Sunday, August 29, 2010

Naked Creativity

Watching Mad Men tonight gave me a chuckle. Two copywriters were told to go to a hotel room and not come out until they had written some winning copy. They took off their clothes to try to get some inspiration, even though what they were writing had nothing to do with being naked. And the most I ever used to get creative was a glass of wine!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Watching Movies Whenever And Wherever

My sister and brother-in-law and I love movies. I mean really love movies. We have been known to have our own little film festivals, focusing on a theme or a director, etc. During those events, we pop a lot of popcorn.

But whereas I only enjoy movies on a personal level,  my sister and brother-in-law also are involved in film on a professional level. They love them on a personal level too, but they have been employed as film editors and such. They mention all kinds of technical methods and equipment such as DVD Ripper, DVD Ripper Mac (since they have a mac), and Video Converter Mac. They have all kinds of film projects lined up that they want to work on.

I am getting an iphone in a couple of months, and they suggested I look at some equipmet that would help me rip and convert movies to the iphone. I would feel so cool if I could actually do that! Movies anywhere and everywhere. Here is one kind of software I looked at.



________________________PAID REVIEW_____________________________________________

Monday, August 23, 2010

Stop The Presses, er Email!

In case you need to quickly rethink that email you just sent (and if you use gmail), here is a handy dandy way to take it back. Being a journalist, I am pretty good at wording emails the way I want them and to know how they are likely to be perceived. But I'll add the feature just in case.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/08/23/undo.gmail/index.html?hpt=T2

Friday, August 20, 2010

Law and Order: SVU Mirrors Real Life

Guest post from: Winston Stewart

I'm not usually a big one for procedural dramas, but I often find myself watching "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" when I flip through the channels on tv direct in Texas. The stories are interesting because they often are yanked right from the headlines of contemporary news.

"Law and Order: SVU" is a long-running spin-off of the even longer-running Law and Order. The focus of this particular show is victims of sexual assault. Hence, many of the episodes contain disturbing elements, though the material is rarely presented in an especially graphic manner.

Detectives Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni, and Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, are the team at the heart of the series. Theirs is an intense partnership, and their friendship is so profound that it sometimes compromises their cases. More often, however, it helps them to catch perps more easily because they make such a great team.

One of the most intense episodes in the series called for Olivia to go undercover at a prison in an attempt to lure in a corrupt guard who had been accused of sexual assault. In the process, Olivia almost was raped herself, leading to mental trauma down the line. While each episode is self-contained, there are story arcs that continue throughout the series, so following the series regularly makes for a more satisfying experience than watching occasionally.

Silence From Laura Schlessinger Is Golden

I am glad that Laua Schlessinger is off the air.Not that I ever listened to her. Except once in a long while in the distant past. I would occasionally run into her on the radio and listen to her for a few minutes. She is so filled with anger and hate. She really needs to get help. And she thinks she can help others?

I love it how she talks about getting her First Amendment rights back. Como? First, she has been a media person for a long time, and she should know how to conduct herself on air. She should also know when to zip her mouth. As a so-called doctor, she should also know how to respond to people who reach out to her for help.

Since she did none of these things, I can see why the sponsors pulled the plug on her. Good for them. She cries about the interest groups pressuring the sponsors to do so. Maybe they are just using their First Amendment rights to not sponsor her? They are not required to do so. People like Schlessinger never undersand the free marketplace of ideas, and that people may choose not to do business with her because of what she represents or espouses. It's the market baby! You lose.

Frenemy Is Now A Real Word

Frenemy, meaning both friend and enemy, has been a word bandied about for a while. I know I have used it, since I have had a few frenemies in my life. But it has only been a casual word until now. I heard today that it is being included in the Oxford dictionary. I love the English language!.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Nashville Needs To Improve Its Black Males High School Graduation Rates

Almost everything is rated today. I just saw on the news a few minutes ago that Nashville is one of five cities with the worst graduation rates with black males. That is horrible! That is not a rating that you want. The people on the news program were talking about the need for black role models who can encourage young people to aspire to higher heights. Hopefully Obama will do that, and we will see it trickle down in future years.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Ways To Make Money Online

Many people want to make money online. Surveys and such are one such way. Some sites I have seen advertised include SurveyPro, Suvey Savvy, inbox dollars, etc. I am very interested in making extra money, because I never seem to have enough.

