No … I’m Not The Rooftop Killer …

You make up all kinds of excuses just in case you were wrong.

Tom Hanks, sitting at the keyboard wondering what he can tell Meg Ryan, about why he didn’t show up to meet her at the coffee shop.

I had a flashback of this scene as I thought about coming back and writing a post. It’s been a minute since I’ve anonymously shared parts of my broken-but-continually-trying-to-fix-it life.

I haven’t shown up.

I hated when a WordPress buddy I really liked, one that I thought, “Hey you know, I’d probably be friends with the person in real life…” would just vanish. No final good-bye posts. No reason why they went on hiatus. Nothing. They left. Their time, sharing stories, was gone, and I’d feel a little … hmph … that sucks. I liked their stories. I liked participating in their life from far away.

Then it was me.

I became what I hated.

I left without good-bye.

But I had no idea I was taking a break, or that the break would last so long. Writing takes strength, discipline, openness, and many people don’t know that. And even when you do, you’re not always on track. My tanks were on echale. All of them. So, I ended up being the storyteller that left the party early.

Well to squash any doubts that you might have had about what could have possibly happened to me … No, I’m not the Rooftop Killer. No, I didn’t win the lottery. No, I wasn’t in a crazy romantic adventure John Hughes would write about ooof I wish. No, my project didn’t get picked up. No, I didn’t go on an awesome vacation. No, I didn’t get a publishing contract … Nope. None of those feel-good vibes came my way.

I got stuck in a moment that I couldn’t get out of … and it just kept going after that. Stumble after stumble. I was in a funk with adult responsibilities that didn’t allow for a break. So, I just kept going. Bit by bit. Trying to find my way back …

And so, I’m Tom Hanks. I left you at the coffee shop … latte for one.

Bringing back the highlight (and lowlight) reels. Catching up where the conversation was dropped.

But I’m returning like the Jedi … hopeful 🙂

And so now it’s still Feel Good 5 Friday, even if it’s just for a moment. I hold onto that moment tight because sometimes you don’t have many.

1. Watching your kid score two goals from half-court, or what they call midfield I guess, in an All-Star soccer tournament … definitely felt good.
2. Mandalorian Season 3 … I mean c’mon. It’s Mando.
3. Two boxes of GirlScout Thinmint Cookies left in the freezer. Yes. Yes to all the chocolate. Yes.
4. I have a dog, and he genuinely likes me. He’s a moody one-year bulldog who’s probably bilingual by now, and I KNOW he hears me, he just chooses to give me side-eye instead.

5. Mumford & Sons … this song … this song right here gets my inner Rocky Balboa going.

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Buen Camino …

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Making a Comeback … On a Tuesday …

It never occurred to me that I could lose it … but I did and now I’m just coming around to finding it again.

Sort of …

I’m at square one.

It’s hard to be a storyteller and not quite be able to tell stories. But it happens and you get sad about that. You hang onto what you got and try to ride it out, which is where I found myself these last few weeks, clinging onto that surfboard during the big wave. And it was in the midst of that ride that I wiped out.

I lost it for a minute there … but I’m resurfacing, catching my breath. It’s hard taking a tumble. You feel beat up and worn down.

Takes a lot determination to try again, to see it through, to finish the goal, to be who you said you’d be, to accomplish what you said you would, takes a lot of something to be anything really.

Doctor. Architect. Lawyer. Teacher. Engineer. You follow the course and eventually with enough steps in the right direction. It happens. You reach the point where you are doing what you set out to do. You are it. The goal, reached.

Storytellers’ journeys are not that linear, or at least my sidewalk wasn’t, I was zigged and then zagged. It’s a roller coaster road. I’d been successful before, but with this new project everything was harder than I thought it would be. No connections, and low budget, means a lot of grit and hustle while I figure it out.  I failed to finish one of the biggest story-telling projects on my list, so I needed a minute there to regroup. I’d been working on it for a while when things fell apart. My subjects changed their mind and then I couldn’t find people who wanted to be part of the story.

So, I’m back to square one, looking for subjects and collaborators with the multitude of parenting and Wish Factor adventures that have followed me along the way. It was hard to regroup after this one. But I’m inching my way back. I took a step back from the project and found a different creative outlet … for just a minute.

And that helped.

I bought a camera.

