My big plan to make money writing on the internet is crashing and burning. I though writing for AC was a given, but one or two, or both things have changed. They are either cutting back on expenses because of budget issues and no longer pay for assorted content, or they are punishing me for being absent for so long. Whatever be the case, it may no longer be a viable option, which in the end is my big loss. I have to come up with a different plan.
Now I have to go on the hunt and find somebody willing to pay me to write for them, which ain't gonna be easy, because I know mags are all scaling back. Bummer.
In the meantime, I did finally return to PS, only to notice that the regular writers haven't been really writing. I think the last post was about two weeks ago, which makes me wonder what the future holds for PS. Also, being the only guy who really writes for them, I never seem to get much traffic, even though I like the community of writers. I enjoy writing about parenting issues, it's closer to my heart, but not my wallet.
C is over for a sleepover, and I'm thinking it's going to get a little complicated as the day progresses. I was a little bummed this morning when my wife informed me that she was going to work, leaving me alone to fend for myself. It's tough being the one at home sometimes, and I have to confess to having a bad attitude at times. I realize this makes it hard on her and everyone else for that matter, but sometimes I just gotta be a baby. Maybe it's just a guy thing.
I'm so bummed about the writing thing, I really thought it was a sure thing. That's what I get for being cocky, cut down to size, and it's not the first time.
I did finally get some contact info for DOC, for all that's worth.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Facebook Connections
I've recently become hooked into Facebook, and I'm amazed how it's taken on a life of it's own. I've connected with people I haven't seen or heard from in 20 years, and it's really cool. It's interesting to see how people are doing and to correspond with old friends and neighbors.
In fact, this is a little crazy. I was trying to locate an old friend and neighbor, Casey, and asked a mutual friend who said she hadn't been in touch for years. Literally two hours later Casey contacted me after speaking with another mutual friend who had suggested me as a contact. It was an amazing coincidence.
Of course, we communicated for a few moments, and probably won't talk again for another ten years, but it was fun while it lasted.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
In fact, this is a little crazy. I was trying to locate an old friend and neighbor, Casey, and asked a mutual friend who said she hadn't been in touch for years. Literally two hours later Casey contacted me after speaking with another mutual friend who had suggested me as a contact. It was an amazing coincidence.
Of course, we communicated for a few moments, and probably won't talk again for another ten years, but it was fun while it lasted.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Happy (Cold) New Year... sort of.
The temp is around 2 degrees with wind chills hovering at -20. Happy New Year-this is, BTW, completely sincere. I love the cold weather.
So the new year, sometimes I'm not sure what to make of it. I think it's nice to take a step back and reflect on your year and where you've been and where you're going, but again, it all seems a bit misguided, in line with the flawed idea (my opinion) of spending your life in anticipation of a few key days every year. These include weddings, birthdays, holidays, and yes, New Year's Eve. My only issue with it is that we seem to put our lives on hold until a few key days each year, when in fact we should be living every day as if it were special, because it is. This is something we want to teach our kids, that they should look forward to each and every day, and that Sundays are not days to be dreaded, and that they shouldn't put their lives on hold waiting for a moment, when in fact, that moment is now.
I think about most people and how they hate their jobs and can't wait for a vacation, as if a couple of weeks of enjoyment make up for the rest of the crappy days of their lives. I know this is just the reality of life, and I've lived it myself, but wouldn't it be nice to celebrate life more often? Or even just not dread each day, like going to a job you hate, or SCHOOL. Did you ever notice how so many kids hate school, and yet, they have to go for 12-13 years? What kind of life is that?
Anyway, just some food for thought. My point is, I'm happy and excited for the new year, but that doesn't mean that we've put our lives on hold for it, or for that matter, anything much is going to change from this day henceforth. If you want to change, why wait for the new year to do it?
On that note, we had a nice new year's eve. C came over and we went skating, and man is she a good skater. Makes sense, she's a hockey player. It was a lot of fun either way, and we had the rink all to ourselves. We came home and I'm proud to say that nobody, not even once, asked to watch a DVD, an issue that often comes up and sends us into battle.
That evening, my wife came home just as we were making won tons, and it turned into a fun family affair. I started out making them on my own, figuring that the kids were too tired and distracted to want to take part, but they both wanted to jump in, especially A, and surprisingly, N. He usually doesn't like getting his hands dirty, and it's messy work, but he jumped in head first and did a great job.
R came home about the time we were half finished, and she quickly joined the fray, and it was a lot of fun, just hanging out at home, making New Year's dinner together. I love it.