I am not the best money manager, at least on a personal level, and being single, I probably do too many things to entertain myself, such as go on too many trips, go out to eat too much, etc. I need to cut down on all that, but it is hard. Because I really want to do all of those things. So I really want to make extra money to pay for all of that, to pay off my debt, and to save some too. If I can make money online, that is even better, because I can do it wherever and whenever I want. How great is that? It is much better than having a part-time job somewhere.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Exercising On Vacation

I really want to continue and actually increase my exercise level. I have gone swimming a couple of times per week for the last month or so. It makes me feel so good and I think I am tightening up some. Now I need to increase that level. Burn those calories! Relieve that stress! I will definitely take my swim suit to swim in the ocean and pool. And for walks along the beach. All good for exercise. I need to take my tennis shoes too for good long walks. Some people have started talking about mbt shoes for exercise, but I don't know anything about them yet.

Leaving On Vacation

I am leaving on vacation in about an hour, and I can't wait! I still have to pack (put clothes in the suitcase; I already know what I am taking). Read an email for a client and send it on, and shower. I am already gassed up, bought wine to take ont the trip and have already gotten all the dog and cat food and cat litter for the pet sitter. Can I really leave in an hour? Fingers crossed.

Love A Hot Tub!

My parents have a pool and a hot tub. I love both. They have had a little trouble with the hot tub--the heater had to be fixed, and then the blow didn't work right. Or the motor, or whatever you call it. And now they having to look at hot tub covers,  Theirs had gotten some crackx in it and seemed crusty and crackly. But I am glad it is up and running again. I need to go over there and have my day at the spa!

Friday, August 13, 2010

There Is Good Diet Food Out There

I had a yummy salad for lunch today: lettuce with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and lite honey mustard dressing. It was so good and very low cal actually. Which is what I need. I need to fill up with low cal food, That way, I can eat quite a bit and not eat too many calories. Tonight, after dinner I had a weight watchers cookies and cream ice cream bar. So wonderful! But I probably need a weight loss supplement too. I need all the help I can get!

Working On Two Cases

I am now working on two cases: my second disability case and a short sale. Since I have a full-time job, I don't have that much time to devote to the cases. I think I am doing OK, but then I worry that I am not doing enough. But then I think I am. I will keep my eye on everything and make sure I am doing what I need to do to succeed and win for my client.

Hope My Car Holds Out

I have had so much trouble with my car lately. Every few days it won't start. And back in the shop it goes. Luckily it is under warranty, so I don't have to pay for any of the repairs or the loaner car. I am going on a long trip tomorrow. I am a little worried that I will get somewhere and it won't start. I know I can be towed through the warranty. But it may be a hassle. I know it wouldn't be like I had to do rv towing or anything, but still. I just hope I can get there and back. I am going to assume I will make it fine.

I Must Go To Rio

I am sitting at home watching Wild Orchid and there is something so palpable about Rio, even on the TV screen. It must be terribly sensuous when you are actually there. It has just risen up on my travel list. Must go. And soon! And the movie stars pre-plastic surgery Mickey Rourke. We'll see if it is anything like 9 1/2 weeks.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Finding Nashville Buyers For Short Sales

I am still a fledgling lawyer. Mainly because I have only been licensed a year. Even more so, because I am still at my old job and doing law on the side. Law by myself on the side. So I am getting less experience and less money. Maybe someday this will change, but that is my reality right now.

Recently, a man I work with asked me to help his step-daughter. Her husband died suddenly, and she can'f afford her house anymore. She wants to do a short sale or maybe a deed in lieu of foreclosure. I went to talk with her tonight about her options. I told her we need to find buyers for houses in Nashville, find someone who wants a great deal on a beautiful new home. The home is beautiful, and they hardly lived in it. It would be lovely for a family.