I had no idea what ISO, aperture, or white balance was, I didn’t know about all the gadgets or tricks, but I learned quickly. Still learning. During this little creative growth adventure, I learned to rebound through an alternative way of telling stories. I admire a lot of picture-taking peeps and the way they communicate through what is captured, either black or white, or color. I like to see the story through the lens. It’s a different way of telling a story and I’ve enjoyed the learning process so far. It might help me with my original project. I learned to find what to center, what to keep in, what to leave out. I’m learning what perspectives looks best and what I want to feel when I see the picture, whether it’s the kids, a game, or the landscape. I want to feel the feeling. Just like with words. And I’m liking the new outlet.

These bits and pieces have been helpful. Building confidence and gaining voice back serves as a building block for a comeback, because after all … a setback is nothing but a comeback in disguise, and mannnnn was it hidden there for a minute. Incognito. But I’m working my way back.

I’ll be picking up that other project, looking for other subjects to interview and getting the story told.  Takes a minute to start the engines and build up steam. But once you start typing away on the keyboard hope finds a way of sitting next to you, ready to be your co-pilot again. I got to remember that.

So, thanks to my buddies for checking in on me.

Buen Camino ….

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Words on Wednesday

Many of them spoken today with dignity, promise, inflection and truth.

Genuine.

Hopeful.

Heartfelt.

Some spoke of unity, others sang to melodies with them. Some sang better than others.

But nevertheless … the words mattered. They were weighted today.

Relief.

A sigh of relief for a better future and a hopeful one as we try to climb out of the pit of ugliness and lies. Many of the words today pierced through and exposed the hypocrites sitting, pretending they hadn’t supported lies just two weeks prior. Some expressions didn’t even need words. Their faces spoke, even with masks on.

Words carried weight today.

But the good kind.

I discovered a WordMaster I’d never seen or heard before and so did most of the country, if they were paying attention. Aside from the words after placing their hands on the bible, these words spoken with intention and inflection, based on heart and substance became the highlight. I tipped my hat to this young poet whose creation inspired me as she encouraged us to step up to the plate up to the hill we climbed.

Being able to make someone stop and notice. Pay attention. She could have done that even without a mic. The power in her words so strong, that the impression stays with me, in the goosebumps I felt as she slayed her words.

As a writer I was amazed. Young talent reaching such heights can only grow even more. So I got to know her name … and it was Amanda Gorman. Powerful. Strong. Captivating. Her words sit with me. Deep into my heart, they made me feel.

I watched a young wordmaster perform and she was not even at her peak, still young and living life, yet it was the best performance I’d seen all day. Her future remains unwritten, but I imagine with the way she expresses herself, that won’t be a problem. The future looks promising for her and I’m glad I witnessed this and felt the inspiration.

We’re not broken … just unfinished. We’re bruised but bold.

Yeah … she wrote words like that. And I high-five her.

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Buen Camino my friends…

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Feel Good 5 Friday … On a Saturday …

I high-fived myself. The opportunity doesn’t come often but I took a moment to celebrate the little accomplishment. The little victory.

Yes. There was chocolate involved.

It wasn’t the final draft, final cut, final piece. But it was a big step in getting there. The blueprint, the infrastructure. Once that’s set all it takes is courage to lay down the first brick.

And I did.

So I took a beat a beat. I don’t do it often. Some people don’t do it often, just take a moment to recognize you jumped over a hurdle and didn’t fall, or if you did crap out, you got up and tackled the next one. Didn’t even hesitate, just jumped right into your stride.

High-fiving small victories becomes important on your road to creative recovery. The doubts are constant so the courage to stay on the yellow-brick road warrants a smile. And during this congratulatory fist bump I was pumping, I thought about the untitled piece on my computer screen. I mean I found a working title after a couple days of tweaking it, but titles are what stops people in mid sentence. Hit that pause button for a double take. You pick up the book. Choose the song. Watch the preview. Click the link. Stop for a minute to stare at the sign down the street. There have been plenty of awesome pieces here on the WordPress world that inspired a comment based on the title alone.

I don’t necessarily pick winners every time with my projects or posts, but can appreciate it when others do. Stuff like … Faith The Two Legged Dog, When I Was In Cuba I Was A German Shepherd, When You Start to Miss Tony From Accounting, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, Dragons Love Tacos, El Burrito Sabanero, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Smells Like Teen Spirit, The Devil Wears Prada, It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, Well Well Well If It Isn’t The Consequences of My Own Actions … and the list continues. I bet there are probably five or six off the top of your head that you just know. Some you might have even seen this week.

