IN A WORD (us!)
-k-
so we both said yes. and we both thought about it; cancelling, calling in chicken shit..
but we didn't. and we both prepared. re-read. re-highlighted new passages in the book. wrote down our favorite one-liners, and our favorite scenes
but honestly, it's impossible to capture all you love without re-writing the whole book. this is a shared sentiment..
and we talked, laughed and panicked together the night before..
and then we prettied ourselves up the morning of... i had my hair blow dried special for this occasion. dyan was a knock out in her pretty white top, sparkly sweater, denim skirt. hair, make-up and accessories: wow!
and i was comfortable in my white blouse and khaki skirt. this is the same outfit i wore for my flute recital with bernie and his students, at heritage estates in livermore, and since i succeeded in playing twinkle, twinkle, without any mess-ups, i thought it might be a good idea to wear the same thing for this
this: our guest appearance on in a word to talk about eat, pray, love by elizabeth gilbert, with co-hosts jim ott and kathy cordova.
and -cool thing is, we can walk from our duplex to the ctv studio. this is wonderful for calming the nerves
and so we all strolled, me, dyan, and our beloved little ones.. my taryn and jack, taking turns pushing her emma in the stroller
dyan was battling a bit of a headache
my stomach was creating acid rain clouds
and then dyan reminded me... this was the "unknown" for her
she was taking a leap.
and i thought about that.. about scott adams blogs... the one about being brave; the one about taking risks
and it seems worth celebrating to me -not the result; but the willingness.
willingness alone; a baby step in the right direction. but then it dawns on me..
those two things i've always hated about public speaking:
the public. and speaking.
and i think to myself... dear God.. do i have to perform like a trained seal to make it in this world? can't i just hang out and write? please.
and then we're at the studio's, and thank you to dyan being dyan, the kids are treated to a mini picnic at the table just outside the studio before we go in. she's got fruit drinks, apple sauce..
and it really was a perfectly beautiful day. sunshine. cool air in the shade. and i got to thinkin' about how lucky we are
just to be here. all of us. together.
and then jim walked up with a hug, and we went inside together and were greeted with more warm hugs and smiles from kathy. and there was taping in progress we could watch on a tv in the lobby: scott evans (i believe.. will check) was being interviewed about his movie and book which is a sequel to the secret. info at passitontoday.com
and this was both intimidating and inspiring to watch. he was so at ease.. his message organized, professional and his delivery wonderful... "wish, which stands for
wealth
inspiration,
success,
happiness." - i liked that. and he talked about how when you give a gift, your serotonin levels go up, and so do the recipients, and it also happens to people who witness giving and receiving.
i liked that too. -and, then taryn was picked up by my friend meg, so she could make drama camp on time (thanks meg!), and jack kept an eye on emma... taking turns in the lobby balancing on a stepping stool; feeling tall and special
and then the interview with scott wrapped up.. the cameras were off, but we could see the after talk.. jim and kathy thank him. he thanks them back, and says,
get this... "it was easy breezy." i will refrain from comment here.
and then it was our turn. and it is unnerving, the heat from the lights, the cameras, the monitor where you can see what you look like (tip: don't look).
and the mics were put on, under our blouses, and we counted to ten so they could adjust things according to the volume of our natural speaking voices
and before we knew it, kathy and jim were looking into the cameras, welcoming viewers to the show, and introducing us
and here was a thought i'd had on the walk over. i know my stomach, and i know it's going to get all acidy and tight and i know, i will feel the knot; the anxiety storm
but this time i equated it with lighting a match on fire and then blowing it out, and then right away putting the match on my skin. it's a very intense burn, but it does go away. it does not sustain it's burn over time. and so i was reminding myself the initial stomach pain would go away once i started talking
and it did. kathy asked me the opening question, "... so give us a summary of this book..."
and here is the part i actually enjoy.. not the talking
but the falling away of everything. this was my experience last time too when i talked to jim about blogging
at first there is complete awareness of the lights, the camera, the setting, but once i started talking, everything faded away, completely unconscious to me, until all i was consciously aware of was the conversation.
and i liked the set up this time. four people. four perspectives. the conversation, questions, comments divided by four.
funny thing is this.. we talked for nearly 15 mintues, the four us, but i don't think dyan or i, ever even got to the one liners we loved, or some of our favorite scenes; the things we wrote down.
it is further evidence elizabeth gilbert has written a masterpiece.
and then... "time to wrap things up" (oh! the sweet sound of those words!).
and it is our natural tendency to default to what went wrong.. how we wish we coulda said this, woulda said that,
but i chose not to, and tried to prevent dyan from going there too. instead, i went right to the words i'd read in scott adams blog: that was brave.
no focus on flaws. all focus on the fact we showed up. we stepped up to the plate. we didn't forfeit. we didn't chicken out. we followed through.
