METAPHYSICAL MATCHMAKER

Why Isn't He There When You Need Him?

2012-02-22T14:48:00.001-08:00

How Do I Make a Good Impression on the First Date?

2012-02-21T12:30:00.000-08:00

Come to the date with expectant energy. If you are going to make the effort and take the time to look nice, doesn’t it make sense to also take the time to put yourself in the right frame of mind? It certainly does! I have to say that this step is even more important than what outfit you’re wearing or how nice your hair turned out. You can be Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks, and Angelina Jolie all rolled into one and it still won’t guarantee that you will get asked out on a second date. I suggest that you take some time before your date—it could be fifteen minutes, five minutes or even three minutes—to sit down, close your eyes, take a deep breath, let Spirit in, and visualize just how you would like your evening to go.

Picture everything going smoothly. Picture yourself having a pleasant time with this new person who also might be nervous, excited, frustrated with dating, or all of the above and more. Let any past negative dating experiences go. They have no place in your heart or mind anymore. This is a new day, a new person, and a new chance. Affirm to yourself that your experience will be just great, and fill yourself with positive expectation. Affirm how wonderful and special you are and just how deserving of a perfect relationship you are. You can also affirm and accept that if this person is not your soul mate, the right one is on the way, and know that each new person you meet can bring something interesting and wonderful to your life. For instance, on a date with Marcia during which you have no romantic chemistry, she is so impressed with your positive, upbeat and fun personality that she wants to introduce you to her best friend Tina who is also single and looking for Mr. Right! So, when you put yourself in a positive frame of mind before you even leave the house, you’re ahead of the game.

The Status Quo

2012-02-19T16:24:00.001-08:00

Hard Knocks in Hollywood

2012-02-15T16:06:00.000-08:00

My friend Lynn Rose responded to this question posed by an actress that was in some turmoil about whether to stay in LA or throw in the towel on her dreams and aspirations.

***

An actress (from NY, in Southern Cal now) asked the following...

"I came out here to continue my "already" acting career. I had a couple of rough blows this year with my body parts, my day job, and well my acting career. Can someone please share with me their story, and help me believe that I should stay here in LA"

HERE is a sharing of my journey that I passed on to her and something I feel of value for us all (and re-inspired me, re-reading it):

The question to ask yourself is, is this my ultimate passion and is why I'm pursuing this career because it is my heart and soul to act? Or are there other motivations/reasons, possibly?

Because if it isn't your absolute passion, then it is indeed NOT worth going through all you have to go through in this career and in this industry. Whoooh dawggie...

HOWEVER!!! If its what you love to do with all of who you are and it lights you up every time you're graced with the chance to share your talent - THEN it's worth WHATEVER IT TAKES to continue to express what you came to this earth to express.

Years ago, when I was just starting out, I was 21, had just returned from studying in London at the #1 school for acting out there, had already been on a Disney film and other 'luminary' credits.

Through a friend who was on a soap opera, I got an appointment to meet with the head of casting for ABC.

I was given sides to read ahead of time, etc.

FInally I go in. This gal meets me, takes one look at me and says to not even bother reading! She explained that the most she could give me in a part would be an 'under five' (under five lines, guest appearance) because I had...(and I QUOTE): "...a bulbous nose and this jaw thing" (end of quote)

I was CRUSHED! I left there with my tail between my legs and cried my eyes out to my family, thought I should give it all up - why even try?, etc. Am I just gonna be putting myself out there but not getting a chance because I am so, let's call it, 'disfigured' ? lol

HOWEVER, I knew that performing is what I MUST do. It's part of my blood, it's who I am to express through acting, singing, dance (and now, later in life, through speaking). For me as I reflect, I realize, these are the ways I connect at the deepest level to life and to who I am, through these expressions.

So I hung in there and I kept on the trail (perhaps bloodied and bruised by that encounter, along with others that happened) and even though there were times I so struggled and wondered how the hell I was going to pay my bills (can't even count the number of times I've been there! - lol), even though I've had to deal with rejection at levels that should be called inhumane - I've had, as a result of doing what I love to do, experiences that most people would give their right eye for. I've travelled the world, I've performed in so many various facets, I've hung with people who have wildly creative minds and fun, free personalities (instead of some of the stuffed shirts I've been around in other circles, gotta say) and I've let my soul sing (literally).

So it's been worth EVERYTHING doing this craft, making this choice, sifting through this industry, head held high - despite whatever 'they' might say.

Also - just in examples of other stories out there. Dustin Hoffman was told to give up acting (numerous times, actually) - specifically, that he was a horrible actor and too short and ugly (hmmmm, do you think he should have listened to them?).

Sandra Bullock had had ENOUGH of this industry, had poured her heart into it and barely had a nibble, fed up with the rejection and the insincerity, et al, she'd been encountering, when, as she was LITERALLY packing her car and about to head outta Dodge, got a call that she got booked on some show - so she stayed...(and the rest is proverbial history)....Whew close call, there, eh?

NOW, as for Los Angeles and why stay here - that is up to you. There is always San Francisco (my sister is pursuing acting up there and having a blast, while also being able to make a career of it - and they do seem to value talent a bit more than just mere looks versus here where you do have to overcome that more often than not). There is always New York (which, yes, you've been there, done that, bought the t-shirt) and there's nothing like the energy and drive of New York (I do love that city) - but dang, that can be some tough times living there in the cement jungle and bad weather - but it depends what works for you.

For me, Los Angeles is IT! You have amazing weather for the most part, you have the mountains and the beach within an hour's drive, regardless. You have incredible museums, incredible entertainment possibilities, music in even the most wayward of dive bars that'll blow your mind. Yeah, you've got the fruitcakes, nuts and flakes - but you also have some of the most brilliant minds, some of the most deepest spiritual people around as well. It all depends on what you attract to you and what you focus on.

I go to Agape and LOVE that community there. It sustains me, feeds my soul - AND, I've even gotten a number of career bookings and connections out of the people I know and met there - just as a side benefit.

It will all depend on what way YOU choose to navigate through it all that will determine whether you enjoy the ride or find it a burden - and you know what? Circumstances are NOT what will have you feel that way.
YOU, and how you live through these moments - NOT the circumstances - will be what has you feel alive, happy for life, enjoying the process - or will be what has you feel embittered, down, regretful - you name it.

Kinda freeing when you realize that WE are in charge of how we feel - and not the environment we're surrounded by, isn't it?

So, the REAL question is - what is TRULY calling to you?

What is it YOU REALLY want? (not any shoulds or what its supposed to look like - but whatever that is for YOU and no one else) Get clear on THAT - and then DECIDE (because YOU are at choice) that you will create that - no matter what obstacles come up, no matter what you encounter, no matter what attitude adjustments have to be made along the way.

YOU are the one in power - THEY aren't - even when we 'think' they hold that magic key to granting us accceptability or 'think' they have the power to give us a certain role or job or acknowledgment.

Naaah, its not up to us where it eventually comes from. What IS up to us is what meaning we give ourselves and our lives, period, and that gives us back our power. And when we embrace that truth and really live it in our lives, it is so freeing.

You already know the answer, if you let yourself look inside deeply and honestly enough.

From an anonymous friend, who's also 'been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, even sold the rights' and living it every day, faltering and triumphing, falling and flying and grateful for the ever stronger, deeper, more appreciative person it's helping to shape me into.

Lynn

Touching & Sad Story

2012-02-15T13:57:00.001-08:00

Perform Your Writing

2012-02-01T16:50:00.000-08:00

FOR WRITING OUT LOUD: 12 or 13 Reasons to Perform Your Writing

By Greg Miller

“The human brain is a wonderful thing. It starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.” – George Jessel

Maybe, in your mind, you're exclusively a writer, and definitively not a performer. Or maybe you are a performer. Or could be. Or secretly want to be. Even if you don’t consider yourself a performer, consider some of the advantages to writing out loud (in addition to writing words, of course, not instead of).

If you’re an author, you’ll be making public and, we hope, media appearances when your book is published. If you’re a script writer, you’ll be pitching projects to executives, producers and/or in the writers room. If you're a journalist, you have to pitch your story to editors. Those are all performances. This is the age of Youtube. Almost everybody goes on camera eventually, so why not get used to it now?

It's a great marketing asset if you can deliver your material to a live audience as well as on the page. It certainly worked out for David Sedaris, Truman Capote, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and many other writers who became known (and paid) for their public appearances.

12 or 13 Reasons to Perform Your Writing

When you perform your original material on stage, you can…

1. Develop a more compelling ‘voice’
2. Learn your own natural rhythms
3. Road-test material and ideas
4. Get immediate feedback from drunken strangers
5. Connect with a creative community & potential collaborators
6. Become less precious about your material
7. Access your sub-conscious
8. Entertain others
9. Create new fans
10. Build your ‘platform’ as an author
11. Get paid
12. Stand instead of all that incessant sitting

And, if you’re frightened by the idea of going onstage and reading your material to the public, or even worse, going onstage and riffing on ideas that aren’t even written out, then add…

13. Overcome your fear of public speaking

In any decent-sized city or college town there are probably reading nights, spoken word shows and/or storytelling events at theaters or clubs where you might be able to get STAGE-TIME. If you can’t find one near you, maybe you could even organize your own event. Not to mention volunteering at a local organization or appearing at a benefit for an organization that relates to your topic or background.

If you have the guts to get onstage without knowing exactly what you’re going to say, I salute you. It’s a great, noble, and often very productive, practice. But please, RECORD IT. You’ll probably never listen back, and if you do you may be horrified at the ‘um’s, ‘uh’s, stutters and false starts (not to mention how high, flat or nasal your voice sounds). You also might strike gold with a spontaneous riff or comment and if it’s recorded you can go back and transcribe exactly what you said. If it isn’t recorded, well… it was fun while it lasted.

If the idea of performing your material onstage paralyzes you with dread, you don’t have to do it. Maybe the mere idea of it can motivate you to get back to your desk and do some writing safe from the glare of the lights and the roar of the crowd.

I also want to stress that if your material is going to end up on a page or screen, you also have to put in plenty of time at the desk/keyboard. Writing out loud is a great SUPPLEMENT, not a stand-alone method (unless it's for performance, in which case you might do little actual drafting of words on screen/paper). Otherwise, work on screen/paper before AND after working out loud.

If you don't want to go onstage (or in addition to that), here are 3 other ways of writing out loud:

A) BUDDY SYSTEM: Read your material to a friend, coach or writing buddy. The act of speaking your words aloud itself helps you feel the rhythms of your writing, and if your Listener's interest flags make a note of where in your material it happened and think about how that section could be stronger, funnier or more compelling.

B) SELF-STUDY: Read your material into a voice recorder, video camera or the built-in camera on your computer. If you stumble over a passage, consider cutting or rewriting it.

C) GROUP DYNAMICS: A workshop (like the transformational and wildly-productive Comedian's Way Workshop in LA) can combine a safe experimental environment with supportive fellow travellers. Writing Groups can perform this function, but can also go wrong when agenda diverge or comments are non-productive.

Enroll Now!

2012-01-30T19:05:00.001-08:00

To provide the best practices for living in loving intimacy with partners, From Fizzle to Sizzle is that kind of eye-opening, spectacular experience that offers YOU offer practical, hands-on tools and strategies for relationship repair and reconnection. Enroll here now!

4 Core Values That Foster Good Relationships

In our personal and professional relationships, a set of basic core values serves to guide our relationships, whether parenting, partners, or friends. In the world of relationships, these four values are words of action, not just a mental representation of some nice thing. Since values are abstract to many people, here is the way adults in relationships can make values work with your friends, children, colleagues or lovers. See these values as sequenced strategies to repairing relationships.

Connection – to be linked or bonded to another person or people.

When a child is born, the bonding process involves touch, empathy and positive regard. Empathy is established through eye contact with the baby, which programs the brain to recognize, connect, and feel the parent or caregiver. Empathy and positive regard for the child are also connected through conversation, cuddling, holding, movement (walking and rocking). When a parent treat and speaks to the babe or toddler with kindness, softness, love, tenderness, the child feels valued and develops an emotional foundation for feeling safe, cherished, respected, cared for. Our bodies grow and change, and out human needs for attachment to a loving person and bonding to establish feelings of connection do not change.

Think of the most horrible anguish a child can experience: feeling abandoned, feeling tiny and disrespected through being yelled at, treated like an object, dismissed, hit, screamed at, and threatened. These are emotional memories in the making that will hijack this child as an adult.