We'd decided to have a picnic on the living room floor, something we do often, though the idea of eating dumplings with soy sauce on a blanket was daunting. Especially when you have cats. Sure enough, in an effort to shoo them away from the food, I managed to knock over someone's lemonade. Then, in a brilliant move to clean up the spill, I managed to knock over another, as well. What a big klutz I am. I ruined our picnic, and we decided to move to the table. The kids were upset, but they calmed down and we had a great meal.
R picked up Horton Hears a Who, and we sat down to our annual movie/junk food fest. At one point A said it was the best New Year's ever, but she could have just been trying to make me feel better after having ruined the picnic. Thanks to our daughter for her empathy.
We loved the movie, and ate lots of ice cream, M&M's, kettle corn and lemonade. The kids were thrilled, and it was a really nice celebration, just our speed, just the family. You can't beat it.
One quick note, our son found the piece of my glasses that had broken off, and the glasses themselves are very fixable, so a good moment was had. Thanks. He found this piece in three feet of snow, mind you, and had the wherewithal to save it and give it to me. How cool is that?
So it was a good day. I finished my piece for WAHM, and we had a nice family celebration. Today we'll have a nice breakfast, maybe waffles and sausage, and then maybe venture out and get ourselves some 2009 calendars, always nice after Christmas because you get the 50% off.
Until the next time, Happy New Year and thanks for reading.
So the new year, sometimes I'm not sure what to make of it. I think it's nice to take a step back and reflect on your year and where you've been and where you're going, but again, it all seems a bit misguided, in line with the flawed idea (my opinion) of spending your life in anticipation of a few key days every year. These include weddings, birthdays, holidays, and yes, New Year's Eve. My only issue with it is that we seem to put our lives on hold until a few key days each year, when in fact we should be living every day as if it were special, because it is. This is something we want to teach our kids, that they should look forward to each and every day, and that Sundays are not days to be dreaded, and that they shouldn't put their lives on hold waiting for a moment, when in fact, that moment is now.
I think about most people and how they hate their jobs and can't wait for a vacation, as if a couple of weeks of enjoyment make up for the rest of the crappy days of their lives. I know this is just the reality of life, and I've lived it myself, but wouldn't it be nice to celebrate life more often? Or even just not dread each day, like going to a job you hate, or SCHOOL. Did you ever notice how so many kids hate school, and yet, they have to go for 12-13 years? What kind of life is that?
Anyway, just some food for thought. My point is, I'm happy and excited for the new year, but that doesn't mean that we've put our lives on hold for it, or for that matter, anything much is going to change from this day henceforth. If you want to change, why wait for the new year to do it?
On that note, we had a nice new year's eve. C came over and we went skating, and man is she a good skater. Makes sense, she's a hockey player. It was a lot of fun either way, and we had the rink all to ourselves. We came home and I'm proud to say that nobody, not even once, asked to watch a DVD, an issue that often comes up and sends us into battle.
That evening, my wife came home just as we were making won tons, and it turned into a fun family affair. I started out making them on my own, figuring that the kids were too tired and distracted to want to take part, but they both wanted to jump in, especially A, and surprisingly, N. He usually doesn't like getting his hands dirty, and it's messy work, but he jumped in head first and did a great job.
R came home about the time we were half finished, and she quickly joined the fray, and it was a lot of fun, just hanging out at home, making New Year's dinner together. I love it.
We'd decided to have a picnic on the living room floor, something we do often, though the idea of eating dumplings with soy sauce on a blanket was daunting. Especially when you have cats. Sure enough, in an effort to shoo them away from the food, I managed to knock over someone's lemonade. Then, in a brilliant move to clean up the spill, I managed to knock over another, as well. What a big klutz I am. I ruined our picnic, and we decided to move to the table. The kids were upset, but they calmed down and we had a great meal.
R picked up Horton Hears a Who, and we sat down to our annual movie/junk food fest. At one point A said it was the best New Year's ever, but she could have just been trying to make me feel better after having ruined the picnic. Thanks to our daughter for her empathy.
We loved the movie, and ate lots of ice cream, M&M's, kettle corn and lemonade. The kids were thrilled, and it was a really nice celebration, just our speed, just the family. You can't beat it.
One quick note, our son found the piece of my glasses that had broken off, and the glasses themselves are very fixable, so a good moment was had. Thanks. He found this piece in three feet of snow, mind you, and had the wherewithal to save it and give it to me. How cool is that?
So it was a good day. I finished my piece for WAHM, and we had a nice family celebration. Today we'll have a nice breakfast, maybe waffles and sausage, and then maybe venture out and get ourselves some 2009 calendars, always nice after Christmas because you get the 50% off.