So it took me a while to fine tune the title for my project. I mean I think I have it, but who knows. Maybe down the line with more work and more writing, it will come steam rolling in and be like BAM! Here it is girl!

But nevertheless I celebrated my step forward. My boost in the right direction. I turned up the dial for music and the Christmas spirit was rocking the airwaves, sending that holiday happy vibe out. So it was a two-for-one. A high-five with Christmas tunes, accompanied with chocolate. Then I came home and raised up the volume to some of my favorite festive beats. My kids were thrilled with our little dance session, with it being the last week of school, and the festive music on full blast. They enjoy Christmas songs all December long.

And I got to say everybody has their favorite holiday songs where it starts to feeeeeeeeeeeel like that red sweater was made just for you, jingles and all. But these tunes bust out the candy canes, hot chocolate, and ho, ho ho feels all while getting into my dancing groove. Enjoying the vibe in the direction I’m headed … forward.

Buen Camino, my friends!

Bruce Springsteen AKA The Boss — Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town –

Pedrito Fernandez — Mi Burrito Sabanero

Band Aid — Do They Know It’s Christmas Time

Stevie Wonder — What Christmas Means to Me

Mariah Carey & Michael Buble — All I Want For Christmas Is You

BONUS CLIP!!! 🙂 Because you can’t have Christmas without Whitney 🙂

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Feel Good 5 Friday … On a Saturday

I missed my Wednesday calling … my Words on Wednesday. Twice. Not that anyone is counting really. Feel like I’m performing a one-woman show in a giant theater to an audience of five, but at least it’s an awesome five who bring good vibes and thoughtful conversation.

It’s weariness. I think that’s what’s biting me in ass on Wednesday nights. I need another trip to the CVS vitamin aisle to get some Vitameatavegimin. I feel like the older I get the earlier I go to bed. What is that? I used to stay up until 1 or 2 on a consistent basis. I got parenthood wearing me down now and my silver fox look gaining some ground. With the change of life I haven’t been consistent. I have spurts. But I only have a month left to get a first draft together. I need to whip myself in writer shape. I used to stop by this lady’s spot a while back … 4 a.m. Writer.

Yup.

That’s exactly what it sounds like.

I don’t know if I can hang with that though, I’ve never been a rise and shiner. My entire life the crack of dawn hurts, unless I’m in the Australian Outback. I didn’t feel a thing when I traveled to Ayers Rock. First time in my life that I was excited for 4 a.m. in whatever time zone. I was up to watch the sunrise, freezing with a runny nose, but it was one of the best moments of my life. Funny how weariness hits me more when I’m at home.

But I think I made up for it with a surge of writing. Good music and morning pages. I got turned onto Morning Pages by Tim Ferriss and Brian Koppelman, but I found the source … Julia Cameron.

It’s supposed to help with my creative recovery during this Bill Murray Groundhog Day Adventure we’re all trying to survive. You know, all the procrastination and putting everything and everyone else before your project. Handwritten morning pages in a notebook every day are supposed to empty out the clutter in your mind and free up some space for creative efforts later on in the day, get in the habit of writing no matter what or how I feel. The morning routine of the pages starts the creative gears moving, that along with other Julia Cameron tips. But it took a while for it to kick in, at least for me. But I’m grateful to have been able to make progress.

And as I mentioned before progress means you’re going forward, and forward is a direction.

And along with this spike in activity I was able to hear some jams during some quick dance breaks that helped keep the vibes going. I hadn’t heard a couple of these in a while and they made it to my playlist this week and I was feeling better because of them. I especially enjoyed the funny.

I don’t usually hear Thanksgiving Day songs, Christmas is creeping and trying to take over the waves. But this tune right here … right here at the 4-minute mark from The Roots is my favorite Thanksgiving Song. Ever. In November this makes my day. I get my James Brown Janelle Monet dance moves and it just feels good. Dancing and funny feels good.

So I’m sending it and the rest of my Feel Good 5 Friday out to you …

Buen Camino my friends!

The Queen of Hearts –Juice Newton

Give Me That Side Dish … Stuffing in a Dead Bird — The Roots (starts at 4:00)

Blinded by The Light — Manfred Mann

El Chico Del Apartamento 512 — Selena

Life is a Highway — Rascal Flatts

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The Battle Between Writer vs. Fan Strikes Again

I stayed away from the internet until I had seen it all and digested it. I was at an emotional standstill. I always need more time when things end like that.

