If you would have told me twenty five years ago that I would get up every morning and willingly watch sports news, I would have told you that you were crazy. Once I had sons, I had to get on the ESPN bandwagon. Growing up Scott and Sean were practically my personal big desk sports anchors. They kept me up to date on every sport whether I liked the particular sport was irrelevant. I was going to get all the news. So you would think that once they left for college, I would indulge in morning shows like GMA, The Today Show or The Early Show but I didn't. After the weather, ESPN is the first thing I watch, especially as this nation has become more politicized and not in a good way. I'm a Democrat and a Liberal but even I couldn't take the morning talk (or bashing) of George W Bush. Now with President Obama, it seems things have gotten worse.
If there is anything life north of forty has taught me, is how quickly time flies and how your health can change in a flash. Illness does more than devastate your body it changes your way of life. I've seen people go through their savings to pay hospital and medical testing bills. Many are forced to choose between food and needed medication. I can tell you that having a chronic illness is not cheap. I am positive that anyone who is getting Social Security disability or Social Security would give it up in a second for better health and the ability to work. However, they are not sitting at home eating lobster and caviar on the taxpayer's dime. They are scouring the store circulars for sales on tuna, soup or frozen vegetables. They aren't living la vida loca.
As a author and a literary agent with a tiny firm (just me and some interns) I have not become a rich woman. I work hard for my clients, many of whom are published but like every other industry, publishing has taken a hit. No one saw the handwriting on the wall as technology turned ordinary cell phones into mobile information centers. People can check email, update their Facebook status, Tweet and yes download and read novels. Even the most stalwart of paper publishers has been forced to enter the e-book world. My publisher Genesis started putting our more recent titles on Kindle, Nook and iPad. Now they are going back and making older titles available as well. They had to if they wanted to stay competitive in the romance market.
Other smaller publishers are following suit and since a number of my clients are with small publishers that makes me happy. Hopefully these talented writers will get the exposure they need and the public will discover new voices.
Wednesday is the day I give myself an intramuscular MS injection. To say it isn't fun, is an understatement but it's what I must do. There are side effects but at this point in my illness, I really don't have a choice. Hopefully they will go away by tomorrow and I can enjoy the holiday with family.
Here's to a happy and healthy Thanksgiving for everyone.
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