tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37128942329258565892024-03-12T18:13:22.481-07:00Sincerely, Susan Matthewswriting, life, etc.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-74134149024542789572010-08-04T12:22:00.000-07:002010-08-04T16:14:25.026-07:00Van Gogh Would Cut Off His Other EarWhat was the first painting that grabbed your imagination? Where did you see it? How did it make you feel?<br /><br />My parents had Janson's History of Art in our bookcase while I was growing up. It was huge and I could barely lift it to the table. I would devour those pages of paintings as I imagined the stories taking place in them. We only had one TV and I didn't have first rights to it. The book was entertainment. (And I walked miles to school in the snow...) <br /><br />Botticelli, Caravaggio and Dali were among my favorites for their drama and symbolism. I was just as fascinated with the painters themselves. When I was failing French in high school, a self-imposed book report (practically a thesis) on Paul Gauguin saved my grade. I didn't care for his art, but he was French and fairly interesting. <br /><br />My parents took me to all the museums within driving distance and if you dated me, you got dragged to The National Gallery and The Philadelphia Museum of Art. And you liked it! I minored in Art History in college and had to buy my own Janson's History of Art. It is in my living room bookcase now. My kids have only cracked it a few times. Too many TVs!<br /><br />As a reporter, I covered all the big exhibits for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and finally found an appreciation for Impressionistic and Modern art. Cezanne's work, and everyone's, is all the more interesting if you know the history behind it.<br /><br />And to think people had these paintings in private home collections....<br /><br />My parents have a couple treasured oil paintings on their walls. They are landscapes on canvas from the 1800s. Original art lends a legitimacy and intimacy to rooms, the way books do. I think that's what is missing from most homes today - real art. There are too many purchases made at the Home Goods store because they are inexpensive and match the colors of the room. Van Gogh would cut off his other ear if he observed this trend.<br /><br />Find your art on ebay, at estate sales and small galleries. Just make the purchase personal. Frame your kid's finger painting. Take a water color or pottery class. Bring art into your home, visit museums and be inspired. <br /><br />My favorite artist and inspiration is John William Waterhouse. His paintings are below. He was a Pre-Raphaelite artist, 1849-1917, who painted powerful women - mythological, saints, witches, mermaids - in a classical yet modern way for the times. <a href="http://www.johnwilliamwaterhouse.com/home/">Click here for more info.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5b5FahhuYwbROEKT8jBcR1vewP6GWCbd6jhd_jjFKz-a57Ml2Vd9U0-AuIEh7Ut5yDF15Uq8FMr8GoiVj0jsEgdjSMOkbIay8jN5fGcupqEZ0XNUl2u8DKm1gbz3KHaSCeKDxpSi1bdt/s1600/waterhouse56.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 103px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5b5FahhuYwbROEKT8jBcR1vewP6GWCbd6jhd_jjFKz-a57Ml2Vd9U0-AuIEh7Ut5yDF15Uq8FMr8GoiVj0jsEgdjSMOkbIay8jN5fGcupqEZ0XNUl2u8DKm1gbz3KHaSCeKDxpSi1bdt/s200/waterhouse56.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501650240789361826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDeqFvTBL0pO5BOIK0A-nF-umXP0gz2-EB_Ho9e4K9EifCLXNjgsi372lHAKeh3QTcxfPRVW0hyvHqB8qZuq9eRYDwjXBRwhxT8Ur8i49SkT7YhZtuQdcLplHSOei134vAYgc8chIkSp9/s1600/waterhouse197.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 96px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDeqFvTBL0pO5BOIK0A-nF-umXP0gz2-EB_Ho9e4K9EifCLXNjgsi372lHAKeh3QTcxfPRVW0hyvHqB8qZuq9eRYDwjXBRwhxT8Ur8i49SkT7YhZtuQdcLplHSOei134vAYgc8chIkSp9/s200/waterhouse197.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501650115036482242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ls6NREOOSsm2D4KyZBK-pIy4doFbW5QvqTJSSr6KopTYNqfqUpXiPCOfazquBfIwOD_yeobkx3Ukky6G0wqw-YpnQEaTD08Txat9oyMklHBw-GKCaif3FDKbRHYsx9Wyde32podzm8C9/s1600/waterhouse30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 115px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ls6NREOOSsm2D4KyZBK-pIy4doFbW5QvqTJSSr6KopTYNqfqUpXiPCOfazquBfIwOD_yeobkx3Ukky6G0wqw-YpnQEaTD08Txat9oyMklHBw-GKCaif3FDKbRHYsx9Wyde32podzm8C9/s200/waterhouse30.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501649954543355186" /></a>SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-48745340844936916442010-04-12T11:22:00.000-07:002010-11-09T13:30:46.737-08:00My Lost Saints<span style="font-style:italic;"><br />A Revision On My Rude Spiritual Awakening</span><br /><br />By Susan Matthews<br /><br />My son told me how much he enjoys Mass. I knew my little guy liked Bakugan, Star Wars and loud music, but Mass? Instead of being happy that Catholic school tuition isn’t wasted on him, I had a sinking feeling. It was then I realized how much I’ve lost in the wake of the continuing Catholic Church pedophile scandals. I had, as Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, “lost my saints.”