Karla's Casual Blog

Foot Massage for Toothache Pain-or My Husband's Magic Hands

2011-11-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

So - anyone ever hear of severe tooth pain lasting for three full days, and then disappearing because of a FOOT massage? I'm talking, moaning, groaning, grasping of the jaw, ear, and forehead, Aleve popping (appropriate with the label - IMPORTANT), Anbesol, liquor swishing... and eventually a crying breakdown...

I opted for the couch tonight. My honey needs his sleep, too - but just before he went to bed, he asked if I needed anything and I suggested he rub some lotion on my feet.

Aside from the soothing relaxation, the excruciating pain in my jaw went away. I have an abcessed wisdom tooth, so I know the pain will come back (the dentist will take care of it - soon), but I cannot describe how wonderful it feels to feel NORMAL for a while.

A basic foot massage. Nothing fancy.

Heaven.

I'm getting some sleep tonight.

HubPages for Readers

2011-10-17T10:00:00.002-07:00

Write and Read on HubPages - Image by Petr Kratchovil

There are dozens of hubs and blogs about how to write and make money with HubPages, and these are wonderful, but there is another side to HubPages: the reading.

I admit it. I spend more time reading hubs than I do creating hubs of my own. There are fiction and non-fiction hubs on every topic of interest and if I am not careful, I lose myself hub hopping or perusing through categories and links, and I learn something new every time I look around. There are hubs on writing business plans, taking good photos, losing weight, caring for the elderly... these pages are filled with wonderful, needful things.

Just when I am ready to pull myself away and get back to my studies, I come upon a poem, short story, or essay that draws me in, stirs my imagination, and distracts me.

As it happens, November is the month for HubPatron of the Arts contest on HubPages. There will be daily drawings and judging of poetry, prose, and photography. In honor of the wonderful creative writers on HubPages, here is some of my recent favorite poetry and prose:

Tommy Delorger is a gifted writer who writes both fiction and non-fiction, but his poetry is especially beautiful. The Earthquake begins with a description of the earthquake in New Zealand and ends with a powerful poem.

For Freshly Mowed Grass and Kiwis by Blondey is a list poem about gratefulness. What do I mean by "list poem"? Check it out :)

In the mood for a short story? Katyzzz's The Strength of a Family explores loyalty and familial love.

Gotta love HubPages. :)

Decorate a Ceramic Bowl - Stumble Find

2011-10-15T00:57:00.012-07:00

I was looking for ways to decorate a couple of plain white serving bowls when I came across this video on painting and preserving a ceramic bowl. This is remarkably easy to do! I am thinking of using a southwestern theme on my bowls :) Anyway, the tutorial is short, and if you love painting crafts as much as I do, it is worth the watch.

Artists Resource - How To Decorate A Ceramic Bowl - Arts & Craft

Here is my concept of a design for the outside of the bowls:

Image copyright belongs to Karla Whitmore. Use it if you like, but a credited link would be nice!


Possible southwest theme for painting my bowls

How to Survive on Survivor: Guide From a Wanna-Be

2011-10-06T03:28:00.003-07:00

Does it ever seem to you that the Survivor contestants haven't really watched Survivor? They seem to play the same game over and over again: Choose a leader, keep them around, lie a lot, irritate people, be unprepared for challenges... We watch it play out every season. As a fan and wanna-be contestant, I have come up with a short list of tips for surviving on Survivor:

Never, ever tell anyone if you find the immunity idol. Why do so many people seem to think telling will benefit them? Keep it to yourself.
Never, ever show open hostility to or about a fellow tribe member.
Train hard before going on the show: Speed. Balance. Endurance. Strength.
Expect to be lied to and don't take it personally. It is a game and the prize is one million dollars...
Avoid lying. Change the subject, redirect, use phrases like: I can't talk about something I know nothing about" and "Are you sure that is where our focus should be?" and cast small, indicative glances to put the attention somewhere else.
Start making a plan to get the strongest players out the moment they are identified. This season: Ozzy and Coach (Why all the returnees????)

Be useful around the camp, but don't be bossy.
Don't make a promise you won't keep. Avoid making promises, but if you do, follow through on them.
Be friendly to the other team. After a merge, it will be harder to vote you off as an outsider if they like you.
Be humble. Don't show your strongest self until you need it.
Disregard the above and follow The 48 Laws of Power. I am highly suspicious that Boston Rob read and took Robert Greene's book to heart. It worked!