I’d been addicted to it just like I was with Breaking Bad, LOST, 24, The Wire, and Sons of Anarchy. Yeah. I’m talking about the Thrones.

Game of Thrones.

Every good show leaves a bit of longing for the characters. I’m saddened to see them go. Apparently people were pretty angry about the ending and how things unfolded. And if you didn’t see it and went online … forget it! The story was ruined.

I find that logging onto Facebook is a horrible idea. I can’t do that to myself after season finales. I can’t do that to myself in general. It’s bad for morale.

People’s opinions running rampant and how they would have named this person King or this person Queen, or how this person should or should not have died.

Someone always has to die in the end. It’s part of the story. If it makes for a heart-wrenching moment that crushes you, well then the writers did a GOOD job. That means you were invested in this character and in their life. You were drawn into the world they created and you were enjoying the ride. The writers made something from nothing and made you care so much about it that you got angry or sad (I mean, granted it was based on a book) but the writers helped create a story that mattered.

Now don’t get me wrong … I’m all for closure and not leaving things up in the air. Everybody hates that, it just cheapens the story and you feel like you were cheated out of something real.

But I’ve got to say, other than feeling a little rushed this season, I really enjoyed and sympathized with the characters. I’d always loved Jon Snow and Arya, and followed Danny’s story closely. These characters, along with Ned Stark, were my favorites. I rooted for them, and hoped for them. I’d gotten attached.

And while watching this amazingness of Game of Thrones, I was just reminded of how important the story is … story matters. Storytellers are important and being one is a good thing. I just have to keep going … and not get discouraged. Not everyone will appreciate your story or its ending, but that’s all right not everyone enjoyed the ending of GOT and it was one of the best shows ever.

The writers felt this was the best way to end it for these characters and as a fan I always struggle with those choices if I love the show and its characters. The battle between fan and writer. It strikes again. They battle between these two is fierce especially if there is a death at the end … and it’s someone I truly rooted for the entire journey. But in the end the writer in me edged out the fan because it was for the good of the story.

So? How was your season finale?

Burn Camino my friends!!

Accidental Sabbaticals, Broken Chains, and Storytelling Comebacks …

I broke the chain.

One day became two, then three, then four, then it was two weeks. You write everyday and you end up building links that connect, and at the end of the month you have this long chain of events that contributed to the creative spark that fuels your storytelling nature. You build something and every time you log onto your computer or tap away at your typewriter, you add another link to your creative works chain.

But I broke the link. And now I have to start over.

I didn’t think I’d be one of those Missing In Action writers as I tend to roll on in consistently, but it completely snowballed here in sunny California. I fell off the creative wagon for a bit there to churn out some grant-writing pages and the energy for anything creative slowly drifted away as my head hit the pillow and snored away until the next morning. Now I don’t know if they’ve gotten the funds yet, but I sure hope they do.

But while I was testing out the philanthropic waters and trying to do good for others, I lost my mojo there for a bit. I lost my juice. But I’m working my way back. Bit by bit, one day at a time.

It’s not a big deal, as the world of blogging continues to spin and people keep moving forward, and discovering new sites as old ones fizzle out, but for those wondering about my accidental sabbatical … it’s over for now. I hope to not have another repeat. Someone told me it’s good to step away for a bit and recharge your battery, even if it wasn’t intentional, it’s still good to gain new perspective on your storytelling ways. I’ll find out if that’s true.

In the meantime, I’m still finding the funny in the not-so-funny situations, or at least I’m trying to, and I’m weaving experiences into the best kind of stories I know how to tell. Like with my washer ordeal and the battle with Sears and their Customer Service department and how Sebastian over there is not in favor of customers or service, or warranties. I relied on comedic moments to help me return to a state of Zen.

And while on this unintentional break, I did have something good happen. A couple actually, but I’ll save one for the Friday Feel Good Post. This one is reserved for recharging batteries. And I found that being surrounded by good music, good food, and people that make you laugh works its magic like chocolate.