I got paid for the third time as a lawyer today, in connection with this situation, and feel the awesome responsibility of a professional hired to help someone with a pressing problem. I feel a little scared, but a little energized, but a little proud of myself. Just sayin'

The Sopranos in HD

Content by Mitch Osborne

One of my absolutely favorite shows to watch is The Sopranos, and although I have been a fan of the show since it first premiered on HBO in 1999 I have got to say that the first time I watched it in HD I was totally blown away. The sharpness of the picture made me look at the show as if I were seeing it for the very first time. The color alone was fantastic but I noticed details in the show that I had missed viewing it with regular television.

The photography of the area in which the show is set, the New Jersey area, came alive for me. I noticed that the cinematography was phenominal, the architecture of the buildings in the area shots possessed a beauty of it's own that I had never noticed before HD. The sharpness of the picture gave me a new appreciation for the simple beauty of the areas shown.

I noticed that the HD also gave a new life to the action scenes that I never appreciated before. I noticed new things in the fight scenes and discovery scenes that I missed when I first watched the show. The characters took on a new appearance that I had never noticed before. It was so amazing to realize what I had missed before the innovation of satelite tv.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Cigar Clubs

One of my law school study buddies would often take a break and meet his non-law school friends for a night of drinking whiskey and smoking cigars. It sounded like a lot of fun. I know this cigar group, or club so to speak, helped relieve stress for him during those years. I don't know what kind of cigars they would smoke--maybe macanudo cigars and other kinds. These were really good guy friends of his and getting together with them helped him through the tests and briefing. I didn't do that of course, but instead would get together with good friends for dinner and wine as often I could.

John Denver PBS Special

John Denver is singing "Sunshine on my Shoulders" right now on a PBS show, and I am crying. I am crying for the beauty of this music and and the loss of this great talent. His death in his small glider plane a number of years ago seems like such a waste. I know he was doing what he wanted to do, but still such a waste. This song, as well as Country Roads, Rocky Mountain High, and Calypso, holds such meaning for me. So many memories--the music connects to my soul. It is amazing too how far ahead of his time he was pertaining to environmental issues.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

I Love Homes With Cozy Porches

I love driving around my neighborhood and looking at the houses. I have a condo, but I live in an area with a lot of older homes that have been rehabbed and modernized, and I drool, wishing I could afford one. They have these lovely big porches with that new styled outdoor furniture. The porches look almost like living rooms outdoors. I find the look of these porches very appealing, and is one more reason I want one of those houses or some like it. The weather here is so hot in the summer, you wouldn't be able to use it much then, but springs and falls would be nice. It would be comfy to sit out there and read the paper or have breakfast out there, or a few people over for cocktails.

Want To Watch HGTV For Tips

I used to watch HGTV but then stopped. I get hooked on some TV shows for a while and then switch. I want to get more house knowledgeable, since within a couple of years I want to rent mine and buy a house. I have been watching Property Ladder and think these kind of shows would be good for me to watch. I could learn a lot. I probably won't flip houses as well, but who knows?

Body Check: Looking A Little Better

Well, I was able to go to my high school reunion without embarrassing myself. Except when I looked at the photos afterward. I looked pretty good in person, but I still look too fat in the photos. I know the camera adds 10 pounds, but still. I look 25 pounds overweight. So tally ho!

I am swimming at the YMCA, which has been wonderful for me. I have been doing my water aerobics routine in the outdoor pool. Not only am I getting wonderful excercise, I am getting some needed therapy in the sunshine.

I am also still wondering if I should go on some diet plan, besides just eating more healthy and cutting down. Like doing Jenny Craig, Weightwatchers, using apidexin or some other product. I am going to the beach twice in the near future and a cruise in January. I can't lose more weight before I go to the beach next week, but maybe before I go in Oct. and definitely before I go on the cruise in January.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Ten Worst Places To Live

I clicked on this link today to find out if my city was one of the top 10 worst places to live in America. I needn't have worried. Nashville is a great place to live, and it would take a lot to get it on that list. But our sister city, Memphis, is number 10 . While I have always enjoyed going there for fun weekends, I have heard that the crime there is high.

Some of them I expected to be on the list, like Detroit. But others, like Miami and Oklahoma City, were a surprise. Especially Oklahoma City. The article calls it the most unfit city.

Anyway, I feel bad when I read the foreclosure rates in some of these cities. On the other hand, if I were foot loose and fancy free, I just might move to Detroit or Las Vega and buy one of those $10,000 houses. That part is appealing.