Do you think adults feel any different? Each person’s core needs are to be met, and when not met, the pattern for emotional abandonment is triggered. You are hardwired for relationships and feeling connected is a priority for communication and commitment.

Question for Your Review: HOW do you feel connected to those most important relations?

Communication - as a value, communication is more than sending a message or conversing. As a value, this means to be in rapport with someone is to be aligned.

Being aligned in the gut with each other helps you feel safe. Being aligned in the heart with each other helps you feel loved or valued. Being aligned in the head with each other implies no judgment, acceptance and the ability to share, argue, debate, and plan without taking it personally.

To be in rapport means you

· Can disagree without being disagreeable,

· Make an effort to control your emotional hijacking and not dump on another,

· Can move away from the need to be right and shift to listening, being open or reflective

· Can be objective, even while being emotional.

Question for Your Review: HOW high do you rank communication as a core value in your relationships? We suggest you make it number 1 on your values list for one month and cultivate this quality within yourself. See how your relations improve.

Courage - to be brave – to have guts, audacity, valor, going forth or moving ahead despite fear

We believe that relationships absolutely requires guts, especially for you types that love harmony, peace, and not making waves, or you who love to escape pressures of modern relationships. Others need courage to face the world, step into and participate actively in their relationships. And others can be fearless, so you might not believe that you need courage. You might be right in that your achievements speak to bravery, but do you need more courage to be sensitive in your relationships, where you dismiss sensitivity and feelings.

Even if you feel like a total wimp, frightened or like a doormat, list courage as a value. Each morning, repeat your mantra of courage in action.

· I am courage in action.

· I have courage to face…

· I see courage in my eyes.

· My act of courage to day will be…

Question for your review – How are you courageous in facing your fears and moving through any emotional hijacking situations?

Commitment – to pledge or promise to follow through, accepting a responsibility

Some people might take commitment more lightly than their partner or child would like. That is because you might make promises that you can’t keep in a reasonable length if time. Some people get caught up in their actions and visions and planning. Others get overwhelmed and put promises on the backburner. While others shift priorities like the wind and may even forget if you are out of their sight and out of mind.

This happens because all of you have good intentions. You make commitments fully intending to keep them, but…life happens. Those to whom you commit can only assume you have forgotten unless you take some sort of action like communicate, make an action plan or settle on a date for delivery.

When you forget the promise, the person in relation to you can feel disrespected and devalued. If that is not the result that you want in your relationships, then add a timeline to the commitment that you make.

Responsibility, then, is the twin to Commitment and means that you can be counted on, depended upon to follow through, complete the task or commitment, and be accountable for doing so.

Assessment of these core 4 values in your relationships provides a compass for you to be authentic and aware enough to fully enjoy and be fulfilled.

What Is Happening?

2012-01-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

I am getting so depressed over all of the Hollywood breakups! Not that it really has anything to do with my life or anything, but gosh, as a matchmaker, a real life cupid....... well, I like to believe in true love, the kind that lasts forever. My jaw dropped when I read that Heidi & Seal are filing for divorce. They are the ultimate power couple with the most beautiful family.

Now it seems that Johnny Depp & Vanessa Paradis are splitting. They have been together over a decade and have two children together. I think they are probably the most beautiful couple physically. And how romantic, Captain Sparrow and his French Chanteuse.

Many of the Hollywood couples have been together a long time, have children and seem to be over the moon happy, then whamo ! we find out it's over. I think that there are two major factors that make Hollywood couples marriages difficult to maintain. The first one is the fact that they spend a lot of time apart to work on projects, movies, concerts, etc. And the second challenge is that women tend to throw themselves at the men celebs and a lot of them just cannot resist the temptation and at some point break down and partake in the offerings.

I'll really lose it if I hear that Angie & Brad are splitting.
With Valentine's Day fast approaching, this cupid can't take anymore. Please guys, hold off till next year.

How Do You Make a Good Impression over the Phone?

2012-01-19T20:09:00.000-08:00

For those of you going through a matchmaking service, your first contact with your match will be over the phone. This conversation is very important. It can determine whether or not you end up meeting at all. Unfortunately, many people are eliminated within the first few minutes of a phone call. I know that it can be daunting and a bit nerve-wracking to make contact with a stranger and at the same time try to be charming and make a good impression since your soul mate could be on the other end of the line. Here are a few tips to help make your first conversation go smoothly.

First, realize that the other person on the line might be a bit nervous and not really representing his or her true personality. Try to keep the conversation short so that when you do meet, you will have lots to talk about. Try to sound happy to hear from your match and excited about meeting. I have heard countless complaints from clients that their match seemed preoccupied, uninterested or too busy to give them the time of day. If you are really serious about meeting someone special to spend your life with, treat everyone with respect and in the way that you would hope to be treated.

I had a man tell me that he called his match, and when she answered the phone, she seemed kind of monotone and uninterested, asked him to call back later and quickly got off the phone. When I spoke with her and asked if she was indeed interested in speaking with and meeting this gentleman, she replied, “Oh, absolutely! It’s just that when he called, I was in the middle of a business meeting, so I couldn’t talk.” There are ways of letting a guy know that this is not a good time to talk without squashing his hopes! You can always say, “Hello, Jim. Wonderful to hear from you! I am right in the middle of a meeting, but look forward to speaking with you. What time would be good to call you back?”

One of the funniest ones I’ve heard was from a gal who returned a guy’s call. They had a ten-minute conversation but she felt that he was not too interested, his voice was so low and he seemed preoccupied. When I spoke to him, he told me that he was speaking that way because he was in a library. Well, he failed to communicate that with her!

Phone tag seems to be a problem these days as well. Everyone is so busy that it is easy to keep missing each other. I have heard about people playing phone tag for weeks without ever connecting. How frustrating! A lot of people figure that it’s a lost cause, give up and ask for another match. Not always a good idea. That could have been the perfect person for you. My remedy for phone tag is simple: leave a message for your match with a few possible times that you will be available to talk, have them choose one and leave you a message with the time, and voila! You have a date!

What Single Girls Say

2012-01-19T10:45:00.001-08:00

2012-01-15T13:58:00.001-08:00

From Fizzle to Sizzle – The Relationship Virtual Conference of the Year

You Are Hardwired for Relationships, but Not Taught How to Be in Relationship

As an intimate partner, you may be required to have empathy, compassion, clarity of viewpoint, fun, sexiness, and even be silent when necessary. Can you match up?

As a parent, you are expected to nurture, play, be available to meet all of your child’s needs, stay connected even through the roughest years, display emotional resilience, and provide leadership for life success, among other expectations that arise with a child’s ages and stages. Can you keep up?

As a colleague, others expect your respect, competence, professional feedback, the ability to analyze, deliver results and keep emotional distance. Can you hold up?

Long-term relationships tend to get a little stale for some couples. Trying to meet everyone’s expectations can leave you fizzled out emotionally.

Going from Fizzle to Sizzle is Easy!

We created this conference because we want you to enjoy and cherish every moment of your relationship with your partner, spouse, child, or friend.

You’ll be amazed when you realize how simple it is to repair relationships and reconnect to others through love and joy. Based on Fizzle to Sizzle, the relationship book of the year, this telesummit will help bring back the sizzle into any relationship.

You need this conference if you want to recapture the romance in your relationship.
You need this conference if you want to know how to maintain a deeper connection and bond with others.
You’ll want to sign up to learn more about whether your match is out there and an update on soul mates. Weigh in..are they real or not?

All of the fantastic presenters on this 5-week telesummit have shared the pain and drain of loss, lack of sensitivity, and major transitions like divorce. We have survived and found love again. We will show you how to

Fall in love all over again with yourself, your spouse, your teen or your toddler.
Find the partner of your dreams.
Improve communication and connection in all of your relationships.
Approach challenging times with integrity and resolve.
Know how to repair any relationship at home or at work.

Join us for the Preview Call February 2nd to learn about the Contest

In the preview call on February 2, authors Dr. Caron Goode & Dr. Minette Riordan will share 2 of their 8 steps to easy relationship repair, announce the Relationship Contest, which runs February & March 2012, and discuss the prizes and giveaways to celebrate sizzling relationships.

Get Inspired Like Never Before!

2012-01-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

I love motivational speakers. I am a fan of many. One of my top favorites is Les Brown. If you are not familiar with him, you need to be. I aspire to be like him one day. I got to see him speak for the second time at the Beverly Hills Country Club the other night. He is so inspirational. And funny! He has a radio show Mon-Fri. It is off the hook! Check out the details HERE.

Happy Birthday Rod Stewart!

2012-01-10T16:11:00.000-08:00

I fell in love with Rod Stewart when I was 14 years old.. waaaay back in the 70's.

I got the chance to meet him twice over the years and he was so charming and gracious.

He is still sexy and going strong.

Happy Birthday!!!!

I Am Feeling Very Versatile

2012-01-09T17:38:00.000-08:00

Hey, I got this blog award today from blogger extraordinaire, August McLaughlin

how fun is that?

I'm Blogging, Is There Anyone Out There?

2012-01-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

I was at my writing group today and one of the big discussions was blogging. How most of us either plan to start a blog this year or vow to blog more. In 2008, there were 184 million blogs out there in cyberspace. Imagine how many have been added since. So how do we get noticed in the vast ocean of blogs? I didn't have much of a clue, but I am reading a fabulous book that is giving me one called,

Are You There Blog? It's Me, Writer, by Kristin Lamb.

Here are 8 blogs that I think are fabulous and enjoy reading, and hope that you might too.

LBNAlert

August McLaughlin's Blog

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T18:12:00.000-08:00

I am posting this from Louise Hay's website You Can Heal Your Life. Louise is a healing and beneficial presence on this planet and I am giving thanks for her today and appreciate all of her work uplifting people and teaching us that we can heal ourselves and be whole, healthy and happy.

*******************************************

The New Year is almost here! Let’s welcome these next 12 months with love and joy, knowing that what we give comes back to us multiplied.

When you begin your New Year, ask yourself these simple questions:

What shall I now release from my life?

What or who no longer works for me?

What am I holding on to that holds me back?

What thoughts or beliefs belong to the old me?

How am I being unloving to myself?

What do I believe that really works for me?

Am I ready to let go?

What is going on in my life that is terrific and wonderful?

Where am I being very loving to myself?

Where am I most content?

What do I want to bring to my life?

How do I want the next year to be?

Who do I want to bring into my world?

How do I want to look?

What image do I want to project?

How healthy do I want to be?

How prosperous do I want to feel?

What kind of world do I want to live in?

Where do I want my spirituality to go?

How much love am I willing to experience?

Acknowledge all of your positive growth and change. Then affirm:

I am not limited by statistics, medical opinions, time, or authorities.

I am one with the infinite wisdom and capabilities of the Universe itself.

All good is available to me, right here and right now.

All I have to do is to use the power of my thoughts to create that which I desire.

This has been a good year, and I have learned a lot.

Another Hollywood Divorce

2011-12-31T10:59:00.000-08:00

I have to say that I was so happy when Katy Perry and Russell Brand got married. I love Katy Perry, she is an amazing talent and seems so sweet and down to earth, someone that you would like to have as your best friend. And Russell Brand.... well.... can I just say... DREAMBOAT!!!!! With his swashbuckler looks, sexy British accent and humor that is in your face and won't stop, he is my kind of guy.

So, I was in the check out line at the supermarket last week and saw a headline that Russell Brand and Katy Perry's marriage was on the rocks and might be heading for divorce. I laughed and thought to myself, "How do these stupid magazines get away with reporting all of these false claims? I wonder what Katy and Russell think when they hear false rumors about themselves?"

Well, last night I got home from a night out with the girls at Wolfgang's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, kicked off my shoes and turned on the TV only to hear the news.... Russell Brand and Katy Perry are divorcing.

WHAT????????? Please say it ain't so. The gossip magazine was actually right? They are practically newlyweds. Being in the "love" business, as real life cupid, it makes me sad to see people getting married and divorced so fast it makes my head spin. In this case, they didn't know each other very long and jumped head first into holy matrimony without fully knowing each others quirks and issues.

Kim Kardashian found her boyfriend of 6 months, New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries, waiting in her bedroom on bended knee with four words written in red rose petals: "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" And then after 72 days of marriage, they called it quits.

It seems that everyone is in such a rush to "lock it down." What ever happened to a nice leisurely courtship, getting to know someone, finding out if you are a good match and can weather any storm that comes your way as a couple. of course that doesn't always guarantee a happy ending either. I recently read Dyan Canon's memoir, Dear Cary: My Life with Cary Grant. They dated on and off for a long time and finally tied the knot. Cary's erratic mood swings possibly induced by repeated use of LSD made it impossible to live in marital bliss in the end.

