Good Saturday morning

Good morning,
It's the SATurday of Labor Day weekend. It's 11:00 a.m. and I'm working ... again.
Actually, I won't work all day, but I will for awhile.
Although the weather in NY has been beautiful, it's cloudy and about to rain and storm outside today.Can't complain. It'll be great tomorrow and Monday.

I've been following politics this week. Interesting dynamics. I heard some exciting speeches at the Dem convention and some interesting rebuttals on CNN. Then, there was John McCain's announcement yesterday. I have mixed feelings about his choice. She's young (barely squeaks by as a boomer -- in fact on the border of boomer/Gen Xer.)She's "new" to government, but she is a woman. It's a strategic move on his part.
It's all going to make for a heated campaign over the next two months.

In fact, I think I will NOT be watching it all. I'm sick of it. Prior to the convention, I stopped watching weeks ago. 18 months of campaigning is waaaayy to long.

So, on to other things.
I've mentioned before that I'm working on a book about my own ReInvention....it's called "60,Sexy, Sassy and Free: A Real Woman's Story of ReInvention." Well, it's going really well. I spent all afternoon yesterday with my writing coach ... going over the completed Part One. It's awesome. Even though it's my story, I was excited about how he pumped it up and made it a compelling story. Can't wait for boomers out there to read it and see how they can get inspired to live their best life.

So, I'll be spending my weekend continuing to write, preparing syllabi for my class I'll be teaching at NYU this Fall, for preparing two keynote speeches to be delivered in September, for re-writing my websites and the list goes on.

I recently read a blog about people who are critical of self-employed people. They think we don't work. Hah! I'll wager I work many more hours then most people with a job. Who wants to challenge me? I haven't been to bed before 1:00 a.m. any night this week. BUT, I did balance it by going out most nights for dinner. Then, I'd come home and work some more. Thank God I love what I do.

And, lest you wonder, I do have some fun plans for this weekend. I'll be seeing at least one Broadway play, I have brunch and movie plans with friends... it will be well-balanced.

So... to the rest of you... have a great weekend.
Back at you soon!
Ann

Random Thoughts on a Sunday

Good Sunday morning,
It's a gorgeous day in NYC ... and I'll be in all day... working.
Just to catch you up on the busy schedule of an aging boomer. Remember, I don't ever intend to retire ... I LOVE my life and all the things I get to do.The price to be paid for that -- sometimes I'm busier than I can shake a stick at. And, I consider myself a "balance and stress management" expert ... so even when I'm busy, I try to take time to play.

Yesterday, a gorgeous Saturday, I got up, took myself to breakfast, then cut from the Westside to the Eastside of NY and walked for an hour down Park Avenue. (For 3 Saturdays in a row, Park Avenue has been shut off from cars from 9-1 so people can bike, skate and walk nearly the length of the city.) Then, exhausted, I slithered into a movie theater, ate popcorn, drank a coke (yes, a weakness), watched a movie and most importantly, rested my tired knees. Following that, I went home, cleaned up and met a friend for dinner. So, I "played" all day.

Today, I get to work all day! I'll be teaching two courses in the Professional Studies department at NYU this semester (yes, I'm proud of that.) So, today is the day I create the syllabi for those courses. And, if I get it done, my reward is to go dancing tonight. If not, I'll be home working. Period.

Point: Always get done what you commit to doing AND try to do it in a timely enough way that you reward yourself with some fun and or relaxation! Balance is the key.

On another note, I've had the television on in the background (and will probably sneak out and buy the NY Times Sunday paper.) It's an exciting time... political conventions are kicking off, campaigns are heating up. Wow. What a monumentally important time.

We have a young boomer (47) running and he's the first Afro-American to run for president. And, he's selected a senior (65? I think) to run with him to balance the team.
We have a senior (72) running for president frantically trying to decide on the "best" running mate...but the lead option is a boomer.
I've watched George Stepanopoulis this morning and 1/2 of Meet the Press. The news is all atwitter about all this. The sparks are flying, the negative campaign ads are airing.
Get ready for 2 full months of this stuff .. hard and nasty.

The most important thing here: no matter what your party and beliefs, there are some vitally important issues to cover. Make sure you keep your candidates accountable for these issues. Write them, call them out. Work with groups you want to help have a greater impact. In other words, don't shut down .. but rather, as a boomer, make your voice known.