Until the next time, Happy New Year and thanks for reading.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Educational Victories and Gas
We're reconnecting with our homeschooling groove and it feels good. As much as we love holidays, it does throw a wrench in our schooling, which is something that takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to develop. I am struggling to teach government and history, and search constantly for some good exercises that will not only make it interesting for A, but will give us some concrete proof of completion. The fact that history seems like something you find interesting later in life only complicates the issue, but we'll work on it, but I'm making too many assumptions and imposing my own personal experience (what else is new?). I found history painfully boring, but I think it's fascinating now. For all I know, A could love it. She really gravitated to Greek and Roman Mythology, so American History might speak to her.
But government? Come on, who likes that stuff? Either way, we're still searching. Health and Science are easy because there are so many resources geared towards kids, and the truth is, kids love sciene. It's just neat. We are looking at food and diet, and using that to segue into certain elements of bodily functions. It's fun and interesting, and I'm learning a lot, myself. Our kids teach me things all the time, it's pretty cool.
Speaking of bodily functions, I may have hit on a miracle cure for gas. I won't get into the gory details, but suffice it to say, mom has been most patient with me. I don't know if this is something I've had all my life (probably), but when I fall asleep, I experience flatulence of near-Biblical proportions. She doesn't complain, though she has every reason to. It makes me feel self-conscious and more than a little guilty. Somehow it never came up before.
I've tried many things and done tireless research on the subject. Suffice it to say, there is a huge amount of information, much of it thoroughly entertaining, about the subject. Either way, I tried a few things, none of which work. Part of the problem is that diet plays a huge role. We eat a lot of gassy foods, and we're not about change that. In other words, we limit our meat consumption and eat a lot of veggies and legumes, which in this case, are a wife's worse nightmare. It's just unfortunate (for my family, at least) that healthy foods seem to have a lot of fiber, but such is life.
I will say this, I'm struck by how most people we know eat very little in the way of vegetables. Salad is often the extent of it, and what good does that do?
Well, I may have found something that works, but I'll hold off on making any claims until I've given it more time. It's only been day or two, but I am optimistic. Happy days (or nights) are here again.
Funny how natural bodily functions can be such a source of entertainment, and angst.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
But government? Come on, who likes that stuff? Either way, we're still searching. Health and Science are easy because there are so many resources geared towards kids, and the truth is, kids love sciene. It's just neat. We are looking at food and diet, and using that to segue into certain elements of bodily functions. It's fun and interesting, and I'm learning a lot, myself. Our kids teach me things all the time, it's pretty cool.
Speaking of bodily functions, I may have hit on a miracle cure for gas. I won't get into the gory details, but suffice it to say, mom has been most patient with me. I don't know if this is something I've had all my life (probably), but when I fall asleep, I experience flatulence of near-Biblical proportions. She doesn't complain, though she has every reason to. It makes me feel self-conscious and more than a little guilty. Somehow it never came up before.
I've tried many things and done tireless research on the subject. Suffice it to say, there is a huge amount of information, much of it thoroughly entertaining, about the subject. Either way, I tried a few things, none of which work. Part of the problem is that diet plays a huge role. We eat a lot of gassy foods, and we're not about change that. In other words, we limit our meat consumption and eat a lot of veggies and legumes, which in this case, are a wife's worse nightmare. It's just unfortunate (for my family, at least) that healthy foods seem to have a lot of fiber, but such is life.
I will say this, I'm struck by how most people we know eat very little in the way of vegetables. Salad is often the extent of it, and what good does that do?
Well, I may have found something that works, but I'll hold off on making any claims until I've given it more time. It's only been day or two, but I am optimistic. Happy days (or nights) are here again.
Funny how natural bodily functions can be such a source of entertainment, and angst.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Making Lemonade and Finishing my Piece
We had to be adaptive yesterday, and it was one of the situations where good things come out of it and you appreciate the serendipity of life. As I may have mentioned in the past, our daughter A has a best friend, C, and they make a great pair. Really cute together, and C is a great kid. Good manners and sweet, though the relationship is a bit lopsided. In other words, C likes A a lot, but sometimes it seems not as much as A literally adores her. It borders on being unhealthy, and we are not going to intervene, but we feel A needs other distractions to occupy the time when she's not playing with C.
The situation is complicated by the fact that C goes to school, so she has a whole circle of friends outside of her interaction with A, while her life seems to revolve around C. She has other friends, we do things with other children all the time, and they are mostly school kids, but for some reason, when it comes to friendship, she doesn't mess around. Even when we we're with her other friends, some of whom I think are more her speed, she goes on about C, her best friend. I feel bad, like she's dissing her other friends.
