Fight or Flight = Fight

When faced with confrontation, do you head for the hills or walk straight in? Was there ever a time you wished you’d had the opposite reaction?

I can honestly say that I’ve never fled from anything, except maybe a rabid dog (and that never happened).  I never back away from a fight or argument or intense discussion.  Actually, if I’m being honest I can be pretty confrontational.

I’m definitely the type of person that when presented with an obstacle or challenge, I hedge my bets — all on me of course — and bowl right on through.

I can’t think of a time that I wish I’d reacted differently.  For most of my life I’ve had to confront difficult situations and make rather important decisions pretty quickly, as a result I tend to analyze/size-up the situation quickly and make my decision.  Some have been great and others not so great, but I don’t regreat any of them.

I heard Red was scrappy, but geez.

“Be” — Monday Motivation 6.3.13

My Name Is . . .

Write about your first name: Are you named after someone or something? Are there any stories or associations attached to it? If you had the choice, would you rename yourself?

Obviously my mother knew what she was doing when she named me Erica.  There really isn’t much to why she decided on Erica other than the year I was born “All My Children” made its infamous debut and good ole Erica Kane entered households.  My mom thought it was a good strong name and she liked the ring of it.  But I’m definitely not the drama queen Erica Kane was.

Well my name truly fits my personality when you go back and look at its meaning.  It’s pronounced AIR-a-ka and is Old Norse name meaning noble, alone, ruler, forever strong.  It is the feminine of the Scandanavian Eric.

I am typically a loner, which I definitely enjoy and I’m definitely bossy — hence the ruler definition and my mom has often said I am perhaps one of the strongest people she knows.  When I was an infant I almost died a couple of times as a result of severe asthma attacks.  I was in a car accident and technically should have been a goner, but came out with only minor cuts and a broken leg.  I’ve been knocked down and have gotten back up, dusted myself off, and got back in the fight.  I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.  Watch out there now.

Another personality trait that folks have put on us Erica’s is that we’re quick-tempered.  I can only speak for myself.  I am not slow to anger.  I can go from 0 to Pissed Off in about .2 seconds.  Belive it not my temper has gotten better.  It’s kinda like the Incredible Hulk — you don’t want to make me angry.  You won’t like me when I’m angry. But there is always one person who has to test it out.

I used to want to change it to Bobbie or Alexandra (Alex), but it’s grown on me over the years.

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Monday Motivation 5.27.13

You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

~~Auggie, Wonder by R. J Palacio

I started reading Wonder a couple of days ago and this quote really struck me.  We’re all meant to stand out — somehow, someway.  It may not be through a facial deformity, like Auggie’s; but through our God-given talents or whatever it is that makes each and everyone us extraordinary.

And besides who wants to blend in with everyone else?

Pick the first story for me to rewrite/edit

I’ve actually been thinking about this for a while now.  And when the WP Using Polls Post came out, I thought what the heck.  Let’s do it.

As all writers know, you’re always rewriting, editing and doing some more rewriting.  It’s a vicious, but necessary never ending cycle.  Many of the stories posted here are no where close to as good as they can be. So, I’d like your help in choosing the first story I start editing and/or rewriting.

The first three stories up on the perverbial chopping block are “Finally“, “It’s Not What it Seems” and “The Absurdity of Silence”.

It would be great if you would let me know why you chose that story.  Maybe you’d like to see a little more character development or something confused you or maybe it seems too rushed or too slow.

The poll will close Thursday, June 6 at 11 pm EST.  I will post the results after the poll has closed.

I, thank you all in advance for your help.

 

Top 10 Pet Peeves

Over the weekend it appears that a good number of my pet peeves surfaced.  Most of them on Saturday as that’s when I ran most of my errands.  Usually these things happen gradually over the course of the week making it easier for me handle and digest, but for some reason it all culminated into two days.

I really need this warning.

1. Tardiness – I am perpetually on time.  I hate being late and if I’m running even 5 minutes late I call and let someone know.  I value my time and others as well and I find it rather difficult and irritating when people don’t value other people’s time
2. Rudeness — Not really going to go into this one because there are so many things that fall into this category
3. People that don’t say “Excuse Me” – I was in Whole Foods on Saturday and was leaning over to pick up some yogurt and this woman reaches in front and clear across me to get some Activia.  She doesn’t say excuse me or pardon me.  Nothin.  So, I in all my irritated state say, “Excuse me, sorry am I in your way?” And she looks at me, turns red as a beet and only then says, “Excuse me.” WTF.
4. Sunday drivers Monday thru Saturday — Enough said on this one.