<br /><br />When I was his age, the Catholic saints were my action heroes. Their brave lives and gory deaths fascinated and inspired me. They stood up for their beliefs against all odds. I’d even played Mass. My little brother and stuffed animals lined my makeshift pew as I read from the Bible. It didn’t occur to me that I’d never seen a woman priest. <br /><br />After college, I took a job as an editor with The Catholic Standard and Times, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. My boss, a priest with a doctorate in theology from the Vatican, explained the distinction between doctrine and tradition. Tradition with a capital T, he said. Also, celibacy for archdiocesan priests was a promise rather than a vow. While I respected his honesty and devout belief, the information tugged at me. For years, I wondered about confession, birth control, the role of women in the Church and the indictment of gays. Now I understood much of our practice of religion had nothing to do with actual doctrine or vows. Throughout history evil, greed, sexism and bigotry shaped much of what now constitutes Catholic “T”radition. I still needed to believe the Church was holy and good. Who was I to question?<br /><br />Then came the sickening discovery that a priest, who had taken my husband, his brothers and other boys on childhood camping trips, had been a pedophile, known as such to the archdiocesan administration for decades. While my husband and his brothers were unharmed, others were not so lucky. <br /><br />The Church hierarchy, and now possibly even the Pope, have allowed a legacy of depression, suicide and depravity. I find that to be as evil, if not more so, than the priest pedophiles. <br /><br />It is our God-given right and responsibility to question. In politics, I’ve always thought one shouldn’t complain unless participating in change. But this isn’t government. This is my soul. With whom do I register my complaint? Where do I vote? What do I do here and now if I want to actively take part in reforming my religion? Where are my saints?<br /><br />It seems contradictory, but I will continue to send my children to Catholic schools. I have no doubt God is present in what they and Catholic Charities accomplish. I’m friendly with several priests and two of my great aunts are Sisters of St. Joseph. I have tried to separate my faith from my religion, as my mother suggests. My father argues that Catholicism has endured centuries just fine. <br /><br />But I find that lack of spiritual evolution unacceptable and I can’t sit in Church as if nothing is wrong. I’m by no means suggesting that other religions have it over Catholics. Having written for The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Living Religion section, I covered many faiths. Some people believe any organized religion is going to lead to corruption. Where does that leave society? <br /><br />There’s a desperate need for faith and organized religion. Yet, church pews are emptier and fewer people are entering religious orders. Apathy, rather than reform, has taken hold. So much competes for our attention and, yes, sometimes we are lazy. <br /><br />Instead of walking away from organized religion, we need to fix it. I just don’t know how. It’s not the sins of the past and present Church that concern me — it’s the Church of the future, or the lack there of. I want my children to experience the peace that comes with belief. I don’t want to rob them of their faith. The Church may do that soon enough.<br /><br />My son deserves more. He deserves his saints — the ones I’ve lost.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-49763054025714701912010-03-09T12:30:00.000-08:002010-03-09T12:37:20.350-08:00She's All That and Knows ItWhen a beautiful, smart woman continues to pursue a disinterested man who is seemingly (and probably) unworthy of her attention, it’s often assumed she’s suffering from low self-esteem. It may be quite the opposite. <br /><br />This woman may be so confident in her "fabulousness" that she’s incredulous when said man doesn’t also see it. She is left to assume he is dense and then rises to the challenge of his deficiency. Determined to make him aware that she is wonderful, this type of strong-willed woman will persevere for months, even years.<br /><br />Typically, this situation ends with another intelligent man who recognizes her worth without excruciating effort. She will then push aside her embattled ego and make room for true love.