There is no guarantee for true love in the end, in La La Land or middle America. My wish for 2012 is that we all find some love and happiness and treasure it for as long as it lasts!

A Must See Video, Very Funny!

2011-12-20T20:29:00.001-08:00

Crime Novelist Patricia Cornwell on Blood, 'Boundaries' and Her Next Book - ABC News

2011-12-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

Crime Novelist Patricia Cornwell on Blood, 'Boundaries' and Her Next Book - ABC News

Check Out My latest Interview

2011-12-17T17:46:00.001-08:00

"Break Through Barriers to Your Dream Life" - Marla Martenson with James Rick http://www.fullpotential.com/marla-martenson/"

Giveaway!

2011-12-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone.. Christmas is almost here and I want to give away a copy of my dear friend Charmaine Hammond's memoir, On Toby's Terms!

Leave a comment about what you love most about dogs and I will pick a winner on Monday!

When Charmaine and her husband adopted Toby, a five-and-a-half-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever, they figured he might need some adjusting time, but they certainly didn’t count on what he’d do in the meantime. Turns out that Toby was a holy terror, beset by severe anxiety and destructive behavior that would take a miracle to curb: he routinely opened and emptied the hall closet, turned on water taps, knocked over the water cooler, pulled and ate things from the bookshelves, and spent his days rampaging through the house, knocking down everything in his path. Oddest of all was his penchant for locking himself in the bathroom, and then push the lid of the toilet tank onto the floor, smashing it to pieces.

After a particularly disastrous encounter with the knife-block in the kitchen—and when the couple discovered Toby’s blood and paw prints on the phone—Charmaine decided Toby needed professional help.

Little did she know what they would discover about this dog

Amazing Uplifting Video

2011-12-13T11:16:00.001-08:00

This will make you feel invincible, amazing and uplifted! Great story for the holidays.

Brand New You

2011-12-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

The new year is almost here and that means new years resolutions. A big one is getting in shape and or losing weight. I remember when I was a waitress, in January and February, hardly anyone ordered dessert, but once March came, the dessert sales spiked up again and I always figured that was because people had made their new years resolutions to drops some pounds and they stuck to it pretty well the first couple of months but then went back to their old habits.

The obesity rate in our country is sky high, health issues are literally crippling and killing us! As a matchmaker trying to find the perfect match for my clients gets challenging because everyone wants a partner who is healthy and in shape. Let's face it, men are visual (women as well but to a lesser extent) and if you want to up your chances of finding love, being in the best shape, having energy, vitality, and glowing with health is only going to help you.

In August I went on an amazing full body nutritional cleanse and have released 12 pounds. I am back into all of my skinny jeans, I have more energy and feel amazing.

I have added wellness coaching to my life coaching and am happy to help anyone who would like to release some weight and improve their health and vitality. Check out this video and contact me if you have any questions.

marlamartenson@mac.com

Had A Blast In Portland

2011-12-03T18:03:00.001-08:00

Cozy Place For A Date

2011-11-27T15:42:00.000-08:00

If you are in Seattle, check out the Fireside Room in Seattle.

Adolfo and I had a lovely evening by the fire, we had a drink and a delicious crab cake appetizer.

A Familiar Gathering Place

It’s the neighborhood hub. (But more like a living room.) A place to meet for drinks or traditional afternoon tea. It’s the setting for our Fireside Chats and music events. With rich architectural detailings – Honduran mahogany woodwork, leather wingback chairs and priceless green Rockwood tile hearth – the Fireside Room is a longtime favorite of artists and intellectuals. In fact, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine lists the Fireside Room as one of 30 dining experiences every Seattle-ite must have, including cocktails by the fire.

Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison Street,

Seattle, WA 98104 | (206) 622-6400

Black Friday, A Dark Day For Some

2011-11-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

Image by Imprensa GPA via Flickr

As The Metaphysical matchmaker, I am all for attracting anything you want in your life, but at the holiday season, I love the heart warming stories about feeding the homeless, family reunions, and helping others in need. As a woman, I like a good shopping deal as much as the next person, but our society has taken it to a new level, a level of embarrassment. Black Friday conjures up images of frenzied masses of greedy shoppers willing to spend a long, cold night on the sidewalk or in the parking lot waiting for the doors of their favorite store to open so that will get that hot deal on a flat screen TV or latest gadget or toy.

Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day , traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, often at 4 a.m., or earlier, and offer promotional sales to kick off the shopping season.

Black Friday is not actually a holiday, but many non-retail employers give their employees the day off, increasing the number of potential shoppers. It has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year since 2005^.

Here is one example of the chaos that is Black Friday!

Today, police reported that ten minutes after the Wal-Mart in Porter Ranch, California opened, a female customer used pepper spray on other shoppers at the Black Friday sale, injuring at least seven people and forcing employees to evacuate a portion of the store.

"This was customer-versus-customer 'shopping rage,'" said Los Angeles Police Lt. Abel Parga. He said one shopper was taken to a hospital after complaining of difficulty breathing.

I propose that we kick off the Christmas Season with a plan to help someone else and bring good cheer and hope, uplifting each other instead of trampling each other.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T12:06:00.000-08:00

Image by dougtone via Flickr
I am in Seattle for 9 days at my mom's house. This year I brought the family.. Adolfo and Macie, our dog. I moved away from Seattle in the early 80's to Los Angeles. Every year, I lament the crisp fall days with the colorful leaves crunching beneath my feet. I hit the leaf jackpot the other day walking in my mom's neighborhood, "The Hood" as they call it.

I give thanks for the simple things in life like the smell of fresh air, leaves beneath my feet, visiting with good friends.... and Black Friday for a few good shopping deals!!!

Start Vibrating!

2011-11-19T19:52:00.000-08:00

I am a student of the Law of Attraction. I love this law because it works whether you believe in it or not. The only thing that we really need to do to attract anything that we want into our lives and become co creators with the Universe is to feel good as much and as long as possible. Yes, that's right! Well, I have been attracting like crazy this year and I attribute it to my fuzzy, feel good, good luck charm, Macie Martenson. I feel so much love when I look at her I feel like I might explode.

Try to find something or someone that makes you feel good and helps you to get your buzz on and see what happens!!!

Wisdom & An Affirmation For A Monday!

2011-11-14T10:39:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

I got this in an email today and I just loved it!

"There is a tendency in human nature to look to the external world for fulfillment that can
only be found within. By reversing the searchlight of your senses and focusing your
attention on that which is Real, you will undergo a permanent shift in consciousness which
will re-qualify your entire experience."

Affirmation: I renounce any sense of being bound by habit, personal history, experience
or circumstance. I am free as Spirit is free.

~ Dr. Michael Beckwith

Amazing Inspiration!

2011-11-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

I just bought a new CD and it is so unique and transformational!

"TranscenDance"

Michael Bernard Beckwith

A totally unique, genre-bending collection of songs from Agape founder Michael Bernard Beckwith whose POWERFUL teachings are set to undulating dance music composed by Madonna composer/producer Stephen Bray (“Into The Groove,” “Express Yourself,” “True Blue”).

More than inspirational, TranscenDance is non-stop, mind-expanding fun that will shapeshift your life with every listen.

Take an adventure in paradise… Dance to the beauty of your own true nature… Gain greater insight and understanding of life as you celebrate Spirit with these techno-tribal, ecstatic dance and chill grooves.

It is a fabulous gift for yourself or a loved one who needs some uplifting and inspiration. Buy it HERE

Great Gift Ideas!

2011-11-06T16:55:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Only 7 more weeks until Christmas! I have always been quite creative in gift giving. I really want to make sure that what I give someone is something that is thoughtful, comes from the heart and is something that the person will actually use and enjoy.

I thought that I would list 7 creative gift ideas that you can use this year. For a friend, loved one, co-worker, or hey.. even yourself!

1. Give someone a peek into their future! Susanna Adamovic is an amazing tarot card reader. I have had three readings this year from her and I have to say that she is not only accurate, but has the most soothing demeanor and voice. She makes you feel like all is right with the world. She is giving my readers a holiday discount. 100.00 for an hour. Contact her for details. She can do readings in person or over the phone. 323-573-3464 or snezaad@msn.com

2. Who doesn't love a massage? Oasis Relax Spa in West Hollywood at Sunset & Crescent Heights does a fabulous Chinese massage, an hour for 25.00. They have gift certificates. I get my mother and husband one every Christmas.

3. Need a good stocking stuffer for the women in your life? My memoir, Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker is an indulgent read and peek behind the scenes of what it is really like to be a Beverly Hills Matchmaker! Order Here.

4. Does someone in your life need a dating coach? Donna Dzwonkas is the best! She has graciously extended a special price if you mention Marla sent you. 75.00 for an hour. Contact her at: datingcoachdonna@comcast.net check out her website HERE

5. Do you know someone who works hard and needs a break? Give them the gift of having their house cleaned. Merry Maids On-call housecleaning services. Located throughout North America and internationally.

6. Know a coffee lover? You can order a Starbucks card e gift HERE.

7. For loved ones with a spiritual side, get them a subscription to Eckart Tolle TV.

Eckhart Tolle TV is a subscription service offering monthly live streamed guided meditations and new teachings with Eckhart, as well as teachings with Kim Eng, an on-line community, and more.

What Are You Thankful For?

2011-11-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that we are almost at the end of 2011? With only about 8 weeks left until we ring in 2012, some of us are scrambling to make those goals that we set for ourselves in January. Thinking back to the intentions and goals that I set for myself I realize that I did pretty good. I accomplished five major ones.

1. Buying a house
2. Meeting one of my mentors, Les Brown

3. Finally losing the extra 15 pounds I'd put on the past decade

4. Making a 6 figure income

5. Doing some motivational speaking

My imagination is already swirling with exciting new ideas for 2012. Especially since many say that it may be the end of the world. So, I figure, geez, I should really go for it!!!!!

I have found that waking up each day with an appreciation and gratitude for what I have and where I am is what helps to raise my vibration and to keep those vibrations swirling high and fast attracting more good things into my life.

Setting an intention for yourself and then seeing it come to fruition makes life fun, juicy and worth living! Gathering ideas now, figuring out a strategy, getting excited will ensure that when January comes, you will hit the ground running!

What are some of your intentions for 2012?

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

I have always loved Halloween. The crisp fall air and Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner. However, I never dress up in costume. Well, this year I went all out as a witch and went to the Magic Castle in Hollywood with two of my girlfriends for an evening of enchantment and magic! I had a blast. Tonight will be carving my pumpkins and getting ready for trick or treaters tomorrow night.

Great Stuff!

2011-10-12T12:32:00.001-07:00

Inner peace: the great outdoors, fold over yoga pants and a Barefoot Yoga mat from

Release stubborn pounds

2011-10-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

I am so excited, I just have to tell everyone about my transformation!

I was at my wit's end trying to lose the extra weight that had crept on the past five or so years.

The final straw came when I couldn't fit into my last pair of slacks. I was rotating the same 2 pairs of sweatpants everywhere I went. it was ridiculous! I met a wellness coach at a networking event and she got me on Isagenix.... I released 8 pounds and fit back into my clothes. I am detoxed from sugar, caffeine and alcohol. I feel incredible. I am adding this service to my life coaching, so if anyone needs help with releasing stubborn pounds, getting healthy or wants more energy, check out my site and contact me.

We are electromagnetic beings!

2011-09-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Ready for some good luck? Then check how you are feeling, because the way you think causes the way you feel, and the way you feel causes how you vibrate, and how you vibrate IS the luck you make!

Soul Searching

2011-09-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

A modern day prophet brings a message from Culver City

Just hearing the word Hollywood or Los Angeles can bring to mind scandals, gossip, backstabbing, materialism and paparazzi. People seem to be looking for the bigger and better deal, the latest handbag, hot restaurant, nightclub or expensive car. An invitation to the playboy mansion is as coveted as dinner at the White House. The plastic on the women alone could supply all the landfills in California. For those looking to shed the superficial at least for one day a week, there is a beacon of light, a haven of positivity over in Culver City.

AGAPE International Spiritual Center brings peace and inspiration into thousands of peoples lives every week. Since it’s doors opened in 1986 it has expanded into a community of thousands of local members and 1,000,000 friends worldwide. Agape founder Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith “visioned” it as a movement that would take a stand for love, for peace and for being a beneficial presence on the planet. That is why it was named Agape, which in Greek means unconditional love. His aspiration is that every individual who is touched by the vibration of Agape is inspired to cultivate a heart of love as wide as the world.