Testing For Asthma

Lung problems run in my family. Several have asthma, allergies, and a number have unfortunately died from lung cancer. That is why I am so glad I have never smoked, and I try to stay away from people who do as much as possible. A few of the guys I have dated have smoked, and that was awkward. I didn't want to tell them they couldn't smoke around me, but to be honest, I was relieved when I quit dating them.

I have allergies and get a bad cough from drainage. Several people have told me that my cough sounds like ashthma, so I have been tested with a spirometer. I have not tested for asthma, so that is good. Both my mother and grandmother were diagnoses with it late in life, however, so I am not out of the woods yet.

Your One Vote Can Make A Difference!

People often comment or feel that their one vote won't make a difference. One race in TN yesterday begs to differ. State senator Doug Henry only won the democratic primary by 2 votes. This has not been certified yet, but goodness gracious! What if those two people hadn't voted, or a third person hadn't voted? The other guy would have won. Proof positive that one vote can definitely make a difference.

No Black Tie Required

Guest post from: Kent Lara

In a world where designer labels and A-list celebrities dominate, the DO SOMETHING awards on VH-1 stand in stark contrast.

My husband and I have spent a lot of time in third world countries. We've witnessed poverty that has brought us to tears. Sometimes it's hard to view award shows where just one dazzling earring is worth more than it would cost to feed an entire village for a year.

It was with great joy that we tuned in to watch the DO SOMETHING awards on directTV. Instead of handing out awards to top name celebs, the awards went to young men and women who are doing radical things with their lives. These award winners have at least two things in common: they are all twenty five and under and they are all out to change the world.

The list of accomplishments range from starting a school for young girls to tackling the failing economy in a small town. Some of the award winners have been inspired to start theater programs and others have opened up community centers.

It would be a wonderful world to live in if our culture put more value on changing human lives instead of changing designer labels.

I hope that Hollywood takes note and that there are more award shows like this one in the future. Bravo VH-1.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Getting My House In Order

When oh when am I going to get my house in order? I hope soon. I still have reorganizing to do around the house and repairs still need to be done. I still have to sort that pile of junk mail and file the important papers! Also, save up money to buy things for my house that I need. And make needed upgrades. After all, I might rent my condo someday when I buy my fantasy house. Well, hopefully not fantasy, but that is how it seems right now. Since I don't have money to buy one. Well, at least I have a nice place to live. Which is more than many people can say.

But I am going to make my list of things I need. New toilet, new stove, shelving in the laundry room, maybe a Hansgrohe faucet. I want to be as fanatical about home and housework, as I was about law school. Then maybe I could get things done.

Trying Out New Templates

I apologize that I have changed my template again, but I did not like the "candy stripe" effect I had before. I found some template downloads for Blogger, and I chose this news type format. Comfortable for me since I am a journalist. Hope you enjoy it.

Got My First Elance Job

Well, I finally got my first Elance job. I thought it would never happen. I have only recently paid any real attention to it, so no wonder. I have a full time job, plus trying to break into law, plus have a social life. And, I am trying my hand at freelancing through Elance. So I don't have much time to check the jobs and bid on them. When I do, I am usually outbid. So, I was thrilled to get this first job.

It is a balancing act: You want to bid on jobs and get them, but you have to think about your schedule and can you meet the deadline. Many of the jobs are due yesterday--not sure why there is always such a fast turnaround. It wouldn't matter so much if you did freelancing full time, but when you have only a limited amount of time, you have to think carefully. If you don't meet the deadline, you might get bad feedback, and that would be bad for getting future work.

The other bugaboo is the lowballers. Elance is famous for lowball bidders. A lot of times, they are writers from other countries who outbid us and win. The problem, it seems from the buzz around Elance, is that these non native speakers do poor work, which then sometimes has to be rebid. And it pushes the prices downward. The buyers though tend to go with the low bid, and many times they are burned.

I bid a little less on the job I won than I would have liked. But I was able to write the posts pretty easily and without too much research. And at least now I have one job on my profile. I need a few more, and then I will be in business!

Lose Your Job....And Your Friends Too?