<br /><br />As Erica Jong said, “You see a lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly ever see a smart woman with a dumb guy.”<br /><br />Three decades of field research have led me to this sociological conclusion. My methodology included roughly 21,900 hours of phone interviews with female subjects. Half of these were conducted with a particularly interesting case study I’ve titled “Veronica.”SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-20039465009636005932010-02-25T09:11:00.000-08:002010-02-25T09:38:37.613-08:00Help Africa Turn A PageI'll admit I wasn't looking forward to the six-hour bus ride to Pittsburgh with my daughter's dance competition team. Not even a little. I settled into my seat and grabbed my More magazine. The universe has incredible timing. The first article I read mentioned a 10-hour hellish bus trip African villagers endured to get reading material offered by the Botswana Book Project. <br /><br />Here I was on a cushy bus loaded with good stuff to read on my way to a nice hotel where my daughter would learn from the best dancers in the country. Every aspect of culture and learning is available to me. I quit my mental bitching and vowed to help with this project.<br /><br />As someone who believes the answers to life's questions can be found in books, I can't imagine not having access to them. They are right under food and shelter on my list of needs. Which is why I think it's incredibly important to support any literacy and book projects here and abroad. If you're on the same page, consider helping with Books for Africa or the <a href="http://www.botswanabookproject.org">Botswana Book Project</a>. <br /><br />If you know of any more projects like this, please post.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-41458436319529910252009-12-31T17:40:00.000-08:002009-12-31T18:04:20.043-08:00Tavern By the Way SideTavern on the Green is celebrating its last New Year's Eve as the magical must-see restaurant in Central Park. Sure some dubbed it a tourist trap with over-the-top decor. To me, it was a wonderland - inside and out. Glitz and glam that everyday folks could partake in. Massive chandeliers dripping in crystal, lighted animal topiaries and fascinating folks drew me back over and over. I could never decide which was the best time - Christmas with its stunning displays or summer on the private garden patio. While the food never seemed to please the critics, I always enjoyed my meals - especially the risotto.<br /><br />I'll always remember when husband and I had the opportunity to dine between Regis Philbin, his wife Joy and producer Gelman at one table and Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman and entourage at another. We also meet Hollywood producer and writer Eunetta Boone there that night. During dinner on the patio her adult niece proclaimed, "that bug's butt just lit up!" She had never seen a lightening bug before. It's not pretty when I snarf risotto.<br /><br />First, The Plaza closed and now Tavern on the Green... Sometimes, I wish it wasn't out with old and in with the new.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-67286173728078838582009-10-15T10:07:00.000-07:002009-10-15T10:26:25.127-07:00QV...C You Later, MomWhen checking on my mom's house, I found an HSN (Home Shopping Network) package had been delivered to her. The betrayal of it all! I work on air for QVC. My mother is a turncoat, or should I say turnchannel. It appears shopping is thicker than blood. I'm officially up for adoption. Maybe HSN will sell daughters as their value of the day soon. Until then, she's fresh out.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-7325600803218596992009-09-07T07:36:00.000-07:002009-09-07T09:01:31.179-07:00The Politics of WritingWhen she read my high school diary my mother justified her invasion of my privacy with, "If you write it, someone will read it." Having recovered from that early trauma, it's a logic that I live by today. Actually, as a professional writer, I pray for it.<br /><br />I guess you could say I'm an open book. There are those rare times when I'm not sure I should share so much. My husband has just announced he is running for Congress. This might be one of those times. <br /><br />His campaign began behind the scenes months ago. While I'm more likely to watch E! Entertainment than CNN, his political foray has been fascinating so far. I'm not sure it's prudent to document it. There's been more intrigue than one might imagine and I had a pretty good idea of what was in store.