Through Dr. Michael’s weekly services, Agape’s University of Transformational Studies and Leadership classes, ministries and other outreach programs, the heart of Agape reaches deep into local and global communities teaching individuals about the transformational healing power of prayer, meditation and selfless service.

The spiritual principles and practices of the Agape movement are:

1. God is good, therefore life is good

2. God is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent and omniactive

3. Every person is an individualized expression of God

4. Every person is responsible for their own evolution

5. The Universe, being infinite, is in a constant state of evolutionary expansion

The spiritual practices are, meditation, affirmative prayer, life visioning, scared service, spiritual study, spiritual community and tithing.

People often wonder if Agape is Christian. The Bible is referenced in Dr. Beckwith’s services and Agape’s classes, however Agape teaches that Jesus was not the great exception, but rather the great example. Classically, the New Thought-Ancient Wisdom tradition of spirituality regards Jesus an enlightened being, one who attained cosmic consciousness, or liberation from a sense of separation from the Source of all that is. Jesus is revered as a way shower, as an exemplar of unconditional love, selfless service, and self-master.

There are three Sunday services and a Wednesday evening service all given by Dr. Beckwith unless he is away on speaking engagements or international conferences. When he is away, he selects guest speakers who are renowned in their fields of expertise. It is not uncommon to hear such influential speakers as Marianne Williamson, Iyanla Vanzant, Dr. Sheila McKeithen, Lisa Nichols, among others. Agape also offers uplifting workshops in all areas of personal development with a strong presence of creativity such as painting, writing, dance, drum circles, visioning, and creating abundance.

Musical inspiration is also an intricate part of the whole Agape experience. Each week a different Agape member or members shares their wonderful talent in the way of song, music, dance or the spoken word. You will find world-class talent in the members of Agape.

Agape’s International choir, which is under the direction of Dr. Beckwith’s wife, Rickie Byars Beckwith has been heard from all across the United States to around the world. Their powerful sound and joyful songs moves the crowd from tears of joy to dancing in the isles. The choir sings on the second Wednesday of each month and on the last Sunday of each month.

With all of the uncertainty in the world today, people are searching for more meaning in their lives. Where communities used to be centered around the church and family, society has slowly moved away from that model. Having a place to go for support, inspiration and leadership has become quite appealing again. Dr. Beckwith encourages us to have a foundation of meditation, prayer and conscious intention setting by focusing on that which is truly important.

For more information about AGAPE International Spiritual Center go to, www.agapelive.com

2011-09-15T16:01:00.001-07:00

Spectacular Singles Event In The San Diego Area

2011-09-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

When & where: October 21st at a private home in Rancho Santa Fe.

Time: 7-11 pm

Price: 50.00

Please register timely as event is only open to 60 people.

If you are seriously looking to find your soul mate, you can't miss this event!

Who knows? You and that special someone may be the luckiest ones in the room.

This is going to be a really fun event. I will be speaking, there will be giveaways, appetizers, wine, mingling, music... so sign up ASAP! Click HERE to register and for more info.

Amazing Transformation!

2011-09-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

I want to share something today that I am so excited about. For the past 6 or 7 years, I have struggled with losing some weight that crept up slowly but surely. First it was five pounds, then eight, then ten and then in the past 6 months, fifteen. I have always been very slim all my life so this was very uncomfortable and distressing. The last straw came about a month ago when my last pair of slacks that fit, were too tight. I resorted to rotating the same two pairs of Juicy sweat pants every day. (even out to dinner and appointments) I was disgusted, angry and frustrated with myself! I recently spoke at a networking event in San Diego and met a woman named Pam Lewko who said she was a wellness coach and helped people to detox and release unwanted weight. Pam looked about my age, and looked by the way, amazing! Slim and trim, glowing with vitality. I called Pam a few weeks later and told her that I was ready to do whatever I needed to do to release my extra "baggage."

Pam put me on a cleanse with Isagenix products and coached me through the whole thing. She is so supportive, sweet and positive. I have been on the cleanse now for almost three weeks and am thrilled to say that I am back into all of my clothes. I never would have been able to do it on my own. Isagenix products are so amazing that not only have I lost weight, but my energy is up. I used to wake up at about 9:00 am feeling just as tired as when I went to bed. Now I wake up naturally at 7:00 am feeling refreshed. I also used to have to end my day of work at about 5:00 or 6:00 pm because I was just too exhausted to do any more, but now I can keep on working with plenty of energy if needed.

I never thought that my cravings for wine, coffee and carbs would ever be beat, but I am completely craving free.

And the best thing about this cleanse is that even my marriage is better. I was having a lot of friction with my husband which a lot of it was due to me being a nervous wreck from drinking too much coffee, and also my tolerance for alcohol was not good, but it didn't stop me from indulging in a couple or three of glasses of wine every night, which caused my personality to change. We are getting along so much better, I am calmer, more in control and even more confident.

Who would have known that so much could change in my life in three short weeks?

Even if you don't have any weight to lose, Isagenix can change your energy level, and over all health.

Here is the link to Pam's page if you want to check her out.

2011-09-02T18:30:00.001-07:00

Great Video About How To Speak Powerfully To Groups

2011-08-25T11:15:00.001-07:00

Men Are Visual!

2011-08-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

We have all heard the phrase, “Men are visual.” Unfortunately for us women, they are just hard wired that way. To be “turned on” they need to like what they see. A brilliant mind and great sense of humor just won’t cut it. Women spend beaucoup bucks on hairdressers and make up to look attractive to the opposite sex, but sometimes, we have the opposite effect. For example, studies have shown that most men prefer long hair to short. The quality and length of hair serves as a marker of genetic strength and overall health. Long hair contributes to a more feminine and youthful appearance. Men also rate longer haired women as healthier and fitter than shorter haired women. So, grow your locks and watch the heads turn!

As far as make-up in concerned, a little goes a long way. As a matchmaker, I have had many men tell me that they thought their date was wearing too much make-up. A fresh and natural look is your best bet.

Great Guest Post

2011-08-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Sennaya Swamy has a wonderful website and a great new book. Check out my interview.

How many years of research went into this book?

I have spent almost 10 years of research to come up with the results and analysis to write the book. I must say I have just started my journey and there are many miles to cross to further improve or clarity the concept of the book.

What motivated you to write it?

Pyramids are the live examples of the engineering technology used by Egyptians thousands of years ago. They always symbolize life having dead bodies in it. This thought has motive me to project by view in this direction.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
No

What are your current projects?

I will update my current project in my blog posts. So please keep on checking the blog for the latest updates on my Blog.

Do you see writing as a career?

Writing is a passion and some times passion can become a career but you cannot train an individual to become a writer with out passion.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Yes, as time passes we come across with new findings which I would like to incorporate in the next versions of my book

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Yes, I traveled all over the country to meet some spiritual individuals to form the shape for the book content.

Who designed the covers?

One of my close friends named “Jeff” has designed the cover of the book as per my inputs.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Learning is a continuous process our human brain does all the time with and with out your absence. I have learned a bit from the book and lot to learn yet.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I always want my readers to come up with their positive or negative comment which helps me to improve further. I consider both the comments equally and take it as a positive energy to upgrade myself.

Tell us your latest news?

Please check my blog http://www.egyptiancode.com/
Frequently to know about the latest news

Where can we get a copy of the book?

You can purchase a copy of the book at Amazon

WOW

2011-08-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

I recently took some speaker training with the amazing Lynn Rose. She is doing a special FREE event next week August 24th and I want to share it.

NEXT WEEK in LA-Lynn Rose (trainer to Billion Dollar CEOs, celebrities,
and experts on speaking fearlessly, authentically and powerfully)
and David Fagan (former CEO of Guerilla Marketing
and the secret weapon for many of today's industry leader's success
in marketing) are LIVE & In Person to give you
24 Hours on Speaking & Marketing-all F-REE for you
(& major WOW's waiting).

Join 100 other highly conscious & accomplished entrepreneurs,
experts & speakers & authors at their event Tuesday night
& Wed all day (NO Charge).

(the networking will be off the charts)

Go to: www.readyaimsuccess.com for the layout of FULL Details
(as it will blow your mind all that you're going to receive)

& PLZ share with all your local SO CAL friends - this is NOT to be missed!

You must RSVP to hold your space (and to get
location details) by emailing:

Lynn@LynnRose.com

with "Yes to WOW Speaking & Marketing" in the Subject line
and how many people you're bringing

Great Guest Post!

2011-08-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

Image by Kevin McShane via Flickr

Limiting Beliefs in the World of Dating

by Jon Wainwright, CPC,

Recently I have noticed more and more limiting beliefs from my male clients. While I can understand the mindset and logic behind these, they are still false and hinder confidence and overall self esteem. Most of these false ideas have been holding these guys back for years. So let's take a look at these limiting beliefs logically.

Most women only are attracted wealth and money. This is one of the most common limiting beliefs I hear. As there are women out there who are driven by financial success; they are very rare. I think this stems from the fact that most financially successful men have a lot of self-confidence. While most wealthy men are confident, just because a guy has money, doesn't mean he's confident when it comes to dating. In fact, sometimes it can work against them.

For example, take a guy who has been unsuccessful with women his whole life. Once he experiences financial success, he believes the ladies will follow. All he needs to do is tell them. He couldn't be more wrong and his insecurities will be more apparent then ever. Nothing is more unattractive to a woman then a bragger. These successes are much more powerful when she finds them out on her own. She will know you own a hundred thousand dollar car when you give her a ride in it. It is much better to be modest. Most of these guys identify themselves by how much money they have. True self-confidence is much more attractive then a large bank account. What men don't realize that financial status isn't a problem for a woman, unless the man is embarrassed about it. This pretty much goes with many situations.

Another limiting belief is only good looking guys can get good looking girls. Now everyone has seen a awkward looking fellow with a gorgeous woman. How did this guy pull that?! He must be rich! No, he is not rich. The fact is that women aren't as visually attracted as men are. This is an genetical difference between male and females. Men are attracted to symmetry and physical features. This has to do with the fertility of a woman. Men's brains are hard-wired to be attracted to the most fertile women. This is why we are attracted to younger women, usually in their reproductive prime. Even when men were attracted to heavier women in the 1700's, men were still more attracted to women with a certain hip width ratio that is best for giving birth. This is a subconscious attraction feature. We, as men, are going to be attracted to the women our brain sees as the best mate to carry on our genes.

While men are attracted to symmetry (subconscious), beauty, motherly instincts (subconscious), age and fertility (subconscious), women are attracted to traits like self confidence, leader of other men (subconscious), protector of loved ones, and men who other women are obviously attracted to (subconscious). Over coming your limiting beliefs will propel you into success in all aspects of your life. Most of my clients notice once they have there dating/love life under control, the rest of their life seems to fall into place.

If you are intersted in a Dating coach, give me a call and I'll change your life. I am an experienced dating coach of men and women. You can contact me at www.bestofcoaching.com/jonwainwright Good luck!

Hire Yourself!

2011-08-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

One of my all time favorite books is No More Monday's by Dan Miller. When I was dreaming of quitting the daily grind, making someone else rich, I would read his book like a Bible. It gave me so many tips, information, ideas and insight. Finally, I took the plunge and started my own business and have never looked back or have been happier.

Here is a powerful paragraph from Dan's book.

"In today's traditional workplace, security is an illusion. When you are working for a company, your fate is in the hands of one person -- your boss. A decision by one person can put you out on the street. But in your own business, if you are selling hot dogs on the street corner, every one of your customers would have to fire you before you are out of business. If you are selling products on eBay, you have 222 million potential customers from all over the world -- having one who doesn't like you or your product does not put you out of business."

2011-07-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Image via WikipediaI just want to share a treasure here in Los Angeles. Susanna Adamovic. She is an amazing, spiritual woman with a voice like an angel. Susanna does amazing tarot card readings. She has given me a couple of readings and she is always spot on about what is going on in my life and what I need to work on and heal. She also blessed my house and purged it of any bad energy with age and special prayers before I moved in. I know that some people find card reading "woo woo" and out there, but I have to say that she has such a vibrant and healing energy that the experience is amazing.
if you are interested in her services, contact her here:
snezaad@msn.com

How Do I Tell A Guy That I Don’t Want To See Him Again?

