Tag Archives: Writing

12.24.16
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Writing Prompt #38: My Favorite Christmas Music

the-diamondback

Image Credit: The Diamondback

Merry Christmas Eve!

Happy Hanukkah!

I woke up this morning feeling inspired to write a post about my favorite Christmas music! I love listening to music this time of year – It always gets me into a festive mood.

This list has a mix of secular songs, carols, and hymns. I hope you enjoy!

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

Mariah Carey‘s version is my all-time favorite. I certainly can’t sing like her, but I try! It’s one that always makes me excited for the season.

If you haven’t seen the recent mash-up of the song courtesy of James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke, it’s awesome!

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“Carol of the Bells”

I love this song. It gives me chills every single time! My parents play handbells at church. That’s my favorite way to hear it, but I love a good string quartet, too.

Here’s a few others that I’ve found:

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“Christmas Canon”

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is one of my favorite musical groups of all-time. I was lucky enough to see them perform in 2012 at our local Hampton Coliseum. Since then, I’ve desperately wanted to see them again!

Their spin on Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” is impressive, titled Christmas Canon.

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“Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24”

Another classic from TSO. This is one of my top three Christmas songs of all-time, one that I listen to multiple times every single year. It’s stunning!

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“Go Tell It on the Mountain”

This is one of those songs that I look forward to singing every year.

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“It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”

I remember learning to play this on my viola. I love singing it, but also listening to it.

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“Mary, Did You Know?”

Let me tell you, I went crazy for Clay Aiken after he became runner-up on season two of American Idol.

That’s part of the reason I love this song now. His version was just beautiful. I remember receiving his Christmas CD and playing it on repeat.

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“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

This music always gives me chills. It’s almost haunting.

I fell in love with this version the minute it started. I think it’s partly because I played piano, and then viola, so anything with piano and strings captures my heart: O come, O come, Emmanuel – (Piano/Cello) – The Piano Guys.

—

“Silent Night”

Hearing this song always makes me think of the end of Aldersgate’s Christmas Eve services. We all light candles, and the entire sanctuary is darkened as we sing. It’s just a gorgeous scene.

Lindsey Stirling is my girl. She’s amazing! Seeing her in concert at the NorVA a few years ago blew me away. Take a few minutes and listen to her version of Silent Night.

—

“You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

Sung by Thurl Ravenscroft for the 1966 Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas special, I love this song!

Fun Fact: We watched this on TV last night!

However you celebrate the season, I wish all of you many blessings, safe travels, and cherished time with family and friends!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

12.14.16
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Blog Awards #9: Mystery Blogger Award

mystery-blog-award

Copied from Getting Through Anxiety.

The amazing B.G. at Getting Through Anxiety nominated me for the Mystery Blogger Award. Thank you! The creator of the award is Okoto Engima.

Here’s the link to the post where I was nominated:

The Rules:

  • Display the award logo/image on your blog
  • List the rules
  • Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to the nominator’s blog
  • Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
  • Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
  • Answer 5 questions from the nominator
  • Nominate 10 – 20 people
  • Notify your nominees by leaving the nomination link in the “comment” of their blog
  • Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice, with one weird or funny question (specify)
  • Share the link(s) to your best post(s)

3 Things About Myself:

1.) I’m exclusively left-handed, and proud of it!

2.) I consider myself fairly organized and neat, but I highly dislike cleaning!

3.) I currently have three American Girl dolls, but I want more!

5 Questions From The Nominator:

Have you had a crush on your teacher as a teenager?

No. Most of my teachers were married and had kids! Haha. I do have great admiration for a lot of them.

If you had the power to change one thing in your past, what would that be?

I would somehow get a hold on my anxiety before it took over so much control of my life.

Which country is your next dream vacation, and what made you want to go there?

I would also have to answer Italy. I love the history, and I definitely want to enjoy the food! Plus, Al is a quarter-Italian. I would love to see Sicily and Corsica!

Do you think it is okay to keep secrets even between best friends?

I agree with B.G. – Yes, as long as they’re not harmful.

If you could be transformed into something else, what would be your preference, and why?

Wonder Woman. She’s one of my favorite superheroes. I cannot wait for the movie to be released!

5 Questions to Nominees:

  1. What’s your favorite holiday, and why?
  2. Is there a movie that you can’t wait to see?
  3. Did you have a favorite stuffed animal growing up?
  4. Do you have a favorite game?
  5. What book are you currently reading?

