Finished Third book, "The Internet Murders"

Well I read the Internet Murders one final time with more amendments, corrections etc....This is more than I have done for the first two before sending it out. My book is not published yet. I have a few routines which I recommend for you too so no one steals your own creative writing. I mail a manuscript to myself, with my initials on the envelope at the seal. I enjoyed writing this book and I recommend for you to find something you love that makes you happy. If time permits I will try to find a publisher for this one. You can always self-publish. Making money writing books is not easy unless you are Stephen King etc......However, dive in and do it. There is nothing like seeing what you have written in book form. I will probably not have an ebook this time, because of people re-selling it without permission. I am also not giving any out anymore to organizations for the same reason. People should write their own books to sell. Anyhow, now I have to read a book for work and then I will dedicate some time to read for fun. I am reading a book by James Peterson right now but am hoping to read more in longer sittings. Next week I will return to providing my notes once again alternating from psychology to theology. In the meantime, ensure you have time for yourself to do what you love. Thank you for reading my blogs. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I do love to attend book readings and accept all invitations within reason and according to my schedule. I also provide talks regarding psychotherapy and couple/family therapy. Enjoy your week. Take time to relax. What do you think?

Pastoral/ friendship/ church and struggles

This past weekend I went to spend sometime with a previous colleague. Once a year we get together at her place or mine, that was until she could no longer take pills for allergies regarding my beasts. You see she was given a death sentence with two years to live - cancer. Now I sleep overnight at her place a tad more, as we celebrate life. Saturday night as we caught up over an amazing salmon dinner, vegies and rice and Italian pastries I had bought, we talked and talked. I told her that I felt like I was on holidays. I love her home. It has huge windows and there is privacy with long cedar trees blocking the rear neighbours. She has a comfortable big easy chair which has its’ own built in fridge. There is also a Spanish type gas fireplace which offers a spa like experience. Her home offers a serene atmosphere which is what a person who is suffering with cancer needs. We all need that. The chair would never fit my living space in Toronto. It would only make the room look crammed - perhaps one day. When I went over Saturday after work, I placed my overnight bag on the floor. She immediately noticed my book. “You brought work”. I agreed saying that if she was tired, I could read. We talked and talked and talked and then I went to my spacious guest bedroom with my own bathroom. I have never slept in such a dark room. I am not sure where her room is but she never heard me make all the noise, taking a shower, flushing toilet etc……. The next morning I awoke, grabbed my book and began to read (study) where I had left off last. I am reading, “Asperger Syndrome in Adulthood, A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians by Kevin P. Stoddart and others. I am at the moment doing as much research regarding Autism as possible. Did you know they have a lot of programs for children but I could not find support groups for adults, nor for spouses? I have told you before that I could not find support for certain groups. We have a lot further to go. Anyhow, my buddy wakes up and exclaims that she never realized I was already awake and ready, as she could not hear me. I wondered where her room was, but never asked because we became animated in conversation again. After drinking my coffee, I asked where the closest Catholic church is because I wanted to go to mass. She responded that it was just around the corner and she would come with me. I was surprised because she had not been to church for years after she had been disturbed by an occurrence at her church and she was not satisfied at how it was dealt with by the Pastor. They had argued and she never returned. I told her I was surprised because there had been a lot of changes in the church. She explained that it had been a long time ago. We took off to go to church and realized that we had got there too late and so drove around in my car to check out the down town area which was close by. I thought it was cute but when we found a coffee shop it was time to return to church. We sat at the front. As I have written before, when I do not serve at my own church, I like to attend the different churches in Toronto. I love to see the architecture, the ambience and listen to the range of sermons given by different priests. I may return to one church, but mostly I keep roaming. It was a priest in my class in grad school who used to do that and he gave me the idea to explore the churches as well. We are in church. There is the routine readings, singing, and prayers and then