2011-07-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

Image by DeusXFlorida via Flickr

Unfortunately, chemistry is not negotiable. Even if he seems perfect on paper and your mother would love him, if you don’t feel the chemistry for romance it’s not going to work. If he is a really great guy and you enjoy spending time with him, you can always turn him into a friend. Be diplomatic about telling him -- you don’t want to hurt his feelings or bruise his ego. You can just tell him that you realize that since there aren’t a lot of romantic sparks, you two will probably end up being great friends. Help him to understand that you are not rejecting him, but be clear and firm about the way you feel. I think it’s charming to say, “Chuck, I wish that I could sprinkle some chemistry dust over us because you are such a great guy, but I would love to be friends!”

Great Guest Post

2011-07-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

Sandblasting Gifts From the Heart

Written by Eric R. W.

Giving a gift to someone in a relationship can mean a lot to that person. I truly believe that the gift itself isn’t always the most that matters, but it’s also the thought and creative effort you put into the gift. It doesn’t always depend on how much money you spend on the gift and as the economy is in a slumber these days; people still respect great and thoughtful gifts that are homemade.

This shows that you put a lot of effort and time into creating a great personalized gift for that special person. It really can become more meaningful and show a dedicated love for your partner.

So today, I wanted to show you how to make a personalized gift for a loved one by engraving into a ceramic cup with equipment known as a sandblaster.

To get started, you need to find a mug or glass cup. Then get a stencil sheet that you can purchase at a hobby store. Lay the stencil out over the mug and use adhesive to mount it in place. There are a lot of stencil materials that you can use with a pre-adhesive backing.

With the stencil sheeting in place, you will need to sketch a design or saying onto the glass. I always like to get creative by using both a unique design and a saying with their name placed somewhere on the glass. This makes it extra special.

After you sketch out the design, you will need to cut it out and remove the areas that you will be sandblasting or engraving. I recommend using a hobby knife to cut and remove the inner stencil areas. Before you begin sandblasting, mask the outside areas with tape to prevent any unwanted engravings.

Now that the stencil is setup and masked, you can begin sandblasting. To do this, take your sandblaster and blast the top of the stencil with slow sweeping motions until the design is fully engraved in.

With the sandblasting process completed, the last thing you need to do is remove the stencil and wipe away any debris left over. I like to use the hobby knife to remove the left over stencil pieces in case they are too small to remove by hand. Also, make sure you place the cup in the washer before using.

Then present the sandblasted and personalized cup along with a box of chocolates. You can engrave other glasses too such as champagne or wine glasses. I have even sandblasted wine bottles which you can see an additional tutorial. These can be more romantic. In addition to the sandblasting process, you can also use etching cream or rotary engravers.

Stop Looking And Start Attracting!

2011-07-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Chances are you are like a lot of people who believe that you need to work really hard at finding your soul mate. You scan the room when you are out in a club, party, restaurant, the gym, or wherever there might be some eligible men. You ask friends if they know of anyone. You put your photo up on various web sites. You go to mixers and singles parties. Seriously searching for a partner is like having a second job!

So I’m about to lift a weight off your shoulders because I am suggesting here and now that you stop searching for your soul mate. That’s right, you no longer have to hope he will show up at the next event that you go to. And you don’t have to worry anymore if he’s in front of you in line at the super-market. When you are doing your inner work, meaning working on yourself, taking time to do things just for you with no ulterior motive your soul mate will just come to you. Release the need to control that part of your life, breathe and let the universe take care of it. It will feel effortless and magical when your soul mate shows up one day on the bus or in spin class. You might be thinking, “wow, this is too good to be true, Prince Charming is just going to show up on my doorstep?” Well, no he is not. You still have to be out living your life. You can’t cloister yourself in your apartment like a nun. Go out and have fun, accept invitations, you need to be out in the world to meet the right person, but the difference is that when you are out doing things, it is not with the mind set of finding “the one” it is with the mind set of having a great time, learning something new, or having a new experience. That is when you will “magically” meet the right person.

Why “Looking” May Be the Equivalent of Losing

Here is an example of how “looking” can get you into trouble.

I have a single girlfriend named Gina. Whenever we go out for a drink, instead of having a relaxing time and enjoying my devastatingly fascinating conversation, her head is twisting around like Linda Blair in The Exorcist all night long, trying to see who’s there or if anyone new has come in the door. She actually misses the entire evening because she is so engrossed in looking around to see if her “soul mate” has shown up yet. This is simply no way to live your life, display confidence to the opposite sex, or enjoy the company you are with.

Remember that others can see right through it if you are acting desperate to meet someone. Prove to the people you meet that you are someone capable of enjoying your friends and whatever is happening in this instant. Let people see that you are just out living your life with no ulterior motive. Then you may be pleasantly surprised at what happens. Plus, you will be much more likely to meet and attract high-quality people who know how to treat others with kindness and respect because you do.

2011-06-30T12:36:00.001-07:00

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I don't know who wrote this. Someone sent it to me in an email. It is so great, I just had to share it with all the ladies out there.

WHEN A MAN WANTS YOU
When a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
When he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that isn't meant to be.
Slower is better.
Never live your life for a man; find out what makes you truly happy.
If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve,
then heck no, you can't "be friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.
Don't settle.
If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself
a year later for staying when things are not better.
The only person you can control in any relationship is you.
Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women.
He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant,
so why would he treat you any differently?
Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
Maintain boundaries in how a man treats you.
If something bothers you, speak up.
Never let a man know everything. Men love a good mystery.
You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within.
Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has
more education or a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-God.
He is a man; nothing more, nothing less.
Never let a man define who you are.
Never, EVER "borrow" someone else's man.
(Oh Lord! If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you!)
A man will treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
All men are NOT dogs.
You should not be the one doing all the bending; compromise is a two-way street.
You need time to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about
baggage.... deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship!
You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you.
A relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals.
Look for someone complementary...not supplementary.
Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.
Make him miss you sometimes.
When a man always know where you are, and you're
always readily available to him ~ he takes it for granted.
Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

Great Tips To Reach Your Goals!

2011-06-30T09:17:00.001-07:00

Making The Most Of What You've Got

2011-06-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

I just love it when people use their creativity to express themselves! My friend Lynne Dee turned her hobby of making jewelry and greeting cards into a small business. She is happily creating amazing art work and sharing it with the world.

2011-06-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants to look and feel their best, especially when you are out there dating. Here is some great advice on how to lose belly fat.

Men & Dating

2011-06-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Image by National Media Museum via FlickrHere are a couple of insights to how men think when dating..

Men usually don’t go exclusive with a woman after one date. They want to keep their options open and see what else is out there. I am always a bit surprised when a female client will call me up and say, “Marla, don’t match me up any more, I just met someone and we really hit it off, he’s everything that I’m looking for, thanks.” Or even worse, when I match a woman with one of my male clients and after the first date, she doesn’t want to meet anyone else, but I know for a fact that he is still dating to see whom he feels the most chemistry with. I tell these ladies to date like a man and keep their options open. If it doesn’t work out with this guy who is everything you are looking for, you will still be out there meeting people and have a few irons in the fire. You won’t feel as hurt or disappointed if he moves on when you have other options.

Men don’t talk about their relationships or where things are going. They are more into action, not words. I personally don’t believe in love at first sight; however, I do believe in lust at first sight. Just see how things go, let him prove himself to you, make sure that he has the qualities that you are looking for in another person. And if you have to ask where the relationship is going, well, it’s goin’ nowhere.

I hear women all of the time referring to their boyfriend, or talking about how they are in a relationship with a guy, and they just met him three weeks ago! Until you have been dating exclusively for at least a few months, you are not in a relationship. You are dating the guy. I remember talking to one of my girlfriends once about the guy she was dating and she said testily, “We’re not dating, we’re together.” Oh, excuse me, I thought. They weren’t married, living together or engaged, so I would call that dating.

Long Weekend

2011-05-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

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Well, we are officially through half of the year already. I can hardly believe it! This morning I thought about the goals that I set for myself in January. Although I could have been a bit more disciplined, I actually did pretty good so far. I bought a house, started speaking at women's groups, became more organized and developed better communication with my husband.

June 1st I will kick off the second half of the year by starting to write that new book that has been swirling around in my head and get back to the gym on a daily basis.

I also have some new interests which include gardening. Now that I have a house, I am able to plant flowers, tomatoes, herbs and whatever else strikes my fancy. Each morning, the first thing I do is walk out into the backyard, bask in the glorious sunshine and visit with my flowers, check on the tomato plants, sniff the lavender and sprinkle them with some nice cool water.

What are some of your goals and what have you been doing to reach them this year? Have you tried anything new?

Toby Is A Hit!

2011-05-20T09:08:00.001-07:00

I have had an amazing time in Alberta, Canada for the last ten days. I can't believe the trip is coming to an end. I am off to the airport in a couple of hours to go to Seattle to see all of my peeps there. I was so happy to be here to support my friend Charmaine Hammond in her best seller campaign for her book, On Toby's Terms. It reached Amazon.com bestseller status in both Canada & the U.S. Now she is going for NY Times bestseller!! You can join in the fun and help Charmaine and Toby! Go to Toby's WEBSITE to find out how.

Charmaine and I also had a blast speaking at numerous women's groups, doing book signings and also making appearances on local TV News! Charmaine will be in Southern California this winter and we will be teaming up again and hitting the road with our message and talk on communication between the sexes.

Pawesome Video of Toby the dog signing books!

2011-05-15T09:22:00.001-07:00

Branding

2011-05-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

As an author, branding is so important. I recently got a speaker sheet done and also a logo for my website, twitter and business card that all tie in together. It looks amazing. I feel more professional already. If you are looking for a fresh new look for your brand, check out Kimb Tiboni Manson's website. She is amazing!!!!!! This is what she made for my facebook page. I can't wait to see yours!

Dreams Do Come True!

2011-05-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

Image by Brenda Cooper via Flickr

I am so excited about my upcoming trip to Canada. I arrive on Monday the 9th. I will be speaking to some wonderful women's groups, doing book signings and TV interviews with my good friend who lives up there, author, Charmaine Hammond. Any of you who know me, know that I am a Law of Attraction girl. I say my affirmations daily, work with my vision board, and do many other creative exercises to attract and bring forth my vision for my life. For a few years my husband and I had held the vision of buying our three bedroom dream home with a swimming pool and a dog. Yesterday as we were swimming in our pool for the first time, our amazing new dog running along the sidelines like a trainer, my husband looked at me and said, "We got it, we got our dream!"After the swim, I showered and went into my office, my home office!!!! That was another vision and dream, to have my own business working from my home office.

My next big goal, vision and dream is to booked regularly as a motivational speaker and I am kicking that off on my Canada tour.

It is important to have a vision for yourself, something that seems just out of reach to push yourself to accomplish it. I never imagined that I would own my own home in Los Angeles, prices were always insanely high, but with the real estate crash, we started to envision and believe that our time was near and we were able to do it. I also never imagined that I would or could have my own business, after all, I don't have a college degree, or business savvy. But other people kept telling me that I should and could do it until I was able to hold that vision for myself.

Walt Disney said, "No dream is too extreme!"

Here is an affirmation that I keep on my desk: I am walking my life's purpose and creating financial freedom with grace and ease!"

Write down your dreams, say your affirmations and expect the best!

I Am Coming To Edmonton, Canada

2011-04-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

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Book signings:

I will be doing a co-signing with my friend, Charmaine Hammond, author of On Toby’s Terms.

I hope to see you there!

May 10th 6-8:30 PM

Book signing Calgary Chapters Bookstore Spectrum Shopping Centre, #500 - 2555 32nd St NE

Calgary, Alberta

T1Y 7J6

Canada

(403)250-9171

May 14th 1:30-4:30 PM

Book signing: Sherwood Park, Chapters - 2020 Sherwood Drive

Sherwood Park, Alberta

Canada

(780)449-3331

May 15th 1-4 PM

Book signing: Whyte avenue Edmonton Chapters Bookstore

10504 82nd Avenue,

Edmonton, Alberta

T6E 2A4

780-435-1290

Law of Attraction In Action Again!

2011-04-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am just blown away lately how fast I am manifesting! In the last year and a half I have manifested my own business and dream house. Every morning when I get up, I look around in awe and say to myself, "I'm really here! This is really my house! Then I sit down at my desk to work for MYSELF. No one is pulling my strings anymore. It has been an exciting journey. So, two weeks ago I was talking to my husband and my mother. I said, "people keep asking me if we are going to get a dog, but I have decided that if the Universe wants me to have a dog, one day I will be walking down the street and a stray dog in need of a good home will come up to me and I will know she will be for me." Well, one week later, that is exactly what happened! The most incredible, smart, well adjusted, sweet, well mannered, loving, beautiful dog found me on a busy street corner!

