SUSAN’S
Blog

RIP Guru, RIP Jazzmatazz, RIP Brilliant Music Light

Some of you may know that I am a huge music lover. I worked in the independent music business for about 15 years. I have heard things that would make your mind explode. (In a good way.) There are a few recordings that I count as my always-fresh, completely beloved, never-tire-of-listening-ever-ever musical loves. They include (but are in no way... READ MORE

Loft taking shape…

kitchen/living rm dining rm/office stairway from bdrm

Macmillan (St. Martin's Press) vs Amazon

Excerpt from my recent Huffington Post blog: The recent throwdown between Amazon and Macmillan publishers is very, very interesting. I’m observing from three perspectives—as a working author trying to make a living as such; a Macmillan author, and an ex-music business exec. When I read this on an Amazon forum: “I am not in the habit of supporting bullies…” I... READ MORE

25 Random Things about Me

I got tagged! Now you’re it. Talk to me. 1. I am a cat person. 2. I was the Chapter Leader of the Boston Guardian Angels when I was 19 years old. I was a tough girl. 3. If you’re in a crisis, I make an incredibly good friend. I’m not such a good friend when everything is normal. I... READ MORE

Barack & Me

The first President I remember is Nixon and that was not such a good experience. As a kid, I didn’t really understand what was going on, but I knew it wasn’t good, I knew the rest of the world was somehow laughing at us and, worse, even us kids knew that we had fallen from grace in our own eyes.... READ MORE

Shocking!!

A Moving Wish

I moved to Boston about 6 years ago, from Manhattan. Before that, I lived in Austin, TX. I grew up in D.C. I would move back to Manhattan or Austin in a millisecond. I’d also relocate to D.C. because of my parents and other family. But I do not, repeat, do NOT want to live in Boston. Everyone who knows... READ MORE

Best Bluegrass Song. Ever.

Betrayal. Love lost. Murder. Sweet sorrow. Haunted voices speaking from beyond the grave… This song (recorded by the great, great Johnson Mountain Boys) has it all. [audio:Christine_LeRoy.mp3] No, brother, I'll never grow better 'Tis useless to tell me so now My broken heart is only awaiting For a resting place under the snow I was thinking last night, dear brother... READ MORE

Real Heroes vs Imaginary Ones

I was at the gym this morning, on the treadmill. I was listening to my iPod and not the television in front of me, but every once in awhile I glanced up at it. I saw several images of Martin Luther King, commemorating, I imagine, the 40th anniversary of his death. There were shots of him orating. Walking with Coretta.... READ MORE

Hep C Treatment

Did I ever mention that I’ve basically been kind of sick for the last two years? Not like sick in the head, but regular sick, sick-sick. I never really blogged about it because for whatever reason I thought it would be embarrassing or make me feel worse. Plus I wanted to be all super-woman and what have you. Or at... READ MORE

Award! "How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life," best spirituality book of 2007!!

Books for a Better Life Awards “The Awards recognize excellence in self-help, motivational, and self-improvement books in nine categories.” Unbelievably, “How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life” has won best spirituality book of 2007 from Books for a Better Life. It is an annual event sponsored by the National MS Society. This year’s event was hosted by TODAY... READ MORE