Today is a day off from my normal grind. Don't get me wrong, my grind is not normal, nor is it actually very grindy. It is just my typical work which is interpreting. My day today contains none of that and all of this. By "this" I mean writing.
Presently I am sitting at the local library writing at a small table with an adorable desk lamp facing my life partner Ben. (Click here to see his very own blog about writing and things.) He's kind of the champion of my own personal story. I may be the protagonist but I would just be the 'tagonist without his pro. He really helped me to see who I am, embrace it, and go forth into the world completely unabashed.
I digress.
Today we are writing, so I thought I would tell you what that looks like.
We went to a local coffee shop at first. I do love coffee shops. There is an air about them, maybe it is the smell of freshly-made coffee, maybe it is the sights and sounds of other people hard at work or visiting friends (or in some cases sales people trying a bit too hard to sell a pitch). Regardless of the reason, coffee shops make me pleased almost instantly. Today was not that day, though. We got there and it was all wrong. There was not a proper table with outlets to be sat at. There were people all around but they had the wrong aura (for lack of better and more scientific reasoning) and the baristas working were hardly friendly. Lastly, and somewhat most importantly, it was HOT. Yes CAPITAL H-O-T "hot" and that is not, by any means, an exaggeration.
Today in our lovely town it is a whopping 84* with a sexy 75% humidity which makes it hard for any regular person to remain dry of their own perspiration. It's downright gross outside. So we escape inside with hopes of something more reasonable and find, much to our chagrin, that inside is the same as outside. So we left.
We then were pulling out of the parking lot and looked into each others dreamy, albeit steamy-glassed, eyes and both said "How about a library?" in unison. The decision was made, and now you have an idea of why we are life partners, because we think on the same wavelength pretty much constantly (also he is VERY funny and the way to my heart is through laughter).
So now we sit in a library, and I am working on my novel and he is working on his... novel or blog or both? I am uncertain, because while we sit here across from one another, it is with headphones on and once in a while glancing up at the other to remind them that we do indeed feel their presence and love them fully, and then back to our own work. My headphones emit noises of "Film Scores" which is by far my favorite music to write to as it contains no words and is chock full of emotion. The current song is Magneto's theme from X-Men First Class which happens to be one of my all time favorite themes--but that's for another blog post.
So I bid you adieu on this fine Blog Monday. Having fully avoided my manuscript for the past 20 minutes while writing this out. I am hopeful that when I revisit my novel in progress, the knots I was dodging will have worked themselves out completely on their own. (Haha I can dream, can't I?)
Thanks for your readership, as always. I send this off with much love and adoration for you all.
Manda B. Mitchell
Singing off.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
What's in an E-Friend?
Today I had my manuscript dangling over the fire, ready to watch it burn. I didn't want to sacrifice my idea or goals in anyway, on the contrary, I wanted to start over. I never intended to be an author, I wrote for my own enjoyment and for the people who may or may not read my blog. Without any formal training, I have no idea what I am doing as far as writing a first draft, or any draft, is concerned.
Sure it is easy to say, "Just write. Get it all out there. Vomit on the page." if you will, and "we will clean it up and make it pretty later." The perfectionist in me is not having it. I can't handle looking at the jumble bumble that I call a manuscript and imagine showing it to ANYONE at this point. Selling them on the idea is simple but the pile in front of me seems convoluted at best!
Back to the beginning: Today I had my manuscript over the fire, ready to watch it burn. BUT... before I did that I reached out to my trusty support network. When it comes to writing my support network is my husband Ben (always), my friend and author Ann Hunter, and my friend and editor/author/all things brilliant Ally Bishop.
I approached it as I usually do "HELP PLEASE!" followed by my need for support and love and affirmations. They all delivered brilliantly and I am pleased to say, my manuscript is not a pile of ash, but just a work in progress (imagine that).
This is a pretty big deal, right? The life or death of my current manuscript pretty much determines if I am or am not an author, and my ability to continue writing with confidence is very valuable to me as a writer. It could be assumed, then, that I would only entrust the closest of friends to help talk me off of this ledge, so to speak.
It may surprise you, then, that all three of these relationships were forged online. Not only that but two of the three of these friends and I have never met in person.
I have 450ish friends on Facebook. Of those friends at least 20% I met and know online exclusively and of them I would consider at least 15 close friends. That is defined by me as:
a person I would go to for personal or professional guidance,
someone who's life I am interested in and who I often share the smallest victories with,
a person who knows me as I am without pretense and who cares for my well being;
and a person who truly doesn't mind listening to me bitch (we all need an ear at times, am I right?)
It is all too often I am shocked by people's reaction to these statistics. I can't be the only person out there who is able to forge strong and meaningful relationships on the interwebs, can I? I fear that I might be.
Here are some Manda Facts (def: Not based on any actual fact with the exception of my own gut and heart) about friendship:
1. Friendship can cross any of terrain, even oceans and deserts and mountains, anything.
2. Distance does not have to define friendship
3. Friends do not have to "know" each other IN REAL LIFE (I hate that phrase) to be friends, they just have to know each other.