it happens. The young seminarian gives his lecture. The pastor is beaming approval and I am cringing, worried that my buddy will never return to a Catholic church again. The reading that he was using as an analogy was the Israelites being brought out of slavery to the promise land. They were complaining. Then it began. His sermon is something like this. He expresses that people are always complaining. They complain about priests, they complain about etc…….He states that a woman came to his office saying she wanted a husband because soon she would not be able to have children. He suggests without saying it the first time that it is menopause and that later does say menopause. He says that she then gets married and complains about her husband saying he is lazy. I am horrified. He is waving his arms and is loud. I want to get up and leave but don’t. I am looking at the pastor that is smiling approval. I am thinking of my buddy who has had such a struggle with cancer who never complains being forced to listen to such nonsense after not walking into a church for neons. So the priest goes on endlessly about women complaining about men and then states that a man complained about wanting a wife and looked on the internet. I then found myself blocking him out. I no longer heard him. I just heard loud noise. At the end I suppose he summarized complaining. I was grateful when the mass was over and approached him. I told him that I had never had to sit so long listening to a man complaining. I suggested he take a few courses at a particular college, near his. He smiled and was very courteous. My buddy was right behind me but did not hear what I had said to him. I explained. She said that while he was giving his sermon, she looked around to see the expression of the people. She thought it may have been a cultural “thing” as no one seemed to react. She continued that she didn’t think he had said it with malice. She felt he had kind eyes or words to that effect. I pondered. Yes perhaps he didn’t know any better. I had said a prayer for him for compassion and humility. He was young, a seminarian and he had in my opinion a poor mentor. I was disturbed by the sermon. My buddy said that he had talked about men complaining about women. “But he did it with women first.” I stopped hearing him before that without realizing I had. I told my friend that when I was a student I would say that a person is suffering in the forest. There is inner turmoil and confusion, but there is hope for the promise land as they journey from enslavement towards freedom. I had already talked about priests being human and not God. They are working in service. They come with their own biases, their own intrinsic cultures, their different level of education and the various orders. She states that the mass would be optimum if they removed the sermons. She then states it would be good if they just provided instruction of the faith. She then adds that I am right. They are only men. I suggest that she goes to another church. I suggest that getting the oil of the sick may be good for her. I know Catholicism is engrained in her. She states that she is like me. She has had wonderful experiences with priests throughout the years. She asks me what I think about the Anglican church and I explain the differences. They don’t have a pope and communion is a symbol of the last supper while we believe that the priest has the power to turn the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. She considers that and then asks about a certain order of the Catholic Church. I am not too familiar I respond except that it is Eastern. I had already explained some differences earlier. We both leave it at that. We go off to have high tea in a country town and she becomes upset because so many stores have closed. It is becoming a ghost town she fears. She enjoys the high tea while I think it is probably the worse I have had. I am spoiled in Toronto. Anyhow, it becomes a full day and I drop her off to return home, after a few more stops to boost my curiosity. I buy chocolate - swiss. As I park my car one of the teens say hi to me. She is holding a hockey stick. “You guys playing hockey?” I ask. I see the group of girls in the driveway. She nods and I beam. “Good for you!” I am happy that girls know that they can do anything with their lives and that means playing and working in prior male dominated roles. These girls won’t be jailed for driving a car in Saudi Arabia. They will become the politicians, scientists etc….. tomorrow. They will be on equal footing with all that life offers. That is what they are learning and that is their promise of opportunity. I have found that many have struggles and suffer because of what they have experienced. Some have moved away from their churches because they have been bothered by one minister or priest etc……To some, religion has become a dirty word and they find themselves distinguishing spirituality from religion. I sometimes ponder if spirituality is actually becoming a religion as I notice that the same structures become in place. What do you think? Now I do have to do some more editing today! It’s coming along.