I hadn’t on a Girls’ Night Out in probably a year, there really hadn’t been one. Everybody has been so busy with life. So when I got invited to go to an outdoor concert, I wanted to go, but paused for a minute as sometimes I fall into the … “man that’s too far, or parking is gonna be a nightmare, or I’m just too exhausted from parenting to go,” categories. In fact sometimes I just don’t feeeeeel like going. But I remember getting the invite and then remember an old Jim Carrey movie where he ends up saying yes to everything, and all these experiences take him on a new journey to a new self, a new perspective. They help him find his way, even though he gets lost somewhere in the middle, all those yeses leaded to something good in the end.

And so … I said yes. I said yes to Los Tigres del Norte.

And I found something good in the end. I found something in the accordion playing, the brass of the trumpets, in the strumming of the guitars under the starry night sky, in the gritos of the crowd cheering for more from this legendary group.

I found the good of the night and gratitude for the yes, and for the enjoyment.

Something about hanging out and getting good vibes made me smile and jump on in feet first. There were a few ladies I wished had been able to make it out there, but I was still very much in good spirits and feeling  the vibes of the outdoor amphitheater and the contagious laughter that comes about when people get together.

I was recharged, for my storytelling comeback, and I’m hoping to keep the chain strong this time.

 

Buen Camino, my friends!

 

 

Finding My Storyteller Again.

I’d been inspired to be a better person. I’d been inspired to be a better parent. I’d been inspired to make a difference. Books, movies, documentaries, and shows have all had the power to affect this kind of change. But it’s been a long time since I’ve been inspired to be a better storyteller.

See the last time I felt this way, was when I finished Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture. That amazing book inspired me to be a better person and  better dreamer. It uncovered the importance of being a good storyteller and passing on those life lessons and anecdotes to the people who mattered most. And of course, it came at the right time … You know, just when I needed it. The universe helping me out, trying to get me on the right track.

That was a long time ago … And then Mitch Albom resurfaced.

You see, I hadn’t felt like a better storyteller in a long time, but this book … this book turned up the gears and found its way onto my path. And it found me just in time.

The first time I read Mitch Albom, his book Tuesdays with Morrie, changed my trajectory. It helped me look for the lessons and wisdom that were passing me by, helped me listen to the stories and advice that my Dad, my mentor, and other good friends were trying to pass onto me. It helped me appreciate.

The next book I discovered, helped me to chase my own stories, make-believe and true. I was caught up in Frankie Presto’s story and his amazing life. I hadn’t heard of The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, but I was so glad I went looking for “something,” to read. I found it. Now that I’ve read it, I feel sad that I might not have come across it. It’s one of those amazing things you’re so glad happened that you get a little sad, because it could have almost never happened.

But it did. And I’m glad.

As a storyteller, I can appreciate how it is so beautifully crafted, woven with hints and clues and then everything connecting with the big reveal. I loved the mixing of jazz legends, musicians, and artists that came into Frankie’s life and how Frankie changed their lives. I enjoyed the different points of view and voices. I thought it interesting that Music, itself, was a character, the narrator.

Frankie’s journey across the globe, his musical and love adventure, drew me in right away. I loved this character, his passion, his humble kindness, his quest, his life lessons, his love for his guitar, the magic behind the six strings, and his love for Aurora. I rooted for him. I wished for things to happen for him. I wished for him to find his story, to know about his father, his teacher, his past, and his future. I rooted for his redemption and for his love of Aurora.

Throughout his journey I was inspired to find any lost stories of my own, stories of my father, of his childhood, stories that I never knew that could tell me something more. I was inspired to write something new. I also felt like writing my own stories, so that my kids would know my own adventure, so they could fill in the gaps when I was gone. I wanted to leave them something.

Frankie Presto reminded me how important stories are, and the importance of passing them onto the people that matter. Frankie Presto helped me find my storyteller again. When a book can do that, it’s pretty awesome. I hope he does something magical for you too.

Buen Camino my friends.

 

 

 

Wake-up Stories

Lately I’ve been searching for stories that move me. You know, like a judge on Star Search, looking for talent that inspires me. I’ve been roaming the Netflix, Amazon, cable television for stories that take me away or help me unwind at the end of the day. I’ve found a lot of good stories, definitely. But in this search I’ve also found inspiration in Podcasts.

It’s strange because when I was growing up I used to hate talk radio. I thought it was for older people. I thought why listen to people talk when I can hear music while I’m in the car. But I’ve found that I’m gravitating more to these podcasts than to what’s on the radio. I’m intrigued by people interviewing all kinds of artists and leaders in every field and the inspiration behind it all.