Either way, it's a good lesson in backing off as a parent. We just hope that she finds some healthy balance in it all. For all it's worth, we think A makes a better friend than some of her other friends, whom we've been told can be mean and manipulative.
From an overbearing parent's perspective, if our kids were around kids like that, we couldn't help but step in, and I know that's a mistake, kids need to learn this stuff for themselves. But somehow I just can't handle the idea of people (especially our kids) being hurt, over and over again, but some asshole kid.
Anyway, I will say this-C is a good friend, even in lieu of the fact that she's been back in school and still wants to hang out with our kids. As I've mentioned, she's just a good kid and her parents good influence really shows.
We ran into a foil to our plans yesterday and had to adapt. We literally had to make lemonade when we had lemons. We went to the Wall to rock-climb and it was so crowded that they ran out of equipment-another reason, besides saving money, to get the kids their own stuff. It was the hip and stylish city crowd, up here for the Christmas holiday, and they took over in droves. It was a bit of a bummer, but we decided instead to go ice skating, and to try, for the first time, the local skating rink. And did we have a blast.
The rink is small, and there were about ten people already there, but everyone is nice, and everyone had fun. We even saw some friends from karate, Fran and her son, A. It was nice, not to mention free. We had a blast, and the kids came up with this game that was sort of like soccer with ice skates and snowballs. We had tons of fun, and the game really revealed how far along they've come in their skating because, as you might have guessed, it ain't easy to kick a snowball while ice-skating. It was a scream to watch and play, and well into the night the two of them were talking warmly about it.
It's all about the little things, isn't it?
I finally finished my piece, Father Time, for WAHM, and it feels good. I never know if it's good enough or for that matter, will be accepted, but such is the life of a writer. You are taking a leap of faith in believing that what anybody cares about what you have to say. It's a pretty big leap, I've found, but when land on your feet, it sure can be satisfying. Now that it's done, I can focus more on AC and PS/WB.
I'd also like to pitch more of my ideas, but have found the process of writing a query letter almost as difficult as writing the actual pieces. Even still, I've got to do this, it's sink or swim, as the saying goes.
Hopefully we'll make it to the rink again today, though it's New Year's Eve, and there is much to do. I got a little irritated with my wife because she's planning on working all day today, even though she has some say in the matter. What gets me is that I know she'll sell it as a short quick trip in, but it will evolve into a whole day and she'll end up coming home late. This may not be the case, and I could very well be wrong and have to eat my words, something I excel at. We shall see, I hope it's the case, because not only does the burden of being at home all day fall on me (I could use some help), but again, it's the holidays and at some point you have to take a step back and spend more time with the family.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
The situation is complicated by the fact that C goes to school, so she has a whole circle of friends outside of her interaction with A, while her life seems to revolve around C. She has other friends, we do things with other children all the time, and they are mostly school kids, but for some reason, when it comes to friendship, she doesn't mess around. Even when we we're with her other friends, some of whom I think are more her speed, she goes on about C, her best friend. I feel bad, like she's dissing her other friends.
Either way, it's a good lesson in backing off as a parent. We just hope that she finds some healthy balance in it all. For all it's worth, we think A makes a better friend than some of her other friends, whom we've been told can be mean and manipulative.
From an overbearing parent's perspective, if our kids were around kids like that, we couldn't help but step in, and I know that's a mistake, kids need to learn this stuff for themselves. But somehow I just can't handle the idea of people (especially our kids) being hurt, over and over again, but some asshole kid.
Anyway, I will say this-C is a good friend, even in lieu of the fact that she's been back in school and still wants to hang out with our kids. As I've mentioned, she's just a good kid and her parents good influence really shows.
We ran into a foil to our plans yesterday and had to adapt. We literally had to make lemonade when we had lemons. We went to the Wall to rock-climb and it was so crowded that they ran out of equipment-another reason, besides saving money, to get the kids their own stuff. It was the hip and stylish city crowd, up here for the Christmas holiday, and they took over in droves. It was a bit of a bummer, but we decided instead to go ice skating, and to try, for the first time, the local skating rink. And did we have a blast.
The rink is small, and there were about ten people already there, but everyone is nice, and everyone had fun. We even saw some friends from karate, Fran and her son, A. It was nice, not to mention free. We had a blast, and the kids came up with this game that was sort of like soccer with ice skates and snowballs. We had tons of fun, and the game really revealed how far along they've come in their skating because, as you might have guessed, it ain't easy to kick a snowball while ice-skating. It was a scream to watch and play, and well into the night the two of them were talking warmly about it.