<br /><br />Political pundit Chris Matthews is my uncle, whose show "Hardball" airs on MSNBC. Uncle Jim is our controversial county commissioner and my father is running for township commissioner. My younger brother Chris was the youngest director of communications on Capitol Hill under Senator Gordon Smith. Over the years, my mother has volunteered her public relations services to political campaigns. (Note to her candidates: hide your diaries.) In college, I was a member of the Young Republicans. My very first published writing was an editorial in defense of then Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork. You could say it is the family sport.<br /><br />My husband did not grow up with dinner time debates. His was more of a "seen and not heard" household. He was instructed to work hard, do his best and make the world a better place. He has done that for 20 years as a dentist and the next logical step is public office where he can serve even more people. Being exposed to my crew may have given him a voice, but it's his core that makes him a good candidate. <br /><br />Do they want a good candidate? Well that remains to be seen... and written about. Should I or shouldn't I? You tell me, folks.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-10220699015207036372009-08-22T14:43:00.000-07:002009-08-22T14:55:31.253-07:00Paper TrailMy name is Susan and I'm a magazine-aholic. I've admitted it. It's the first step. The second step is finding a responsible way to recycle my addiction and the massive amounts of paper I generate as a writer. Our township only picks up bottles and plastics. I just stumbled upon <a href="http://www.Earth911.com">www.earth911.com</a> and had to share its wonderfulness. <span style="font-style:italic;">I really am a writer.</span> Type your zipcode into the appropriate box and they'll list tons of drop off sites and charities for virtually anything that is recyclable. Yeah!SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-18460533538866459652009-08-09T13:39:00.000-07:002009-08-09T13:57:52.223-07:00Celebrity Sighting in Aisle 9<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpscuJEf1LR_0E5CD9hsglMyv6j7SIyI2ApzevSNrRFOwN4XD8taTsYt_CB-lrz6cs2kC53oVJDHCK3H6CP5YMuenAFnaZcpX_9TXKjI__ROyOtW3qk6Uj9wBDUTCnrA0_POr_q5NvBcnH/s1600-h/MV5BMzQ5MTU3NDAxNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwOTczOTI1._V1._CR0,0,272,272_SS100_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpscuJEf1LR_0E5CD9hsglMyv6j7SIyI2ApzevSNrRFOwN4XD8taTsYt_CB-lrz6cs2kC53oVJDHCK3H6CP5YMuenAFnaZcpX_9TXKjI__ROyOtW3qk6Uj9wBDUTCnrA0_POr_q5NvBcnH/s200/MV5BMzQ5MTU3NDAxNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwOTczOTI1._V1._CR0,0,272,272_SS100_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368071175070193234" /></a><br />During my latest trip to the local grocery, the manager informed me that I was no longer their lead celebrity shopper. I can't say I was surprised. It's really not that hard to outshine my not-so illustrious career - a TV commercial for a local radio station, QVC guest hosting and a not-yet (beginning to suspect never-to-be) released movie. I knew the day would come when my status would be usurped. But by who? Apparently, Jake Gyllenhaal and gal pal Reese Witherspoon have been hanging in my hood and needed some milk. By all accounts they were quite nice and posed for photos. The checkout guys will have something to talk about for months - maybe even years. Now I've got to up my game or find somewhere else to buy my bread.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-52383108675162677472009-08-03T04:35:00.000-07:002009-08-03T05:16:52.502-07:00Trust Your Gut<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP62Ec60MsKfldwXO7SHywUokBvrINBssaopsnFmHdzLc1fGLNLOvhZ3X-1cn5P4qUhJZUd2U844cp8oexTyBk73XD32xuC_ozsK7rJEUqBW8fdsx0sMy0jXRcUOJ2ylFYyQryOg6RYMOy/s1600-h/25669922.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 127px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP62Ec60MsKfldwXO7SHywUokBvrINBssaopsnFmHdzLc1fGLNLOvhZ3X-1cn5P4qUhJZUd2U844cp8oexTyBk73XD32xuC_ozsK7rJEUqBW8fdsx0sMy0jXRcUOJ2ylFYyQryOg6RYMOy/s200/25669922.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365709369976089202" /></a><br />My cat may be smarter than me. In referring to whether someone is a nice person it is often said that "animals and kids know." Animals rely on their instincts for survival while people tend to dismiss those impulses in favor of logical reasoning. <br /><br />I recently read that our brains process so much information so quickly that our conscious minds can’t keep up. Our instinctive reactions are based on the accumulated knowledge – not vague or unrelated emotions. It turns out that when we trust our gut, we are really trusting our brain.<br /><br />You may have seen Gavin De Becker, an FBI profiler, on Oprah over the years. He has built a career and written two books on the subject of trusting our instincts in order to protect ourselves. "The Gift of Fear" and "Protecting the Gift: Keeping our Children and Teenagers Safe" should be required reading for parents. The situations he illustrates are scary, but his advice is practical. While you may never get mugged, chances are your child may get lost in a store at some point.