Political Junkie: Confessions of a Previously Undecided Voter

Wow… I have a very good reason for not having written in a long time. This post that I’m writing right now has been in the works since the end of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, in September, which happened just 30 miles away from my adopted home town of Rockford. Ever since that time, however, I have been too glued to the TV, talk radio, and the Internet, sucking in every ounce of information that I possibly could about the state of our nation. Not just the political election, but our economy, foreign affairs, the national deficit, etc.

And I have to say that the overall tone of what I was going to write in this post has completely changed. “Political Junkie” was its original name, and I was going to talk about how much of an undecided voter I was. I was going to talk about how even though I’ve hated how the Republican party has ground our nation into the ground over the past 8 to 10 years, I wasn’t particularly happy with how the Democratic party was handling itself either. It was going to be about how once again, we’re voting for the lesser of two evils and not one current candidate is worthy of running a country. It was going to be about how regardless of who won the presidential election, I was going to be disappointed and apprehensive about the future of the U.S., its citizens at home, and its reputation abroad. I no longer have that attitude, and as you can see by the title, I am no longer an undecided voter.

I proudly say that I feel I am one of the most informed “average Jane” citizens you could find outside of the political sector or other related fields. I’m not a journalist, I’m not a pundit, I’m not a lobbyist, nothing. Because I’m a freelance copywriter working out of my home, I have complete control over my working environment, and it has been filled with CNN, MSNBC, Headline News, even FOX News. When I’m in the car, I’m listening to either local conservative radio station KTLK or the more liberal-leaning Minnesota Public Radio / NPR. I read news from local, regional, national, and international sources with reputations for reporting the truth. I also read those underground “left wing” and “right wing” conspiracy theory web sources, just to cover all of my bases (conspiracy theories are sometimes found to be reality). I’ve seen nearly every televised speech Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, or Sarah Palin has given in the past two months. I watched the debates and the analysis. In my search for knowledge, I have used every resource available at my disposal.

With every spin of a story, negative attack ad, and campaign strength or blunder, my decision has incrementally moved more in the same direction consistently. That would be towards Barack Obama. When my conservative friends have found out this independent was voting democrat and why, they said it’s because of media bias. I’m not sure how that could be, considering half of my resources have intimate ties to Republicans. I was no less disgusted with Republicans and their conservative dogma regardless of the spin accompanying it or the source reporting it.

Additionally, most of my decisions were based on real-time statements and actions. Like I said, I watched nearly every speech and saw all of the debates for the last two months. I saw what they said, in the context it was meant, before the media re-cap, before their words were picked apart until what the candidates said was no longer recognizable. At a basic level, Obama has shown himself to me to be worthy of the presidency, “inadequate experience” and all. I have more faith in Obama’s ability to follow-through with his promises.

Half of my decision has been based on Obama’s behaviour, and so likewise, the other half of my decision was based on McCain’s behaviour. I feel more that McCain is saying anything and doing anything he possibly can to try and gain the presidency, with little chance for follow-through on issues that I deem to be important. Additionally, not once have I seen Obama fear monger in the way that McCain has. Ask a democrat how they feel about McCain winning the presidency and they say something along the lines of “4 more years of this non-sense we’ve already had for 8 years.” When you ask a Republican how they feel about Obama winning the presidency, you hear “I’m scared, I’m afraid, this country will fall into ruin if he wins.” Have they not been paying attention for nearly a decade? Our position as a world power has been severely compromised by policies enacted by (or eroded by) a Republican president, Republican senators, and Republican congressmen.

All of this is forgotten by conservative loyalists when you use the Republican Party’s #1 weapon of choice: FEAR. A few months ago, the fear weapon wasn’t out, conservatives were so sure they were going to win. Then when Obama started pulling ahead, labels like “socialist” and “communist” and “terrorist” were being passed around like candy from the Right. Now you have a whole section of people terrified of someone they will have to give their trust to if he wins the presidency. Tell me, is fear of our leaders good for our country? Not in the least.

