Once again... Sleep is Overrated

There was a time, in my own recent history, where I struggled with insomnia. The insomnia was so bad, I considered myself fortunate to get 4 hours of sleep every other day. This was an invigorating time, perhaps due to the mania the lack of sleep manifested, however, in that moment I found inspiration and brilliance and beauty. I saw the world in a new way, embraced the quiet and stillness and felt that the hours had been created by a higher power for my own bidding. It was, in short, a happy time in an unhappy time.

I have often secretly longed for that gift during that last 2 years of relative normal slumber. I was, at least I believed myself to be, profoundly productive during this time. I cared for an infant, I ran a business, I wrote a book... It was a mediocre book perhaps, but that was clearly due to my skill as a writer instead of lack of creative inspiration and a compelling subject matter.

To my point... I have recently experienced a similar level or sleeplessness - in part due to the expected arrival of our new family member, (and the other family members, although I have less control over that than I do my own, and believe me that is not much). In that sleeplessness, I have found I have somehow lost my ability to be productive during the waning night hours. It is a sad loss, a mourned loss. Age, distraction, hormone imbalance.... the cause of said un-productivity is unclear, but all the same true. As such, I am restricted to listening to my internal jukebox, stuck on an unfortunate, albeit delightful little tune: "Zachary hated Bumblebees..." from an apparent overly used children's CD currently in the car's disc drive. (Note to self: remove CD from disc changer).

I have hopes that either the lack of sleep situation is soon resolved (unlikely) or I can regain the mid-night productivity of yesteryear. Even if it was only perceived productivity, at least it came with some sense or brilliance and accomplishment to balance the droopy eyelids and kink in my back.



Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

March Update

I have been working hard, albeit admittedly sporadically in the recent weeks to get blogs written and search engine optimization done. I have a full list of amazing clients and I am trying to keep them all well positioned on the Search Engines while balancing the launch of Confessions of an Introvert, and dealing with the regular life responsibilities of home and family - a family that will be expanding in a month or so with the birth of our second son.

Under the "exciting news" category: Metro GreenScape will be starting my "extreme landscape makeover" this week. I will have to take some before and after pictures, but I am looking forward to having that done (although we are doing it in a couple stages and may take several months to complete). When complete I will have, hands-down the best looking lot on the street.

The good news there is that my in-laws will be visiting at the end of the month and the front yard will be looking pretty snazzy by then -- something sure to score me a couple points, and for which I will take full credit, despite the fact that there is no way I could actually do any of the work myself. And that, my friends, is "outsourcing" at its best. There is outsourcing to be more efficient, and look better at work - and then there is the outsourcing that makes you seem like super-woman to the in-laws.... I believe whole-heartedly in both!

Along the same lines I will have to get some shopping done this week so that I will have food in the house for the aforementioned in-laws. They think I can cook, and I don't want to give them any impression that they are mistaken! (Note to self: write out recipes, pre-package food and cook & freeze like it is going out of style this week.... who needs sleep!)

This will be a busy week, although they all are at this point. My "new-normal" includes writing for medical folks, and real estate folks, financial people and home-services companies. Business blogging may just be recession proof, and for that I am grateful.

For all the people following, and the ones who have casually dropped by, please forgive me if I have been negligent in returning calls or emails, remembering birthdays, or playdates. A gentle reminder would be good if I have been out-of-touch. I would make excuses, but that would set false expectations that this state is only temporary, and I have come to peace with the fact that the days of lounging around the "office" for hours and being so inspired that the letters wear off the keyboard may be a thing of the past. Work is work, family is family, and life is life... all of which I happily have plenty of.

Visit me on facebook - where I may, occassionally, be responsive to requests, upload a picture now and then, and provide snarky comments on your status.

- Meg



Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

Fabulous February

February starts on Sunday with much anticipated football game in the Wier house. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the team of choice and whilst I am neither adamant fan nor foe, I do wish, for the sake of the men in house, that they do not fail in their pursuit of yet another Super Bowl ring.