Discovering StumbleUpon

2011-10-03T22:42:00.003-07:00

Hand-painted Rocks - My Creative Outlet

2011-09-27T22:22:00.002-07:00

Here are a few of my latest painted rocks. You can some of my earlier garden rocks and learn how to do it yourself (easy!) at my hub Decorative Garden Rocks. Anybody can do it!

It's fun, and once I get started, it is hard to stop.

What I Believe: A Random and Incomplete List

2011-07-23T10:22:00.009-07:00

I believe in God and I believe in eternal souls.

Others' ideas about my faith and beliefs bear little comparison to what I truly believe.

I believe in morning coffee. :)

I believe there is much more than eyes -- or even microscopes and telescopes can see. The supernatural is scientific. We just haven't figured it out, yet.

I believe people have the potential to do anything they want to do - and this includes those things that go beyond the realm of what we see as natural. I also believe people are generally too stupid to live up to their own potential -- and too arrogant to fully grasp their own fallibility.

Stupid is as stupid does. ;)

Forrest Gump is the best movie. EVER.

Just as there is no person without sin, there is no person who has not done something stupid. While sin may be stupid, being stupid is not always a sin. We should learn from our mistakes rather than dwell in regrets.

I continuously question my own beliefs and believe everyone should self-examine.
Sometimes I discard one belief for another.
Other times, I find that my beliefs are more firmly established than before.

I believe the actions of humankind will lead to devastation and that God has warned us of this in the Bible as well as in the writings of others.

I believe the sheer number of prophecies regarding the end times supports the idea of an Armageddon, an exodus, and an astounding change in the way people will live.

I believe all dogs go to Heaven. They DO!

Unbearably Cute Puppy by Douglas Gray

Recognizing symbolism in the Bible does not negate the truth of it.

I believe God gives free will to every single person and it is wrong to try to force people to behave according to God's laws as interpreted AND argued by individuals.

The definition and consequence of sin is between God and the individual.

For example, we do not save souls for God when we put a stop to gay marriage. God requires us to take stock of, and be responsible for our own actions.

Justice is as secular a term as it is a religious one. People require that justice should be done for the protection of society, but this is apart from religious faith.

It is our job to tell people about God. We are not called to be God's "police officers". Spiritual justice is God's job.

I do not know that Jesus loves me because "The Bible tells me so". I know it because I feel it.

I will never understand atheists. The existence of God is obvious to me. I believe atheists are blind and maybe a little crazy.

I also realize atheists believe I am crazy.

Chocolate is NOT "better than sex".

Well, okay... it depends on the chocolate...

Oh come on! God created chocolate and it isn't "bad" to talk about it.

The Ten Commandments are for Jews and Christians. We do not have the God- or people-given right to enforce those laws that are not covered by society (secular justice).

Keeping a non-Christian from breaking the Ten Commandments will not save that person's soul and it won't earn jewels for your crown - BUT Salvation is for everyone.

Learn about Christianity.

Muslims scare me.That's the truth. Sorry if you don't like hearing it. Please don't sue me. I'm a turnip.

You can't squeeze blood from a turnip.

Christians scare people, too, but there is less cause to be fearful of Christians. I believe it.

Christian does not always equal "Republican".

Republican does not always equal "Christian".

The Republican party is no more trustworthy than the Democratic party.

Nobody on earth is perfect.

I'll choose my hard-working, down-to-earth friends over wealthy, snobby, fake people every time.

It is not wise to base your decisions on others' beliefs. At the best, it brings nothing but emptiness. At the worst, it brings tragedy.

Everything Causes Cancer

2011-07-06T12:48:00.003-07:00

From the food and drink we consume to the air we breathe, the tools we use, and the products we use to wash our bodies, each one of us takes extreme risks just by trying to live in a comfortable manner.

Too much sugar causes cancer, but then, what about sugar substitutes? The answer? Give up the sugar and artificial sweeteners and eat your vegetables -- but WAIT - vegetables cause cancer, too!

Have a hard time getting the sleep you need? Not only are you at greater risk for things like obesity, high blood pressure, mental illness, or accidental death, your poor sleeping habits are putting you at a higher risk for cancer.

Even seemingly benign and often helpful computer monitors are being accused of causing cancer, but unlike the causes I've cited above, there isn't any real research that backs up that claim.

I won't go into tobacco and alcohol. If you don't know those cause cancer already, you have been living under a rock -- and if it has lead in it, you may have cancer already. In that case, you may as well have a cig and a shot of whiskey. To be really rebellious, why not eat some freshly-picked vegetables, down some coffee, wash your hair with a popular shampoo, and chew on a piece of gum that has been sweetened by saccharin -- and for goodness' sake, get some cancer-causing sunlight. The lack of melatonin in your body increases your risk for cancer.... er.... um...

