Tasher On The Spot

So you've already gone through the terror of a slow burning marriage, the horror of years in divorce court, then the soul crushing years afterwards of re-building every aspect of your life. So what else is left to do?  Let's try dating. Again. This time, on multiple sites. Because why not flush your self-esteem and complete lack of hope in humanity even further into the toilet. Not to sound like a Debbie-Downer (yea that totally did, who am I kidding?), so let me explain the 5 biggest reasons why online dating at 50 sucks.  1. The cost of dating sites: Yea, I understand that it costs money to host a website. I've been in the social media industry for decades, I get it. But nowadays, to choose to either pay your electric bill or talk to random strangers on the internet that may or may not be serial killers is daunting. The last time I was single and met some guy on a dating site I eventually married and that...ugh...well, never mind. And now Match wants to charge me a car pa...

A million years ago, I became Lotus Blu Mama, a blog that I started to document my transition from having an advertising career with a million dollar media corporation to being a WAHM. And let's just say, that transition was, um, a bit traumatic. Over time my inner voice was beyond stifled, confused and frustrated, to the point when one day she decided to come out screaming like a Banshee. Her name was Lotus Blu Mama.  Those who know, know. I spent years as LBM until the Tribune took notice. If I were to write for them, I would have to change my blog name. My friends have and still do give me the nickname of Red. And at the time, I had a husband and two kids. My company. At that point, Red & Company was born.  Again, those who know, know. Most of you reading this are (were) followers of my blog hosted by ChicagoNow. You saw my career go from 0 - 1,000mph. Suddenly I was getting nation attention...on television twice, on multiple radio talk shows, secured speaking gigs, eve...

About 12 years ago, I found myself in quite a situation, that developed into a conundrum, that eventually became a compete mental breakdown that eventually turned into a blog.  This is where the story begins.  Some of you will remember me as Lotus Blu Mama, where I posted blogs about becoming a WAHM. I had just quit an advertising job with the Chicago Sun Times and needed an outlet. When your world goes from the entire city of Chicago to just 4 walls of a tiny ranch in the far west suburbs, it takes a tole. The need to brain dump was necessary. So after reading a bunch of books and a swift kick in the ass by others, LBM was born.  Lotus has a Buddhist meaning, a representation of a beautiful flower that grew out of mud. I proudly wear this tattoo on my right arm and get to admire it everyday.  Blu is another spelling of my favorite color. Unfortunately, Blue was not avalible at that time, so I dropped the E.  Mama...well. Don't really need to explain that. I am....

So as the title reads, here we are. Again. Ugh. As Dezi would say to Lucy "You got a lot of 'splaning to do." And yes I do. I've been away for what feels like a million years. Due to several personal reasons, I took a long walk down the slippery slope that was my writing career. The breakdown of a marriage and going though a divorce will eat away at your soul.  But that's a story for another day.  Then heartbreak after spending years of teaching creative writing at the college level ends because of a pandemic.  Thanks, Covid!  Again, a story for another day.  Then the home I loved the most, ChicagoNow, recently shut down. Years of my blogs are gone. Boom. No hesitation nor respect to us bloggers from the current owners.  Again, a story for another day.  ANYHOO, I'm not here for a pitty party. I'm a big girl wearing the proper britches, and ready to rant again. And I hope you will join me for this new journey.  If you subscribed to Red & Compan...