As a boomer, I'm concerned about Health Care, the Economy (housing, jobs), the Environment. I want to see the war dwindle down and our troops home. I think I represent what we all care about. I know we agree, at the very least, that we'd like the future to be better for our children/ grandchildren. The important thing is ... who will understand our issues and be the most proactive in addressing them. That's where you come in. Support your candidate and in the areas where you might differ with them, tell them what you want.

Point: In this political campaign... BE INVOLVED. Don't sit back. Make sure you ask the important questions, keep the candidates accountable and by all means ... VOTE.
And, maybe you want to make some personal changes in your spending and your contributions to causes your believe in.

So, that's where I am on a Sunday .... working, thinking Presidential thoughts.
Where are you? Wherever you are... just make it a great day!
Ann

What about romance ... for me?

HI Everyone,
Well, here it is 11:30 p.m. on a Saturday night and here I sit, alone, by myself, in my apartment. No date on Saturday night.
Actually I shouldn't complain .. I did have two dates this week, but don't think I'll be seeing him again. He walked me home the second night, came up, realized I had 2 cats and freaked out. I doubt he'll be back, but who knows.

I went to see Woody Allen's new movie late this afternoon. It's called: Vicky Cristina Barcelona. I loved it AND parts of it were tough to watch. Why? Because it was sexy and romantic. I want that! Plus, Javier Bardem is really "hot."

What made it interesting is that although I really enjoyed it, as I usually feel about Woody Allen movies, I also left a bit depressed. Let me explain.

There's something about being over 60 that makes me fear I'll never have a truly romantic, loving relationship again and that I'll be alone for the rest of my life. What a waste that would be. Here's the rub ... I'm great in relationships. I'm loving, affectionate, sensual, a fun companion. I love to romp and play and have adventures. I tend to adore the man I"m with and definitely contribute to him feeling great about himself. But, truly, there aren't too many men (unless they're like 70's or 80's that are interested in a 62 year old women. Even though I look young! What's a girl to do?

I wonder if men of 62 have the same problem? I guess if they're wealthy, then even younger women come after them. Are there more women beating down the doors of men, despite their age than there are men beating down the door of women of this age? I'd love to hear about that.

Now, I really can't complain. I DO seem to attract a few younger men. I've got a couple of 40 year olds interested... but altho fun, don't see much of a future in that. I mean, can you see me as the step-Mother of a 5 year old? I don't think so.
Am I a cougar? By definition, I suppose so. I do like younger men. But, do I deliberatly go out and look for them? No. Would I like to find more of them? Yes.

Anyhow, some ramblings on a Saturday night... before I go to bed alone.

Point: We need to love ourselves for who we are ... even if that's being alone. We don't need another person to "complete" us .... but it sure beats always feeling alone.

And, of course, there are those activities that are much more fun and fulfilling with another person.Oh well, guess I'll continue wishing and hoping.
And, if you're reading this and you're a man and you're not married -- let me hear from you. Who knows. Or, if you're reading this and you are married AND you know a man who might be available .. send him my way. Oh, and the younger the better.. well, really, not under 40.

Thanks and have a glorious Sunday.
Ann, "the cougar" Fry

The lazy days of Summer -- HA!

Greetings to all you lovely boomers out there,
It's a Wednesday,the middle day of the workweek, in the middle week of the month of August. I don't know about you, but this being the last two actual weeks (okay 3 weeks) before Summer officaially ends with Labor Day weekend, I'm feeling like Summer is slipping away. Where did it go?

As many of you know, I'm a very active boomer. I work more than 40 hours a week -- writing, proposing (contracts and gigs, that is), coaching clients by phone (or in person), speaking. I'm frantically completing the draft for my next book so I can self-publish it by the early Fall.

I also take time 4-5 times a week to meditate and to walk or work out. And, this Summer, I'm building up my health -- with knee surgery out of the way, I'm walking hours a week, with a personal goal of my own style marathon by beginning of Fall. And, lastly, I'm eating healthier and losing weight.

There seems no time for relaxation, rest and just plain "nothingness" in my schedule.
And, truthfully, I'm not sure I'd want it any other way. But, that's me.

What about you. What are you thinking as Summer begins to wind down? Have you vacationed this year? Will you be taking one? Is that important? What are you doing in the arena of self or personal development? (Did I mention that I am also enrolled in a weekly personal growth seminar over a 3 month period.. and have meetingsa and homework involved in that?)