The number one cause of cancer is life. Living puts us all at risk for cancer and the selfishness each of us exhibits just by doing so is raising carbon levels in the air and is putting everyone at an even higher risk for cancer.

If you are thinking that I do not care about all the people who suffer from cancer, you are wrong. Cancer is not a laughing matter. Friends of mine have lost their parents to cancer, I have lost relatives, and one of my best friends nearly lost her life to it. My intention is not to poke fun at cancer - but to point out the paranoia that surrounds it.

We worry and fret about it, but guess what? Worrying and fretting are symptoms of stress.

Guess what stress does?

Stress causes cancer. In fact, I suspect stress has more of an impact on whether or not you get cancer than the type of shampoo you use.

There is no way to ensure that you will never get cancer. There are some preventative measures you can take that will decrease your risk, but even with these, you may still get cancer:

Get adequate sleep.
Eat a healthy diet, but eat all things in moderation.
Avoid radiation.
Get some sunlight, but limit your time in the sun.
Exercise.
Reduce your stress levels.
Don't smoke.
Steer away from alcohol.
Lower your risk by not being promiscuous. Those who do not get an STD are less likely to get reproductive cancer and those who avoid oral sex are less likely to get oral cancer.

Be aware that doing these things will not ensure that you will not get cancer. You may also die in a car accident, expire from an embolism, drop from a heart attack, or choke on broccoli. By the way, you can decrease your chances of choking on broccoli by not eating broccoli.

Not eating that cancer-fighting broccoli could reduce your chances of getting cancer from the broccoli.

Want to increase your own chances of surviving cancer? Don't contribute to the paranoia.

Contribute to finding a cure.

Sleeping Mask - A Dollar Store No-No

2011-07-05T13:19:00.002-07:00

When the sun comes up earlier than you plan to wake up, it is a good idea to use a sleep mask to get your full amount of beauty rest. I am a night person and was not getting the sleep I needed, so I thought a cheap sleeping mask for my eyes would solve the issue.

There is a reason this sleep mask was being sold in the dollar store. It allows light to come through the thin, light fabric, and the bands that hold it on are rough and thin. You will wake up with stripes on your cheeks, and if your skin is especially sensitive, you may end up with a rash.

Did I get my beauty rest? Well, to be truthful, I noted the light coming through the mask and found the straps far too uncomfortable. I may have endured two minutes of it.

If you need a sleep mask in order to get your Z's, be willing to pay a little more. If you desire quantity and quality of sleep, it is best not to be cheap about it.

Google Plus - Google's Response to Facebook

2011-07-01T13:16:00.006-07:00


Google + vs. Facebook - public domain image

Now that Google has implemented Google + in the effort to compete with Facebook's social popularity, I am still wondering whether Google will be successful in the endeavor. A few months ago, the rumored name of the project was "Google Me" - Read my early post on the new social network, here.

As was in the beginning of Myspace and Facebook, access is limited to those who have personal invites from current users, but that will soon change. Soon, everyone will be able to join Google +.

Google has expanded the ability of internet marketers to market both themselves and their products. Whether or not this is seen as a good thing will depend on your point of view.

In all honesty, I have mixed feelings. I love Facebook for the ease of communication it provides. I love the ability to create private groups and I have done so in the interest of maintaining communication and news in my spread-out, but very close family. I love the photos my friends and family puts up, and I love the ability to follow my favorite entertainers and authors.

But I dislike the amount of privacy one must give up in order to be a Facebook user and I believe the privacy issue will be even bigger when it comes to Google +.

My name, opinions, blogs, and articles are already out there for people to see and I suppose if I had wanted to keep those things private, I would never have posted anything. I am not afraid of what people will say about me as I am not all that interesting - at least not when it comes to scandal and intrigue.

It is the IDEA of privacy-loss that bothers me. Does it bother me enough that I won't join Google + when I receive an invite or when it opens to the general public? I am not certain.

I love the idea of creating different circles and then communicating with each circle separately, but I already hate the apps on Facebook that force you to either click that you like a site, product, or person before it will give up the information you have asked for by clicking on a link. This results in mass "likes" that encourage friends and followers to "like" the same thing because, after all, YOU "like" it -- even if you find that you do NOT "like" it at all. Google + has similar tools for marketing. As to whether this will be done with more discretion or not remains to be seen.