I hope against hope that this section of people who make their decisions on fear like this is small. I truly hope that when people cast their ballots this year it is based on what the candidates stand for, not what their opponent or the media says about them. With the media, it is all about ratings.

We’ve been fear mongered for 8 years already. It is time for real change.

Dewmocracy: The Revolution Has Passed

I don't even know why I'm writing this. Maybe to blow off steam, maybe for attention, maybe because I'm an addict. I don't know... I guess I should back up a little bit.

I used to love Mountain Dew. I say "used to" with emphasis. I did love it, and now I don't. Like a past relationship, every once and a while I think of Mountain Dew and wonder what its doing. But also like a past relationship, that's where the wondering stopped. I didn't visit Mountain Dew for literally years. Probably 5.

Then a friend coming over for a gathering at our house brought three twelve packs of funny colored Mountain Dew. Two shades of blue, one shade of pink: Voltage, Revolution, and SuperNova. I still didn't bite, at first.

But then my curiosity got the best of me. I tried all three. The SuperNova was strawberry-melon flavored, which didn't impress me at all. Melon has got to be the worst idea for a soda flavor ever and strawberry pop has been sooooooo overdone. Yes, overdone. The Voltage tasted a little flat to me, but was okay. Sort of like blue cotton candy flavored pop. It was the Revlution which really got me. It had such a crisp taste (mixed berry with a splash of lemon) I couldn't just drink a sip, I grabbed myself a whole can.

And that's where it started. That was some time in May or early, early June. Ever since, I have drank at least a can or 20 ounce bottle of Revolution every day, sometimes two. It has been a requirement for me to be able to make it through my day.

I was devastated in August when it was annonuced that Voltage won the Dewmocracy vote. That meant whatever was left of Revolution on the shelves and in the warehouses was all that was to be manufactured. I told myself that it was bound to happen. Just like the Democracy of America, the candidate you want to win never does. I told myself I would get over it and soon my life without Mountain Dew would be back to normal.

Yeah, right. I went out and bought every 12 pack and 20 ounce bottle of Monutain Dew Revolution that I could. At one point, I had half a dozen 12 packs in my living room closet, hidden so no one else could drink them. If that seems small, it would have been more if I could find them! But they disappeared. If I liked SuperNova or Voltage, I could have had my fill. Revolution sold out of stores so much faster than the other two flavors, I still don't understand how Voltage won.

Anyways, I bought as much Mountain Dew Revolution as I could, trying to grab on to every last shred of it that I could. I rationed myself, no more than 2 cans per day. Yesterday, October 2, I drank the last can. I rationalized that today would be my first Revolution-free days in months. I was wrong.

Today, I drove around and found a gas station that still had 20 ounce bottles of Revolution left and I bought what I could find. I have no idea what I'm really going to do when I actually run out, which will probably be very, very soon.

I like the new and improved Mountain Dew. Its sweet, bubbly, and refreshing in a way that old Mountain Dew hasn't been in a long time. I kicked it to the curb at one time and in my absence, Mountain Dew found a whole new life of its own, changed, evolved. Then it strolled back into my life, teased me for a bit, and then left me wanting more, just like an old boyfriend might do.

Does that mean eventually I will get over Mountain Dew Revolution? Perhaps with the passing of time. Will I find a new drink to replace it? Probably. But it could take a little while before I'm ready to start a new relationship.

Mojo Runnin'

I just thought that while I had a spare moment, I would check in with an update since Mojo MIA. I think it is safe to say that it's back. Until I wrote that post, I was slowly working my way to productivity, but like I said, it was slow. After I laid out all of my spinning thoughts in that post, I feel like I've been able to move on with my work.

Instead of being apathetic about what I know I have to do, I've been getting stuff done. Lots of stuff! Press releases, blog post entries, search engine optimized website content. Today I put in a 12 hour work day! I've been busy!

Once I focus my attention on writing another article for The Drummer and get some better content on my website, I'll be as on track as I want to be.... to start. Then it's time to start kicking my motivation into high gear!

Anyways, if anyone is reading this, expect to see more posts in the future. I'm working on one right now that might be up as early as tomorrow!