<br /><br />While safety is most important, this information can be applied across the board in business, everyday decisions and relationships. Embrace your instincts.<br /><br />I'd love to hear about your instinct experiences. Please share with a comment.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-26658451554555139552009-07-24T07:17:00.000-07:002009-07-24T07:25:54.109-07:00Stop to Smell the WritingWhoosh. Where did a month go? My husband's Congressional campaign consumed the month of July. I'm considering it time well spent in the pursuit of research. I know there is a juicy book in all this. But now it's time to find a better balance. Less political plotting and more story plotting is on my agenda for August. And my garden needs some serious work, too. Words and weeds here I come.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-13456877456485091732009-06-21T16:49:00.000-07:002009-06-22T12:19:23.901-07:00Seven Simple Resume TipsTis the season for receiving some ridiculous resumes. Recent grads and the growing ranks of the unemployed are flooding a competitive job market. I'm sure shredders have been well fed. <br /><br />Writing a good resume is a skill, but it's not brain surgery. Google resume writing. Get even more specific and Google resume writing and your field. Better yet, hire a professional resume writer. Don't worry if you've only had one job. They dig deep for good material. It's a small investment in your career. Here are a few free pointers to get you started.<br /><br />1- Create a new email account. Your college user name doesn't cut it. Lovelyladyhumps1@yahoo.com or kegmaster321@hotmail.com won't impress potential employers.<br /><br />2- Make sure you've formatted properly and if sending online save as a pdf so that changes across platforms don't occur. Also, follow the employer's instructions for online submissions. If you can't do this correctly, why would he or she hire you?<br /><br />3- Proofread. Have others proofread it. Mistakes, even a typo, make you look careless at best.<br /><br />4- Use active voice when describing your skills in relation to your current job. For example, “Expertly handles a wide variety of customer service situations with diplomacy and concern" works better than "Handled customer service issues."<br /><br />5- When writing your resume, imagine you’re the employer. What would you want to see? Why should he or she hire you versus the 1,000 other applicants?<br /><br />6- Don't be vague. For example, “Marketed a product within a community” sounds like you're selling illegal goods.<br /><br />7- If you include an objective, make it benefit driven to the employer. No one gives a rat’s ass about what you want. Except me and maybe your mom. We want you to get a great job.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-29818004744689857562009-04-28T09:41:00.000-07:002009-04-28T20:20:20.604-07:00Who Are You?While chatting with Archbishop Wood's principal about my speaking on Career Day, she commented on the pressure placed on kids when we ask what they want to be when they grow up. I agreed and offered an alternative. We should be asking them, “Who are you?” <br /><br />That question gets more to the crux of the matter. Decisions based on personal truths tend to work out better than those based on desire. Our wants can be misinformed and fleeting. <br /><br />I wanted to be a rock star when I grew up. Never mind that I couldn’t sing or play an instrument. (That hasn’t stopped some.) I've never been one for relentless travel or repetition. So much for worldwide concert tours with night after night gigs. It's no surprise that never worked out.<br /><br />Who was I in high school? I was curious, communicative and very social. In my spare time, I wrote notes, stories and poems. I’d answer that question the same way today. I do what I am in my job, and not so surprisingly, I’m very satisfied. Do what you are! <br /><br />Whether you’re an astronaut or laying Astroturf, you can bring yourself into any job. Former QVC host Mike Rowe, who is famous for his show “Dirty Jobs” on the Discovery Channel, once wrote, “Never follow your passion, but by all means bring it with you.”