Okay, so all of you dreamers out there, you can manifest anything that you want, but you have to banish the doubt! Share with me what you have been manifesting.

2011-04-14T20:40:00.001-07:00

Check out my latest guest blog post on Cupid's Pulse!

Marla’s Top Ways To Get Motivated & Build Confidence

2011-04-12T20:40:00.000-07:00

Image by andreasivarsson via Flickr

*Make a list of things that you are good at.

* Make a health plan and stick to it.

* Accept what is

* Do something just for fun and relish every minute of it

* Do some volunteer work and help someone else

* Clarify what goal you are moving to

* Read something every day, even if it’s one page

* Try something you have never done before

Start with something real simple. You may like art, gardening, writing or cooking, but start with something that makes you feel good. Write down your top 25 hobbies/fun ideas as fast as you can.

You will find right around your tenth idea that your creative juices will start to flow and you will begin to realize that there are a lot of things you haven’t done in awhile that will actually make your life more full and gratifying.

Make a health plan and stick to it…

You can’t achieve your goals if you don’t feel good. Make health a priority. So many of us are used to grabbing anything to eat that is fast and convenient and in the mean time ruining our health. Make an effort to eat natural, nourishing foods and get plenty of exercise and fresh air. You will find that your energy will rise as well as confidence as your body is toned and strong.

Accept what is…

It is easy to fall into the coulda, woulda, shoulda syndrome and beat ourselves up about things that we wished we didn’t do or say, things that we wished we had more courage to do but fell short on the follow through, but the fact is that the only moment that we have is right now. The first step to healing and moving forward in good faith is to accept what is, and do better from here on out.

Do something just for fun and relish every minute of it…

Sometimes we get caught up in work and the drudgery of our day-to-day responsibilities and forget to have fun. Remember that you are important. To be able to have the energy to help your loved ones and be able to show up as the best you that you can be at work and for your family, you need to nurture and pamper yourself, so go do something that you enjoy on a regular basis.

Do some volunteer work and help someone else…

Volunteer work will stand out on your resume and set you apart from the crowd. Past charity work says a lot about your character, giving you a dynamic personality and highlighting your good nature. Also, helping others takes your focus off of your own problems and sows the seeds of goodwill to bring wonderful things into your own life.

Clarify what goal you are moving to…

Writing down your goals is a powerful tool to bring forth and realize your dreams. It is too easy to just let the days and years go by doing things that are not meaningful to you. Take the time to focus and pinpoint a key goal in your life that you want to accomplish and get clear on it so that you can laser in and focus.

Read something every day, even if it’s one page…

Reading enriches our thoughts, widens our vision and enhances our knowledge. The more we read, the better we are able to express ourselves both written and in speech. An avid reader is always filled with ideas and has more confidence than a non-reader.

Try something you have never done before…

Make a list of things that you have never done but would like to try, and then slowly but surely try these things and mark them one by one, off your list. Imagine how interesting your conversation will be when you recount your recent adventures.

Are You Dating A Loser?

2011-04-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

The definition of a “loser” would fall under these situations:

· He’s playing video games all day long while you, the devoted wife or girlfriend toils selflessly at a job all day and then cooks and cleans to boot.

· He smokes pot all day and wanders around in a daze not coherent enough to even get off the sofa open up the computer to look for a job.

· He has the habit of always asking you if he can “borrow” a few bucks because he is short this month.

· He’s over 21 and lives in his parent’s basement sleeping all day and strumming his electric guitar all night.

· He decorates his apartment that he shares with a roommate with beer cans that he has collected over the years.

· His best friend is his parole officer.

· He doesn’t have a job because he feels that “the society shouldn’t make him work.”

· He doesn’t have a driver’s license; it was “taken away.”

· He insists that he “drives better” when drunk

Here are some signs that a guy is NOT going to commit.

· He says that he is not interested in being in a relationship at this point in his life.

· He tells you that he is going out of town for a couple of months and maybe you can see each other when he gets back.

· He talks about his future plans like moving or buying a house and the plans clearly don’t include you.

· His friends and family don’t even know you exist

· You have to take the initiative to get together

· He prefers email or text to talking on the phone or in person

· He frequently doesn’t call when he says he will

· He calls you mostly during commercials when watching TV or late at night when it is too late to go out.

· When he does call, he gives you a feeble excuse for not calling sooner like, “I’ve been really busy lately.”

So if you are looking to settle down, it is time to move on. Some women think that if they just stick around long enough, it will only be a matter of time before the guy will “change” because "I love him!". But this is rarely the case. If his actions aren’t showing interest in you early on, when he is most likely to make the effort to impress you, then chances are they won’t change later when he is even more likely to take you even more for granted.

Law Of Attraction In Action!

2011-04-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

I have been a practicing the Law of Attraction for many years now. Reading all of the books, attending seminars, listening to tapes, etc. I have my vision board, my journals where I write daily "scripts" detailing my life the way I would like it to be, and repeating affirmations. Years ago, I used to get frustrated because I didn't think it really worked. I mean, I knew it worked for other people, the people who wrote the books about it, made tapes and all of that, but it wasn't really working at full capacity for me. In the past ten years, I have learned how to banish the doubt and know that it is a Law of the Universe and it can't help but work. I also learned that it is not all about positive thinking, but about my feelings.
We are electromagnetic beings. Since we are nothing but electromagnetic energy, we are basically magnets, highly charged and extremely powerful. If you are ready for some good luck: The way we think, causes the way we feel, and the way we feel causes how we vibrate, and how we vibrate is the luck we make!
The way we vibrate is how we attract!

As you go about your day, watch what you say and think, because that causes the way you feel which creates frequency vibrations that cause us to attract.

Recently I was looking back at my affirmations and scripts, which are little stories I wrote about how I want my life to be, I realized that WOW, I did attract everything that I intended to. I intended to quit my rat race job and work from my home office, in my sweat pants and slippers (if I chose) as my own boss. I took it even farther, I wrote, "I am my own boss, working from my home office in my own house which has three bedrooms, two baths and gleaming hardwood floors. I see myself preparing wonderful meals in our large kitchen with beautiful granite counter tops. I envision sitting by the fire on cold evenings with Adolfo enjoying a glass of wine and good conversation.
I love to swim in our pool and entertain in our backyard among the flowers and birds singing.
I had no idea how I would quit my job and start a business, especially in a recession. I had never worked for myself. I didn't have any money in the bank for a down payment for a house, but I kept writing my scripts and believing that it was possible for me.
Well, I have had my own business for a year and a half now, which is flourishing, and Adolfo and I just purchased and moved into our dream home two weeks ago, which has every single element listed in my script.
So, put the Law of Attraction in motion, dream big, you deserve it!
I teach exactly how to start vibrating at high frequency in my book,
Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate Is Waiting.

Ayyeeeee!!!

2011-04-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

My husband, Adolfo and I just bought a house. It's our first house! We have always lived in the Hollywood area and just love the creative vibe and all it has to offer. Our home is in the valley. Van Nuys, which is basically Mexico. Luckily we both speak Spanish. Adolfo, was born and raised in Mexico City and I learned to speak Spanish about ten years ago. So, we fit right in with the lingo and everything, and we are loving the lower prices on everything over here, the friendly peeps and the down to earth atmosphere. But I must say, I was utterly surprised when I stopped in a place called El Super to buy a few groceries.
Festive Ranchero music spurred me on as I browsed through the isles of chiles, pan, mariscos and tamales, Aayyyeeeee da da da da da .... aayyyyyeeeeee!!!! I was the only gringa in the place, loading up on the fresh Jicama, limones, and papaya. it was quite an experience. I will definitely be back.

Scams!

2011-04-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Image by Brantford Selections via FlickrI have received those email scams from Nigeria for years. They were always so obvious that they were a scam, but I know that a lot of people did fall for it and lose money. This morning I got this email. I googled Middlesex University Speaker Scams and my suspicions were right on. These are modern day thieves lurking on the Internet.
What creeps! I just want to warn everyone to be very careful and not believe anything that sounds too good to be true. It usually isn't.

Respected Marla Martenson,

I am Dr Philips Walker from the Middlesex University Here in London
UK. We want you to be our guest Speaker at this Year Middlesex
University Seminar which will take place here in UK. We are writing to
invite and confirm your booking to be our guest Speaker at this year’s
event. Middlesex University. The Venue as follows: VENUE: Middlesex
University in London, The Burroughs, London NW4 4 BT Expected
audience: 850 people Duration of speech per speaker: 1 Hour Name of
Organization: Middlesex University.Topic: ''7 reasons why successful
relationship crashes'Date:29 th April 2011 We came across your
profile on http://www.selfgrowth.com/ and we say it’s up to standard
and we will be very glad to have such an outstanding personality in
our mist for these overwhelming gathering. Arrangements to welcome
you here will be discussed as soon as you honor our invitation. If you
have any more publicity material, please do not hesitate to contact
us. A formal Letter of invitation and Contract agreement would be sent
to you as soon as you honor our Invitation. We are taking care of your
traveling and Hotel Accommodation expenses including your Speaking
Fee. If you will be available for our event, include your speaking
fees In your email so it can be included in your CONTRACT AGREEMENT.

Stay Blessed
Dr Philips Walker Middlesex University.

Tel: + 44 702 408 2535

My Video For Showbiz Tonight Contest To Cover The Royal Wedding

2011-04-01T15:09:00.001-07:00

Marla & Larry King!

2011-03-17T23:42:00.001-07:00

2011-03-17T11:01:00.001-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

How Do I Make a Good Impression over the Phone?

Change Your Life!

2011-03-08T09:02:00.000-08:00

Dan Miller's book, No More Monday's changed my life. I now own my own business Cupid For Hire, and I have never been more empowered and happier.

Dan Miller Welcome from Jon Dale on Vimeo.

Coast To Coast Am With George Noory

2011-03-05T09:29:00.001-08:00

Make The Best Out Of Everything!

2011-03-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaThis morning I was so bummed, dragging myself out of bed at 6:00 am to go downtown for jury duty. My call time was 7:45. I didn't sleep a wink knowing that I had to be up so early. The minute I got into the courthouse I hoofed it over to the cafe for a cup of java. I settled into my seat with the rest of the pouting faces and cracked open a book that I needed to read for one of my upcoming talks I'll be giving. I could barely keep my eyes open and I tried my best to be cheerful about it, but I wasn't having it.
At noon we got to leave to go to lunch and I strolled down to the farmer's market that they have every Thursday in downtown Los Angeles. The sun was shining, there was a nice crowd of people milling around, getting lunch, coffee or buying some fresh produce. I enjoyed a delightful Middle Eastern lunch of hummus, dolmas, pita bread, goat cheese and a few other tasty treats. I couldn't finish it all, so I gave the rest to a homeless man lying on the sidewalk with a sign that said he had AIDS. His appreciation and smile as he accepted the food warmed my soul and hurt my heart to see him in that predicament. I circled back fifteen minutes later and put a few bucks in his cup and gave him a bottle of water. I looked at my surroundings, at all of the people purchasing their lunches, and then returning to their offices. I felt so darn lucky. I am the luckiest woman on earth to have my health, work, a house and people who love me. I quickly swept those downer thoughts out of my cluttered mind about being irritated, being called in for jury duty, an inconvenience, and drank in the appreciation for the day and the life lesson that I was reminded of in that moment.

2011-02-25T13:36:00.001-08:00

Great Tip For Women On Body Image

2011-02-16T16:27:00.001-08:00

Dating Tips For Valentine's Day

2011-02-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Check out my blog post on After 40 Dating Tips

Looking For Daddy Warbucks?

2011-01-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Diary Of A Beverly Hills Matchmaker, by Marla Martenson (Bettie Youngs Books, April 2010)

Beverly Hills: just the name conjures up a town chock full of aspiring actresses, wannabees, gold diggers, poseurs and opportunists on the hunt for Daddy Warbucks, and dreaming that their fabulous fannies will be seated in nothing less than a Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, or Ferrari. Then there are the Goldman Sachs size male egos on the hunt for a bevy of beauties, but only if they look like Heidi Klum or, as the author calls them in the book she's penned *Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker, a size 0 waif who literally looks like 'tits on a stick." The groups, you might contend, deserve each other. It's no wonder that these types of introduction services are cropping up faster than hair plugs at the Men’s Club. So is everyone looking for the perfect 10? Well, pretty much yes, says the author. Since men are visual their main concern is that the women are in great shape and beautiful, with personality and intelligence coming in second and third on their list, and women are looking for security and an easy, breezy, lifestyle, which translates to, “I would like a man who makes at least a million a year” and on occasion Martenson would receive demands such as, “I will only date a man who has a private jet, I just refuse to fly commercial!”