Mojo MIA

Ugh... Okay, so I haven't exactly been on the ball lately. I haven't had many posts in recent months: 2 in June, 1 in July, and I entirely missed August. I guess if I wanted to I could lie to myself and post-date an entry, but what exactly would that prove? Not a damn thing.

As the title suggests, I feel like I've lost my mojo, my groove, my inspiration, my innovation. A series of events has really messed with my inner equilibrium over a period of time, starting obviously enough in June. Here they are, in order, laid out for my brain to sort through:

10. Week-long vacation in Ohio to visit family (CRAZY!)
9. Favorite feline diagnosed with lymphoma (He is doing great on his chemo!)
8. Bridesmaid in a wedding (I might just get married in Vegas)
7. Star Wars Exhibit Visit (Meh)
6. Minnesota Renaissance Festival (Twice!)
5. Minnesota Garlic Festival (I wrote an article about it to be published in The Drummer!)
4. Visitations from Out-of-State friends (Love You, Z!)
3. High School Friends re-union (no reason to attend my real 10-year high school re-union now, which happens in 3 weeks!)
2. iQualifyNow.com suspended its article writing program (win/lose: I lost an account, but now I have more time to try advancing myself)

And the #1 thing which has messed with my mojo more than anything else?

1. Calvin, our new Siberian Husky puppy, who just turned 5 months old yesterday.

I never said that all of these things were bad, in fact, most of these things were very, very good and in many cases, lots and lots of fun. But I am a home-body. I think I did more out-of-my-home activities this summer than I have in a while.

Plus, my pets are very important to me. I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to have any children, so as far as I'm concerned, they're my kids. Krillin's diagnosis of lymphoma came as a huge, traumatic shock. Then, my boyfriend falling in love with a husky that was headed for the pound completely turned our house upside-down. Who am I to say no, though? I'm a sucker for a good pet-related sob-story.

Needless to say, I've been distracted so writing and work have been low on my priorities. Because I've been completely off of my schedule, I haven't been able to concentrate. I've been doing enough to make sure ends are met and my kitty could get his chemo, but I haven't done a thing all summer to advance my career. In fact, because iQualifyNow suspended their program, I'm down a client compared to when I started in June.

Thankfully, my social life is slowing down a little bit, not that I didn't totally deserve to take a mental vacation for a while for as hard as I've been working for the past few years. In the last two weeks, I've been pulling myself back together. This blog post is part of my recovery, in fact! Laying it all out here in a sort-of journal format has helped me put in writing what I have been unable to place my finger on for the past few months.

I have to get it together, anyway! With the new husky, our house is super-cramped. We rent and want to take advantage of low real estate price, low interest rates, the abundance of homes on the market, and new first-time home buyer programs. I have to get my butt in gear to get my financial house in order and prepare myself to enter a new stage in life by June 30th next year: Home Ownership. Working up some new clients and making more money could really help with that!

Anyways, time to wrap this up. Today, I rededicate myself to this blog, a new webpage I'm creating for myself, and shortly there-after, an industry-related blog to hopefully drum up some more interest in my writing. Not this kind of writing, but something more related to my industry. I've got a few irons in the fire right now which I will probably cross post to here once I have them going.

If anyone is reading this, thanks for listening!

Top 10 Oldest Jokes in the World

Yes, its been a while since I posted. I'm making sure that I at least have one entry in July. I'll explain what sorts of fun and not so fun things that have been distracting me later. For now, let's read the list of oldest jokes throughout the world as compiled by the University of Wolverhampton.