More about Google Plus.

Balsamic Vinegar for Ear Infections - It Worked for Me

2011-05-07T18:04:00.017-07:00

As one of the millions of Americans without health insurance, I live life on a wing and a prayer. I eat healthy food, take my vitamins, and try to stay physically active, but sometimes all the prevention in the world won't keep me from getting sick. This last bout with whatever the world it was lasted for a couple of weeks - it started with bad headaches, progressed to head congestion, aches and pains, chest congestion, and then topped off with the worst earaches I've ever had. I was running a fever. It spiked at 103 and I could not get it below 101 for over a day. The pain in my ears was to the point of disability. Know how it feels to be in so much pain you cannot even think?

I almost gave in and opted for more medical bills, but thought I'd look up some home remedies for ear infections and try something out before I gave in.

Balsamic vinegar. In the ears.

When you are in THAT much pain, you will try just about anything. But vinegar?

After ONE application, my right ear stopped hurting. After two applications, the pain in my left ear lessened and my fever went down. After three applications, my left ear stopped hurting and NO MORE FEVER.

I am not suggesting that people start pouring vinegar in their ears, but if you have an ear infection, can't afford to see a doctor or get a prescription, and would simply suffer for days, anyway, I HIGHLY recommend that you try it.

Grab a wash cloth or paper towel before you start. Balsamic vinegar is dark and messy and some will flow out of your ears, so be ready to clean up.
Soak a cotton ball with balsamic vinegar and then squeeze it into your ear. Keep your head tilted for three to five minutes. Place a wash cloth on your ear and tip your head to let the excess run out. Clean up your outer ear.
Repeat on the other side.
When the pain is gone, flush your ear(s) with warm water from a syringe bulb.

I only did this once on one side and three times in 24 hours on the other side - NO more pain and my fever is gone. I've been taking ibuprofen, but it did little for the fever until I used the vinegar.

Why does it work? Well, vinegar is an antibacterial. That's the only explanation I have for it.

My friends and family may think I'm crazy, but my ears don't anymore and that's all I care about.:) :) :)

Balsamic vinegar photo courtesy of Rainer Zenz at Wikimedia Commons

Keyword Scraping - Get a Life

2011-01-27T19:05:00.001-07:00

Well, I've done some research and I've found that the black hat method used to scrape my content is called keyword scraping. What I haven't figured out is how publishing it in the way it has been done is helpful - unless again, it is about pulling traffic from legitimate websites in an effort to rank higher for those words on their "real" website - which may or may not be populated through autoblogging - *sigh*

Keyword scraping is the process of using a php script to grab keyword phrases from blogs and other content that ranks well for those particular keywords. Some use a keyword scraper to find out which keywords their competition is using and then try to optimize with those phrases - one can do some liberal Google searching to get an idea of which keyword phrases to use, but some people feel this is a waste of time. Why bother when your competition has done the work for you?

This incident has me puzzled - my name is not THAT popular - it just happens to be on every page of my site via the author tags and domain, as well as on other content across the web. As far as a keyword phrase goes, my name won't do much for them, but they picked up other phrasing as well.

Oh well. No matter. All will out.

If you got here because you were trying to found out how to do keyword scraping, check out my previous blog post and have a look at this asinine person's results, then do yourself a favor and rethink it.

Keyword scraping is for losers!

Who scraped my website

2011-01-27T15:20:00.001-07:00

Update: Okay - on further investigating, they did not scrape my site, but are using my name and domain... I have to admit I know NOTHING about how this is done or in this case, even WHY unless it is to pull people away from my online content - eliminate competition?

************************************************************************************

So somebody has scraped the content on my website domain - and even went so far as to use my name as part of the subdomain. To be fair (?), the scraper did a remarkably horrible job and all that is on the pages are bits and pieces and when you click, you will get another page of bits and pieces.

While I have had people scrape my content before, I've never seen someone go that far to have a screwed up website.

When I tried to leave a comment, it took my info and then informed me I was "forbidden". I'm not sure if the nasty person pre-blocked me or if it is set up to deny all comments, but I'd love to know!

My domain: karlawhitmore.com

Hack domain: http://work-at-home-karlawhitmorecom.yy9pl8so3.from-ca.com/

Bored? Copy and paste that into your address bar and have a look - feel free to let them know what you think by leaving a comment - if you can! ;)

Remington Steele - Oldie But Goody

2011-01-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, I go online to check out old episodes of shows I enjoyed as a teenager and young adult. However, I don't usually finish watching the series. A couple of days ago, I looked up Remington Steele and was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoy it even more than I did as a teenager.

