The Brain Lair Bookstore - Kickstarter ( cancelled)

#BuildABookstore #SaveALife

Kickstarter cancelled for now:

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your support! In about 3 weeks, we raised over $11,000! That is amazing and we should be super proud of ourselves! During those three weeks, I’d done more research and had been updating and revising the Bookstore Kickstarter but could not keep up with the feedback. I’d also been in touch with two mentors who have experience with the Kickstarter platform. It was suggested that I cancel the kickstarter, and work with one of the mentors on revising it with a stronger, more cohesive message.

The research shows that successful crowdfunding campaigns have usually raised 1/3 of what they need within the first 15 days. Since the funding is all or nothing - I would hate to continue and then we don’t fund the project. This will give me time to do more research, reach out to more people in my community, and find a potential space.

All of your pledges will be returned. But don’t spend the money just yet! I plan on opening a new kickstarter in a few months. As backers, we can still communicate through this platform. I will keep you informed every step of the way. As soon as the new Brain Lair Bookstore Kickstarter is open - you will receive a link.

Again, I thank all of you for your tweets, posts, blogs, and just loving encouragement. The “crowd” part of this crowdfunding has just been phenomenal. My heart is full.  

Kathy AKA The Brain Lair.

Introspection

Introspection - noun
1. observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; the act of looking within oneself.

Lately, I've been feeling extremely introspective. I feel as if somewhere along the way - I lost my focus...at work, at home, at school. I am not satisfied with where my life is or where it appears to be headed. I need a change of direction 'cause we know that wherever you point your feet, that's the way you're headed, and you gotta turn around to go somewhere else. I've been thinking and re-thinking my decision to become a teacher-librarian. Was that the right decision?

I enjoy my job, immensely. I like working with a variety of teachers and students. I could be helping out in the science classroom one period and teaching on avoiding plagiarism the next. I get to read and suggest books that others should read. I do book talks and I teach students how to do them. My schedule is fairly flexible with the ability to move in and out of the library as needed. The variety is stimulating. But somehow, it's not enough.

One of the 6th grade teachers and I talked about a book she wanted to introduce to students this year - Dream by Susan V. Bosak. This books is connected to The Legacy Project. The 6th grade Nonfiction teachers will be focusing on helping students visualize, set, and reach goals. The more we talked the more I realized, this is the what I need. I need a definition. I need to look at my mission and vision - what am I doing to make them a reality?

A few years ago - when I wanted to leave teaching - I came across The Path by Laurie Beth Jones. I read (skimmed) the book and defined what I felt should be my mission. Should be, not is. My lack of commitment shows in the very fact that this workbook is empty! I didn't write in it. But somehow, I devised a mission and from that, I formed a vision. But I didn't write it down. I didn't communicate it to anyone. Which, in reality, means I can't make it happen.

Talking to the 6th grade teacher, emailing with Kay Cassidy, looking back over some posts I'd made earlier in the year, helped me to realize it's time. It's time to make a commitment - to myself. So, I'm stepping out on The Path, mindfully, spiritually, completely.

Last Saturday, August 8th, was my last early wake-up drive to Indy day. If I have to get up before 7am, I use an alarm set to music. When I woke up the song playing was "The Words I Would Say" by The Sidewalk Prophets and the little bit I heard:

Be strong in the Lord and
Never give up hope
You're gonna do great things
I already know

God's got his hand on you so
Don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget
but don't forget why you're here

For some inexplicable reason I started crying. I pulled out my phone and did a Verizon Song ID, bought it, and have played it over and over since. There's a message in there for me. Or for me to give to someone. Not sure yet. Two specific lines in the song relate directly to two rings that I wear - Fear Not and Pray Hard. That's gotta mean something.

Introspection - it's where I'm at. Don't know how long I'll be here. Don't know how it'll affect this blog. I do know I'm tired of separating my life into boxes. I'm pointing my feet and I'm going that-a-way. Just wanted you to know.

Friday Five

1. Fridays! - I love Fridays. For some reason they seem more relaxed than any other day of the week. We're off school today, cheated out of an extra day for Spring Break, so Jess and I are going to go into Chicago and hang out. She has a crazy schedule - "collect ourselves" being a point on it!