Now granted, there are some people and actors, who go out there and record ridiculous why-waste -your-time-listening-to-this-crap sessions and you have to sift through a massive amounts of crap to get to something good. But when you do it pays off.

It’s like getting exposed to all these autobiographies with insightful tidbits of wisdom for different parts of you life. And for some reason I find something I can takeaway from each session.

For the inspiration-you-can-do-it times I particularly enjoy Tim Ferriss, Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations, Eric Thomas’s Secret to Success Podcast and Tony Robbins. They interview so many people from so many walks of life and I always feel better after listening to their session. I walk away feeling like something is possible as long as I keep working at it, whether it’s my professional life or just life itself. I had never heard of Debbie Millman before, and I probably would never, considering she was a graphic designer and I had no interest in that field. But what she had to say about life made me pause.

I’ve touched bases with spirituality by listening to stuff from The RobCast where some of my favorite guests have been Elizabeth Gilbert, Pete Rollins, and Mike Lewis the 112th Best Squash Player in the World. His interviews and stories help bring a lightness of being and grace into my existence. Something I always need to work on when dealing with difficult people.

The Moment with Brian Koppelman make me think about my future as a writer and I was actually introduced to Brian through Tim Ferriss’s podcasts. As a writer, I find it extremely beneficial to hear about everyone’s process and problems and how they were in such a horrible bad spot, but managed to turn it around emotionally and artistically. It’s something I find inspirational when I’m losing the umph, which I had been as of late.

These stories … all of them, help push something in me. Something that goes missing on random days. But something I can get back after I go running, or boxing, or biking … that feel-good feeling. I get an extra dose of that, a push of encouragement from these stories.

I feel like I can’t start my day with that spring in my step if I don’t hear my feel-good song and a podcast. These stories aren’t like the winding down of the day Netflix at night sessions. These are wake-me-up-in-the-morning-because-this-is-your-life stories. You got one shot. What are doing? Get on it! They’ve become part of my morning routine and have helped me see possibilities when I’ve been emotionally or professionally sidelined.

So it may not be the same as the talk radio I grew up with, or it might be. Maybe I just came around to realizing that songs are not the only way to jump start your morning. Stories. Podcasts. Talk radio … can make it happen too.

 

 

Running and Writing

In truth I’m pretty impressed with myself for finishing the second novel in my 12 of 12 literary quest  this year.

As you all know I’m the slowest reader, who’s a writer, on Earth, and I put this challenge forward as a way to expand my reading beyond my kid’s reading list and discover some new and exciting stories.  I enjoy the a-ha moments, or just the little tid-bits of advice that come to me throughout the chapters, something that helps me shift something inside me and keep me on the yellow-brick road, no matter how rocky the path.

Now I hadn’t heard much about Murakami so I don’t know what that says about my literary chops, but I’m trying. I mean the cover alone made me think I was about to go on an epic journey.  I was really looking forward to reading this as it came highly recommended by a writer I’ve recently discovered through the awesome world of Podcasts. When he mentioned it the book centering on writing and running, I was like … yes. Someone else gets it! Someone can see how these two are intertwined and I embarked on this can’t-wait-to-see-what-happens enlightenment session.

However, it wasn’t a life-altering experience, which was disappointing. I was thinking it would hit me like a bolt of lightning, but it was more nuanced than that. It did have its moments though.

The narrative seemed to pick up around chapter six for me, when I felt he got a little deeper with meaning behind his running and writing, and what happens when we get older and the facts of life we have to accept. I enjoyed the parallels he made between both passions, and the goals and life lessons he learned along the way.  I especially enjoyed the last paragraph of the book, as it captured the essence of the journey. He championed himself as a runner, someone who was always determined to finish, and never give up, someone who never walked during a marathon, and I found that quality admirable. That metaphor applied not only to running, but to his his life.

I feel the only reason I was able to make this connection was because I was a writer and runner myself. If you are not a runner or a writer, this book may not be for you, you might not enjoy the details of his marathon training, long runs, or writing process. I had never heard of Haruki Murakami before this recommendation, but considering he had some bright spots in this novel I might give another book a chance. It’s always interesting to read something, even if it’s not mind-blowing, that adjusts something inside of you, no matter how small. You’re just a little bit different from the day you started the story.

Buen Camino my friends!