"Cory Booker tells Graduates to Bribe People"

Title is a little bit of an inside joke from his speech.

"Technically you graduated with Cory Booker" has been repeated after Tuesday, May 15th 2012

I guess I did. But more importantly I gained perspective about myself on that day because of him. A graduation was the last thing I wanted to be at. Feeling down on myself about the job market was a serious gray stormy cloud over my head. Not to mention the thought of my rapidly diminishing bank account and savings. Therefore no degree could lessen my very real adult issues and concerns. But listening to Booker's speech stopped my racing thoughts for a few minutes and demanded me to think about the present.

He mentioned that Mother Theresa said she wasn't called to be successful but was called to be faithful. Faith is something that many graduates are lacking right now and I'm not an exception. I can't speak for everyone else but it seems much easier to motivate yourself with the prospect of success versus a faith in everything will be all right. Maybe not alright, but more importantly will work out.

For week's now, I've been pushing myself to be positive while everything around me seems to want to push me off the the deep end. And it is NOT easy. There is nothing easy about being positive about a future you have no idea will work out. But as Booker mentioned, I'm a result of my family's struggle. So I'm sure in the past there were times my family weren't sure about the future either BUT they pushed on for me, my cousins and siblings. And for our children and so on. My ancestors, grandparents and parents definitely struggled to get me to where I am today. But now I need to struggle to get me the rest of the way.

The Tassel is worth the Hassle. And because of the "Conspiracy of Love", I'm sure I will find my own version of success and continue to make my family proud.  Thank You Cory Booker, for giving me some perspective.

Books at ...

Bio pic from My____Life

The question I have received most since I wrote My____Life is "Where can I buy your book?" Simple question but sometimes I feel like people expect a complex answer. "Can I just go to a store and buy it?" No you can not. In 2012, we buy books online then have them shipped to our homes or downloaded to our tablet. How crazy is that? And I utilized this growing "phenomenon" by only having my book printed as purchased.

Places you can purchase my first edition of My ____ Life:

Lulu.com (But of course!)
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

I also have some located at Alpak Station (Milford and Hawley branches)

As many of you might know if you follow me on Twitter (@Sele_Ana), the second edition of My ____ Life will be published after the prequel is published (Psst, the prequel is out this Summer!). So be on the look out.

#ProjectMoveOut : Mindset

I spoke to my mother about this topic and she supported my thinking. But I did believe I need to better explain. 

Your Mindset

As a fellow Millenial (1981+), I understand that the economy is hard and our pockets are empty. The job market isn't what it used to be. You think? I have applied to almost or more than 150 jobs this last month and a half (Dedication for sure). But ultimately, it's all very scary. 

I agree with you.

For the past few weeks, I have been talking with my friends about this movement I want to do and we raised our voices and nodded our heads about it. In the end, we understood it was about the greatness inside of all of us that seems diminished by certain "situations". For example, living with our parents is one. Not the only one but one. For some... emphasis on some, living with their parents has crippled them from doing what they sought out to do in college or high school. Their comfort in their childhood home has made them once again a child. My mother even shined some light on this very thing. She says my sibling and I often come to her house, kick back and wonder when our favorite meals are going to be done. And we get upset when there is no food in the fridge as if we put any in there to begin with. 

It's a mentality. A mindset. - Anything referring to your parents automatically makes you a child. No matter how old you are. 

Does this hold everyone back? No. In fact, I joked with my mother that if I have to move back to her home; I would work super hard to get out of there. Haha. I love my mother though. It's just that for me, I know I can do better than that for myself. And it's uncomfortable to have to depend on my parents at my age. But that is my personal feeling. 

Like I have said before, this is about encouragement. I want us all to come together and call ourselves to greatness. In the words of Dee Marshall to me, "I speak to your potential and demand you to step up". 

Not gonna lie stung a little, but pushed me to get my butt moving.  Love Dee!

What's crippling your greatness? 

Ever Last with Angeline- Rose Troy

Did I mention I had a clogged ear during the movie? Small detail I thought of as I just blew my nose.

. 

With that said, lets move on to my interview with the actress and producer Angeline-Rose Troy. She plays Kimberly Alves in Ever Last. And was very hands on with the whole development of the film. 