What is your saving grace in the "busyness" of your life? Is your life the way you want it OR do you want things to be different?

This entry raises more questions than gives answers. It's a time of reflection.
I suggest that you take a few moments to inquire into what's next for you.
A continuation of your active boomer life because you love it that way (like me)?
Or, a need to slow down a bit and smell the roses?
Or, a committment to someething new and different?
What's your preference? August is a great time ... it helps you have it more outlined and sketched into your brain as Summer will slowly descend (or ascend) into Fall pretty soon. Within a month or so, we'll begin to see changes in colors in the trees, temperatures will begin to fall in the evenings (well, I guess it depends on where you live).

Point: It's imperative to a longer lifespan that we learn our own cycles, know what we need to feel inspired, and take a few breaks along the way to rest, relax and rejuvenate .. whatever that looks like. Importantly ... do it YOUR WAY!

Have a wonderful few days. I'll be back here soon... with opinions or with late-breaking news.

Cheers,
Ann

Oh that Circuit City

Hi there,
My son called me early this morning to tell me about a story he heard on NPR. Seems that Mad magazine ran a parody story about Circuit City, in which they referred to it as "Sucker City." Well, it seems also, that Circuit City didn't take well to that story and threatened to stop selling Mad magazine. And, it also seems that later, they had a change of mind and said that maybe they just had to lighten up and were going to appoint a task force to look at how to create a more Fun workplace.

This is hilarious. All they need to do is call ME.
For those of you who don't know ... I, in my other business, Humor University, am an "EXPERT" in bringing Fun to the workplace. My title: CEO and Dean of FUN~

I just want to jump on a plane, fly to Richmond and "consult" with them about HOW to create a greater sense of humor at work. In fact, when I finish writing this, I'm going to call through. Wish me luck.

But here's the point -- if you can't take a joke, then you're really in trouble.

I don't care who you are .. you're fair game in business. Did you forget that it's a compliment to be written about at all? It gets you press. People will want to go to your business and check you out. Even when someone says unkind things, there are those that will want to prove it wrong. And, at the very least, it's a WAKE UP CALL to look within and see if there's something that needs changing. Hello!

Now, to personalize this ... what do your friends, peers, etc. say about you? Do you have a sense of humor or a great attitude? Are you up for serving others OR do you rip people off, take advantage of them, only think about yourself, etc.

Take a little inventory and see what you come up with.
In the meantime, check out Circuit City -- I bet they'll be really cooperative now. And, for me -- if you know anyone who works in their corporate headquarters -- hook them up with MOI!

Thanks, and have a great day.

Election Buzz

Now, I have no intention of telling anyone who to vote for. That's an entirely personal decision for each of us to make. I'm also not going to tell you who I'm going to vote for. That's private.

But tonight, I went to see Swing Vote, with Kevin Costner. I like him, I wanted a laugh and movies are always great therapy for me when I am stressed out.

The movie is not an academy award quality film, to say the least. Kevin Costner seems to be playing an idiotic man (again) ... he's played that sort of role before. The young actress who plays his daughter is wonderful and amazing. She's definitely on her way to stardom.

If you haven't seen the previews, let me clue you in. The presidential election occurs in November .... except that the ballot of one voter (you know who) never went through because of an electricity glitch. The voter officials call upon him to have to "revote" within 10 days. The ENTIRE election hinged on him.
So, now the President (running for re-election) and his openent show up to push for his vote. The little town becomes a zoo of papparazzi, reporters, and more.

The saving grace of the movie is what it tells us about our candidates and how they will do anything to WIN. They both woo him-- change their positions just to please him so he'll vote for them, they'll wine him and dine him. It was farcical and funny BUT a bit uncomfortable to consider.

Will we ever have an election where we get to truly know what the candidates stand for? Will they forever change their positions just for votes OR will they consistently stand for their positions?

I don't know about you, but I am so sick of the election process at this point. I hardly watch or listen any longer. I hate the negative campaigning ... more interest in tearing the other person apart then in actually sharing where they stand on the issues. And, I'm really tired of the press -- in my book -- they are capable of pushing the election to support whatever candidate.

Will I vote, of course I will. Will my vote count? I doubt it? Am I cynical / skeptical? You bet.I'm a boomer, with integrity and a commitment to be involved in the future of my county. But, it doesn't mean I have to like the process.

Just my two cents.
I welcome yours.
Have a great weekend.
Ann