4. To know one another, friends must be honest, loving, kind and open to communication. (just like in marriage)
5. You don't need me to define friendship for you, you get to define it for yourself!
And now 5 fun facts about my life WITH E-Friends:
1. I am working on my first novel and believe that I can and will be published one day BECAUSE of E-Friends.
2. I know how to love myself as fully as I do now BECAUSE of E-Friends.
3. I met my lovely, amazing, awesome, and encouraging husband, Ben, online. When I was dating him I asked for encouragement from my E-Friends... I may have not even dated him if it weren't for them.
4. My healing process from my abusive relationship and through other points of grieving have been easier BECAUSE of E-Friends
5. Everyday I know I am loved, supported, and cherished because of E-Friends.
So go out there, make you some E-Friends... you never know where those amazing and deep and carefree relationships might lead!
Want to be my E-Friend? Find me on Twitter and shoot me an email mandabmitchell@gmail.com
Sure it is easy to say, "Just write. Get it all out there. Vomit on the page." if you will, and "we will clean it up and make it pretty later." The perfectionist in me is not having it. I can't handle looking at the jumble bumble that I call a manuscript and imagine showing it to ANYONE at this point. Selling them on the idea is simple but the pile in front of me seems convoluted at best!
Back to the beginning: Today I had my manuscript over the fire, ready to watch it burn. BUT... before I did that I reached out to my trusty support network. When it comes to writing my support network is my husband Ben (always), my friend and author Ann Hunter, and my friend and editor/author/all things brilliant Ally Bishop.
I approached it as I usually do "HELP PLEASE!" followed by my need for support and love and affirmations. They all delivered brilliantly and I am pleased to say, my manuscript is not a pile of ash, but just a work in progress (imagine that).
This is a pretty big deal, right? The life or death of my current manuscript pretty much determines if I am or am not an author, and my ability to continue writing with confidence is very valuable to me as a writer. It could be assumed, then, that I would only entrust the closest of friends to help talk me off of this ledge, so to speak.
It may surprise you, then, that all three of these relationships were forged online. Not only that but two of the three of these friends and I have never met in person.
I have 450ish friends on Facebook. Of those friends at least 20% I met and know online exclusively and of them I would consider at least 15 close friends. That is defined by me as:
a person I would go to for personal or professional guidance,
someone who's life I am interested in and who I often share the smallest victories with,
a person who knows me as I am without pretense and who cares for my well being;
and a person who truly doesn't mind listening to me bitch (we all need an ear at times, am I right?)
It is all too often I am shocked by people's reaction to these statistics. I can't be the only person out there who is able to forge strong and meaningful relationships on the interwebs, can I? I fear that I might be.
Here are some Manda Facts (def: Not based on any actual fact with the exception of my own gut and heart) about friendship:
1. Friendship can cross any of terrain, even oceans and deserts and mountains, anything.
2. Distance does not have to define friendship
3. Friends do not have to "know" each other IN REAL LIFE (I hate that phrase) to be friends, they just have to know each other.
4. To know one another, friends must be honest, loving, kind and open to communication. (just like in marriage)
5. You don't need me to define friendship for you, you get to define it for yourself!
And now 5 fun facts about my life WITH E-Friends:
1. I am working on my first novel and believe that I can and will be published one day BECAUSE of E-Friends.
2. I know how to love myself as fully as I do now BECAUSE of E-Friends.
3. I met my lovely, amazing, awesome, and encouraging husband, Ben, online. When I was dating him I asked for encouragement from my E-Friends... I may have not even dated him if it weren't for them.
4. My healing process from my abusive relationship and through other points of grieving have been easier BECAUSE of E-Friends
5. Everyday I know I am loved, supported, and cherished because of E-Friends.
So go out there, make you some E-Friends... you never know where those amazing and deep and carefree relationships might lead!
Want to be my E-Friend? Find me on Twitter and shoot me an email mandabmitchell@gmail.com
Friday, April 18, 2014
Dear Caller-A Letter from a Video Interpreter
Dear Caller,
I have known you since you first turned on your first video phone. I remember how excited you were to make a call to your mom using your hands, how baffled you were at the simplicity of filling your own prescriptions through the press of a button. I remember, with more joy, the first time you made a mobile call. It was awkward for us both as you tried to figure out the best position for your phone hand. Signing one handed never felt so strange, I am sure. I have to admit, I was polite the first time and didn't want to embarrass you, I saw more of your nose hairs than your hands. We figured it out though, didn't we? And now you make calls from the grocery store, mall, park, doctor's office, and sometimes to test my cardiac health you make VP calls from your moving vehicle. Nothing says equal access quite like mobile VP, in my opinion.
Caller, I remember when you got your pet. They were so sweet and cute. We called every single one of your family members to tell them all about it. You were so excited and held your pet up for every VI to see, with pride. I remember all the calls we made to the groomer and the vet. I remember thinking of you and your pet when I would see someone walking their dog or petting their cat in my everyday life. One of the hardest days of my job was the day I had to call and tell you your pet had died. I am so sorry that you received that news. I am so sorry that I am the one who had to deliver it. But, at the same time, I am so glad you didn't have to hear it alone, and I am so very thankful that you let me in to even the most intimate and trying moments in your life.