1. Something which has never occurred since time immemorial: a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap (1900 BC – 1600 BC Sumerian Proverb Collection 1.12-1.13)

2. How do you entertain a bored pharaoh? You sail a boatload of young women dressed only in fishing nets down the Nile and urge the pharaoh to go catch a fish (An abridged version first found in 1600 BC on the Westcar Papryus)

3. Three ox drivers from Adab were thirsty: one owned the ox, the other owned the cow and the other owned the wagon's load. The owner of the ox refused to get water because he feared his ox would be eaten by a lion; the owner of the cow refused because he thought his cow might wander off into the desert; the owner of the wagon refused because he feared his load would be stolen. So they all went. In their absence the ox made love to the cow which gave birth to a calf which ate the wagon's load. Problem: Who owns the calf?! (1200 BC)

4. A woman who was blind in one eye has been married to a man for 20 years. When he found another woman he said to her, "I shall divorce you because you are said to be blind in one eye." And she answered him: "Have you just discovered that after 20 years of marriage!?" (Egyptian circa 1100 BC)

5. Odysseus tells the Cyclops that his real name is nobody. When Odysseus instructs his men to attack the Cyclops, the Cyclops shouts: "Help, nobody is attacking me!" No one comes to help. (Homer. The Odyssey 800 BC)

6. Question: What animal walks on four feet in the morning, two at noon and three at evening? Answer: Man. He goes on all fours as a baby, on two feet as a man and uses a cane in old age (Appears in Oedipus Tyrannus and first performed in 429 BC)

7. Man is even more eager to copulate than a donkey - his purse is what restrains him (Egyptian, Ptolemaic Period 304 BC – 30 BC)

8. Augustus was touring his Empire and noticed a man in the crowd who bore a striking resemblance to himself. Intrigued he asked: "Was your mother at one time in service at the Palace?" "No your Highness," he replied, "but my father was." (Credited to the Emporer Augustus 63 BC – 29 AD)

9. Wishing to teach his donkey not to eat, a pedant did not offer him any food. When the donkey died of hunger, he said "I've had a great loss. Just when he had learned not to eat, he died." (Dated to the Philogelos 4th /5th Century AD)

10. Asked by the court barber how he wanted his hair cut, the king replied: "In silence." (Collected in the Philogelos or "Laughter-Lover" the oldest extant jest book and compiled in the 4th/5th Century AD)

The accompanying article for this list can be found here.

Religious Tolerance in America

So, I found this interesting article on Religion in America at the Star Tribune here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It shows that religious tolerance is rising, to the point that 70% of the 35,000 adults surveyed who had a spiritual affiliation said they're religion is not the "only true religion" and that other belief systems can lead to eternal salvation.

When you read the article though, you get the feeling that the person who wrote it was indeed Catholic and very much against the idea that there are multiple roads to salvation. This makes it a particularly interesting read! Bible quotes and all! And they say the STrib is only a God-less liberal mouthpiece.

My favorite quote, though, is:

"What most people are saying is, 'Hey, we don't have a hammer-lock on God or salvation, and God's bigger than us and we should respect that and respect other people,'" said the Rev. Tom Reese, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.

Wow! Its a human within the "business of religion" that actually accepts that God is omnipotent and omniscient compared to man's puny amount of knowledge. Its rare to find a religious figure that doesn't believe they are "all knowing" and "all seeing" when it comes to God's judgement.

Finally a Sonic Drive-In in Minnesota!

When perusing the Star Tribune today, I stumbled across a blurb which seemed to indicate that at least one of my prayers has been answered. A Sonic Drive-In has finally opened in Minnesota!

Twin Citians with a taste for cherry limeade, tater tots and extra-long Coney hotdogs served up at Sonic drive-ins can quench their cravings. Sonic is to open its first Minnesota store at 6 a.m. today at 1960 Suburban Av. in St. Paul, just south of Interstate 94 and east of White Bear Avenue.

The closest Sonic had been 180 miles south, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Sonic got its start in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla., as the Top Hat Drive-In, a hamburger and root beer stand. It's now the nation's largest drive-in restaurant chain.

As previously stated, I most certainly plan on partaking in their Chili Cheese Tator Tots, Caramel Apple Bites, and Bacon Cheeseburger Toaster Sandwich. Also as previously state, I will bring my fellow Minnesotan friends who also have had an interest in Sonic Drive-In goodness with me. And if I want breakfast in the afternoon they will give it to me, unlike their inferior counterparts.