Introduction:

Remington Steele

After realizing her dream of having her own upscale private investigation agency, Laura Holt, played by Stephanie Zimbalist, finds that clients are hard to come by. People simply did not seek out the services of a female investigator.

She devises a plan:
Create a fictional 'boss', give him an interesting name, and become his 'associate'. To cover, the boss is always out of town or "working in an advisory capacity". Her deception works. The clients come pouring in, and before long, she is running a successful business.

Then one day a tall, dark, handsome stranger (Pierce Brosnan) strolls through the door, claiming to be someone he is not. His intentions? Steal the jewels Miss Holt has been hired to protect. Of course, nothing goes as planned...

Classy, whimsical, entertaining, and romantic series.

See for free on Hulu

Live To Dance - Travis Needs a Time Out

2011-01-20T06:00:00.010-07:00

White Tree Fine Art made it through another round of semi-finals on Live to Dance. After another fantastic performance, Paula and Kimberly pushed the issue with Travis, who wasn't all that impressed. I've noticed an obvious bias against dancing that does not suit his particular style. Tonight (again), it was White Tree Fine Art and Dax & Sarah who bore the brunt of his BAD judgment. The man knows how to dance, knows how to teach people to dance, and is SO tremendously talented... but does not make room for all types of dance. (IMO)

Travis on Dax and Sarah: "... it was just boring"

What?!

Okay, it wasn't the best routine performed last night, but it was well done and NOT boring.. Keep in mind, Dax is dealing with an injury and still manages to pull this off:

The judges of Live to Dance chose one of the last semi-finalists to move on to the finals. Next week, we find out who America chose to go with them. Since White Tree is already in, I voted for Twitch - but had a hard time letting go of Jalen.

Twitch in action:

Are you following Live to Dance? Who are your favorites?

Gabrielle Giffords and Others Shot - What was the killer thinking?

2011-01-08T20:16:00.001-07:00

Today - right here in Tucson, a gunman shot 19 people and killed six of them. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has gone through surgery and is in the ICU, Federal Judge Roll was killed, along with another of Gifford's colleagues. A nine year old girl was also among those who were murdered.

Though the YouTube videos Jared Lee Loughner had uploaded indicated some mental issues, none of these explain his motives for taking those precious lives.

A peek into the mind of the killer

Gabrielle Giffords shooting stirs outpouring of concern and support

Live to Dance - CBS Reality TV

2011-01-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

Live to Dance is CBS's latest contribution to the world of competitive dance reality shows. With a superb cast of judges, producers, competitors and host, Live to Dance promises to be a popular and long-running television show.

The Cast of Live to Dance

As a long-time fan of Paula Abdul, I do believe she has found her niche within a niche with Live to Dance. Paula is an accomplished choreographer, dancer, and recording artist. She has been "in the business" for nearly three decades and in that time has not only shown real talent, but a profound passion for dance. She knows talent when she sees it and she knows how to inspire talented people to follow their dreams with hard work. Her positions as executive producer, coach, judge, and mentor for this latest -- hopefully long-running dance reality show -- fall right in line with her qualifications.

Live to Dance judge Kimberly Wyatt's professional dance experience is impressive. Some of her professional qualifications include being a former member of the wildly popular Pussycat Dolls, a judge on the United Kingdom's reality show "Got to Dance", and an award-winning dancer on the MTV Video Music Awards.

A dancer from the time he was four years old, Travis Payne has won awards for his excellence in choreography and has worked with such impressive names as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus and a slew of others. He is a director and producer of music videos and live shows. It doesn't stop there. He has also worked in film, television and commercials. As one of the best who has worked with the best, Mr. Payne brings a well-rounded contribution to the judging team.

I confess that I have little personal knowledge of host Andrew Gunsberg, but he has an impressive resume as a popular Australian radio and television personality. As a former co-host of Australian Idol, he brings knowledge and experience to the mix.

The Competitors of Live to Dance

The judges made a point of choosing a wide variety of dancers performing a wide variety of different types of dance. Age is not an issue for this show. They choose competitors who really live to dance.