<br /><br />I think that’s brilliant. He explained it further in an interview for <span style="font-style:italic;">Outside</span> magazine. “If you bring your passion with you, you can apply it to anything that makes sense. If you follow it, you’re going to be miserable until X, Y, Z happens, which might be never.” <br /><br />Whether you call it fate, God’s plan or luck, life takes many unpredictable twists and turns. The one thing that is stable enough to rest your future upon is you. Who are you?SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-60253831563426291992009-04-28T08:14:00.000-07:002009-04-28T08:24:31.037-07:00Detention DivaI was recently invited to be keynote speaker at my Alma Mater’s Career Day. It’s an honor but more than anything it’s hilarious. I barely escaped with my diploma from Archbishop Wood High School due to disciplinary issues. Don’t get the wrong idea. I wasn’t lighting up in the bathroom or cursing out teachers. <br /><br />The pink demerit slips were for uniform violations and I was taken down as a repeat offender. It wasn’t that I minded uniforms. They are practical and a terrific time saver in the morning. It’s just that these were damn ugly. Picture if you will a dark green polyester jumper over an ecru polyester blouse with a Peter Pan collar. What it lacked in beauty, it also lacked in breathability. The green knee socks and green and yellow saddle shoes didn’t have me kicking up my heels, either. <br /><br />Mutiny was mine, but I paid a price for my insurgence. I failed conduct every year. The grade was calculated into my G.P.A. - earning me a spot at the bottom of my class. I was told I couldn’t graduate unless I spent two additional hours in detention for every point under the passing grade. That meant many hours of pulling weeds in the convent garden. <br /><br />“Disciplinary Difficulty” was stamped in red across my transcripts with no explanation as to why I was a difficulty. That made getting admitted to college challenging despite a decent SAT score. Finally, Penn State accepted me on probation and I promptly reversed my fortune. I was the best-dressed student on dean’s list.<br /><br />All is well that ends well. I have fond, if not fashionable, memories of high school. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to share my insights on career and choices while not wearing green polyester.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-65333245399584469602009-03-30T11:18:00.000-07:002009-03-30T11:35:09.478-07:00Call MeLast week's "30 Rock" had me “lizzing” – what the very clever Tina Fey dubbed whizzing while laughing. When her character’s old slutty chat line TV commercial surfaces, I flash backed to when I auditioned for just such a gem. <br /><br />At age 18, I didn't quite grasp why guys would phone strange women to chat. "Hey Trixie, what's the weather like there?" You could have reached me at 1-800-Clueless. But I wanted to act. <br /><br />The audition was all about mile high hair, more makeup than a Broad Street hooker and the cheesiest lines ever. I’m sure my sultry come-hither stare looked more like confused anger as I purred, “Call me, call me now” into the camera. <br /><br />I was devastated when the director didn’t “call me” to say I’d gotten the part. It didn’t occur to me that I lacked the requisite C cup and looked more like pedophile bait at that age. It’s hilarious and scary to remember how disappointed I was at missing the opportunity to humiliate myself. So if something doesn’t work out for you, it might just be a saving grace.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-37504668349229562312009-03-29T11:16:00.000-07:002009-03-29T18:39:59.709-07:00Decorate By the BookHomes without books are icky soulless spaces. I only hope these people have worn out library cards. <span style="font-style:italic;">"Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house,"</span> said Henry Ward Beecher. I agree. Whether you're a big reader or not, books are a must-have decorating accessory to create coziness. Pick up bargains at thrift stores and garage sales.<br /><br />Turn the page on how you store your books. Ditch the dust covers and let the beautiful bindings and covers show. The metallic ink against matte-colored covers offers an elegant library look to your collection. Vary stacks horizontally and vertically by subject matter to create visual interest and organization. Stash those Harlequin romances and other paperbacks in decorative boxes on lower shelves.<br /><br />Displaying books in unexpected places adds panache to your home.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"Let books be your dining table,<br />And you shall be full of delights<br />Let them be your mattress<br />And you shall sleep restful nights."<br />~Author Unknown</span><br /><br />That quote inspires a few design options. Consider adding built-ins to your dining room to create a warm library lounge atmosphere. Pass the brandy, please. If that's a budget buster, the same look can be achieved by lining a wall with freestanding bookcases.