Beware of Foreclosure Fraud

All across the United States, more than 1 million homes have been put in foreclosure so far this year. With more foreclosures occurring every day, "foreclosure rescue" scams are also on the rise. From California to New York, criminals have been pretending to sooth the fears of borrowers facing foreclosure with promises of mortgage help, only to fleece them of their homes and equity. Basically, the wave of the predatory lending has broken into a new era of foreclosure fraud.

That is the lead in to one of my most recent articles on www.iQualifyNow.com. Obviously, it is about foreclosure fraud. I really liked writing this article because it was interesting to research, but it makes me mad that there are so many people in the world who are willing to take advantage of others. These are people trying to save their homes!

Anyways, this article provides tips to help you weed out most of the criminals in your search for help to fight foreclosure. There really are people out there who can help you, you simply have to find them.

Pure Pionus Parrot

Okay, so after I made my last post, I got to thinking that there was at least one publication of mine which had not been linked to this blog yet. I wrote this article for Associated Content because I thought (very briefly) that I might be able to make some money this way when I was first starting out as a writer. I had been out of practice for articles of any length (my primary duties at the time were creating about 33 news blurbs of 200 characters of less), so it took me a little while to write. I wasn't satisfied with the compensation I received, however. Now I know a little bit more about those sorts of mass produced things. I will probably write something else for them someday, but I feel that site is a little bit more about quantity and not as much about quality.

Myself, I strive for quality and content over quantity. I put time and research into my articles. Though I will use existing items as references, I like to create my own original articles on various topics. I also like to take a few things that might be happening in the news at the same time and tie them together, such as this article I wrote which combines information from a piece that says the act of giving can counteract depression with a piece that says donations are down.

Anyways.. back to the parrot. I have a Pionus Parrot named Harry. He is of the Blue Headed variety. They are peculiar birds. They don't usually talk, or if they do talk, it is not very clearly. But mine does! He is very self centered, though. His phrases are "Harry Bird," "Harry Boy," "Buddy Bird," "Buddy Boy," "Whats up, birdy," "Come here," and "Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty." He does have some more colorful phrases, but thankfully, those are much less easily understood. The F-sound is a little harder for a parrot to mimick :) He can be very, very loud and it can be very frustrating. I can't always account for the language I use towards him when he is throwing a little birdy temper tantrum!

Anyways, my family owns birds. My aunt has a Yellow Naped Amazon and a Congo African Grey. I would never own either of these birds, their beaks are far too large and they tend to only like one person. Harry, on the other hand, craves attention from anyone who will give it to him. My mother and brother, between the two of them, have a Nanday Conure named Cozmo, a Blue-Crowned Conure named Indigo, and a Jardine's Parrot named Jordy. While I would totally have another Pionus or a Jardine, I wouldn't get another conure. They are friendly but very loud.

Never Too Late to Teach Your Kids About Money

Teaching children about money is never an easy task. Perhaps you don't feel confident about your own money-management skills. However, you probably know a little more about directing cash than you think. From the time that children begin comprehending money (which is around the same time they learn to count) until they move out of your home permanently, your financial actions will play a critical role in shaping their attitude toward money. Teaching and encouraging children to become regular savers, thrifty spenders, and savvy investors will help them lead a financially fit life in the future.

This is the lead in to my most recent article published on iQualifyNow.com. I think the title is pretty obvious! It has some tips about teaching kids about cash. I wish I would have been made to save when I was younger. Maybe I would have some savings of which to speak!

I'm a little bummed that my iQualifyNow articles have been the only items in my blog lately. I have been very busy and super productive, however! I picked up two new clients this week. WOOHOO! New projects! Of course, since I want this blog to also be a record of my on-line published articles, I will post links when appropriate.

I am stoked that I've been contributing so regular to Sense & Serendipity! I've been doing infinitely better since the sputtering start of this blog in March of 2007. But then again, I was working 60 hours a week last year. Now all I do is write! Makes me so happy. I really, truly love what I do and I am excited to see where my next projects will lead me!

