The Latest...

Updates! Unfortunately I don't have much to update on the writing front. I turned in both applications for the jobs I was after and I have heard...NOTHING! Boo :(! One of the jobs I was applying for had at least 70 other qualified applicants so I wasn't holding my breath. That is tough competition. However for the music blog I was only up against about 20 or so others. I returned my portion of the application/assignment last Tuesday and I expect to hear something this week if it is a yes...Otherwise, back to the drawing board. I still have a few more writing projects firing so all opportunity is not lost:).

As far as The Denver Marathon goes, it is gone and it went well! Our relay team competed in the ING portion of the Marathon a week ago Sunday. I'm pleased to report I did accomplish my goal of running 9 miles at a pretty decent speed. I completed my leg in exactly 9 minute miles on average. The first 3 miles were faster than that but obviously I didn't maintain my opening pace. I felt good during the race and I am contemplating a half marathon in the not too distant future...I am not sure why:)! As a whole our relay team did SUPA in the marathon and we all managed to run as well or faster than we'd hoped! Our team results were above average but most importantly we had a lot of FUN!! Thanks Alana, Eric, Andrew and Whitney!!

That's it for now. I will check back in with another blog later this week. Happy Monday!

Controversy!

And I love it...The controversy that is. I changed one simple letter in my name and it has sparked a reaction. Marion/Marian is a gender neutral name like Taylor or Shawn/Sean, etc. My parents chose to spell my name the way my Grandmother spelled hers (whom I am named after). Technically speaking Marion spelled with the "on" is the male spelling and the "an" is the female version. I am girly and like pretty much all things girl, like pink, high heels, dressing up...So why not use the "pink" version of my name? I'm not changing it afterall:).

I've debated changing the spelling off an on throughout my life but have never done anything about it. I looked into changing it legally this year and decided against it purely for monetary and laziness reasons (i.e. filling out the paperwork, filing it, or paying someone twice or three times as much to do it for me). But since the phase hasn't passed I decided to adopt the alias a week or so ago. Just for fun...Just to see how it went and if anyone would notice. I changed the spelling of my name on my Myspace and Facebook pages as well as on my email signatures.

To my surprise the people that have noticed and been brave enough to speak up haven't liked the new spelling urging me to stick with tradition. I am amused and enjoy the feedback. It's only a simple letter, a vowel change to be specific, and it has sparked such a strong response.

So tell me...if you dare, what do you think? Marion or Marian?

P.S. (Thanks to all of you who responded to my previous blog by email or comment. I recieved some great ideas and input. I hope to incorporate most, if not all of it should I get the position. I have narrowed my topic and will turn in the writing assignment which is the next step of the application process by Monday. Updates to follow soon.)

Enjoy your weekend and wish me luck in mine. Nine miles to conquer with my running on Sunday!

XO

Taking Suggestions...Now :)

If you recall back in August I wrote a blog entitled "Busting Through"...? I have been somewhat relentless in that area when it comes to my writing career. In the last few months I've been chasing down leads and responding to every job ad I feel qualified for. If nothing else has come of this crazy year it is that I have definitely found my niche creatively...I am a writer and I will not stop until I get paid to do what I love;). And at that, I'm not even sure I care if I get paid monetarily as long my writing manages to reach people and/or impacts my immediate world.

SO, to the updates. In the last week I've gotten two opportunities to interview for paid writing positions. One is for a new local magazine in the works and the other is for a new, upcoming music site that is hiring bloggers. Which is where I thought you might come in handy. I am in need of a "musical" topic to blog about. The emphasis is that I write about anything under the category of "music" but I do have to have a specific topic I can blog about weekly for 4-5 months at least. The topic has to be specific enough to write intelligently about but broad enough to write about for a wide range of time. In addition I need to somehow tie that topic back into the Colorado music scene. I have to submit an outline of my first six blogs by next Tuesday, at which point they will choose the top 3 writers out of 20 some. I want to be one of them.

So here's my request...Send me topic ideas! I do have in mind a general direction I want to head in but I also want to find out what you would enjoy reading. Since I already have a small audience here it would be great to hear your feedback and generate some interest in this new site should I get hired. Of course keep in mind I need your ideas ASAP since I have to get my outline together this week. You can either respond here by commenting or email me at: marion@2ncivil.com.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon! I will most definitely keep you posted on the results of both of these writing opportunities.

Ever So Close

Just thought I would post a few quick updates. Back in August I posted a blog about the relay team I was putting together to run in the Denver Marathon on October 19th. The race is now less than 2 weeks away and our team is still solid and training. I might add our team is comprised of some of my FAVORITE people of all time, including two of my lifer BFF's and my original tequila buddy (shots after the race Andrew?)!!

Since I put the team together I ended up being the runner that opted to take on...err by default got stuck with the 9.1 mile leg. Ha;)! I'm winding down one of my best running seasons to date, so this was a good challenge for me to tackle. However, over the course of my short running career, this is a distance I've been unable to attain in a race setting due to various over use and over training injuries. Training for the Denver Marathon has affirmed in my mind that I like shorter distances much (let me emphasize) MUCH better than longer ones. I've run over 15 miles total each week for the last several weeks with my longest run per week topping out at 7 miles. This week I'm up to 17 miles for the week and my long run will be 8 miles. I've managed to keep my body and muscles semi-healthy this time so it looks like the 9 miles is just within my grasp - quick find me some wood to knock on:). I'm slower at this distance than my competitive nature would like to be but at least I anticipate accomplishing this 9.1 mile long goal. Wish me luck!

Other updates...Ugh...Boo. I wish I had more good news for you. Send some sunshine, cheer and easier days my way. Aside from a healthy running season there aren't many good things going on here. But I continue to smile and believe with all the hope and joy that remains in me, each day brings me one day closer to a breakthrough. Just as each step during my runs brings me one stride closer to my 9 mile goal...And that seems to be enough to keep me going strong.

Hope you are all well. Thanks for popping in...

XO