Toronto Homeshow and Blooms - If you have a CAA card ask for your deduction.

I do love my city and I like to write about certain places for tourists. Today I was a tad disappointed at the Home Show. It was not with any of the vendors. Everyone was wonderful. I got amazing ideas and as I continue to debate, "should I stay or should I go....." It is days like today that makes me want to go. However, Niagara Falls too has a tourist tax which is somewhat hidden and they don't have to tell either, nor does that seem controlled. Market place provided an update of that "scam>". I really recommend them. Thank God for the press. I know that one out of four people steal. At least that is what I learned in a lecture during my first career. And I suppose you can equate stealing with dishonesty. Anyhow, for self care I make sure I have fun in my life. It is mandatory. So, I went to the home show today at the spur of the moment because I knew a snow storm is coming tonight and it seemed to be a good day to go and worry about snow tomorrow. Parking underground is $15.00 and I am ok with that. I think it is fair in Toronto and it is a flat rate. When I went to the sales counter, the two women knew I was looking for a discount. I paid my $20.00 and went in. As I went to the booths, I saw the CAA booth and told them I was a member and would always be. I have been more than pleased with CAA. I last used them Saturday when my car wouldn't start. Buy an older car and you get an older battery so I was quite glad that I got a fair price from them and it was done asap. I love great service. The man asked me if I knew about the discount to get in and I said I knew about it on on line but did not realize it was available as a walk in. He told me I could have paid $12.00 instead of my 20.00. I am sure he said 12. I couldn't believe that I had not been advised of that. Anyhow, four hours after arrival I had seen it all and decided to leave. As I was leaving I asked the security guard why I wouldn't have been advised of the CAA discount. She suggested I go to the office and so I did. I spoke to the man there and he told me that he would inform the cashiers. I believed him (silly me). As I left, I approached the woman who had sold me the ticket and asked her why she didn't inform me of the discount. The answer - they are told not to. Now why would I believe her? I did. Hold and behold, I talk to the man again and he tells me that "CAA rewards" means you can get a discount and that it is displayed on the counter (good to know. I thought it was just advertisement which I am bombarded with daily). I informed said male that when I go to Harvies and other establishments they will ask me if I have a scene card. His response of course is that when he goes to Swiss Chalet, they do not advise of a discount. I have not been to Swiss Chalet but am grateful for Harvies (A Canadian Company). So, I leave telling man that I would write about that in my blog. He asks that I make sure to indicate that there was a CAA reward card on the counter. I reply in the affirmative. HOwever, I do expect honesty and transparency. So, if you are a tourist or just a visitor going to the homeshow make sure you ask specifically for a CAA membership discount or maybe, just maybe you won't know what you are entitled to. As I walk towards the parking garage, a man entering, opens the door for me. I advise him to ask for a CAA discount or he won't get one. He was surprised that he could get the discount. See it can be a bonus to open doors for women. Do you speak up when you feel that something is not right? Do you freeze, fight or take flight? When do you speak up? How far do you go? Are you curious, mad or do you have any other emotion? Are you aware of your emotions? Why not take a moment to reflect how you are feeling right at this moment? What do you think?

Is the world moving backwards?

Listening to the news last night and this morning, I have to wonder if we are moving backwards. I know there are a lot of intelligent people out there so what is happening? Are they not interested in politics? I wasn’t going to write in my blog today because I am focusing on my third book (which I love and hopefully a few of you will). I have stopped reading for fun, and am just reading for work. I guess what really prompted me to come here today is listening to the news that the Philippines is considering or reviewing the come back of the death penalty for drugs. If that is not bad enough for me, they are thinking of killing them by either hanging, a death shooting squad or injection. Really? Can you think of any more brutal ways of killing a person? Lethal injection is not the priority? Oh my God. Now the States - I love Americans; there is no doubt there, however, I am so glad I am a Canadian right now. Last nights news indicated that a white house secretary of something or other was saying how wonderful the opportunities are in the States and used the analogy of slavery?????????????? Really????????? That the person saying this is black, made it worse. Does he not know that Slaves were free people in Africa who had a life, who had a structure, who had families and were even royalty within, were chained, whipped, raped and even killed? They were kidnapped and brought to the land of opportunity where they worked hard, had no rights and continued to be raped, tortured and killed? Am I dreaming when I watch the news? The world needs to take a wake up call. The year is 2017. We have the ability of mass communication, technology and self destruction. We have North Korea shooting off missiles with no respect for anyone. That he was educated in Switzerland pains me. We have an abundance of crime and we need to start thinking of how we can work together, united for a peaceful and creative world. Those days of mass torture, hate, starvation and ignorance should be subsided and eliminated. Why not take a moment today to look within your own heart? Are you not at peace with someone? Why? Is there anyway you can make amends or peace with this someone? Why not? How about taking sometime each day to just reflect on what is important to you and why? Take a walk with nature and look up at the sky. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you think? Now back to my editing.

Update, third book

Ok, I am over a hundred pages of my second draft. I have made some changes and am surprised at how many errors I am finding, which means that I should look it over a third time. I do find this relaxing however, and I really like this book. It is my first actual fiction. It does advertise my city and some localities. I refer to a bar that does not exist and a police station that doesn't, so I should probably note that, so people don't go trying to find them. That just popped in my head. I will make the changes during the third reading. I hope I have motivated some of you to do your own creative writing, or begin writing a journal. I haven't had any questions, so you are all good. I am debating taking a very interesting course about the brain one of my previous classmates is tempting me with. However, I also have a conference next month. I need to think about this one. I don't normally take university courses unless I am using it towards a degree of some kind. However, for now I will enjoy most of the weekend and I hope you do too. Thank you for reading my blogs and also to those who have bought my books. Please make sure that the sites are legitmate. What are you doing with yourself? How do you relax? What do you think?