I remember the first time I saw the inside of your office instead of your home. Placing highly technical conference calls for you has always been a pleasure of mine. Many people in the interpreting community would argue that Video Interpreters don't see the same level of challenges as a community interpreter does, I beg to differ. Thank you for filling me in on all of the technical terms you would be using. Working together, as a team, really made the call so much more efficient for both of us. By the end I felt accomplished and proud that you had kept up with your peers because of our teamwork. Another perfect example of equal access and how VRS really helps you achieve that.
Caller, I know that there are times when I am less than stellar. As a human I can't possibly be on my A-game all the time. I know you don't know that my husband just lost his job or that my relative just passed away. I know that it is not your fault that the previous five callers were irritated as well. I know that we all have good days and bad days and I am just grateful that you give me second chances and understand that I am here to provide the very best service I possibly can for you. You make my day, honestly. I love this job and I could not ask for anything more than to provide you excellent quality customer service for all of your calls.
I could go on for days. I spend 36 hours of my week in a cubicle interpreting phone calls for you and other callers. Some are super happy calls, some are super sad. Some calls are the best experiences of my life and others are just another call. Some callers like to thank me for my work, and others prefer to just hang up. Every call is important. Every caller is important. I work for you. Thank you so much for helping me every day to be a better interpreter and, more importantly, a better person.
With so much thanks and love,
Manda-your VI
This letter is to no one and everyone. I felt an urge today to write a thank you note to my callers because I get to be a part of their lives on even the most intimate of moments. I feel so blessed and grateful every day to have the opportunity I have to provide a service to the deaf and Hard of Hearing community. I am also so grateful that I was shown the path so early on. Being an interpreter is really so valuable to me.
Also, I am grateful to ZVRS for being the best employer I have ever had. To some people it may just be a job, but to me it is a family. I care so much about my colleagues and my consumers, both hearing and deaf.
Thanks for reading.
Much love,
Manda
I have known you since you first turned on your first video phone. I remember how excited you were to make a call to your mom using your hands, how baffled you were at the simplicity of filling your own prescriptions through the press of a button. I remember, with more joy, the first time you made a mobile call. It was awkward for us both as you tried to figure out the best position for your phone hand. Signing one handed never felt so strange, I am sure. I have to admit, I was polite the first time and didn't want to embarrass you, I saw more of your nose hairs than your hands. We figured it out though, didn't we? And now you make calls from the grocery store, mall, park, doctor's office, and sometimes to test my cardiac health you make VP calls from your moving vehicle. Nothing says equal access quite like mobile VP, in my opinion.
Caller, I remember when you got your pet. They were so sweet and cute. We called every single one of your family members to tell them all about it. You were so excited and held your pet up for every VI to see, with pride. I remember all the calls we made to the groomer and the vet. I remember thinking of you and your pet when I would see someone walking their dog or petting their cat in my everyday life. One of the hardest days of my job was the day I had to call and tell you your pet had died. I am so sorry that you received that news. I am so sorry that I am the one who had to deliver it. But, at the same time, I am so glad you didn't have to hear it alone, and I am so very thankful that you let me in to even the most intimate and trying moments in your life.
I remember the first time I saw the inside of your office instead of your home. Placing highly technical conference calls for you has always been a pleasure of mine. Many people in the interpreting community would argue that Video Interpreters don't see the same level of challenges as a community interpreter does, I beg to differ. Thank you for filling me in on all of the technical terms you would be using. Working together, as a team, really made the call so much more efficient for both of us. By the end I felt accomplished and proud that you had kept up with your peers because of our teamwork. Another perfect example of equal access and how VRS really helps you achieve that.
Caller, I know that there are times when I am less than stellar. As a human I can't possibly be on my A-game all the time. I know you don't know that my husband just lost his job or that my relative just passed away. I know that it is not your fault that the previous five callers were irritated as well. I know that we all have good days and bad days and I am just grateful that you give me second chances and understand that I am here to provide the very best service I possibly can for you. You make my day, honestly. I love this job and I could not ask for anything more than to provide you excellent quality customer service for all of your calls.
I could go on for days. I spend 36 hours of my week in a cubicle interpreting phone calls for you and other callers. Some are super happy calls, some are super sad. Some calls are the best experiences of my life and others are just another call. Some callers like to thank me for my work, and others prefer to just hang up. Every call is important. Every caller is important. I work for you. Thank you so much for helping me every day to be a better interpreter and, more importantly, a better person.
With so much thanks and love,
Manda-your VI
This letter is to no one and everyone. I felt an urge today to write a thank you note to my callers because I get to be a part of their lives on even the most intimate of moments. I feel so blessed and grateful every day to have the opportunity I have to provide a service to the deaf and Hard of Hearing community. I am also so grateful that I was shown the path so early on. Being an interpreter is really so valuable to me.
Also, I am grateful to ZVRS for being the best employer I have ever had. To some people it may just be a job, but to me it is a family. I care so much about my colleagues and my consumers, both hearing and deaf.
Thanks for reading.
Much love,
Manda
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