My First Pick for the Winner of Live to Dance: White Tree Fine Art

Awesome modern ballet dancing husband and wife team:

Sources:

Live to Dance - CBS.COM
Travis Payne's Website

The Who, What, and How of Hubpages

2010-12-31T14:49:00.003-07:00

I love HubPages because it allows me to be creative, keep my copyright and make money. Unlike some other user-generated content sites, HubPages lets you choose your own topic and run with it. Their only restrictions include no pornography, no hate speech, and no spam. That is, if you are going to sell, your text should offer information that is of value to the reader, and not just an advertisement filled with "spammy" links.

What do people write about on HubPages?

Everything! Some use their HubPages to promote specific products, others use it to display their poetry and short stories (there are some VERY talented people over there). You'll find political hubs, photography hubs, social issue hubs, health hubs, sports, fashion, travel, reviews of books, movies, products and services, and "my hometown" kind of hubs. You'll even find hubs that describe the day-to-day lives of people making their living on HubPages, such as , Peter Dickinson, who has given up his possessions and traded a home for travel. Great hubs!

How do people make money on HubPages?

Hubbers make money with Adsense and affiliate links. HubPages shares ad revenue and allows you to post affiliate links. The most popular affiliate links are to Amazon and Ebay. When you consistently produce quality hubs, you can also add some referral links to the body of your hubs. Truthfully, I make most of my Google AdSense money through HubPages.

Hubbers also make money via referral links. When someone joins through a referral link and then writes hubs, the hub referrer receives a portion of HubPages profits on those pages. Another way to refer and be paid for it is to add a referral tracker to links to others' hubs. Personally, I love that fellow hubbers profit by reffering to my hubs - it's a win-win situation!

Of course, advertising is not profitable if nobody sees your hubs, so hubbers must promote their HubPages. Hubbers do this in a variety of ways, including using quality keyword phrases, linking to hubs from outside blog posts, writing directory articles that link to their hubs, posting to Facebook, Tweeting...

Hubbers promote themselves within HubPages. HubPages is a community-minded site. When you follow others and they follow you, each of you will see an increase in traffic. Hubbers comment on others' hubs and add value to the page. I've gained follows from readers who liked my comment and followed to my hubs. When you spread the love, it multiplies! Many hubbers participate in the forums, question and answer sections, and get involved with contests.

How to Get Started on HubPages

Interested? Click the banner at the top of my page :). As soon as you've signed up, be sure to check the FAQ's and use the search box to find How-to's on creating fantastic hubs, set up a great profile page, and introduce yourself in the forums!

See my post: Make Money on HubPages and Love What You Do

What It Takes to Make Money Online as a Freelance Article Writer

2010-12-30T02:35:00.001-07:00

Making money online as a freelance article writer has four non-negotiable requirements:

You must be a decent writer.
You must write fast, or be prepared to work long hours. You will be writing on a multitude of topics and mastering a variety of formats. If I know the topic well, I can produce a couple of articles an hour. If I do not, it may take me two or more hours to finish an article. I’m not all that FAST. So what did I do? I worked 16 to 20 hours a day. The result: Major mental and physical exhaustion. If you are a fast writer, you will do well in this line of work.
You must be able to adapt to the wishes of your clients, even when you feel their wishes destroy the work. Do not be attached to creative license and do not think for one second that YOU are the boss of you; in fact, you will have several bosses. Some people work well this way. Others do not.
You must promote yourself (this is true for any type of online writing):

Set up your own blog and upload a portfolio.
Join social networks.
Join and contribute on sites like HubPages, Squidoo, Bukisa, Qondio, RedGage... Make some extra cash while showcasing your talent.
Write and submit directory articles under your pen name and linked back to your portfolio or blog. This exposes your writing to would-be clients while benefiting you with backlinks – the all-important part of good search engine optimization. It is all about being seen.
Hand out business cards.

Alternative Ways of Making Money Online Writing

Write about that which interests you most:

Write for HubPages

Write for Squidoo

Feel free to share your thoughts below!

Foot in Mouth Disease - Notes to Self

2010-12-28T14:52:00.001-07:00

The worst thing about putting your foot in your mouth is that getting it back out again tends to be much more complicated and often you end up with it lodged even more deeply than it was in the first place.

Foot in Mouth disease is a recurring problem. Though it is incurable, there are three steps you can take to suppress the symptoms:

Review the thought
Consider its value
Remain silent or speak/write with love

The Pound for Pound Challenge: Give yourself the gift of good health while providing food to the hungry

2010-12-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

If you are on a weight loss plan or are looking for ways to motivate yourself into getting on one, The Pound for Pound Challenge is the perfect reciprocal charity for you. For every pound you pledge to lose, that much food is donated to hungry families. If you don't need to lose weight, you can pledge to maintain your weight and fitness level. This counts for five pounds.

