by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Reading the barter section of craigslist.org gave me an idea. Since all these people are trading such lovely things, I've got something to trade too. It's in okay condition but needs some touching up. If you'll trade me yours in excellent condition, I'll give you mine in slightly (read very) damaged.


Since you have such excellent credit, I'm sure you'll be able to refurbish mine in no time. It's really not that bad. It just needs a little bit of work. You obviously know what you are doing, since yours is so very high.

The one you'll get in return sure could use some handiwork. You can't yet use it to purchase anything of value, but I'm sure you'll shape it up in no time, being that you're such an expert. Besides, you probably need a break from getting all that wonderful stuff. You're probably getting a little bit spoiled and that's not good for you, according to the experts (or at least according to your mother).

You're starting to under-appreciate all those things that I've never had and I'm starting to feel like I won't ever get anything. Therefore, this arrangement would let us help each other out. By starting out where my credit is, you'll learn again to appreciate and by having your credit, I'll finally be able to get some of the things I've always needed. There's something in it for us both.

I'll appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I can promise you that. I'll take good care of it and follow your directions on how to keep it in good shape. I definitely need a lesson or two.

Once you clear mine up and make it shiny and new, we can trade back. You have my word. I never break a promise. Ask all my friends and family. I'm sure they'll vouch for me after I pay them back with your credit card.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Perception is everything and that can easily be thrown off when people aren’t able to use all senses at once. Take Facebook, for instance. It’s supposed to be fun and generally (for me, anyway), it is. But sometimes things get twisted around and it ends being anything but.

Facial expressions, hand gestures, and tone of voice are missing in those posts. Therefore, it’s very easy to take something you see as being something else. This isn’t always a big deal. But sometimes people argue about something taken the wrong way or believe someone is going through something they aren’t.

One example relates to my sarcastic postings on Facebook. I love a good laugh or a prolific quote and I post lots of both. Sometimes they’re happy, sometimes sad, and sometimes they are quite b*tchy. I post tons of sarcastic memes in a row some days. Apparently, this has misled some people into believing I was unhappy during certain periods of time or that these posts were meant for people or situations I might be going through.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am far from unhappy. In fact, sometimes I am described as sickeningly happy. I’ve got more than one career and love it all. I have amazing children. I’ve reconnected with a really cool person I had lost touch with for a while that I’m enjoying spending time with. And I’m also engaged to a super awesome guy - the love of my life. There’s just so much in my life to make me happy right now that calling me unhappy over some funny Facebook memes is beyond hilarious.

However, that said, I do get how some people might think I’m mad or unhappy because sarcasm seems like my best friend sometimes. And it is. It’s just not that way for the reasons some are thinking. I’m just someone who loves to laugh and I often do it through sarcasm and exaggeration. Do I really feel the way those posts indicate? Of course not. Many of them are a bit overly exaggerated. That’s the point of sarcasm.

Because Facebook is also like a second life for people in some ways (or just part of the existing one), I can see how these thoughts occurred. But trust me, folks. I’m quite happy. Facebook is supposed to be fun. It’s a place where I converse with friends and family and laugh lots. I share my hopes and dreams, help others, work, and have fun.

Facebook should be fun, folks. Don’t take it so seriously all the time. Now go post another sarcastic meme I can repost and laugh about. I promise just because I shared it, it’s likely not about my own situation. Really…well, unless I say with it that’s what it’s about -- or tell you it’s about you. But that’s another post for another day.

Don’t have a meme for me to reshare? Well, go have a look at my wall and have a laugh on me. It’ll do you some good. I promise.

*I originally published this on Bubblews

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

It’s always the quiet ones, right? If you saw me in school as a kid, you may not even notice me. I was that good student always quietly concentrating on her work and getting straight A’s. But at home I was completely different and completely frightful. I’m not referring to bad behavior here. Although, I’m sure my mom has stories. I just conveniently don’t remember those. No, here I’m talking about horror.

What?! Yes, the loving, caring momtrepreneur also ventures into the dark side sometimes – at least when it comes to reading, writing, and film. I loved a good scare as a kid. Though, it took a lot to scare me and I’m not sure if anyone’s been successful at it to this day.

I’m not sure how old I was when I stumbled upon it, but “IT” was my absolute favorite book and movie. I actually still own it to this day. The VHS is quite worn but I don’t care. I still watch it when I get the urge and yes, I have succeeded in “torturing” two of my children with it already. Okay, so they were willing participants. But I did get them to watch and enjoy it. And darn if they didn’t prove they were my kids by not getting scared. Like, not at all. Not even a smidgeon.

My other two kids are afraid of clowns, which is kind of awkward since the two who did watch it are very into them and are professional clowns. Not to mention that my soon-to-be husband is just as obsessed with clowns and "IT" as me. We somehow manage to deal with that well and keep our clown stash away from the ones who shudder from it.

Back to my frightful childhood, clowns were not my only thing when it came to horror. I would watch just about any scary movie. I watched unwavering as Freddy entered the nightmares of his teenage victims (and my friends). I watched Jason stalk people, Damien follow omens, and so on.  Stephen King was my favorite author. Some of my earliest childhood writing was based in the horror genre. Yeah, I told you I was a bit frightful for  a kid.

For as far back as I can remember, I was always reading or watching something “scary”. It started with things geared toward kids of course – because I WAS a kid. However, it didn’t take long before I started sneaking things off the shelves of the adults around me and sneaking them back when I was finished. I’m not sure if I was slick or if the grownups knew what I was doing all along. I mean, who discourages a child from reading? I was reading and understanding adult-level books from a very early age.

Yes, I know none of this is technically meant for children. But as kids are often inventive, I found my way to it anyhow and I’m still very into it to this day. Obviously, adults weren’t just handing it to me. They’d of course hand me the occasional children’s variety mystery. But although I’d enjoy that too, I preferred higher level books and movies to match my reading and thinking skills. Therefore, as mentioned, someone always had some I could “borrow” for a bit and sneak back.

Were you into horror as a child?

*I originally published this on Bubblews