From Left to Right: Cris Colicchio, Angeline-Rose Troy, Sean T. McGrath & Chris Dimoulas

S.A.E: What made you want to produce this Ever Last?

Angeline-Rose Troy: I had read many drafts of Ever Last over the course of Chris' writing process and I enjoyed watching as each evolved more and more. It's a really interesting process and to be in on it really endeared this whole project to me. Chris asked me if I would play the role of Kim and I of course accepted- I found Kim to be very interesting because she comes from a place of independence and strength that is refreshing. We were about a week into pre-production when Chris' original producer realized that due to her other commitments, she was unable to continue with Ever Last; it was a feature and required a great deal of time and dedication. Since there was so much work to do and I knew our goals and constraints, it just seemed to make more sense to take on the producer role rather than continue to search for someone else. Chris and I met about it, understood that we were on the same page about what we wanted and expected out of the production in terms of quality, professionalism and of course budget. Then I assumed the role of producer. I had no idea how all consuming producing a feature was- casting, location scouting, obtaining permits, communicating with union reps, payroll and insurance agents, craft services, lodging, meals and transportation for crew. And that barely scratches the surface. We had a small but very talented crew and being able to shoot a feature on our minuscule budget and in 19 days was not an easy task- but we got it done and it was incredibly rewarding.

That does sound like a lot of work. Heavy-lifting. I'm sure you have muscles from production. 

S.A.E:  As a woman... not that I'm a feminist or anything, we have been inspired by so many great women before us and now we have the chance to be that for the young women coming after us. What do you aspire to be one day?

Angeline- Rose Troy: My aspirations and long term goals continue to expand with each experience I have- I started out modeling as a child and that got me into acting. And since I loved the stage and screen so much, I figured that's only what I should do. Then in college I became involved with the wardrobe and costume department and saw a whole other side of what goes into a film and a play or musical. I had no idea of the tremendous amount of work and attention to detail that "behind the scenes" people put in! After I produced Ever Last, I knew that it was a role I wanted to assume again and I hope to continue to produce projects that I see something really special in, but of course acting will always be my first love. You asked what my aspirations are and it sounds corny, but I aspire to give everything that I choose to do my all, in work and in life. The challenge of venturing into the unknown, giving your work all that you can and the sense of accomplishment that comes along with a completed project is so immense, that even though you're mentally and physically exhausted, you can't wait to push yourself further the next time. I think now is a wonderful time, for women especially, to feel empowered to choose to follow the path of our choice and take risks because you really can't know what you're capable of until you try and try again. 

Angeline-Rose Troy & Sean T. McGrath

If you read this and aren't encouraged to go after your own goals, you're screwed up in the head. Go Out There and LIVE! Many people wonder why I push people so hard and it's because it is obvious that it's only  a reach away. Just extend your arm a little. Okay, maybe a lot sometimes. And if you're ever debating about living life to it's fullest, take a look at people like Miss Troy. 

Left to Right: Chris Dimoulas, Angeline-Rose Troy & Sean T. McGrath

Life of an Entrepreneur 1

Hello there.

As I met numerous people this past month, I learned more and more about myself. For example, I knew I had chosen three things to specialize in (Entrepreneurial stuff, writing, and PR). What I didn't know was that most of what I do has or should have a connection to each. AND this is what all of you would like to see from me. Therefore I decided to make sure all 3 parts have their own times to shine. Liiiikkkkeee Me being an entrepreneur.

If you own a small business or are starting out, you may be well acquainted with a difficult part of it. It's the part where the business is making money; you have clients, you have customers. People are interested in this service, product or whatever it is you have. BUT you're not making money from any of it. Although your employees don't miss a paycheck.

You heard me correctly. And I'm sure the people who have gone through this shook their heads because it is true for many of us. Working for yourself doesn't mean all the money goes to yourself. You have employees you have to make sure are happy. Otherwise, who will take their place if they decide to leave you?

Note: Of course this isn't a situation you stay in forever, hopefully.

This year I vowed that I wanted to be the boss that makes my employees' "fires", my "fires". This means, a worry of theirs is a worry of mine. An emergency for them is an emergency for me. An inconvenience for them is an inconvenience for me.

So far, I think I've been doing a good job. Well... I hope so. I'm trying.