Of course, fulfilling your pledge is completely dependent on YOU. Pound for Pound won't come to your home and make you get on the scales to prove you have lost the weight. It is that much more important to take your pledge seriously. A pledge to the Pound for Pound Challenge is a pledge of self-discipline.

Join the Pound for Pound challenge and provide food to the hungry through your local food bank.

Kate Gosselin's Horrible, Messed Up Day

2010-12-21T23:44:00.000-07:00

Life - It's 10 percent circumstances and 90 percent how you react to circumstances ~ Sarah Palin

I caught a clip of Kate Gosselin on Sarah Palin's show. I have to admit that I did feel a little sorry for poor Kate - (a little - as in I'm playing the world's tiniest violin). The idea that dealing with a little weather made her break down and give up within two hours had me laughing - and then considering how Kate represents a large portion of the general public - and it isn't just women who have gone way too soft - don't even get me going on the "new" men.

To be honest, I never liked camping all that much. I don't mind doing it for a day or two, as long as the weather is nice, but trudging around in the rain and waking up with a backache from sleeping on the hard ground... no thanks. AGAIN, though, I know what it is to do it, and I am fully capable of handling it. You can be sure I'd handle it if I were crazy enough to agree to it -- and I wouldn't stand under the tarp while others were getting it all together, either.

More than the camping, this speaks to how our definition of hardship can make a day enjoyable or take it completely down the drain. I didn't grow up with money. We made do with the little we had, and sometimes that meant dealing with conditions that others now feel are "too much", but that I was raised to see as "life". I guess I never knew just how "bad" I had it. I've been enlightened.

As for Sarah, the more I see and hear of her, the more I like her.

Watch Sarah Palin and Kate Gosselin Clip

Duran Duran 80s to 2010

2010-12-04T18:06:00.007-07:00

I was introduced to the music of Duran Duran at the age of thirteen. My best friend Cindi had just bought the Arena album. Yes, I was a little behind the music scene at the time, but once I listened, I couldn't get enough. Soon I had bought every record album they had made and sold in the United States. My bedroom walls were covered in posters of Duran Duran with individual posters of Simon Lebon tacked up here and there in between. Though I had a tremendous crush on Simon, my main interest was their music. It was different from most of the music being played on the radio and MTV. The lyrics were both personal, political, and philosophically interpretable by my experience and intellect.


John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Simon Lebon, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor

Duran Duran was formed in 1978 and rose to fame in the 1980s. Many people remember them by their fashion, and indeed, their manner of dress had a large influence on fashion in the eighties.

I bought up every music magazine featuring DD and collected published bios, tour information, and album news for my scrapbook. I still have the scrapbook, though I have not added to it since "Notorious". I grew up some, though my love for the music - John Taylor's bass guitar, Andy Taylor's lead, Roger Taylor's drums, Nick Rhodes' keyboards, and Simon's oh-so-smooth and unique voice styling has never disappeared. [Simon is also talented with various instruments, though not so great with the tambourine (sorry, Simon, it's true)]

Simon Lebon

Since then, they have released several albums, though the band lost a couple of members for a while and then split up for a few years. Those were sad days for every Duran Duran fan. I comforted myself with the videos and music I had and prayed (yes, prayed) for them to get back together: Dear Lord, please make them get back together - at least long enough to tour so I can finally achieve my dream of going to a concert and meeting Simon in person. Amen. I'm not sure how high that prayer was on God's list of priorities for my life, but eventually, they did get back together. Their last album, "Red Carpet Massacre" was quite different from their usual type of music and included input from Justin Timblerlake - a surprise to me as I never would have connected him with Duran Duran. They work well together.

Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre tour took place while I waited for my first grandchild to be born. Unfortunately, they came to Arizona at the time Jaydalyn was due to be born. My love for my daughter and grandchild kept me from buying tickets. Our Jayda was born on the very day of their concert in Phoenix.

Their latest album "All You Need is Now" will be available on iTunes on the 21st of this month. I've listened to samples from the album and am looking forward to purchasing the entire album. I am sorry to say they have not set any tour dates for the United States as of yet. They will be touring South Africa - wonderful for them, but the trip is impossible for me. Here's hoping for a U.S. tour that fits in with my schedule - my daughter is pregnant again, so I'm praying for a tour date in Phoenix that fits with my personal schedule. :) (Yes, praying...) I'll need a front row seat and a backstage pass - which also means I'll need extra cash. Since they haven't set any U.S. dates yet, I'm assuming I have some time.