MORE Earth Friendly Purchases Under $50

MORE! I like more. I had so much fun writing Earth Friendly Purchases Under $50 that I had to write another one, because there just had to be MORE!

In the previous article, 10 environmentally friendly purchases that cost less than $50 were listed. Household items, foods, cleaning products, even clothing were named as helping to foster a "green" life that didn't require taking out a home equity loan to install solar panels or wind turbines. Here are 10 more tips to help you live a greener lifestyle without blowing your budget.

Again, these are articles I wrote for the iQualifyNow.com financial site.

Glad To Be A Wild Goon!

If I didn't know better, I would think it sounds like The Denver Post's Mark Kiszla woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I know the real reason for his bitterness, however, is that the Minnesota Wild are beating the Denver Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Playoff Series. The article he wrote wasn't as much about the actual game as it was how annoyed he was that Denver lost and Minnesota won. He took a lot of cheap shots at the Wild and their fans. Here are a few choice cuts:

"Let the mugging begin. It's the only way the Minnesota Wild can win."

"When playing this goon-it- up Wild bunch, hockey is a no-holds- barred battle of attrition, not skill."

"Minnesota, the land of 10,000 dead car batteries, has an inferiority about this hockey team. The Wild's style of play is as ugly and obnoxious as the uniforms, which look as if designed by a toddler who randomly pulled two crayons from the box of 64 and began scribbling."

"Anywhere the Wild goes, flowers wilt, the sky turns gray and beauty dies."

And let's not forget one of my personal favorites:

"The dark hockey arts are practiced by every member of the Wild. Even a player as remarkably talented as Minnesota center Mikko Koivu is not adverse to hacking and tripping when Colorado's Ryan Smyth is carrying the puck on goal."

"When scores are certain to be scarce and the mugging is beyond the control of any referee, what's the lone goal for the Avs now? Be the last men standing, and live to play something that resembles beautiful hockey another day."

Wow... He sounds truly morose and bitter! At least when the Wild lose, their fans don't cry foul on the other team. We acknowledge that our team messed up or perhaps didn't play so well, we don't blame it on the tactics of the other team. Besides, I watched that game, too, and I saw plenty of calls that were not called against Denver which should have been, particularly hooking. I also saw Denver starting the brawls just as often as Minnesota. One hockey team is not an "angel" compared to the other, fighting is a part of the game whether some people like it or not and in this case both sides were getting their digs. This is for a shot at the Stanley Cup, you know.

Brute force is sometimes necessary to win. To be the last man standing, and live to play hockey another day, you have to claim victory. To do otherwise, puts you in the off-season.

Money Etiquette Matters

A lot of attention these days is spent on all manner of financial topics, from budgeting and credit reports to investments and property taxes. Knowledge and expertise in these areas can be easily measured by the numbers. Not all subjects revolving around cash are so cut and dry, however, especially when it comes to money and friends. In fact, talking about some money matters even in close company are considered to be taboo.

Thats the lead-in to my most recent financial article for iQualifyNow.com. The article discusses a few guidelines for people to follow during those tough times which require good financial etiquette, like how to split an uneven check or what to do about an unpaid loan. This was a fun and interesting article to write because in my experience, not many are willing to talk about what is proper or fair in these types of situations.

Money Etiquette Matters

New Crayola Color Names Lack Hue Description

I had to pass along this little gem, which I heard about first on the radio. I had to look up the articles online in order to discover all of the color names and find out which crayons they messed up. I was truly a fan of "turquoise blue" and I am a little sad to now hear that its name has been changed to such a bizarre name.

Crayola Changes Names of 8 Colors based on on-line poll of children.

Old Name - New Name
laser lemon - super happy
wild tangerine - fun in the sun
screamin' green - giving tree
beaver - bear hug (what kind of color is Beaver anyway?)
turquoise - blue happy ever after
hot magenta - famous
orchid - best friends.

One of the articles that came up in my search was called "Colorful new names for eight crayons". No, lady, these names are distinctly lacking in any sort of color what-so-ever. If I had seen colors named like this when I was still young enough to regularly use Crayons, I don't know what I would have thought. Now that I'm an adult, I find it hard to believe these names weren't concocted by stoners.

