A New Chapter Is Opening

I am not a ghost.  Or a mirage in my own desert of sleep.  I am not risen nor am I ash.  I am returned from New York City, the Blogher Conference, and a whole lot of underground sweat drenched inferno.  It turns out the devil is the subway in August. 

This post may self destruct at any time.  I am here because I have some reflections to share for anyone who may stumble on this message or catch it in the feed reader.  I am hoping that most of my loved blog friends will catch wind of it.   



Taking a break from personal blogging and from all facebook activity has been good for me.  It has reminded me that my voice must be the first one I listen to before all others.  It has reminded me to listen to the quiet; that I am not lonely in myself, only in the world.  It has given me the space to concentrate heavily on writing my book.  I'm halfway through the first draft and after a three week life/work/travel/gastroenteritis break from working on the book I'm eager to sink myself back into it.

Going to New York was fantastic.  I spent a great deal of time alone, walking the streets, not like a hooker.  I walked an average of 40 blocks a day.  My work people covered me for the whole week I was gone which means I got a true bona fide vacation from absolutely everything.  Which makes me deeply grateful to all the people, including Philip and Max, who helped the trip happen.  A much needed refreshment.  The first two days I spent meeting the people I work with (for the first time!) and attending talks at the conference on writing.  I had some food-star sightings (Padma Lakshmi!) and talked to some people I was truly pleased to meet (especially Diane Jacob of "Will Write for Food" and Minnie of "Thank You for not Being Perky").     

One of the sessions I attended was like a cold smack on the head.  It forced me to realize that if I want to get my book published I can't be a reclusive non-internet person.  I can probably continue to refuse to have a cell phone, but I need to engage with my online community.  

There's one thing in my life I'm certain of.  Just one: I will get my book published.  Whether I do it in a big long tedious slog through the self publishing route or the even more tedious demoralizing slog through the inevitable rejection notices from publishing houses, I don't know.  I only know that I am going to get published.  I think anyone who has followed me here will understand that this is a refreshing change from my "cursed by the goddamn universe" attitude recently screamed out into the ether in a most unbecoming pitch of blackness. 

What I'm here to report is that while Dustpan Alley truly is a closed chapter, a new one is opening and I'm hoping that some of you will jump into it with me.  How will it be different?  I can't know for sure until I jump in myself.  I'm talking about starting a new personal blog.  Perhaps to some people it makes more sense to simply continue with this one I've spent four years writing already.  I have changed so much, my goals, my life, my attitudes, my knowledge, my everything is so changed from the first post on Dustpan Alley that I need the symbolic shutting down of a phase in life I am evolving out of.