I Nominate:

  1. North East Olympics
  2. Doggys That Blog
  3. Sister Sole Space
  4. The Wind Blows All Over: Living with Mental Illness and CFS
  5. Let your words speak what your heart thinks.
  6. DaiseyDropper
  7. My world.
  8. Still Funny

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

12.08.16
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Writing Prompt #37: Considering A “Five-Year Journal”

journaling

Image Credit: Becoming Who You Are

I don’t remember when I stumbled upon this link, but it must have been earlier this year.

Here’s the link:

At first glance, looking at it, I was filled with excitement and dread. FIVE YEARS? Wow. That’s a LONG time!

But, I like the idea of it. It reminds me of my parents and their logs. My mom still writes in a notebook almost every day, recounting the day’s events. Then, they have boxes of red-bound books with logs of years past. I didn’t read them much as a kid, but as I got older, I enjoyed reading pieces of them, especially Dad’s. He crammed his neat all-capitalized print into every line of every page!

I can’t remember a time when I haven’t journaled, in some way. I always have pen and paper with me. My journaling has evolved and changed over the years – From just regular paper, to spiral notebooks, to loose-leaf in binders, to legal pads, and mini-notebooks. Now, most of mine is electronic, with the blog and all. But, I value my handwriting and I enjoy writing in cursive, so I’m considering this “five-year journal” endeavor for 2017!

I like the prompts idea. I may go that route.

At the same time, several of my journals have contained random ideas and thoughts, and some of those have turned into story ideas. So, who knows where this may lead!

I already have a potential notebook in mind!

What do you guys think?

Do you journal?

Do you consider your blog a journal?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

11.04.16
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Blog Awards #8: The Sunshine Blogger Award!

sunshine-award

Image Credit: Unknown, but copied from Forest City Bookworm.

I was nominated by the lovely and talented Michelle from Forest City Bookworm! She has an amazing blog that I’ve fallen in love with, so please, take a few minutes to check it out.

Here’s the link to the original post, where I was nominated:

The Rules:

  • Thank the person who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
  • Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
  • Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
  • List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

The Questions:

1. What’s the story behind your blog’s name?

I came up with Hot Shot Headlines because I studied mass media / journalism in college, and I wanted to have a news / media angle to my blog. Also, “Hot Shot” is the nickname that my dad gave to me years ago, so every time I come to the blog to write, I smile because I think of him.

2. Do you prefer e-books or physical books?

Physical books, all the way! I see the practicality of e-books, and I’ve used Kindle a handful of times for school, but I will always have paperbacks and hardbacks for my library.

3. What’s your ideal pizza?

I love a good supreme pizza. I love the mix of pepperoni and veggies!

4. What’s your favorite childhood book?

Where The Wild Things Are.

5. What cheers you up?

Reading, writing, watching movies, and spending time with Al and my family.

6. Are you an introvert or and extrovert?

I’m definitely an extrovert. I love talking to people!

7. What’s the last book you read that you simply could not put down until you finished?

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. So good!

8. If your life was a movie, which actor/actress would play you?

I always have trouble with this question! Hmmm … I love Emma Watson. She’d be a good pick!

9. Which is the longest book/anime/TV series you’ve read/watched and how long is it?

So far, it’s Harry Potter. Seven books, eight if you count Cursed Child.

10. If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pasta with garlic bread and a good salad.

11. What’s your favorite book genre?

Historical fiction.

My Questions:

  1. When did you start blogging?
  2. What’s your favorite movie?
  3. What makes you smile?
  4. What’s your guilty pleasure food?
  5. Where have you lived the longest?
  6. Who is your favorite actor or actress?
  7. What’s your dream job?
  8. What’s one TV show that you will never stop enjoying?
  9. What’s your favorite color?
  10. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
  11. What’s your favorite cartoon?

The Nominations:

  1. Sometimes Stellar Storyteller
  2. A Writer’s Path
  3. The Musings of a Writer
  4. icebreaker694
  5. Elan Mudrow
  6. By Hook Or By Book
  7. Thrice Read
  8. David Snape and Friends
  9. Be Like Water
  10. Reads & Reels
  11. Tangible Triumph

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

10.29.16
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Getting Personal #43: “For Anyone Considering Suicide, From Those That Have Been There” (Reblogged)

I love Carla’s blog. She writes about so many important issues!

This is such a powerful video. The Mighty is a wonderful site!

I love her idea of writing letters to those with depression, thinking of suicide, or struggling with a debilitating illness. Since she lives in Australia, she will be starting with just Australia (Postage is very expensive to go outside of the country!)