"that was brave of us!" i reminded. and then i treated for lunch and drinks at pasta's to celebrate. she had some wine.. i had one of those sexy devil chocolatini's. "cheers!"
and we enjoyed salad and lunch outside with the kids, played a cute alphabet game dyan inspired.
and then we gave our attention to life's next upcoming adventures
her & emma, packing and moving soon to montana;
taryn and friends in their little mermaid performance at the amador theatre
and jack, graduating soon from swim america
and it feels so good to remove "channel 30/in a word" from our mental/emotional to do lists.
thank you again jim and kathy for the opportunity. for the experience. for the memory.
it's a great show you've got going there, and fun to be a part of it's history.
posted by SHE @ 8:04 AM
11 Comments:
I enjoyed reading your perspectives about appearing on In A Word. (It's so funny for me to hear what people go through to come on the show, but then I've been hosting it for 7 years or so). You did a great job and you never appeared to be nervous. You were articulate and intelligent, and Dyan also did a great job!
Thanks for contributing to the education of our viewers, and for this wonderful post.
Congratulations, Sandra! Sounds like it was complete hit and an overall wonderful, adrenaline filled experience! I am very happy for you all - and what a sweet picture, at that.
As for the rising serotonin levels, I read in the Chronicle of Philanthropy an article much to that point with research proving that there is a physical response and health benefit to giving. How amazing! Clearly, we are meant to focus on giving, not getting. Ironically, it's when you get the most!
I knew you could do it! And it would be perfect! Clink! Can you guys stream a video clip? Share, girl, share.....
jim/ren: i like the "one word" everyone chose, inspired by elizabeth gilbert, to identify themselves
jim/renaissance man: a man who typifies the renaissance ideal of wide-ranging culture and learning
what a great fit! -what better for a husband, dad, ceo, college instructor, school board pres, tv host, journalist, speaker, athlete, poet, blogger...
and kathy/miracle: an event or act which breaks a law of nature; a marvel, a wonder
and i'm privileged to know her well enough from writing class, and her book, let go, let miracles happen, the art of spiritual surrender -to appreciate just what a perfect fit the word miracle is for her and her life journey
and dyan/evolving: to change gradually, esp, according to the doctrine of evolution; to become apparent gradually; to result
and i've been witness to this truth in just the short time she's shared this duplex with me. a gradual transformation from stressed, concerned and lost, to relaxed, assured and found -and now with love and a bran new, fresh start ahead
we're only partly joking when we say this duplex, this neighborhood, might have secret healing powers..
i look forward to discovering my word.. i'm still working on it; keeping my eyes out
but i can't create one off the top.. and i can't settle for anything less than what elizabeth experienced when she finally came across ~antevasin~
pg 204: when i read the description of the antevasin, i got so excited i gave a little bark of recognition. that's my word, baby!"
i know i'll know it when i come across it...
but, yes... for pleasanton...
definitely, ~magical.
thanks ren! -for the positive feedback
beautiful hawley: thanks!
-adrenalin: one part free; three parts frozen
and yes.. major health benefits from generosity, individually and globally -on any side of the exchange: giving, receiving, witnessing
tried to view the 8 minute show on passitontoday.com today, but couldn't get audio...
singtome: big thank you -support matters!!
video clip... ? ....
i'll check with jim/kathy. not saavy that way myself
congratulations :) good focus control, crucial
tine: ..thanks!..
and i like
your sense of humor
your lens on the world
i'll be back to your blogs
-except that one.
until google/blogger comes up with the translater icon to click on
which they are probably working on as i type this
ps......
I love that little peace sign going on over your noggin'! :)
BBF, good for you! Once again your courage inspires me. I was captivated by your little narrative...appreciated the "burn" metaphor for nerves.
Nothing like a camera to make you self conscious. You look so photogenic, though, I bet the camera loved you!!
Lol...You Go Girl!
Just knowing you here, i had no doubts!
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