Says the author, "The American dream is “to have it all”, “hold out for the best” and, “don’t settle.” After all, it’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor man, right? But just how long are singles willing to wait for the perfect specimen with whom to hook? It’s fine and dandy when a woman is in her twenties and looking like a million bucks, but when she has reached the forty mark and higher, things start to crinkle and sag, eggs dry up and dreams are dashed. The competition is the new arrivals with taut young bodies and stars in their eyes and the over forty male is often considered “distinguished” rather than the over forty woman who is just considered “old.”

No wonder online dating and matchmaking services are no longer taboo. One is not considered “desperate” to reach out for some help in finding love. But with that convenience and technology comes the expectation of “putting in an order” for the perfect mate. Martenson writes about the mentality of many male clients and the attitude, “I’ve paid you thousands of dollars to match me, so find me exactly what I want even if that means specific hair color, eye color, height, weight, and nipple preference. Yes, nipple preference. Martenson tells a story of a member who broke up with a woman because her areolas were “too big.”

Another concern of her male clients is the size of their match’s derriere. Here is an email to Martenson after a first date,

Dear Marla, I really found Sandy to be attractive, fun, intelligent, and cultured. We had a great time. The only thing is, I am wondering if she has a big butt. She was wearing one of those puffy dresses. She says that she does all kinds of activities like dance classes, working out at the gym, and hiking, but I just can’t be sure how big her butt is. Is there any way you can let me know if it’s big or if the dress she was wearing just gave that illusion?

Joseph

And did Martenson find her fairy tale ending with her perfect ten, or did she settle for second best in a heartless city in the knowledge that her clock had all but stopped ticking? A hopeless romantic, she is certain that it was kismet meeting the woman late one Friday night at a Rite Aid store on Sunset Blvd. who would introduce her to her husband a month later.

Seven years ago, Marla Martenson never dreamed that she would launch into a new career as a Beverly Hills Matchmaker, working tirelessly to find her financially upscale male clients the perfect ten to walk down the aisle with. But when a friend of her husband’s offered her a job at a video dating service, the course of her life was changed for good. After a year and a half at the dating service, she accepted a position at an exclusive Beverly Hills introduction agency as the head matchmaker.

After years toiling in the trenches unearthing the most exquisite gems to match to her well- heeled gentlemen, Martenson felt moved to write her third book, a memoir, Diary Of A Beverly Hills Matchmaker. For a woman who had given up on finding her soul mate and accepted her fate of remaining single, living in a studio apartment in Hollywood with her dog, having an open heart and mind has proven to be golden.

The Disappearing Act

2010-10-09T13:58:00.001-07:00

Let's face it, dating can be downright confusing at times. As a matchmaker, I hear all of the feedback. The good, the bad and the ugly. The most common feedback that I get from both men and
women usually goes something like this:

"Marla, I had the most incredible date with Melissa, it couldn't have gone better, in fact at one point she even reached over, took my hand and planted a kiss
on my lips! I told her I would call her again for a second date, but she is not returning my calls. I just don't get it. Maybe something happened to her? Can you find out if she wants to see me again please?

Or

"Marla, I have been seeing Ron for the past two months and I really like him. But I don't think that he is looking for a long term relationship, because he disappears and I won't hear from him for a week or
so at a time."

Both scenarios are true and I hear them all the time. I finally tracked Melissa down, nothing had happened to her, she was not in a car accident or in the hospital with the bird flu, she said that she just didn't have
any romantic attraction to her date, but thought he was a wonderful guy. So why did she kiss him? Who knows, maybe she was tipsy from the wine, or loved the attention he gave her, she didn't explain.
And why didn't she just return his calls and tell him that although she had a great time, she did not feel the romantic chemistry to see him again? Because people don't like to hurt someone's feelings, they don't want
a confrontation and it is downright uncomfortable to tell someone who clearly likes you that you do not feel the same way. So disappearing acts will almost always be for those reasons and nothing more mysterious
or complicated than that.

As far as Ron is concerned, he told me that he just didn't see the relationship going anywhere with the gal he was seeing. He liked her enough to see her off and on for two months, while he was seeing
other women as well, but in the end, he just wasn't interested and stopped calling.

As humans we always look for an answer, we like puzzles and trying to figure out exactly what went wrong, but more often than not, it is a simple case of not enough chemistry or interest on the part of the other person. When men
disappear you can almost always assume that they are seeing other women as well and someone else has sparked their interest more than you have.
Once I realized this my dating life became much less painful and if a guy didn't call me anymore, I just moved right along to the next guy who was lucky enough to go out with me.

Get A Free Copy Of Good Date, Bad Date!

2010-10-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

I know money is still tight for many of us with the economy so I have a great solution for a holiday gift. Anyone who buys two copies or more from Amazon.com of my memoir, Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker will receive a free signed copy of my relationship advice book, Good Date, Bad Date. All you have to do is email me your receipt from Amazon to marlamartenson@mac.com with your address and I will send you the book!
~ Love, Marla
The inside scoop from the Cupid of Beverly Hills, who has brought together countless couples who have gone on to live happily ever after. But for every success story there are ridiculously funny dating disasters with high-maintenance, out-of-touch, impossible to please, dim-witted clients!
In Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker, Marla takes her readers for a hilarious romp through her days as an L.A. matchmaker and her daily struggles to keep her self-esteem from imploding in a town where looks are everything and money talks. From juggling the demands her out-of-touch clients to trying her best to meet the capricious demands of an insensitive boss to the ups and downs of her own marriage to a Latin husband who doesn't think that she is 'domestic' enough, Marla ! writes with charm and self-effacement about the universal struggles that all women face in their lives.
Readers will laugh, cringe, and cry as they journey with her through outrageous stories about the indignities of dating in Los Angeles, dealing with overblown egos, vicariously hobnobbing with celebrities, and navigating the wannabe-land of Beverly Hills. In a city where perfection is almost a prerequisite, even Marla can't help but run for the Botox every once in a while.

2010-10-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia
What If He’s Not Marriage Material Now, But I Can See The Potential?

Forget it, ladies! Find a man who already has the qualities you are looking for. Now, I am not saying that if you are both young and he is still getting an education and will be moving up in his career that you should not be with him. I am talking about situations where he is forty and still living with his parents or has roommates and smokes pot all day; when he’s still trying to get that record deal while he expects you to support him at fifty -- well, you get the idea. If you are fine with those scenarios or something similar, than that is all right, but if not, move on to someone who already has something going on. Don’t think that with your encouragement or advice that he will change into what you want him to be. So many women are so eager to fall in love and get married that they give a guy credit for qualities that he doesn’t have and won’t ever develop. Don’t fall for a guy until you know all that you need to about him. You want a man with good character and the qualities that are important to you now, not possibly someday.
Don’t commit or marry a guy if:
He is jealous and it has been an issue in his past relationships.
He abuses drugs or alcohol. An addict will always give priority to his addiction. You cannot save him or change that; the desire to change has to come from within him.
He is gay and you think that you can change him.
He tries to isolate you and makes you give up your friends and activities that you enjoy.
He makes fun of you or tells you that you are stupid.

Make This Fall Season Count

2010-09-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

We are already into September and the holidays are just around the corner. The Halloween decorations are already in the stores and the nights are getting crisper. For me fall is a time of abundance, giving, receiving and sharing. Many people start to get a bit anxious wondering if they are going to spend yet another holiday season or New Year’s Eve without a romantic partner. Something about the words “holiday’s” and “single” in the same sentence can make even the most confidant and accomplished woman start in on the spiked eggnog three months early.

The most energizing and uplifting thing you can do is to start thinking about what you can do to help others. Make this whole upcoming fall season about giving. Is there a homeless shelter that needs help? Are there some seniors that need someone to read to them or to take them on an errand? Maybe you want to go to your local animal shelter and walk the dogs or pet the cats for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. At my local library they have a program to teach adults to read. There are so many opportunities to be of service. You will be planting seeds of unconditional love, abundance, caring and hope that will come back to you ten fold. You will be so busy giving and thinking of others that you will emit a sparkly, magnetic and attractive energy field. The right man will be coming into your life when the timing is right. So in the meantime, be present right here, right now and do what you can to make other people’s lives a bit brighter.

Not At All Your Typical Coffee Date

2010-09-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Today I am posting a wonderful article by Mark C Miller. I read it this morning and just felt that I had to share it. Mark writes for the Huffington Post and you can follow him on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/MarkMiller123

Mark Miller has served as writer/producer on numerous TV sit-com and variety show staffs, sold feature film projects to Warner Brothers, performed stand-up comedy in nightclubs nationwide and on several national TV shows, and been a humor columnist for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate. He has also created special stand-up comedy material for Roseanne Barr, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, Jimmie Walker, Gallagher, Jay Leno, Garry Shandling, Jim Carrey, Dana Carvey and many others.

Here is the article, enjoy!!!!

Anyone who denies that dating is every bit as time-consuming and soul-sucking as a regular job is either married or has gotten incredibly lucky in the dating universe. Or he's in prison, where romantic relationships take on a whole new perspective.

For the rest of us, however, it's Dating Apocalypse Now -- and maybe forever -- travelling on a patrol boat up a river through a romantic jungle. It's a perilous mission, fraught with lions and tigers and Claires, oh my.

For years, I'd been giving my second job, dating, an overabundance of weight in my life, going all out to meet the right woman and make an impression, worrying about how she'd perceive my clothing, job, car, physical appearance, accomplishments, voice, ad dating infinitum.

Then, one day, I make e-mail and phone contact with Ann, a woman who seems far less concerned with any of those -- at least to her -- superficial things. She doesn't even exercise her option for me to buy her dinner, lunch, a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. What she does suggest, for our first meeting, is that I join her for her weekly Sunday morning activity: delivering bags of donated groceries to home-bound men who have AIDS. Immediately, the usual first-date dilemmas -- like which Frapuccino drink to order -- are rendered inconsequential.

We meet Sunday morning at a restaurant/soup kitchen on Fairfax Avenue, in Los Angeles, where we're given numerous bags of groceries and a sheet of six addresses in the Hollywood and Santa Monica areas. Ann and I bring the bags of groceries to the men's homes, where they meet us at the door. They appear to be in various stages of health, ranging from very weak, with lesions on their neck and face, to completely healthy-looking. We make awkward small-talk with them, trying to keep things positive, asking one about his cat we see behind him, another about the colorful flowers outside his door. Some are more talkative than others; all are polite and grateful.

As we drive from one home to another, I think about the things in life that are so much more pressing and important than my dating desires -- matters of actual life and death. Of course, they had always been there in the back of mind, but to meet them head-on was very powerful. How minute my personal dating checklist seemed in this scheme of things.

Yet at the same time, I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I was feeling even more attracted to Ann because of her humanitarian bent. She had revealed in herself a very good side, a perspective one could have only inferred over dinner or coffee. What other virtues might she have? Was I displaying a similarly virtuous side, and if so, did she feel the same way about me? Because if Starbucks is out and volunteering is in, if we're both truly the kind of people who see the value in doing something selfless, imagine the good we could do for each other.

Okay, so I'm not totally selfless. In fact, while Ann and I were discussing volunteering and charity, I'll admit I was imagining us having our way with each other below deck on a Greenpeace ship. But that's okay, because we saved the world a little first. And if you can save the world a little, and love somebody a little, perhaps merging whale mating sounds with your own, well, that's a pretty good day.

Of course, a successful romantic relationship requires more in common from two people than simply their agreement about the value of humanitarian work. That's what Ann and I discovered on our second date, at a Japanese restaurant. Over tempura and teriyaki, whatever chemistry and rapport we'd had during our first date dissipated for no particular reason, slowly, like smoke into the sky. We both saw it leave. That is not an unusual occurrence for a couple within the first few dates. In fact, it's probably more the norm. In the past, I might have been frustrated by the disappointing outcome. But the only thing on my mind as I drove home that night was that whatever happens, even if the next twelve Starbucks dates take me deeper into the jungle, each day is a gift. And I could not wait to get back on that patrol boat.