D2 Live from London DVD

Very few people have never heard "Hungry Like the Wolf" or "Rio" and I have yet to meet and like a person who doesn't at least appreciate one of their songs. Last year, I recall being teased and belittled by friends because of my fascination with the group. Those same friends ended up sitting in front of the television, watching the Duran Duran Live from London concert along with me (it wasn't "live" for us). The worst offender begrudgingly murmured, "They put on a good show. Actually, they kinda rock." Darn straight, they rock, Joe. I may be old, but I have taste. :)

Sample Duran Duran's music

Barry Sanders Made Me Love Football

2010-11-25T11:57:00.002-07:00

Of all the spectator sports, football has been at the top of my "least hated" list. As a teenager and young adult, I would tolerate it for my family and friends. All that changed when I saw Barry Sanders play football. That man would run at full throttle, dodging in and out, twisting and twirling - DANCING his way through packs of defense. He didn't know how to stop. Even when he fell, he was always on his way back up -- continuously in motion, much to the consternation of his opponents, who were always a fingertip or one failed grasp away.

Since then, there have been few I've seen that begin to compare with Barry Sanders. I care nothing for statistics or technicalities. For me, it is all about game play. Barry mastered play.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate and happy holidays to all around the world.

Where Are They Now: Barry Sanders

Is that Casper or am I seeing things again

2010-10-16T04:19:00.000-07:00

Okay. I admit it. I believe in ghosts. I believe in spirits; both good and bad. However, I do not believe that everything that goes bump in the night or goes flitting past my eyes is paranormal in nature. I am intensely interested in the paranormal and watch Ghost Hunters faithfully. I subscribe to their theory that in order to prove something is "paranormal", you have to prove there is not a rational explanation for it and the proof should go beyond the merely "unexplained".

So what is up with all these silly photos of dubbed in images, serious matrixing, and out and out, "what? where?"? Even funnier than the obvious photos where images have been put in using editing software or badly costumed people pose for the camera are the photos upon which people have circled the apparition they see, and for the life of me, I cannot see a darn thing!

And don't get me going on the religious figures and symbols people keep finding on their toast, in the arrangement of leaves on trees, or (and this is my favorite), in the rusty scum behind a toilet. Do people REALLY believe Jesus Christ makes His presence known by appearing as a tiny figure in a BATHROOM?

I see things in clouds all the time. On any given day I see the image of a whale, a minivan, dragons, condors... and guess what? The images I see are merely shapes in clouds that appear to be specific objects or living things. Spirits of whales and dragons are not haunting me and those clouds shaped like wings? They are not angels. They are clouds. Shaped. Like Wings.

I believe there is life after death and it is fully possible that souls choose to stick around or are trapped here for whatever reason. I believe there are good and evil entitities. There are angels that guide and protect and there are the demons -- the dark entities that have no other purpose but to create fear. Personal experience that goes right to the bones will do that for you. I don't believe it because I saw clouds shaped like the face of a saint, heard a creaking noise, or saw a barely make-out-able image in a photograph of a mirror. I believe out of personal experience. You don't have to believe it. Your opinion is not going to change anything, anyway. :)

Should you believe that I've seen and heard things that would make anyone's blood curdle? "Should" isn't that word. It implies that by not believing me, you are making a mistake that will surely cost you in the future. It doesn't matter either way. What if I took a quick picture and a floating bubble appeared "in the upper right"? Would you say, "Oh, see! There ARE ghosts after all!"? I hope not. I sincerely, sincerely hope not, because in truth, if you walk around and look at patterns in nature and the play of shadows and light, you will see dozens of faces and images in a few hours' time and the chances that any of the things you see being "paranormal" are slim to none.

I did see a very cool picture of a woman sitting at an outside table. There is a man (clearly) standing behind her. If the story behind the photo is true, this is indeed a ghost. He would be the woman's deceased husband. There is a photo of a ghostly female image coming down a staircase. It is a very old photograph and nobody has been able to find any trickery. That's kinda cool.

But they might not be real. They don't prove that ghosts exist. Too much can be faked and so much more is easily misunderstood, especially if you are one of those who sees what people tell them to see and believes a story because the teller pinky promises it is true.

The paranormal world exists despite the crazies, fakers, and fooled.

I love a good ghost story. If you have a story you would like to share, I would love to read it.

But please. Please. No photographs.

If you see the rabbi in this ghost photo, can you tell me WHERE?