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With that, since I love sending cards and letters, I would like to do a similar effort in the U.S.

Especially since I considered suicide once. It was the fall of 2008. So much was going on in my life, it was starting to become too much – My first grandparent had passed away, I wanted to leave Longwood and come home, I was having problems with my long-term boyfriend, he was using a few friends to aggravate me and feel even lousier.

If you would like to receive a card or letter, or you know someone who could use a little bit of encouragement and love, please contact me through the links below:

Thank you, Carla, for sharing!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.30.16
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Writing Prompt #36: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 30)

writers-quotes-story-writing-34823017-400-263

Image Credit: livingalifeofwriting.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Your highs and lows for the month

My highs:

  • Celebrating a wonderful dating anniversary with Al!
  • Chipping away at the work that needs to be done on the house.
  • A mini-getaway to the farm to see family.
  • Making plans for friends to come and visit us!
  • Finally cracking into Go Set A Watchman.
  • Blogging every single day for a whole month! Woohoo!
  • Going back to the gym!

—

My lows:

  • Not getting to finish Go Set A Watchman.
  • Getting irritated at minor things.
  • Feeling stressed with things getting busier at work.
  • Having a panic attack at work earlier this day, basically in front of my manager AND system director. Ouch!
  • Blisters, everywhere on both my feet. Breaking in new running shoes – Oww!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.29.16
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Writing Prompt #35: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 29)

writing-quote-3

Image Credit: quotesgram.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

What are your goals for the next 30 days

Well, this is convenient!

Here’s a sneak peek at my upcoming post of my October goals! The full post will be up on Saturday. I cannot believe it’s the end of September!

  1. Prep the house for our first overnight visitor!
  2. Donate blood!
  3. Plan our Halloween costumes!
  4. Decorate the house for fall!
  5. Clean up the clutter and plan my office space!
  6. Recap my 44 for Bill Movement participation.

I’m so excited that the weather is starting to shift. I love the cooler air and the crispness in the air!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.28.16
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Writing Prompt #34: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 28)

tobias-wolfe-writing-quote-poster

Image Credit: quotesgram.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud

  1. Anything with The Muppets.
  2. Most anything with the Peanuts characters.
  3. The Big Bang Theory.
  4. Mike Rowe – His awesome posts on Facebook, and his podcast The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe.
  5. Mushu from Mulan.
muppet-mythbusters

Image Credit: pastemagazine.com

snoopy_and_woodstock_camping

Image Credit: peanuts.wikia.com

cc514bd2-9de1-4af6-840e-5dc07bd07b54

Image Credit: hellogiggles.com

mike-rowe

Image Credit: mikerowe.com

mushu_character

Image Credit: disney.wikia.com

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

 

09.27.16
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Writing Prompt #33: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 27)

download

Image Credit: en.wikipedia.org

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now

I love that I’m educating myself with podcasts! I’m learning so many different things about different topics.

Granted, most of the podcasts that I subscribe to are from NPR, but it makes me happy.

I listen to them when I’m in the car, and it’s awesome! Just today, I finished an episode on how accidental integration helped one of the worst school districts in the state of Missouri, the journey of opera singer Ryan Speedo Green, and the fourth time Neil deGrasse Tyson talked about everything, in the name of science!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

 

09.26.16
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Writing Prompt #32: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 26)

quotes-writing-role-anais-nin-480x480

Image Credit: quotesgram.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve

I’d love to not procrastinate as much. I don’t necessarily put things off until the last minute, but I’m known to drag my feet and find excuses to avoid certain things (Homework, cleaning, mundane tasks).

However, I try to remedy this with motivating myself. I use a reward system. For example: If I work on my homework for an hour straight, without any distractions, then I can play a game on my phone or iPad for 15 minutes.

I also do this with my job. Some of the work I do is incredibly dry, boring, and annoying. But, I try to use the same reward system: If I finish a task early, or make a certain number of phone calls, or work on a project for a certain length of time, I reward myself with getting up from my desk to walk around, stretch my legs, and play a game for five minutes. It’s a good refresher moment.

It really works!

Tonight, I was struggling to get motivated to do my homework. But, with Al holding me accountable, I completed Chapter 4 AND Chapter 5 in less than an hour! I rewarded myself with finishing this blog post and spending a few minutes on Facebook, plus finishing the task in time to watch the new episode of The Big Bang Theory!

Granted, my reward system doesn’t always work. But, I try to put a positive spin on the boring and mundane areas and try to banish procrastination as much as possible.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