Brand Yourself

2010-08-24T13:12:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone, this is a wonderful video by Lilou Mace about how to get a better ranking on youtube and how to brand yourself. Enjoy.

Marla Shares Her Vision Board!

2010-08-13T08:12:00.001-07:00

Writing A Chick Lit Book!

2010-08-07T17:24:00.001-07:00

Put Your Passion Into Print

2010-08-05T15:16:00.001-07:00

Live Your Best Life!

2010-07-28T15:40:00.001-07:00

Creating Fulfillment for a Whole Life

2010-07-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, you've spent a lot of time trying to answer life's big questions:

* How can I get beyond my regrets to live a fulfilling life?
* How can I thrive even during stressful times?
* How can I accomplish my dreams?
* How can I communicate better with the important people in my life?
* How can I achieve better health at any age?

For answers to these questions click here:

http://www.LifeLoveRelationships.com/Martenson/invite

That's why I want you to join me in an awesome teleseminar series I'm in – and the best part is, it won't cost you a dime!

It's called Life, Love & Relationships teleseminar and it's produced by Anne Pustil the Host of the Life, Love & Relationships Teleseminar. Anne Pustil is a certified therapist and coach, who works with individuals and couples to become more powerful and fulfilled in their lives and their relationships. She shines a light on your path so that you can see more clearly what is getting in your way and then she teaches you strategies and tools to live your best life – a life of good health, fulfillment and great relationships.

Watch Anne's cool video and sign up here...

http://www.LifeLoveRelationships.com/Martenson/invite

Anne will be interviewing me and 23 other of the world's top thought leaders about how to achieve the relationship you've always dreamed of having.

Here is a sampling of the amazing experts who will be a part of this series...

Dr. John Gray Ph.D.

John Gray, Ph.D. introduces his most exciting and groundbreaking book yet, "Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice: Hormonal Balance - The Key to Life, Love & Energy." Presenting new research which comes together with Gray's own thirty years of working with couples and individuals as a relationship therapist and healthy living coach, "Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice" uses humorous relationship situations everybody can identify with to depict the stunning connection between personal interactions, hormones, love, desire and healthy vitality at different ages. In addition to being a Certified Family Therapist with over 30 years of experience in the field, John Gray is a consulting editor of The Family Journal and a member of the Distinguished Advisory Board of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. He is a recipient of the coveted the Smart Marriages Impact Award.

Dr. Mark Hyman M.D.

Dr Mark Hyman, MD is dedicated to identifying and addressing the root causes of chronic illness through a groundbreaking whole-systems medicine approach called Functional Medicine. He is a family physician, a four-time New York Times bestselling author, and an international leader in his field. Through his private practice, education efforts, writing, research, and advocacy, he empowers others to stop managing symptoms and start treating the underlying causes of illness, thereby tackling our chronic-disease epidemic.

Dr. Matthew James M.A., Ph.D.

Matthew James, M.A., Ph.D. is one of the most highly sought after trainers and educators in the world today. He is responsible for bringing thousands of students closer to fulfilling their dreams each year with his life altering techniques. He combines his knowledge of Huna with cutting edge therapeutic techniques to free people from self-imposed limitations and move them to new heights of health, happiness and personal fulfillment. Dr. Matthew James is President of Kona University. Due to his expertise on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), indigenous cultures and forgiveness, Dr. James has been featured in magazines and newspapers and on Fox News, CNN Headline News and many other TV and radio shows around the world.

Lou Paget

Lou Paget is a Certified Sexuality Educator, International Best Selling author, Entrepreneur, Seminar Presenter, sought after Speaker and Media Expert. Paget's internationally presented seminars evolved into a highly successful corporation FRANKly Speaking Inc. The FRANK acronym stands for how Lou feels information about sexuality should be given to you, in Freedom, be Respectful, Accurate, Non-Judgmental, Knowledge. The seminars lead to her writing 5 books which are in 28 languages.

Greg Reid

Greg S. Reid is a filmmaker, motivational speaker, #1 best selling author, entrepreneur, and the CEO of several successful corporations, who has dedicated his life to helping others achieve the ultimate fulfillment of finding and living a life of purpose. In his latest project: Think and Grow Rich: Three Feet From Gold - Turn your Obstacles into Opportunities (co-authored with Sharon Lechter), Greg has been gifted the opportunity to follow in Napoleon's famous footsteps by sitting down with leaders of the day to discover how they persevered through challenging times.

There are 24 speakers in all including: Satyen Raja, Marci Shimoff, Steve Sisgold, Brent Phillips, Christine Arylo, Nick Ortner, Elisha Goldstein Ph.D., Sherry Gaba L.C.S.W., Dr. Alex Loyd, Victoria Moran, Dr. John Curtis Ph.D., Patricia Varley M.H.S.A., Mike Robbins, Greg Mooers, Monique MacDonald, Raphael Cushnir, Patrick Ryan, Carol Allen, and more. Wow!

And of course, me, Marla Martenson! You can hear me on Thursday, August 12, 2010.

We'll be sharing the best of the best strategies, tactics and processes we know to help you get from where you are to where you want to be faster and easier than ever before.

This three month weekly training is completely free to you!

All I ask is that you help us help millions of people by telling your friends and family about it and talk about it on your Facebook, Twitter and blog (if you have one).

Seriously, take advantage of this and reserve your spot by clicking on this link now:

http://www.LifeLoveRelationships.com/Martenson/invite

After you register, keep an eye out for Anne's email with your details for listening in on the calls.

Also, be sure to click on the special link in Anne's email and grab your bonus gifts he's got for especially for you. They're all yours just for enrolling in this free series

Who Are You Calling Ma'am?

2010-07-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

was standing in line at airport security recently coming back from a trip to New York where I was promoting my latest book Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker. As I was furiously trying to get my shoes and sweater off, juggle my laptop, purse, and a poster I was carrying and place them all into the plastic bins, I heard someone behind me, “Ma’am? Ma’am? ….. “Excuse me Ma’am.” I looked behind me and a middle-aged woman was handing me a magazine that had fallen out of my bag. As I continued through security I was waved through the metal detector by a young man, “Come right through Ma’am.” He said matter-of-factly. On my way to my gate, I stopped at a Starbucks for a vanilla soy latte. I was greeted by a chirpy young barista, “What can I get you Ma’am?” ....
At this point I was about to explode and yell out to whomever would listen, “Please don’t call me ma’am! I am not a ma’am. Can’t you see that? Yes, I am in my forties, but that still does not make me a ma’am. ....
Something about the term just exudes old, worn out, motherly, and unsexy! I have even heard Oprah say to guests on her show that dare address her with the insipid term, “Please don’t call me ma’am.” ....
I have been fortunate enough to spend considerable time in both France and Mexico and when I am addressed as Madame or Senora, I don’t have the same reaction to the title. I actually feel sort of elegant. Yes, I am a Madame merci beaucoup, or Si, gracias I am a Senora! ....
But what is the alternative you might be wondering. I mean it also seems ludicrous when I witness someone addressing an eighty-year-old woman as “Miss.” I am determined to find a sexy, classy new name for addressing a stranger over the age of thirty-five. ....

Inspiration At Lunchtime

2010-07-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

For inspiration and success tips go here to listen to my Blog Talk Radio Show, Dream It, Then Do It Power Lunch with Debra Eckerling.

Success!

2010-07-10T09:54:00.001-07:00

Are People Too Busy To Date?

2010-07-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

It Seems Like Everyone Is Just Too Busy To Date, Are Guys Really Serious These Days About Finding The Right Person?

I am asked this question a lot. Men will hire me and pay an exorbitant amount of money for me to find them a wife, but then they don’t seem to have the time to really develop a relationship and in some cases even meet anyone at all. Their heart is in the right place, they really would like to have someone in their life, but oftentimes the men just like us ladies are working so darn hard and so many hours that it seems like chances are slim in being able to cultivate a real relationship. Many men who come to me own several companies and are flying all over the place doing business that dating gets put on the back burner. So, my answer to this is, yes, everyone wants to be with their soul mate, but unfortunately society and making a good living has preoccupied many of us with just that.
I also want to point out that if you are on a date with a man and you seem to be getting along great, but he mentions how busy he is and that he is not really interested in getting married or involved any time soon, it most likely means that he is not interested in you in a romantic way and that is his way out of committing to seeing you again or getting involved.
Also, cutting to the chase with a guy right up front is a huge turn-off. Women tend to obsess about marriage whether they are dating anyone or not. And when they meet a guy, they immediately go into the thought mode of; is he “the one?” Getting into a serious relationship is always on the forefront of their minds. When it comes to dating, take your time and see if this guy is worth a second, third or fourth date. See if you are even compatible before jumping ahead into a marriage-minded frenzy.

Get Inspired!

2010-07-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Check out my post at Inspire Me Today!

Get Creative!

2010-07-03T08:49:00.001-07:00

Do Something Great!

2010-06-28T12:41:00.001-07:00

Write A Book?

2010-06-25T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is from Dan Miller's Blog, I received it this morning. As a writer, these cold hard facts are downright depressing...

Write a book – you’ve got to be kidding

Posted: 24 Jun 2010 08:53 AM PDT

I love writing in all its forms: blogs, articles, books, etc. However, the statistics for choosing this as a career are dismal. One in four Americans does not read one book per year. Over 200,000 new books were published last year. Average book sales for a Christian book put out by a major publisher are about 4,000 copies. AuthorSolutions reports that sales of their self-published titles average about 150 copies each. The average sales overall for a book published in America is about 500. Yes, sales of eBooks is growing. But if you think that technology is eliminating “real” books you’ll be interested to know that eBooks comprised about 4% of the overall dollars ($23.9 billion) in book sales in 2009.
Garrison Keillor recently commented on the sustainability of the publishing industry, in the Chicago Tribune: “I think that book publishing is about to slide into the sea. We live in a literate time, and our children are writing up a storm, often combining letters and numerals (UR2 1derful)…The future of publishing: 18 million authors in America, each with an average of 14 readers, eight of whom are blood relatives. Average annual earnings: $1.75.”
If you care about statistics and averages, the information above is enough to discourage and redirect anyone. But what if writing is your passion? Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol hit the #1 spot last year at 5,543,643 copies sold. Sarah Palin’s Going Rogue sold 2,674,684 copies. Obviously, there are still some amazing opportunities in writing books. Have you identified why your book should be written?
I currently have six book projects in the works. I can’t imagine doing anything else that I would enjoy as much – or that could bring me more success. The bad news doesn’t discourage me but it does remind me that I must write with excellence – as success in any area requires.

KUSI News, Marla Talks Dating!

2010-06-24T16:38:00.001-07:00

Darwin Dating

2010-06-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

I ran across this online dating site called Darwin Dating. They only work with the genetically gifted people. There is also a site www.beautifulpeople.com. I find it quite fascinating. As a matchmaker working with men who all expect to meet a drop dead gorgeous woman no matter what they look like, I have a challenge on my hands. I would like to mention that the average Jane & Joe do have a chance at love as well. I just find this comical.... below is what I found on their website... it is very brutally honest and quite amusing, especially since they won't take anyone with red hair.. ouch! Good thing I am married.

Darwin Dating Rules

In order to join Darwin Dating, you have to agree that you don't suffer from:

Saggy boobs... in fact no saggy anything!

Sweat patches

Nerdy glasses

Pocket protectors

Weird pubic hair

Mullets

~~Fishnet stockings~~ - Fishnets are okay, provided you are hot

Fat rolls

Acne

Out of proportion noses

Non-symmetrical faces or bodies

Red hair and too many freckles .. yes, that's right

Hair in the wrong places on women

Too much hair in the wrong places on men

Pasty skin

Patchy skin - especially if tendency to flake on others

Disproportionately Large ears

Lack of personal hygiene

Out of date fashions

Out of date hair styles (especially perms)

Large hips (men)

Small jaws (men)

Teeth that aren't straight

Teeth that aren't white

Uncared for fingernails

Bald patches (men, but particularly, women)

Facial hair (women)

Long back hair (men)

Anyone with a middle part

Ear and/or nose hair

Crooked or webbed toes

Webbed fingers or toes

Bent essential anatomy (men)

Oversized essential anatomy (women)

Lack of visible skin between eyebrows

Mid-digital hair

Ski jump noses

Wobbly upper arms

Hairy feet

Large gaps between teeth

Overuse of bright blue eyeshadow
If you fit into any of these categories, let's face it, you're ugly, but you aren't alone. Darwin Dating isn't for you but don't despair, there are plenty of ugly fish in the sea and they're all on every other dating website out there!