On Poietes, Lola, writing, life, and other things . . .

“I am the thousand winds that blow. I am the diamonds in the snow.”

You might notice me refer to myself or sign things as Poietes, which is an ancient Greek word that means poet or maker. Years ago, I was looking for an original word when e-mail first came about, and I wanted something that reflected not just who I thought I was, but who I wanted to become. I looked a long time until I came across Poietes. It’s a moniker that I use frequently when I’m in my serious writing mode, or not. 

Most people who meet me for the first time don’t get me. Actually, most people who have met me several times don’t get me unless they have actually taken the time to get to know me. It is far easier to pre-judge me and jump to conclusions about me. I’m just one of those kinds of people: I don’t fit into any one kind of category. I’m not the blue-eyed, blonde all-American. I’m not the preppy. I’m not the typical wife/mother.

I use my maiden name, always have. I like my last name, and my dad had no sons, so I use my last name partially out of loyalty to my father and partially because it’s my professional name. I’m half Filipina, but can be mistaken for several different races. I get asked “what are you?” which is such an obnoxiously ignorant question that I can’t even believe that such people still exist. I’m pretty arrogant, even when I really try not to be, but I just have no patience with stupidity, so it’s so hard most of the time.

Lola is my alter-ego. She comes out to play when something particularly scathing or satirical needs to be said. Ranting is her specialty. But don’t worry, all of my posts aren’t rants. Sometimes I’m biting, sometimes sentimental, sometimes very left of center, and sometimes irreverant without being vulgar. But it’s mostly in good fun. At least, I think that it is.

I’m a curmudgeon (this is one of my favorite words, and I use it a lot, so if you don’t know what it means, you either have to a) look it up, or b) never bother to read my blogs again) and would rather not deal with most of the general public, especially those who shop in Wal Mart on Saturday afternoon (truthfully, do YOU like to shop in Wal Mart on Saturday afternoon? I didn’t think so). Actually, ever since I saw that last documentary on Wal Mart, I just cannot bring myself to shop in that store any more, period.

I love my family and am fiercely overprotective (much to my oldest son’s chagrin). I love my friends, and am completely loyal. I tend to be my own worst enemy because I don’t believe in myself enough, but I believe in those around me and push them to do their best. I trust people too quickly, which has led more than once to people taking advantage of me, usually at the workplace. Some of the people who I have trusted have ended up stabbing me in the back, even trying to climb the corporate ladder on my back, and for that, I have no tolerance or respect.

I think that overall, people don’t read enough and don’t think enough. They spend too much time killing brain cells with alcohol and drugs and other mindless cacaphonous chatter. Doesn’t anyone care about expanding their horizons any more? Doesn’t anyone care about what’s beyond their back doors? I saw some twit on television who identified John Kennedy as being married to Marilyn Monroe. I wanted to jump through the television screen, but then I remembered what someone told me once (and it was a very zen moment): You have to lower your expectations or you are going to have a heart attack.

But still . . . My gawd, people, what happened to exploration? Self-exploration? Wanting to know what was out there in the world? Wanting to go out and find it? Wanting to bathe yourself in the wonders of everything that was awaiting you? I mean, are we so short-sighted as a society now, or are we so scared? Which is it? Is it fear of what’s out there that keeps us from wanting to explore, so we keep our explorations to what we can ingest on Saturday night instead of where our brains can take us and then beyond?

I am so excited to be on the precipice of one of the most incredible historical eras since Rosa Parks decided that her feet hurt just too damned bad, and she was notgoing to give up her seat? W. did his best to rewrite his legacy about his eight years the White House, but I don’t think that anyone was fooled, do you? And yes America, yes we did! We now have a man of color as President of the United States. The word hope has been restored to my vocabulary.

I watched in awe as millions of people descended on Washington, D.C. for the inaugural weekend. I watched as tears streamed people’s faces while they watched the swearing in on the Lincoln Bible. I watched as people literally ran down Pennsylvania Avenue to follow the motorcade to the White House. Funny, I just don’t remember people doing that for George W. Bush.

This little bio was supposed to be about me. Well, I’m pretty boring. I have my husband, who I am sure you will read about, my three children, and my three dogs, and I drink a lot of Pepsi. The labrador turned one year old this past December and isn’t so small any more, but she’s adorable, and we found out that she really, really likes Christmas trees. The Jack Russells really aren’t puppies, but they are completely spoiled, so please don’t tell them. Other than that, my family wishes that I would get out more. (And by the way, if you read MySpace, yes, I did steal pieces of this bio from that. What would be the point of recreating when you already have the seeds germinating? I am closing down my MySpace account at the end of February 2009. I never go there any more.)

I’m glad that I now have some regulars who stop by to comment. It’s lots more fun this way. I try to be nice and visit other people’s blogs everyday and leave nice things on their blogs. If I cannot think of anything nice to say, I leave . . . after all, wouldn’t want to spread curmudgeonliness on blog comments (unless someone was really asking for it . . . just kidding). That’s all for now. 

Welcome to my little world where anything can happen and unfortunately, usually does. As always, there will be more later. Peace.

P.S. Did I mention that I tend to go on a lot and that my blogs are actually blongs? I didn’t? Well, you’ll see.