Ugh. What is wrong with my Bravenet Guestbook. First page looks OK... but then look at the entries on the other pages. WTF? ~ and I can't submit a help ticket, because I use the free version. >sadness<

A few months ago, I had helped one of our friends set up a website for her embroidery pattern buisness. She sells the digitized files of some really great and unique patterns for use on home embroidery machines. If anyone's interested, or knows anyone who embroiders, here's the link:

Esque Embroidery

Of course, it also a partial shameless self promotion. LOL. Some of my art and design is available at her site for purchase and embroidery use.

 If you're an artist (or know someone else who is) who may be interested in having some of their work available at Esque ~ shot them an E-mail. You never know. *wink*

Happy Belated New Year! Welcome 2010. A new decade. It's a nice looking number. I have a good feeling about it. High hopes... despite having a heavy case of the sniffles this morning.

First off, happy belated holidays ~ I've been awful about blog-hopping lately. I just haven't had the chance to visit everyone as often as I'd like to, but just because I may not have commented, doesn't mean I wasn't there. 2009 has taken a lot of my energy with it (and I mean A LOT)! It has been a very stressful past few weeks, and still aren't over the hurdle. "Everything works out" ~ That's been my mantra for ages. It does... if given enough time.

There are some great changes in store for 2010. I can feel it. Good changes. Be open to them. Be open to seeing them. Change your perception of things, and it can change your life. My newest obsession is Podcasts. I'm currently listening to three of them. They are free to download on iTunes, and it gives me something to listen to on my train rides to and from work. New insights. New ways of looking at things. New perceptions. New understandings. You get it.

The silence on my blog will probably continue for a bit longer. I wanted to write more today, but the sniffles are kindof pulling that desire out me now. LOL. >sniffle< >sneeze< ~ but do not fret... there is still life in this old Azodnem yet. LOL.

I'm going to disappear for awhile. I have a great deal of projects on my plate, and simply don't have the time to dedicate to a blog at the moment. I most probably will not be visiting other blogs for some time either. I will be disabling comments here as well until I return, because I wouldn't want someone to get offended if I can't return a response immediately. Nothing personal... just very busy.

We are each other's angels. Practice compassion.

I always go through periodical silences on my blog. Life is life, and does what it needs to do. Sometimes there just never is enough time for what we want to do. There's been a great deal on my mind, lately. There usually always is. I love October. I love Autumn. The change of the season brings those gorgeous magical colors to the world. The Reds. The Oranges. The Yellows. Golds. The fallen leaves on the ground transform even the most urban cityscape. Beautiful.

I thought I'd take a moment to share a few updates:

(1) I still haven't been able to afford the hard-drive recover on my old computer. The money I had saved up went to Pest Control. We finally have resolved the squirrel issue in the house. I just couldn't take it anymore. Nature's squatters HAD to go. LOL.

(2) I'm up to Chapter 2 of my novel. There will be no details about the storyline until its finished, but I am loving its vibe and its voice. So much of the story is taking place and form in my mind. I can see the scenes as clear as water. I know that trying to get published will be a hard road to walk, but I earnestly want to give it a shot. I believe in myself, and I feel truly motivated. The project is taking up (obviously) most of my free time, but i just know it will be worth it. Who knows, perhaps some day (not too far away), people will be picking up a book or two written by Roberto Mendoza off the shelves...

(3) My father has been in the hospital since Sunday. Again, they find nothing wrong with him. I am tired and blue in the face from telling everyone to look for signs of mold in my parents apartment. I am convinced my father's respiratory issues are being caused by something external. My father's older brother is also in the hospital. My mother discovered this early in the week, by chance. She hasn't told him, nor has she gone to see my Uncle. I realize that there is a great deal of physical and emotional distance on my father's side of the family. My mother used that as her justification for not wanting to see my Uncle. "They don't call us." His only son left him years ago to go live in Peru (I think) with his girlfriend. That man is alone. He will die alone... and she's fine with that... and will take no steps to prevent that. I don't know what history lies between him and my father ~ as they say, 'The Devil is in the details"... but does anyone deserve that? Is she REALLY that vile? or do I just by default now always paint her the villain of my life story? Does SHE deserve that?

(4) I've been reading Holly's awesome Halloween tales almost every day. I love how this season just gets everyone into that Halloween-vibe! I can't wait for this year's New York Halloween Parade!

It's amazing what a well-placed "BEEP" can accomplish.

Happy Wednesday, world.
Some of the houses on my neighborhood have started putting out their Halloween decoration already. I love this season. I love this time of year. I've already hit some of the Halloween shops in Manhattan just to browse. You can NEVER have enough witch hats!

I've been working on my fiction novel. I pretty much have most of the story and direction for the novel in my head... I know where I want to go with it. Getting started has been a little harder than expected (but it is, in a way, my first real full novel). Finding enough time to actually sit and write is a challenge too, but I have to find a way to do more than a paragraph or two a night, or I'll be 50 before it's done! ROFL. It's going to be an "urban fantasy". No more info. That's all you get. LOL. ~ but I am LOVING how it's sounding. Who knows... maybe I'm meant to be a published author. *makes a wish*

I have a busy day ahead here at the office... but I'm going to go swing by The Holly Tree again... she's already started posting up "creepy" stories. LOVE it!

Happy October, Bravenet Bloggers.

Almost just attacked by the neighbor's satan-dog. It was off it's leash and charged onto our front porch ~ got eye level with me on the stairs less than six inches from my face barking at me. I'm fine... but my nerves are pretty much just shot right now.