Work Work Work

My mom says, "There are more important things in life" referring to work. 
Grandma says, "I love that you're doing so much but don't forget about a family and kids" 
A bff of mine says, "You work too much"
Another bff says, "Don't forget to sleep"
And another bff says, "You're gonna do great"

I say, I love what I'm doing and until it is stable and can take care itself... I will be diligent in making sure my businesses run well. If that means ACTUALLY staying up until 1am or 2am, I will. These are called sacrifices. Although I still make sure I have my 20-something nights here and there. Work is a priority. 

Lesson I'm learning is that there are some things more important than work. But what I'm finding difficult is figuring out how much more important is work than those things when you're struggling. Does family still trump work when you only have five dollars left? Does a romance trump work when a once-in-a-lifetime chance is offered? Are there exceptions to when work does become a priority over things people put it below?

This may all seem confusing but that is only the TIP of what I've been thinking about for the past week.

I have forgotten that my first love wasn't a Rapper in the Bronx, at 16 years old. My first love was and is writing. But not just writing... its more so about the thoughts that I put together to make something special and unique. Work isn't more important than that. 

My advice to you, Readers, is to make sure you focus on the love you have for your talent, skill, attribute, personality or whatever it may be that excites and warms you. Because even when you are physically alone or feeling lonely, you'll always have that thing. Even work can't be more important than that. 

Great people talk about ideas Part Deux

Speaking of Mentors, lets talk about Rachel Resnick and Love Junkie.


She's given me some great advice via Twitter (aka Great tool to get connected to Great people).

Sele_Ana Selena 

@ 

@RachelResnick Still reading Love Junkie, I'm a very slow reader but almost done. Been writing lots Including the prequel to my book.

15 Jan Favorite Reply Delete

RachelResnick Rachel Resnick 

@ 

@Sele_Ana So glad u're still reading LJ. Keep me updated. Great u've been writing a lot!!! A prequel to book? Cool! #LoveJunkie #writing

15 Jan 

Sele_Ana Selena 

@ 

@RachelResnick Yeah! Its harder cause I have to make sure I can't change anything that will negate the other book.

15 Jan 

in reply to ↑

@RachelResnickRachel Resnick

@Sele_Ana Don't be so hard on yourself. It's drafts. Leonard Gardner: "The art of writing the novel is getting the whole thing written."

2 hours ago via web

• {Love her. Inspiration.}

Sele_Ana Selena 

@ 

@RachelResnick wise words. Thanks. And perfect timing.

2 hours ago 

in reply to ↑

@RachelResnickRachel Resnick

@Sele_Ana Oh! So glad! This writing thing, it's a journey. You gotta go all the way down, to the deep dark, find the light, bring it back.

2 hours ago via webFavorite Undo Retweet Reply

Retweeted by Sele_Ana

• Check out this post on Subvert Magazine referring a little to what I spoke about in my last post. 

It’s Not Fair

Whilst researching for this interview, I discovered that the actress who played the “Good Witch” in The Wizard of Oz used to live in your home town. It got me thinking about mentors and I know we share a mentor, Jay Conrad Levinson. Author of the original Guerrilla Marketing book. For me, Jay provided a window into a world that was exciting and fun. He painted a picture of the endless ways that companies were competing and serving their customers in America. And it was a far more exciting world than the dreary local business scene that I saw in my home town. Tell me about your relationship with Jay, what did you learn from him and how did it change your course?

Hope and fear. Who's got your ear? Illustration by Toni Roberts.

Yes, Glinda lived up the street. They turned her yard into a park.
I wrote a post about heroes and mentors, and the distinction is important. Jay is a hero to you, I’m guessing. He was to me. Heroes scale… one can apply to a lot of different folks. I’ve found over time that many of my heroes (Jay, Zig Ziglar, Tom Peters, Chris Meyer, Dan Pink, Susan Piver, Jacqueline Novogratz) have turned out to be great people in person as well. It’s not fair to ask someone who is raising the bar for so many to sit down and do custom work for you though.
In the case of Jay, I ended up writing three of the books in the series with Jay’s oversight. In fact, that’s what turned it from one or two books to the behemoth it is now. I built the platform for multiplying the books. I also got Jay his first Mac and an email account he still uses a hundred years later.
As a book packager (that’s what I was doing then), the art was in finding great ideas, and the work was in building books that stood the test of time. My team and I ended up doing 120 books, and I’m proud of at least a hundred of them.