Hi Everyone, I hope all is well in your world. I wanted to let you all know I haven't been posting very much on FB. I know, shocking right? I instead like to respond to direct respond to others and their posts. I don't want to delete my FB b/c of family from over seas and because it helps me promote my friends and myself frankly. I've been in a very transitional period and I feel good about it. For once I feel like I have control over the things I want to express and be a part of. I've gotten fed up with flaky friends, with family who have unfriended me for ludicrous reasons, with giving my creative energy to others without reward or gratitude and people who have a different ideas of what it means to connect and share.

For the first time in my life, and I'm being incredibly honest and vulnerable here, I've felt a deep disconnect to others. I find myself not listening or in a hurry to leave the conversation and that concerns me. I've also been brutally hurt by close friends and I suffer from trust issues. These are not things I've had to deal with in the past. Whatever, poor me. I'm just telling it like I feel it.I also wanted to stop really posting on Facebook because I don't want to feed into the politically charged and social climate of the nation right now and I feel that it is the only thing people want to discuss these days. Rightly so, everything is pretty fucked up in this country right now, I want my opinions to be my own. It makes me quite upset to read some of your posts sometimes and additionally, I don't really appreciate people that don't know me that well to have judgements on those opinions. It's hurtful and it makes me furious enough for it to interrupt my every day life. All I have to say about that is that I believe in freedom and individuality as well as the respect we give to each other.

I have dealt with a lot of untimely deaths in the past couple of years. One just two weeks ago. My reaction to that is to have people in my life be in my life. So, if you get an email from me or a text of me just saying hello, I just honestly want to keep in touch with you. It's been refreshing getting some Facebook messages sent directly to me asking how I am or just wanting to catch up for a minute. Funerals should not be our reunions or visits to the past. Isn't that the whole point in being on social media? So you can keep in touch with the guy you met while studying abroad or the ex girlfriend from 10th grade or the person you've known for 30 years, but can't seem to visit?

Next week I take my real estate exam, the big one. I'm excited about yet another trade under my belt. Hopefully, I will be able to also announce that I passed (fingers crossed). I'm also excited to help people and to be a part of the community here in Richmond. It's how I want to do my business, it's how I want to contribute to where I live...and make money of course! So if I hit you up about buying or selling a house, bear with me, if I don't start from somewhere how will I ever find a lead. Don't worry, I know, no means no.

The last thing i want to announce is this website. I've had projects here and there and I've had the inability to follow through on them due to time, laziness, and pure lack of inspiration. Ever since the end of December, I've been writing. Writing my ass off, like I've never done.

I have self confidence issues when it comes to my craft. I think any artist does. We are afraid that people won't like what we are putting out there, whether it's music, words, or art. Well, I'm putting my preverbal balls on the table. I'm in the process of writing two books, but instead of doing it in the traditional way, I'm developing them online through this website. One will be based on my experience and life with my ex husband and the other will be a memoire of sorts on my and others dating experiences here in Richmond and hopefully elsewhere. "All My Misters" will be the biggest development because there are many parts for how these stories will take shape and grow. I don't ask for much but I am asking that you might read and tell me what you think. I don't just want it to be me posting these things, I want feedback. I want to know how you feel when you read these mostly. Some of the stories are true and some have been embellished and some are other people's stories and keep in mind, these are from my experiences, unless otherwise indicated. I'm happy to take contributions, Gentlemen, I want to hear about your dating endeavors too! I see this becoming something more in the future and I'd love it if some of you wanted to be a part of it!

You might also hear me back on the airwaves soon. I'm not going to give you all the things right now, but just a little whisper. I appreciate your support and readership per usual. Please share my site with others who you think will enjoy it. I honestly hope everyone is happy and healthy. At 45, I'm trying to be a better version of myself than ever and if Anthony Bourdain could do it, I'm confident so can I. Thanks for reading! You can now go back to your usual routine and I wish you a good day, hopefully one that creates.

xoxo,

Jo Ann