A Real-Shiny Marcie

This is a rhetorical question because the other alternative is being ashy so I guess I can’t complain. But just looking at this picture, I am pretty shiny. What can be done to handle this?

One of my friends of over 30 years has straight abandoned me. I called him in December for help and he did not return my call. In fact I don’t think I’ve spoken to him since October or November of last year. I mourn the ending because of the years we spent together. But honestly, I’m not too upset for two reasons: 1) I have loads of pictures memories to hold tight to and 2) people are in your life for a reason, season or lifetime. And our season was over.

Here’s the situation. He was having problems with two of his cars which were about to be paid off. He also said that his wife’s vehicle was going also to be paid off. I was happy for him. In my little mind – and it wasn’t my business – he was going to be debt free from that perspective. Instead of being debt free, he went and bought a new truck.

Please keep in mind, I know it wasn’t my business but he’s my friend so I spoke my mind.

While I should have been happy for him, I was disappointed. First of all, he has a family -  a wife and 3 kids. His oldest child is 13 with the other two not too far behind, so college funds are in order. And, they’ve been married for over 10 years and live in an apartment. Normally, I wouldn’t say anything or even care, but he’s been talking about a house for his family for years. So, why in hell would you go out and get this new expense when you were almost free and clear?

He told me that his boys kept touching each other in his other cars. That was a crock since none of them are really heavy. They may be husky because he’s husky, but they aren’t that big yet. And they haven’t reached their teen years, yet.

So, he was excited when he came to show me his new ride but I couldn’t be happy for him. I know it had nothing to do with me, but I felt that he had more pressing things to do with his money. His grocery bill couldn’t be that cheap since he has growing boys; they have extracurricular activities; and a house and college funds should be on his list of priorities. When I asked him if he had college funds, he said, “No, but I life insurance.” So, I’m sitting there thinking, “If he doesn’t die, then what? Would that stop them from going to college?”

So, after that conversation, he has been ghost. But the thing is, even after 30 years of friendship and they way it ended, I’m wondering how much I really care.

I have been working on getting my business started for years now. And, although I get support, people really don’t help unless I ask and I don’t feel I should have to do that. Not all the time anyway. Especially when they know what I’m doing.

So, this gripe is about people who get involved in multilevel marketing groups and want me to get involved in their stuff, but they are not helping with mine. Most times I have to say no or ignore the request in generally.

I don’t mind helping others.  But when I’m not getting the same support, especially now when I need it, I refuse to give my time and energy to people who don’t care. The one thing that they definitely cannot have is my time.

Image: SEO Consultants

I am pleased to announce that many of my incomplete story drafts are almost done. And the great thing is, many of them are going to blog sites as guest posts which is increasing my credibility as a blog resource.  But, I am still trying to get published in magazines. I’m still eyeballing Chicago Magazine, Parade, Legacy, Essence and Time Magazine as targets. And I’m going to get in them before the end of this year.  For now, I’m going to start local and grow my way up.

My blogging eBook is almost done. I just have to get the book cover, do a bit more editing and revising, and it will be ready to present to the world. My goal is to have that done by the April 30, 2011.

I will have a guest blog post on ProBlogger on April 22, 2011.

Toastmaster Magazine is interested in one of my stories.  That will be done as soon as I get word from the editor. I can say o thing, though – that story will be done 24 hours or less after I hear from the publisher.

I have to take a day to submit query letters to different publications.  I will have that done by Wednesday.

I’m going to start charging for advertisements on The Write Design Company and Shorty: Your Chicago South Side Resource starting May 1st. I’ve been blogging for over  year – consistently – on both sites. It’s time to increase my worth and value.

That is all for now.

Image: myspace.com

I gave someone two mini-DVs to edit for me early April. Do you know I still don’t have the completed work yet? I called the person to return my mini-DVs this weekend.  That was ridiculous. And yes, I could have put a time stamp on it but I figured that this was business and I was dealing with a professional.  But no, that was not the case.

In a separate incident, someone offered to design new business cards for me.  That was two weeks ago.  Do you know I haven’t received anything yet? Not a draft or anything. I texted the person today and asked “them” to submit something by Wednesday or don’t bother. But, the interesting thing in this situation is, when this person wants something done, “they” are on the phone everyday checking the status.  And, I had a couple ideas already. I could have squeezed the card design into my schedule and they would have been done by now.

The biggest disappointment for me was their level of unreliability. I was really looking to build a team that I could outsource projects to and have available when needed. I can’t do either. This is also a lesson to me: If there is something I cannot do or don’t want to do, don’t accept the assignment. I would end up looking just as bad as my two colleagues.

Image: cellfish

I don’t get mad easily but there are some things that make my chocolate self turn purple. There are not many but here they are.

1. Waste my time

The main thing a person can do to make me mad is to TRY to waste my time. I don’t mind helping people because people are still helping me in my journey, but don’t waste my time.  After I check out your mo, I’m done.

2. Ignore the needs of or mistreat children. I don’t know why this bothers me so much. I guess it’s because it’s so commonplace these days and I feel like nobody cares.   Especially their parents. They are so innocent and defenseless.

3. Accept wrongs as right and try to argue against the truth. Total madness.

That’s it.  For now.

I had an interview for a part-time community manager position at a nonprofit organization.  I was interviewed by the Executive Director and Operations Manager.

I felt the ED was asking unusual questions.

• Why did you pick human resources?
  First of all, I wasn’t interviewing for an HR position.  Second, by the time he asked that question, he was pulling at straws since he didn’t have any questions on paper.  Third,  I’m probably more qualified for his job even though I don’t want it.
• Why did you pick to work at a nonprofit organization with low pay?
  Huh? If pay was important to me, I wouldn’t have applied.  I just need a job to pay my bills so I can create my ideal life through my writing.
• He was trying to eliminate me through prodding. That was not going to happen.  I kept my focus and answers on serving others, not my desire to work part-time.  We’ll see what happens.

I just wanted to share that because it was…interesting.  And, I haven’t been on interviews for years.  So, yeah, we’ll see.

I have never really had an opinion on Sarah Palin, but after viewing this video, I would have to say she’s an idiot.  The whole thing was fake. And she needs to work on verbal expression as she reads from her teleprompter.  Not very convincing at all. And, how the hell is she going to bring up politics in the aftermath of such a tragedy?

How is this $10 dollar educated individual trying to use $1,000,000,000 words?  This totally blew me. Apportion blame? Despicable?  But the one that got me most was, “Journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence that they purport to condemn.” Really Sarah.  You don’t even know what half the stuff you said means.  Give me a break!

I’m not going to lie. I like her nerve. She can mobile people out of fear, read notes  from her hand, and just appear to the be the biggest leader of all time which in fact is making her look stupid. But, I guess it works for her since she’s getting paid.

Finished

I just completed my 10th speech for my Advance Communicator Bronze (ACB) designation in Toastmasters.  Now, all I have to do is practice.  I will be giving this speech titled “What Is the One Word That Can Describe Your Life” on Saturday, January 15, 2011.  It’s going to be good. It has to be. This is the beginning of my public speaking career.  I also intend to completed my next designation by June 30, 2011.  I have all the books (all of them are incomplete) and writing the speeches won’t be hard.  All I have to do is practice my vocal variety and gestures.  Once I get that down, I’ll really be good.

Yayfor progress!

Flip Video

iPod Touch

Digital Voice Recorder

Macbook Pro

Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection

I think that’s it.  These items really wouldn’t set me back that much, but until my business starts to generate a consistent cash flow, I’ll visit this page frequently as a reminder.  I’m looking forward to getting my “stuff.”