy Birthday, Mom. I was just too young to remember.

It did make me think that I should make a conscious effort to spend a birthday and Mother’s Day with her so I can have it in my memory bank.

I remember being very happy when I finally got a picture of me, my mom, and my dad together. I was 30+. Better late than never

Harlems Song Revisited

My imagination has always been extremely overactive. I have a rich inner life. This imagination is very useful as I plot out my book. If I had one complaint, it would be that early in the morning, the book becomes part of my dreams and I feel like I am actually experiencing what the lead character is experiencing.

In some ways, I want to hold the plot close to me like a secret recipe or security code. In other ways, I want to shout the plot off the roof tops. I suppose if I did jot it down, it would make it more real and tangible to me.

Basically, the lead character is a woman named Harlem. I picked the name because she is going through a rebirth or renaissance if you will. She’s at a crossroads in her life. It’s a name I have always used.

The male lead has always been a character named Damian. As I was writing about them, another male character entered quite on his own. I wanted to name him Gregory, which is actually the name of a person I know. But then, the name Gabriel kept slipping out.

Well, to back up, I did not want to write about a relationship. The theme is played. I wasn’t quite sure if I even wanted to write a fiction novel. However, I am learning it’s not always what I want. In fact, the book just began pouring out of me two weeks ago.

I was musing with God on my plans vs. His plans, when it me. Damian as an agent of Satan, and Gabriel as an agent of God. So in these men you see the struggle Harlem actually has with her relationship with God. It’s quite evidence in the way the two men treat Harlem. One, with unconditional love and acceptance. The other with borderline abuse. And of course, Damian is the one Harlem is most drawn to despite the fact that he has her on a very unhealthy, emotional rollercoaster! Stay tuned!

I think it will actually be a short story. Like I said in the previous post, I want to publish an anthology of short stories from members of my church.

It's All Coming Together

Yes, it has been a while. I did not make my weekly quota in April.

I have been writing a book idea in a journal. I will say more I as I began typing out that thoughts, but so far. I like it a lot. I will be sitting here and all these great ideas just pour out!

My goal is to start a writing group at my church. I would like us to meet once a month and share our progress. Eventually, I would like us to self-publish an anthology of short stories. I would also like for us to publish an anthology of poetry. We have so many writers at my church, and I believe we are all together for a reason!

I have some short trips coming up. I’ll be in a wedding in L.A. followed by a business trip to NYC.

I need to start planning my vacation. I don’t feel like planning this year so I am searching for a tour. I did find a tour that sounded interest that was Greece, Egypt and Israel. I would like to add in Turkey but it depends on time and money.

I’m still plotting to win the mega millions. LOL.