SO that is day 1 of February. The rest of the month is looking just as exciting, (at least for me, perhaps not for the Steelers). Confessions of an Introvert becomes officially available (although it technically hit the online stores this past week) and I am scheduled to do at least one radio interview related to that. If I get over my shyness and anxiety, at least momentarily, I will walk myself into a couple of bookstores and see if I can schedule a signing or two--which could be fun, or it could be mortifying...but good for the book nonetheless...hopefully.

The end of February will see me getting ready to go for a quick visit to Colorado to celebrate my sister's pending new addition. This will be quite an experience, as my own pending new addition is due mid-late April, and I am already feeling quite aware of the obvious timeline of the Spring months. ---that wasn't meant to be as cryptic as that came out...let me try again: I am pregnant and by the end of the month I will be enormous and crabby.

I have plenty of work-projects to fill the time in between the big events this month. Business blogging and copywriting are becoming very important to many small businesses as the economy staggers. While I am not complaining about having the extra work, it would be nice if the economy would stop staggering... But while I ride it out, I have plenty of writing to do--on subjects big and small: Charlotte Web Design, to Mint Hill Real Estate, Sports Marketing to Weight Loss... etc. Life is good, and I get to write. I can't ask for more.

(see how I stuck those targeted links in there... clever huh!)

I have to conclude this post, as Facebook and my Amazon ranking are beckoning me. Darn the Internet.

-Meg
www.meghanwier.com



Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all.

This is a long overdue "hello" to all. This year has been a great one, filled with lots of visits from friends, traveling and family. I am fortunate to be able to say that 2008 was great for me professionally as well, as I continued to grow my corporate blogging business.

The picture featuring my new pedicure is from this past week in Aruba. An absolutely wonderful vacation in a beautiful place. It was a great way to end the year.

I am looking forward to February when my book finally comes out. You can still get in on a good deal and pre-order Confessions of an Introvert from Amazon. As far as I know the release date is firm. I will keep you posted if I hear differently.

ORDER IT NOW... (subliminal message)

Other exciting news is the announcement of new client Metro GreenScape. An innovative landscape company in Charlotte that creates "outdoor living" spaces. If you want to check them out, go to their website today.

They made up a landscape design for my own property - which I think is a top-notch idea. They came out and looked at my yard and worked out a custom design with my requirements in mind (low maintenance, perennials, drought resistance), and put together a great look. Over the next couple months they will be installing the plants, shrubs, trees, flowers, etc. etc. I am so excited. But best of all, with the design, I know exactly what the yard will look like and have a guide book of where everything is and how to care for it. It is this kind of "above and beyond" that makes Metro GreenScape the premier landscape company in Charlotte. I will keep my own project updates posted here--but feel free to ask about it. I can't tell you how giddy I am about this design landscape project. And I invite you to come see my new outdoor living space.

Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

If I wait to come out of the fog...

If I wait to come out of the fog, it just might not happen. Much blogging and organizing has taken place over the last few days, unfortunately, it is hard to tell from the outside looking in and none of it was done here and for my own personal gain. However, as the aforementioned was billable, I can't complain.

I had a lovely meeting today with the ever-outstanding and dashing gentleman, Rich Ferretti. I am a blogging maniac when it comes to real estate in Charlotte, and this is all Rich's fault. He may just be the only busy realtor out there right now, but he is doing something right, and keeping me busy to boot (see Rich's latest blog). He is such an incredible and wise man -- and I look forward to his take on the importance of attendance at BNI tomorrow.... and you better believe I don't dare miss that one :)

Company in this week, followed by a birthday party, Thanksgiving, a trip to Denver, Christmas and a trip to Florida. After that I actually think Mexico is on the agenda, although formal plans have yet to be made. Luckily business blogging is a go-anywhere kind of business and so I continue to blog, blog, blog (could they not have thought of a more elegant name for this?)

There will be more later although I can't guarantee if that means in the short term or not. I have neglected this personal blog as a time management necessity to write the rest. (See "billable" above), but will endeavour to update as a matter of course.

until later...


Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

Cycles: Staying busy, Catching up

It seems I always write about catching up, or being busy. It seems I am on that pattern: catch up, then get so busy I get behind, then catch up again. I suppose it is not a bad place to be. "Busy" indicates there is stuff to do. "Catching up" indicates being busy with things to do. I am sure that there was a time which I was bored, but I can't remember when that was. I can't remember a lot of things since I have been so busy.

I have a short list of accomplishments for the week. I got the car cleaned. I spent time with family, nuclear and extended. I wrote for several clients if not for myself. I booked a flight to Boulder in December where I were certainly not be able to catch up on any work, but I will most definitely be busy.

It seems that it is becoming necessary to admit that I am expecting. Expecting and expecting to be busy. I have become increasing busy with consuming food and as I write this I am eating my 10pm yogurt and big old bowl of fried potato snack. As you can guess this is what is making it necessary to point out that which is becoming obvious by my ballooning bump. On the up side the motherhood-induced insomnia was very lucrative last time in the form of increased productivity, (decreased quality of work, but increased amount of work accomplished...) <>

Speaking of which...

I am looking forward to my upcoming book launch - currently scheduled for December 1. I am anxious and eager to see this happen.

I have had the pleasure of working with the very talented Camine Pappas who owns C and Company - a business devoted to marketing home builders. I have been reading her blog and am most impressed. If only all the builders around the world listened to her, the world would be a better place -- and we would all live in awesome homes with meditation rooms and natural sunlight.

It seems that it is time to turn in for the evening. I have updated my Facebook about 10 times today and uploaded my contact database to Plaxo. I am getting caught up and procrastinating at the same time and since I am no longer staying busy with billable work -- I best get caught up with my sleep.



Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

The Rule of Threes

(Content borrowed from the useful, if not always entirely accurate Wikipedia)

The rule of three is a principle in English writing that suggests that things that come in threes are inherently funnier, (Should be!!) more satisfying, (definitely!) or more effective than other numbers of things...There were three musketeers, three little pigs, three billy goats Gruff, Goldilocks and the three bears, and Three Stooges.

A series of three is often used to create a progression in which the tension (I see a lot of that!) is created, then built up, and finally released.

Should be an awesome family vacation next summer as our family grows and grows and grows!

• Three is the first odd prime number and the second smallest prime.
• Three is both the first Fermat prime (22n + 1) and the first Mersenne prime (22 − 1), as well as the first lucky prime.
• Three is the second Sophie Germain prime, the second Mersenne prime exponent, the second factorial prime (2! + 1), the second Lucas prime, the second Stern prime.
• Three is the first unique prime due to the properties of its reciprocal.
• Three is the aliquot sum of one number, the square number 4 and is the base of the 3-aliquot tree.
• Three is the third Heegner number.
• Three is the second triangular number and it is the only prime triangular number.
• Three is the only prime which is one less than a perfect square. Any other number which is n2 − 1 for some integer n is not prime, since it is (n − 1)(n + 1). This is true for 3 as well, but in its case one of the factors is 1.
• Three non-collinear points determine a plane and a circle.
• Three is the fourth Fibonacci number and the third that is unique.
• In the Perrin sequence, 3 is both the zeroth and third Perrin numbers.
• Three is the fourth open meandric number.
• Vulgar fractions with 3 in the denominator have a single digit repeating sequences in their decimal expansions, (.000..., .333..., .666...)
• A natural number is divisible by three if the sum of its digits in base 10 is divisible by 3. For example, the number 21 is divisible by three (3 times 7) and the sum of its digits is 2 + 1 = 3. Because of this, the reverse of any number that is divisible by three (or indeed, any permutation of its digits) is also divisible by three. For instance, 1368 and its reverse 8631 are both divisible by three (and so are 1386, 3168, 3186, 3618, etc..).
• A triangle is the most durable shape possible, the only "perfect" figure which if all endpoints have hinges will never change its shape unless the sides themselves are bent.
• 3 is the only integer between e and π.
• Three of the five regular polyhedra have triangular faces — the tetrahedron, the octahedron, and the icosahedron.
• Three of the five regular polyhedra have vertices where three faces meet — the tetrahedron, the hexahedron (cube), and the dodecahedron.
• Three different types of polygons comprise the faces of the five regular polyhedra — the triangle, the quadrilateral, and the pentagon.
• There are only three distinct 4×4 panmagic squares.
• Only three tetrahedral numbers are also perfect squares.

