Just Watching the Money Slip Through My Fingers

Well, the rain is falling again here in Alabama. Even though it has rained everyday day for what seems like weeks now, it is kind of peaceful to listen to this morning. I think by tomorrow, drier air is supposed to move into our lovely state, and give us a reprieve from all this wetness. I surely hope so; my son really needs to mow the yard.

I am a little aggravated this morning. Browsing through my freelance sites that I pull writing jobs from, I found a ton of jobs that I’m qualified to do. Unfortunately, I can’t bid on them. They require more time to do than I have available. My full time job requires me to work 12 hour shifts four nights a week. Most of the good freelance work requires several hours a day, five and six days a week. Knowing I can’t possibly complete most of these assignments, even if I win the bid, I have to turn them down. It is tough watching hundreds of dollars of work slip away every week.

Anyone that ever wanted to run, or start their own business, has faced dilemmas like this. How and when to break away from the comfort of a steady job, has always been a hard decision. Unfortunately, most that do strike out on their own eventually fail. Working for oneself requires a lot of discipline. Sure, it would be great to be your own boss and not have someone watching over you all the time. But, would the work get done without that added bit of pressure? For many the answer would have to be no.

Musicians often play for many years, hoping for that one big break…that never comes. Writers are not much different. We are always dreaming of a big book deal, or scoring an article in a top magazine that pays a dollar a word. These things do actually happen, but lots of dues usually have to be paid first. There is one thing for certain, if you see how hard the road is and you give up, you will most definitely not make it. Always put yourself in a position to win. When your big break does come, you can then take advantage of it. One last point to ponder, success isn’t measured in dollar amounts; it’s measured in contentment and happiness.

It's a Dark Day in America

As racism runs rampant through our country, I have to wonder will it be our eventual downfall. We as human beings are increasing our technology capacity at a tremendous rate. The computer you buy at Wal-Mart today is out dated by the time you get it home. We have satellites that are on their way out of our solar system, and they are still working. Yes, we humans are pretty smart, but pretty stupid as well. For all the great things we have and have accomplished, we still haven’t figured out how to get along with each other.

 

From our political system, to our justice system, we have major issues that need to be fixed. We all know this to be a fact, but since we can’t do anything but argue and bitch among ourselves, nothing gets fixed. We seem to be so caught up in showing one group or another who is superior that we leave most of our problems unresolved. We gain nothing by doing this, instead we just simply waste a lot of time.

 

At one time America was a proud country. Our flag meant something; not only to us, but the rest of the world as well. Now we are seen as a sinking ship, caught up in our own pity and self-indulgence. We don’t have time for all that garbage. The rest of the world is passing us by while we just sit here idle and let it happen. Why does it take a national tragedy to bring us together as a nation? 911, for a short time did just that. Our neighbors became our brothers. We were scared for a while, not knowing the certainty of our future. It’s kind of sad that it has to take something like that, to make decent people out of us.

 

Can this serious of a problem ever really be resolved? Sure it can. But it will take many generations of parents, teachers, clergymen and other leaders, educating children as they grow and mature. Racism and prejudice will most likely never completely be wiped out but attitudes, morals, and values can be improved through lots of work. Americans used to be proud to roll up their sleeves and work through the tough times. Well, this is one of those tough times.

 

Choices

With a fresh cup of steaming coffee in hand I look at the blank page in front of me. Without a clear plan for today’s blog I’m not real sure where the path of words will take me. It all seems a little gray and fuzzy, like the scene outside my window this morning. The good thing about a blank page or a new day in front of you is that you have a chance to mold and shape them anyway you choose. Being that this is my last day off before I go back to work I feel the need to pack as much into it as I possibly can. I don’t like going back to work thinking I missed out on something.

 

For those that know me well know that I ride my motorcycle nearly everywhere I go. Motorcycle riding has been in my blood since my teenage years and will probably remain there for my duration. When given the chance to combine this passion with any of my other hobbies the enjoyment level really escalates. One example would be metal detecting. By strapping my detector on my bike I am able to combine two great hobbies into one day. Not only do I get to ride and hunt for treasures but I save gas at the same time.

 

Having a booth in the basement section of Finders Keepers in Cullman I am always on the lookout for items I think people will want to buy. Once again my bike plays a part in this venture as well. Since I ride all over the southeast anyway, I get to stop in at places and shop around, sometimes finding the coolest things. One man’s trash is most definitely almost always another man’s treasure. The trick is to get these two people together.

 

So where will this day take me? I haven’t a clue. Will I find a three or four thousand dollar coin today or become one of the great American pickers…not if I don’t get moving. You guys have a great day. Get out and do something…you won’t regret it.

Unforgettable Trip in The Boundary Waters

Unforgettable Trip in The Boundary Waters

Writers Block?

Well I’m about to end this day the same way I started it…listening to the rain. Kinda relaxing don’t you think? I’ve done more reading and researching today than actual writing. It seems that my mentors, actual published authors have quite a lot of advice for us wannabes. I can’t imagine a writer’s life before the internet. Just think if you wanted to research a subject and the library was closed you were out of luck. Not only that you had to take your own photos.

 

The internet has made our lives easier in more ways to count. As a writer these days there should be no such thing as “writers block.” If you are ever stuck just pull up some strange place or town on Google Earth and fly down to street level.  You can then roam about until you find something interesting to write about. Don’t think you’ll find anything, try it you’ll be amazed. Myself I like to ride and see the country on my Harley; but when that isn’t possible I don’t mind using the other tools I have available.

 

You guys have a great night, I’m gonna go listen to the rain a little more.