<br /><br />Don't just stick to shelves. Let your books be free. Stacking a few larger ones on a short side table can elevate a lamp to the right height for reading all the other books. They can even be piled high to create a table. <br /><br />My books seem to be giving birth faster than the bunnies out back. Too much of anything creates clutter. Edit your collection and donate the overflow to your local library.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A good book has no ending. - R.D. Cumming<br />Good decorating has no ending. - Me</span>SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-56398660201603888082009-03-26T09:44:00.000-07:002009-03-26T10:06:10.285-07:00How to Be Super HotWhen notorious playboy Warren Beatty finally settled down with fellow actor Annette Bening after years of womanizing, everyone wanted to know what got the ring on his finger. He was quoted as saying, “She has an amazing capacity for happiness.” <br /><br />That quality should be on everyone's checklist. Happiness is hot. Sure the moody, edgy person holds a certain amount of mysterious appeal while dating, but that wears very thin in a marriage. As life gets more complicated, you want a partner who can lift your spirits up - not drag you down into the depths of their despair on a regular basis.<br /><br />Is it fair to discriminate against the chronically unhappy? After all, maybe they were born with the negativity chip or had a really hard life. Countless studies have been conducted and the results are debated. Theories aside, it’s easier to live with a smile than a scowl. <br /><br />I maintain that one’s happiness is in direct relation to their gratitude. Some people are grateful for the smallest things, and no surprise - they are usually the happiest. So, if you want to be super hot, splash on some joie de vivre.<br /><br /><br />PS - Clinical depression is a whole different ball of wax. This post is just about happy vs. sad sack.<br /><br />PPS - Warren and Annette have been married since 1991 and have four children. I know this but not how to do my son's third grade math homework.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-19565047999746410832009-03-25T06:01:00.000-07:002009-03-25T06:05:28.627-07:00Life DivingPeople say I’m brave because I try new things. That’s not really the case. There is a huge difference between bravery and impulsiveness. I usually lean toward the latter. My modus operandi is to jump off the cliff and look for the parachute later. I trust my gut to have picked the right cliff. I don’t always take time to fully consider the possible consequences and my ignorance propels me forward. It's an exhilarating free fall and I always seem to land on my feet. I’m not brave - just lucky. <br /><br />I tried improv for the first time a couple years ago in front of New York casting agents. Somehow, worry worked a way into my head. I knew full well I could make a complete fool of myself and was terrified I would freeze. But I did it. That was brave. It was a much more satisfying feeling because I had to stand up to a fear. That left me with a sense of pride. I’ll cherish those agents’ reactions more than a hundred lucky outcomes.<br /><br />Being impulsive is a personality trait, being brave is a choice.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-37173854063091642732009-03-11T05:45:00.000-07:002009-03-11T05:58:43.997-07:00I Love New YorkHere's my top five reasons for loving New York City.<br /><br />1. Cab Rides - Why go to an amusement park for rides when you can experience terrifying thrills on your way to meetings?<br /><br />2. Becco - Drink inexpensive, top-notch wine while eating the best Italian food in the company of the nicest staff ever.<br /><br />3. The Cloisters - Travel back in time at the Met's medieval collection in Fort Tryon Park. It's a bit of a subway ride, but worth it. <br /><br />4. Energy - It's palpable everywhere and makes me feel completely alive.<br /><br />5. People watching - It's a fabulous field trip for writing research. The only place in the U.S. that comes close is Vegas.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-61118816586782354722009-03-10T10:40:00.000-07:002009-03-16T10:32:33.192-07:00Back So Soon?Destiny does come crawling back and this time with flowers. Take heart fellow writers. <br /><br />Tomorrow's blog preview: Why I LOVE New York.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-43581554565687918522009-03-10T07:40:00.000-07:002009-03-16T10:30:07.059-07:00Date with DestinyWhen one door closes, break in through a window. That’s not exactly how the saying goes, but it works for my writing career. I’ve got a short attention span for disappointment. Sometimes, all it takes to get me out of a funk is a song on the radio. Last night, it was The Rolling Stones’ classic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want."