2. Books - I received a shipment of books from HarperTeen! I finally feel as if I've arrived. I can't wait to read and review them. I'm especially looking forward to the Kelley Armstrong books because she will be at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville on June 2nd with Melissa Marr! Can't wait to meet them!

3. Twitter - it is so much fun. I think it's even more fun than Facebook! I've learned a lot and have such a great group of people to follow: bookstores, booksellers, authors, librarians, publishers, and reviewers. Book people love to talk about what they read! I get so many great ideas. And they are helpful. If you want to reach a ton of people quickly you should be on Twitter.

4. The Office - they are funny again! There was a point when it was kinda blah but now they are back on top! Ryan's hair! Hah! You can also follow Kevin, Dwight, and Kelly on Twitter.

5. J. Chen - the best Chinese restaurant around here! Jess and I love it. And the prices are great. Our top choice: Governor's chicken. Complete with british accent - guv'na.

Blog Focus

Hmm...I've been reading a lot of blogs lately, mostly ones that focus on reviewing books. My hope has been to learn how to review books in order to do them better because I'm not very good at it. I wanted YA book reviews to be my focus. This would be a great fit with the job I have now.


But that's not the job I want. I want to be a book buyer/seller. Ultimately, I want to own a teen-centered bookstore hangout. I would be in charge of the buying and promoting the books. I enjoy matching people with books.


My favorite sentence starters are "Ooh, you need to read..." or "OMG, hang on, I have just the book for you...". I actually keep books in my office, waiting for the perfect student to come along so that I can get the joy of giving it to them.


My next favorite thing is discussing books with people, even if we disagree! I just get so jazzed up! Of course, if I gave you the book and you loved it...Oh.My.Word. so freakin' sweet!


How do I work that into a blog? I work full-time. I have 3 more classes to take. I will be running three book clubs. I have to find an internship. Can you have a blog without readers? How do people get readers?


Many questions to ask myself...stay tuned.

30 Day Challenge Check In

All right, week 2! Well I didn't make six workouts but I made 4. I doubled from last week. I got my new tapes from Collage Video. So much fun and pain! This week I will incorporate a dance video. I've only lost 3 pounds so far but I've gained muscles! I can see them! We are only using the resistance band and 3-pound dumb-bells (or at least that's all I'm using!). I've eaten more fruit this week. Ok, gotta get some sleep.

50 Book Challenge

My "Latest Books I've Read" updates will cease for awhile, so that I can work on my 50 Book Challenge. As I read each book, I will put it on my list to the right. I wonder how many books I will read this year? How many have you read so far? Goodreads has a group called 50 Books 2008 if you want to keep track there.

Smiles to Go - Jerry Spinelli

I just started Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli. It is phenomenol. It's all I can do to put it away while I do my homework. Will Tuppence is afraid of everything and his fear...well it keeps him from everything. Here are a few lines from the book:

And smiles to go before I weep.
...off the edge of self-control and down the slippery slope of my own words.
...you can't forgive unless you first give a crap.
...smile on wheels...(describing a laugh)
Chapter PD165

It's a great story with great words. Will thinks of his epithet:

Here Lies Will Tuppence - He Was Afraid

He also thinks of his best freind's dad's epiteph. He's a man who is always busy:

Here Lies Mario Bontempo - For the Moment.

Expect a full review by week's end.

30 Day Challenge

I did it! I joined HipWriterMama's 30-Day Challenge. I am on my way. I got up, thought about why I was getting up an hour early - and I actually worked out! This year I want to get back to working on my dream of owning a bookstore. I became a middle school Librarian so that I could determine if I enjoyed working with this age group and reading YA books, and well, YES I DO. As a matter of fact, I believe I want to do a bookstore that specializes in YA books and products. Any way...I decided to break things down and start pulling myself together and getting back on track. First step...Take care of myself better. I'm not getting any younger, although I probably act that way! Being healthy and in good shape will give me the stamina needed to work 20 hour days.

So for the next 30 days, I want to build the habit of working out into my schedule. Look for updates here and watch me make my dreams come true!

I need to send a shout-out to Robin Brande who had a link to HipWriterMama's blog (how can you NOT click on a link by someone called HipWriterMama?). Thanks for the chocolates Robin and keep writing!