THREE.

Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

...Come again another day

It seems I am suffering from poor planning. I stayed up late, got the bicycle down from the garage storage, pumped up the tires, carefully put the bike in the car, and collected the accouterment necessary for taking a nice ride.

The plan, such that it was, was to take my kid to school, park the car and then bicycle to my meetings this morning. It seemed reasonable: get exercise, save gas.

And yet mother nature had different plans. While I was more than willing to ride in the light sprinkle that greeted me as I pulled the car from the driveway this morning, I am rather adverse, and hardly dressed from cycling in a torrential downpour.

..and so the bike sits. As do I, in the car. Fortunately, my handy dandy laptop is here, and I have plenty of writing to do this morning, however, it seems that I will have to buy gasoline and go to the gym today… two things that I had not planned upon, but seem, rather necessary.

Things to report include a full schedule for the week, a new website nearly launched, a naughty dog, a kid who grew two inches over the weekend, a fortunate forgiveness of the bank for a minor miscalculation, a ridiculous price for gas, an abysmal stock market, and a rainy day.

Cheers.
m

Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

End of August: Meg Update of Sorts....

It is a beautiful crisp morning here in Indian Land, SC. and I am fortunate to have a few minutes to myself before the chaos of the day begins.

It have been a very busy few weeks and I would like to have more to show for it. School starts for my biggest distraction in a week and a half, and I am happy about that. He and I both are more than ready.

My book edits are coming along. I would like to say that they will be ready to send into the publisher tomorrow morning, but it would take an extreme amount of self-discipline and ability to ignore all other responsibilities today to make that happen. I will devote a couple hours to it this morning and a few this evening and hope that the rest can be tidied up tomorrow and Tuesday.

The end of this week holds a trip to Tampa Bay, FL, which seemingly and amazingly avoided the storm Fay, however, I will be driving through what will probably be quite a bit of soggy parts of the peninsula state. That should prove to be an interesting trip, but certainly one worth completing before the school year starts.

Speaking of school, my good friend Ms. Murray is jumping in head first into a huge undertaking with the start of a new school. The school called "The Carpenter's Workshop" is located in Baxter Village, near Tega Cay and the village of Fort Mill SC, and will be just a kindergarten this year, but expand to 4th grade as the incoming children advance over the next 5 years. It is quite amazing when you think about it. People rarely start their own schools and I wish them the very best of luck. The curriculum is very hand-on and religiously based, with small classroom sizes (10 max I believe). This is a great opportunity for parents who want a private school experience for their child, but at an affordable price. I suppose it is a good alternative to homeschooling, since the teachers are so strongly committed to the success of each individual child, and welcome parent volunteers to assist in bringing each child what they need. If you are interested, click the link above and tell them "Meg sent you" -- I know they have 2-3 kindergarten positions open for the 08-09 school year and they will take kids who are 5 or turn 5 before December 31st--so it is not too late!

Other than that, my BNI group has been wonderful. The masterful Fred Sexton of Mouse and Man is working his magic on my new website design, and the distinguished Kevin Carslisle of Perfect Image has already provided me with many beautiful new business cards. I am very please with this work, and hope to bring referrals in the future. The group is full of geniuses and I am humbled that they accepted my application. Apparently there are few professional blog writers in the area with whom to compete for networking group seats....

Many other interesting things going on, but I promised myself to focus on my edits while I can this morning, so I best be getting to that. Happy almost Labor Day...

Meg


Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

Good Morning Charlotte

The mornings don't seem to have started right anymore unless I get to enjoy a few minutes outside sipping my tea and going through my email. This is such a silly guilty pleasure--making a quick breakfast for my son and then slipping outside to the patio while he eats and watches 30 minutes of mind-numbing, but gloriously distracticting morning programming.