Fun Real Estate Post

Though I don't usually post stuff from the real estate blog I contribute to here, I had a lot of fun writing this post about unique home sale tactics. People are finding some pretty crazy ways of trying to sell their houses these days! I wonder if any of these people really sell their homes in this manner? I almost wrote an essay to try and win a 41 acre farm in Ohio once (hubby's homestate), I didn't have $100 extra dollars sitting around at the time to mail off into the ether. It would have been an expensive lark. They didn't receive enough entries, by far. The winner is receiving half of what they got in entry fees, though.

More to come soon!

Retirement: Tips for Truly Golden Years

Retirement is one of the greatest stages of life, but it is also very expensive. Experts estimate that you'll need about 70 percent of what you make right now to maintain your standard of living after retirement. Those who earn less may need 90 percent or more. With that in mind, assume responsibility: No one else is going to plan your retirement, so it is up to you to make plans for your future.

This is the lead-in to this weeks iQualifyNow.com article. You can read the rest of it here!

If No One Cared

I don't have much time to write today. I have a bit more work than usual this week, but I wanted to make sure that I got something in. When I saw this commentary in the Columbus Dispatch, I felt it was something that needed a little more attention.

For a moment, stop and think of what the world would be like if no one looked out for anyone else. Substitute a local issue in your own town for the location specific content. Imagine if every individual in our society thought only of themselves. Visualize how lonely, dirty, and unfriendly our country would be if even half of our population felt the way Ann Fisher describes in her editorial.

Perhaps a few of these thoughts, or thoughts along these lines, have popped into your head. That's okay, it is never too late to start making positive changes in your life and thinking of others. The next time a thought like this materializes, stop to think about from where this thought may be coming. Then imagine yourself in the shoes of the other person. Perhaps it is someone who depends on public transportation to get to work, who has poor health requiring prescriptions, or who can't afford health insurance.

Looking at the world from the perspective of others will help us as individuals to step away from the selfish, "me first" mentality that is creeping into our everyday lives through materialism, commercialism, and the media.

"Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution." - Kahlil Gibran

Feeling Blue? Find Happiness in Charity

Recent research suggests that money can indeed buy happiness – as long as it is spent on someone other than oneself. A study by a team University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School found that spending as little as $5 on someone else can mean real gains in happiness for a given day.

Over 600 U.S. volunteers were asked their annual income and spending habits, including monthly bills, gifts, purchases they make for themselves, and charity. They were also asked their general level of happiness.

Then they were given $5 or $20 with specific instructions on how to spend it. Participants were told whether to spend the money on themselves or on someone else. The volunteers who spent the money on someone else reported feeling happier, even when they had felt they would be happiest spending the cash on themselves.

This study may also explain why U.S. citizens are no happier, even though Americans are richer than in years past. Despite drastic increases in earned income, charitable donations have remained flat over time.

Due to recent economic events, now is the time when many more citizens are in need of a helping hand. On the same coin, rocky financial times have actually led to a drop in charitable donations. From food shelves to homeless shelters, charities are strapped for cash and supplies.

There are communities that are fighting back, however. Though money is tight in many households these days, now is not the time to close up your wallet to charity. Whether it is a few cans of food donated to your local area food shelf or $5 given to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, every little bit counts. Small amounts given here and there will brighten the lives of both the giver and the receiver.

Oldest Known Audio Recording Discovered

U.S. audio historians have discovered the oldest-known audio recording, created by a French inventor named Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville on April 9, 1860 - 17 years before Thomas Edison invented the phonograph. Up until now, the oldest recorded sound still in existence has been from 1888. This predates it by 28 years.

The recording, which lasts a mere 10 second, is of a person singing a line of the folk song “Au Clair de la Lune.” It was created by an invention called the phonautograph. The device scratched sound waves onto a sheet of paper which had been previously blackened by the smoke of an oil lamp. The phonautograph was incapable of playing the sound back, however. It was Edison’s breakthrough invention of the phonograph on August 12, 1877, that changed the course of history.