I have been reading a lot of press recently about how the long term unemployed can lose their friends too. Maybe it comes from embarrassment, a sense of shame, feeling unlucky or jealous of others who are working. Maybe they suffer from depression and shy away from people, or are just tired of being asked about their job search and having nothing positive to say. At any rate, all of the articles I have read sound like the loss of friendship originates from the unemployed themselves, rather than their friends. So, it is up to the unemployed people to still reach out and keep contact. And if anyone shirks you because you lost your job, they are no friend and you are better off without them.

I was laid off once when I was very young. I did not experience any of this loss of friendship or depression. I actually was less depressed, because I hated that job! Or at least was tired of it, and that depressed me. But also, I was only unemployed for two months before I found another job. Those chronicled in the recent articles have all been unemployed for six months or more. Apparently that is when the chronic effects of unemployment can kick in.

I am sure those unemployed are looking as hard as they can for a job. What I did to keep myself positive was doing something every single day about looking for a job. I either found another position to apply for, or I actually applied for another job. I wanted to always have an open application out there, to keep my hopes up. And it worked. Of course, that was a different time. It is just harder today, but I hope people try to keep their good attitudes....and their friends.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/23/long-term-unemployment-lo_n_656588.html

The Country Music Awards--Not Just For Hillbillys!

The Country Music Awards - Not Just For Hillbillys!


Post contributed by Hilton Miranda

The Country Music Awards ceremony last took place on June 9, 2010 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. The CMA's are interesting to watch, as voting is often so competitive that it is difficult to predict who the winners will be. This year was my favorite year watching, not only because some of the best artists performed and took home awards, but because I got to watch it like never before, on my new big screen TV with my high definition direct tv family package channels!

This years Country Music Awards biggest winners included Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Brooks and Dunn, Luke Bryan, Shaun Silva, Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins.

*Carrie Underwood was this year's big winner with two awards, one for CMT performer of the year, with her hit single "Temporary Home", and one for video of the year, with the video "Cowboy Casanova".

*Keith Urban won the male video of the year award with "Til Summer Comes Around".

*Miranda Lambert took home the female video of the year award for "White Liar".

*Lady Antebellum took home the group video of the year award for "Need you Now".

*Brooks and Dunn dominated the duo video of the year category with "Indian Summer".

*Luke Bryan won the USA weekend breakthrough video of the year award for "Do I".

*Shaun Silva took home the director of the year award for "Indian Summer", "Out Last Night", "Rain Is a Good Thing", "Here Comes Goodbye", "Summer Nights", "Living for the Night", "Nightswimming/Joey", "Keep You", "I'm Alive" and "Do I".

*Lastly, Trace Adkins and Blake Shelton won the collaborative video of the year category with "Hillbilly Bone".

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Wanting To Be A Volunteer At The 2012 Olympics

I love the Olympic Games, especially the summer ones, and have enjoyed them for years. A few months before the Greek Games started, I came up with the idea of trying to be a volunteer. Unfortunately, it was really too late at that point to apply, and the pickings were slim. They did have one volunteer job for me, but it wasn't of interest to me, so I declined.

This time, I am on top of my Olympic game, so to speak. I have already inquired as to how to be a volunteer and will apply at the appropriate time. It will be costly to be a volunteer, so it needs to be something I really want to do. If it is the right position, it will be worth the time and money. After all, it will be worth a lifetime of memories.

If I go, I need to start thinking about cameras, maybe do a video camera hire or camcorder hire. It would be fun to record the sights and sounds of the Olympics,and who knows, maybe using a camera would even be part of my job.

I don't have a really good camera, just a small digital one, so I am sure I would need to do a camera hire rather than spend a lot of money on something new. I used to own a Nikon, so I might check into those cameras again, or maybe do a canon lens hire. I would need something that would record excellent photos and allow me freedom of creativity that my little digital camera just doesn't provide.

Companies That Are Hiring

Found this article on msn.com this morning that listed companies that are hiring. I might check out Holland America.........

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2006-Job-Search-Companies-Hiring-This-Month/?sc_extcmp=JS_2006_home1&SiteId=cbmsnhp42006&ArticleID=2006>1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=4b101c2be3a0411da7efb86ea741ea95-334150585-RI-4