I find that I am developing new habits. Good ones. Like waking up early to spend this time breathing in the cool morning air and listening to the birds sing to eachother.

The hustle and bustle of the day--the doctor's appointments, impersonation of a taxi, important phone calls, and meetings will all begin soon enough, but for now I have found a little piece of spiriuality, or meditation, or just peace and quiet--and it is wonderful.

Today I meet with a guy who works for a company who sends out mass text messages... sort-of the new flavor of spam. And I am sure he would not appreciate that description, because in reality there are many useful applications for quickly and inexpensively letting people know what tonight's dinner specials are, or how many tickets are left for the game, or which American Idol to vote for. Apres the meeting I am sure I will have a new-found appreciation for all that texting can do and likely try to convince all of you of the same. Maybe even texting you messages such as "buy Meg's book" or "Are you an Introvert? Find out today at www......." But all the same, I may just send you an old fashioned and way-more personal email. Kids these days I tell you, with their fancy technology. Doesn't anyone believe in email anymore?

On another note I may wander off to the bookstore and buy a copy of 4-Hour Work Week - since I think it was actually written about me. But I will find out and report back after a thorough read. Perhaps he doesn't mean "billed hours" (as I certainly work many more) and probably doesn't count parental responsibilities into "work" which we all know would be incorrect... however, I am fortunate to be able to enjoy a truncated, semi-retirement, situation as an author and writer, (and I may have to add "blogger" since blogging seems not to be considered "writing" in some circles, and if one where to read this entry as a sample, I could see their point).

Oh dear, I am rambling again. Tea is gone. 7:30 is here. It is time to get the taxi packed and the day started.

Good Morning Charlotte.
Meghan Wier


Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

fog

The day started out cool and lovely, after another night of thick, uncompromising, and wholly unnecessary despair. I sat outside and drank my morning cup of hot tea and listened to the ramblings of weekend news radio. I even worked on my freelance writing invoices in between surfing the Web and reading up on the real news and the un-real as well. The weather turned from perfect to a heavy rain storm sometime after lunch and my lazy hazy day became even more glorious as I was unable to do any yard work in the downpour, so I enjoyed the men's tennis finals at Wimbledon. I am no fan of tennis, but it was a very engaging match and the perfect excuse for not doing the inside chores that called out for attention.

They have been ignored yet again. Perhaps tomorrow they will learn to sing a louder song or a more compelling tune...

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. The 4-day weekend and my current inability to sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time, day or night, has made my mind an interesting place as of late. Thoughts of my paternal grandparents have monopolized my late evenings for a fortnight. I can speculate why, as family, holidays and good-byes weigh heavily on the mind of one who has spent so much time considering lineage, but it has been interesting to revisit these memories as I lay awake at night, so many years after they left this mortal coil.

My grandfather had a small basement workshop area, that was entered from the garage of his Upstate New York home. It was dark, cool and moist, and I remember the stairs and the smell and the feelings of being in that place. He had a neat and frugal organization, which struck me--and is an odd thing to recall, as I was less than ten, perhaps even younger. But yet I hold that in my consciousness. To have gone down there in that private sanctuary would have been a special thing, as it was rare, and so for me that memory is especially joyful.

The other memory invading my near-slumber is of Grandpa Bud's last hug and the well-wishes he gave as we left before moving briefly to Belgium. This too is a joyful memory despite the fact that it is my final one of my grandfather. He died a few months later while we were still away. But I will forever remember that hug, the wonderful words and the wave as we drove away. I wish that all people were able to have such great memories of the goodbye.

Not everyone gets to say goodbye. And my missed goodbyes are painful and raw. And for some reason these are the things infiltrating the dark of night and causing the daytime fog. Tonight I am hoping to banish these grey monsters and replace them with the little pink ones. The pink lovelies of hellos, and the warmth of a good night's sleep.

Perhaps tomorrow the fog will lift and my brain will again function, if but a bit, and I will be able to focus on the important things like life coaching, dental health, party planning and real estate.

