Writing True to One’s Self
Do you have a gimmick? That’s how a lot of bloggers get noticed today. They choose their narrative voice and then they decide that perhaps sensationalism is the right approach. And judging by responses from other bloggers, I guess it works. I don’t know how big I am on writing with a gimmick in mind. Sensationalism is a good way to catch someone’s attention— I’ll give you that. I mean, some people are willing to let it all hang out.
I will at times be extremely frank or honest while commenting on a post, and recently I opened up my more “opinionated side” on my newest site, tvshowjunky.com. I mean it’s really new, as I only have three posts so far. Anyway, I suppose that particular site is written using more of an “in your face” approach. It might even be considered gimmicky to some folks, it’s not my intention but it very well can be perceived that way. Read the rest of this entry »
No, I’m Not Upgrading My Cell Phone
I am sure there are those of you out there who can’t wait to upgrade your gadget, but when it comes to technology cell phones tend to be the easiest, most popular (and sometimes cheapest) item to upgrade. If you’re with one of the major carriers you’re likely due for an upgrade every two years. And although your PC gets outdated just as quickly as any smart phone or tablet, it’s not so easy to replace this larger item every six months to a year. Plus, smartphones and tablets are gaining ground as the primary “computer.”
But, ultimately, what does it matter if you get a new cell phone, especially if your current one works perfectly fine? Often it’s a matter of keeping up with the Jones’, as there are many cheaper smartphones now available, and many users don’t even come close to needing the features of the more expensive varieties. Read the rest of this entry »
Choosing Your Blog Platform: WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
When you begin designing a site, you need to consider how much time you want to invest and how technical you’d like to get. Those who use a WordPress platform for personal blog, portfolio or professional site have probably heard that there are differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
Honestly, I kind of kicked myself for not first building lilpickmeup.com in WordPress.org. But if you move over a WordPress.com site you will likely lose your followers as well as links, and even more complications can arise. One of the things that I dislike about WordPress.com is that you don’t have that much control or flexibility over the template you choose. Similarly, WordPress.org lacks some flexibility. This is why if you truly want to build something totally your way, you should consider a web designer who can build it from scratch. However, for blogs some of us like to make things as easy on ourselves as possible. I am no expert at either, but WordPress.com makes it super easy for anyone to erect a quick blog. But, if you eventually want to start making money as a blogger, WordPress.com makes that virtually impossible. Well, at least extremely difficult. Read the rest of this entry »
Family & The Holidays: What Money Cannot Buy
‘Tis the season to be…frugal? While the holidays can bring up so many wonderful emotions it can equally be stressful on the wallet as well on the willpower.
According to recent stats from CardHub.com, consumers racked up $28.8 billion on their cards during the second quarter. That was after the same people had finished paying off $32.5 billion in credit card debt during the first quarter. Even if you are using self-restraint and decide to leave the credit cards at home or do something really throwback and bring cash instead, you should still heed overzealous cashiers. Credit.com conducted a recent survey and found that many retail stores are pushing their own store credit card on to consumers. And approximately 49 percent of consumers who caved into a store credit card after qualifying grew to regret the decision. Meanwhile, three out of 10 Americans admitted they actually felt bullied by various store employees who overtly promote store-issued credit cards by promising such deals as another 30% off the sales price.
Hey, the tactic works, but is that what holidays are all about? Of course not, as most people admit that it’s about spending time with family. But a Daily Mail article in the UK also found that families are now spending slightly a little more than a half an hour of quality time together per day — 36 minutes to be exact. That equates to parents and their children spending a total of eight hours together during the week and two hours on the weekend. The article went on to point out that more than half of surveyed adults (56 percent) stated that the only real time they spend with their family is during a holiday vacation. Read the rest of this entry »
Life Transition? Reinvent Yourself!
Video Posted on
According to a Huffington Post article, 55 percent of American women polled by PayPal explained that they are entrepreneurs because they seek a healthier work-life balance. Meanwhile, 47 percent of women said that passion for their career was their strongest motivation. For me, both passion and obtaining a work-life balance (quality family time) is extremely important. This is why I strive to keep an open mind when it comes to expanding my self-employment opportunities.
Risk is risk no matter the career. But it’s especially risky as competition increases, such as in a creative field, and takes even more guts. I had an exciting opportunity to work with a friend from undergraduate film school. She was at a transitional period in her career when, after getting sick, she took time off. In doing so, she found the time to pursue another creative venture. The next thing she knew, a hobby turned into a new business – her own fashion line.
The Bottom Line:
I enjoyed the opportunity to film and edit this video. Working in the creative field isn’t easy but can also be extremely rewarding. As I stated in a previous article, you have to think outside of the box and produce your own opportunity in a creative world. It’s great if you have contacts, connections and “peeps” to open doors for you. If you’re applying for jobs, that’s great. Keep at it. But in the meantime, if the doors aren’t opening immediately, then why rely on others to give you the opportunity that you can otherwise create for yourself?
Writing With Hope 