<br /><br />I don’t give much more time to professional highs than I do the lows. That might be because either way I’ll continue to write. Not much changes. Also, I’ve found that if you turn despair inside out, gratitude is on the other side. I’m thankful that I’m doing what I love. In the words of Mick Jagger, “sometimes you might just find you get what you need.”<br /><br />So when you get stood up on a date with destiny, don’t just go home and eat a half-gallon of ice cream. Write a few more chapters and then eat the ice cream. As my wise friend Amy says, "destiny will come crawling back."SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-37582443127420499092009-03-04T08:25:00.000-08:002009-04-28T20:19:40.393-07:00Homeless FrontIn writing my decorating book, I researched the impact homes have on our lives. If having a cluttered or unappealing home has a negative effect, imagine what not having a home does to someone. <br /><br />In this land of plenty (even in the worst economic times), 700,000 people go homeless every night. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The average age of a homeless person is nine</span> - the same age as my son. That statistic will haunt me when I tuck my children in at night. I'm looking into how I can help Habitat for Humanity. I hope you will, too.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-56161230189543062442009-03-03T09:58:00.000-08:002009-03-03T14:17:39.000-08:00Joan F*$%ing RiversWhen I got to QVC’s front doors at 2 a.m. during Monday’s blizzard, a tiny figure draped in a chic black coat held the heavy door open for me. It was Joan Rivers. <br /><br />When people discover that I work on air at QVC, I almost always get questions about her. “Is she a bitch?” “What does she look like in person with all that plastic surgery?” They want some juicy dish and I've got none to serve up. <br /><br />I have loved Joan Rivers from the moment I first heard her brash brand of humor on Howard Stern 15 years ago. My undying loyalty was sealed when she complimented a suit I was wearing. Where was my red carpet that day? <br /><br />For the curious, here are my limited professional observations. <br /><br />1- Brings her cute non-yippy dog to work diva-style.<br />2- Always impeccably dressed and attractive. (I’ll join her society for preservation.)<br />3- One of the hardest working people in show biz. Check out her hefty professional history here: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Rivers">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Rivers</a><br />4- One hell of an entrepreneur. (She brings Bergdorf’s style to my price point and makes a tidy profit. Win–win.)<br />5- Makes QVC entertaining. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6- She’s one classy broad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Fast fact for writers:</span> Joan Rivers is also an author and screenwriter. And, before her show biz days, she worked as a writer and proofreader at an advertising agency.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-87491817013509857912009-02-26T13:15:00.000-08:002009-03-05T05:38:48.261-08:00Color TheoryThe purple reign of fall and winter is over and hope springs eternal in yellow. It's far from mellow. The color gurus at Pantone chose Mimosa, a bright and warm yellow, as the "it” color of 2009. QVC buyers have responded with jewelry, fashion and home decor in similar sunny shades.<br /><br />Yellow is an optimistic color said to stimulate communication. Maybe that’s why my living room holds so many lively conversations. <br /><br />It stands to reason we’d need a happy hue during this time of economic doom and gloom. There may be deeper political reasons at play in yellow's sudden popularity. It's the color of liberalism in many countries, according to color expert Kate Smith. Are we now painting the U.S. “yellow dog democrat?” Hmmm. I’ll stick with decorating theories.<br /><br />Warm yellows work well with other bright colors and also when grounded with neutrals. Try it out with inexpensive accessories such as throws, pillows and pottery. Other popular colors blooming in spring’s palette include: fuchsias, grays, greens and roses.<br /><br />Go get some color.SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712894232925856589.post-33833159211533763462009-02-15T07:35:00.000-08:002009-02-15T07:46:09.527-08:00Missing the G-SpotI'm no money wiz, but I'm pretty sure our country's economy isn't going to orgasm with this stimulation. The link below is a helpful resource for understanding the stimulus package. I'm a Republican who voted for President Obama. Clearly, I want change. But let's slow down and talk common sense.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/02/01/GR2009020100154.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/02/01/GR2009020100154.html</a>SUSAN MATTHEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744632949336596255noreply@blogger.com0