...no wonder my brain is favoring the fog.

Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

Writing, Business Networking and Roller Coasters

Today was a day of making and cultivating business relationship and of unrelated family fun. The networking happened virtually with several connections made, introductions delivered and networking commenced. The family fun took place in between the latter, at Carowinds Amusement park, where members of my immediate and extended family gathered to enjoy the pleasure or near-barf-inducing and unnecessarily-wet thrill rides.

It was a good day.

...Tomorrow will be spent writing and in some sort of quiet fashion away from crowds, noise, and pavement that sticks in a way that beacons you to quickly change your train of thought and not overly analyze the reasons for the gooeyness.


--I would like to re-introduce you to Pete McGourty of Expect Success, whose new website has officially launched. Pete is a recognized expert in business consulting and life coaching in Charlotte. Congratulations Pete!










Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

Full Day in Meg-land.

Today was one of those day where I did a lot--house stuff, personal stuff, friend stuff, family stuff. No real work stuff yet, but it still could happen... maybe. I seem like I have been trying to sit down and get work stuff done all day, and it it just not happening.

The one personal thing that I did not do was my morning papers/blog. I woke up early enough to do it, but instead used the time to do laundry and last night's dishes and vacuum. There is something therapeutic about that and so I can't be too hard on myself. It is sort-of like when you make your bed before you clean your room -- it just sets the tone. And you can't call your room clean without making the bed. So for me, I needed to deal with the physical clutter before I dealt w/ the mental stuff...And clearly there is a lot up there today!

So now the house is clean and I can blog (if that makes any sense...)

I need to polish up the BNI presentation on blogging for business tonight, but I am pretty happy about where I ended up with that.

Other work to do, including the book stuff is to catch up on my blogs. Some of that I can do tomorrow at a doctor's appt (gotta use that time in the waiting room for something) and between meetings.

But tonight I need to work on the couple local Charlotte blogs. I have a lot to get done, and I best be getting to it...but wait! Now I have to go give my kid a bath... ah, the best laid plans.

Perhaps I will make it back to the desk in a couple hours.

Perhaps.


Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

Networking and Motherhood

I have been meaning to write about my son's infatuation with business cards for a while now -- see the blog about networking and motherhood.


Meghan Wier
Author Writer Web Consultant

Nathan Wier says the Pledge - Age 4 (Mommy is Proud...)

Nathan's Pledge of Allegiance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LKqzbXi7Go

ug

I have been negligent again in keeping this blog up to date. But since it is always boring to read about how someone is not doing something and why, I will spare you the details.

Things in Charlotte are good and should settle back into a decent routine here in the next few weeks. I have plenty of work to do, both for clients and around the house. It is good to be so busy.

Weather here is glorious and certainly a contributing factor in both my mood and inability to complete the projects on my list.

I am working hard on content updates for site such as Team Events. I have enjoyed that - and hope that more site owners realize the importance of up-to-date search engine friendly content. The Team Events site is well designed and has been a pleasure to work on.

I met my niece this past week. A delightful little bundle. Congrats to sis and G.

Looking forward to the end of summer beach trip. But every day is a vacation here. Hard to complain when work is good and the sun is shining.

--- but I do need to get back into the gym. The last few weeks have not been good for the training. The Duathlon is a no-go for June. Another trip up North is not in the plan until at least Aug. I will possibly make the Canandaigua run. Possibly!

Thanks for hanging in with me folks! I will post again soon. - M

Sisters

My sisters and I have always been - well, sisters. We have our good times and...not. But nothing to me is more of an indication of how we "get" eachother than how we work together when something needs to get done.

Last night my sisters and I were cleaning the kitchen after a party at my parents place. Piles of dishes, left-over food, cans, bottles, containers, garbage - it all was moved rapidly into to right place as if we cleaned up for 50 people every day. Hardly any words were spoken about getting the kitchen done, or what to do - we just moved in and around eachother like it was a dance.

I was a dance.

There are only a few people in your life that you will find that you can do this dance with. When you find them, keep them close. When they are your sisters, you are blessed.

I am blessed.