It's all about the little things, isn't it?
I finally finished my piece, Father Time, for WAHM, and it feels good. I never know if it's good enough or for that matter, will be accepted, but such is the life of a writer. You are taking a leap of faith in believing that what anybody cares about what you have to say. It's a pretty big leap, I've found, but when land on your feet, it sure can be satisfying. Now that it's done, I can focus more on AC and PS/WB.
I'd also like to pitch more of my ideas, but have found the process of writing a query letter almost as difficult as writing the actual pieces. Even still, I've got to do this, it's sink or swim, as the saying goes.
Hopefully we'll make it to the rink again today, though it's New Year's Eve, and there is much to do. I got a little irritated with my wife because she's planning on working all day today, even though she has some say in the matter. What gets me is that I know she'll sell it as a short quick trip in, but it will evolve into a whole day and she'll end up coming home late. This may not be the case, and I could very well be wrong and have to eat my words, something I excel at. We shall see, I hope it's the case, because not only does the burden of being at home all day fall on me (I could use some help), but again, it's the holidays and at some point you have to take a step back and spend more time with the family.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Awkward
We are in the throes of an awkward situation, one I've never really had to deal with and to tell you the truth, don't know if I'm mature enough to do the right thing. You see, we have some good friends who are very similar to us. Funny how that works. They are a few years younger, but they are a young family with a son and daughter much like ours.
Now we'd always seen them as the model family, nice looking, prominent in their church, active in the school, and all around good people. Very traditional, he worked hard at building houses (high end stuff) while she raised the children and worked at the school and had an amazing garden. The model family, really.
And then it came to light that she'd been having an affair. Not just one, but several, and they were on the verge of splitting up. But in the best interest of their family, they are making a go of it together, and that's commendable, but it brings up this situation.
They want to get together, we'd done it in the past, but hadn't seen them in literally months, if not a year. We'd just lost touch. Now that there is this huge elephant in the room, they want to get together, and honestly, I don't know if I can deal with it. I know I'm being childish, but it's so awkward, and almost gives me the impression that they are approaching it like nothing ever happened. It's very odd.
Either way, we can run, but we can't hide. We're going to have to confront this at some point, we just don't know when.
Until then, my name is Fred Lee, and thanks for reading.
Now we'd always seen them as the model family, nice looking, prominent in their church, active in the school, and all around good people. Very traditional, he worked hard at building houses (high end stuff) while she raised the children and worked at the school and had an amazing garden. The model family, really.
And then it came to light that she'd been having an affair. Not just one, but several, and they were on the verge of splitting up. But in the best interest of their family, they are making a go of it together, and that's commendable, but it brings up this situation.
They want to get together, we'd done it in the past, but hadn't seen them in literally months, if not a year. We'd just lost touch. Now that there is this huge elephant in the room, they want to get together, and honestly, I don't know if I can deal with it. I know I'm being childish, but it's so awkward, and almost gives me the impression that they are approaching it like nothing ever happened. It's very odd.
Either way, we can run, but we can't hide. We're going to have to confront this at some point, we just don't know when.
Until then, my name is Fred Lee, and thanks for reading.
The New Year Approaches continued
I've been writing more for the slush pile, and decided to try writing more frequently, even if the payback is negligible. At the very least, it's self-indulgent to assume that people actually want to hear what you have to say, but on a positive note, it's good practice in letting your thoughts flow in a clear and cogent manner.
With this in mind, my first piece in writing for AC was rejected for payment, which is a bummer, but not the end of the world because they'll still publish it for free. For now, I'll take it. I'm wondering if I need to earn my place back with them.
I am 95% finished with my piece for WAHM and will then begin my next piece for PS. I'd like to do more with Wisebread but am never sure what to write about. Those guys are the real deal, the big time, though I prefer to write for PS, it's more my speed.
Tomorrow is new year's eve, and we're supposed to get snow, which is a good thing. I thought I had more to say, but am struggling to find inspiration. Until the next time, my name is Fred Lee, and thanks for reading.
With this in mind, my first piece in writing for AC was rejected for payment, which is a bummer, but not the end of the world because they'll still publish it for free. For now, I'll take it. I'm wondering if I need to earn my place back with them.
I am 95% finished with my piece for WAHM and will then begin my next piece for PS. I'd like to do more with Wisebread but am never sure what to write about. Those guys are the real deal, the big time, though I prefer to write for PS, it's more my speed.
Tomorrow is new year's eve, and we're supposed to get snow, which is a good thing. I thought I had more to say, but am struggling to find inspiration. Until the next time, my name is Fred Lee, and thanks for reading.
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