Before people thought of recording sound and playing it back, many inventors such as Edison, Scott, even Alexander Graham Bell, were trying to create a visual representation of sound. When Scott’s scratchings were made, it was so he could visually study what sound “looked” like. The recording at the time of its creation was never intended to be played.

Earlier this month, experts made very high-resolution digital scans of the paper. Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California then converted these scans into sound. The result is a ghostly sounding recording of a human voice singing "Au clair de la lune, Pierrot repondit" ("By the light of the moon, Pierrot replied").

The link to the recording in the Reuters article is broken. Here is a link to the correct page.

This article can also be found at The Bloggernews Network.

Friday IQN Post

Every Friday, I will have at least one thing to post. That is the day of the week my iQualifyNow.com article is published! This one was supposed to be published last week, but they held it over.

This week's article is about vacation planning! In this unsteady economy, some people may be cutting their vacations short or not taking them at all. This article is about planning financially for your vacation. There is an emphasis on budgeting, planning, and most of all, ensuring that you don't put your trip on credit. You don't want to be worrying about money while you're supposed to be having the time of your life!

Vacations Require Financial Planning: Do Your Homework!

Political Scandals Weigh Down Progress

I got real sick of the Gov. Elliot Spitzer controversy. But at least the good news with that, is once the scandal hit, it was like a week before the guy stepped down. Coverage has tapered off considerably since then. Now the conversation in New York seems to be more about new Gov. David Paterson's infidelities and indiscretions, though in a far less feverish manner since he was up front about it.

I wish Detroit's Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick would just step down already. The Motor City has enough problems, the fact that this story blocks out all other news in Michigan isn't really helping. I think that everyday I hear 2-3 stories about him, and I live in Minnesota. People in Michigan must just be bombarded with this stuff.

Sticking around isn't going to help him and it certainly isn't going to help the city. Simply having a new mayor in office, without legal problems, could help Detroit move forward instead of wallowing in a leadership scandal that has already been dragging on for months. Of course, it seems that finding a government figure, state or federal, that actually puts their constituents first is rare indeed.

Happy Belated Bloggy Birthday!

I just noticed that this blog is just over a year old. March 17th, 2007 was the first post I made to Sense & Serendipity. Including this entry that I'm writing now, I have 22 posts. 3 of which were written yesterday. Over half of them were written during 3 months of this year. I think its time for me to really get this thing going!

Happy Birthday, Sense & Serendipity. Sorry I've been ignoring you. I promise to do better!

Recent Financial Articles

I still write for iQualifyNow.com too, which has taken up some time and brainpower. An article that exposes 10 every day fees that you can avoid or reduce was enlightening. There is a more recent article than this one for rcollege bound students researching what school to go to, but it hasn't been published on-line yet. As soon as it is, I will post a link to that one too. Its about financially planning for your fiscally responsible vacation!

Shirking My Blog

Wow. It has been longer than I thought since I contributed a post. After I finally took a look and saw that, I had to enter something.

Really, I've been working on... Well, Work. But its been blogging! The Realtors I write for finally got their blog off of the ground. I've been helping them try to fill it with content in order for it to go up in the ranking. My synapses are a little fried after spending so much time working on single-minded posting, I haven't had the energy to write for myself. I do have some ideas in the works though, now that people are finally starting to find the Realtor blog. FYI: On that page, I write as "Matt Barker."

So... Hopefully there will be some intelligent and thoughtful posts published here next week.

Earth Friendly Purchases Under $50

Being friendly to the environment and living a “green” life is not as expensive as it is sometimes made out to be. Anyone can make small changes everyday towards making a big difference in the world’s ecosystem. Here are a few tips to help you live a greener lifestyle without busting your wallet.

1. Earth-Friendly Cleansers & Detergents. Standard detergents and cleaners are not environmentally friendly and many have chemicals that are harmful even in small amounts. From bathroom and toilet cleaners to laundry detergent and dish soap, there are green products to replace all of your toxic cleaners.

2. Re-useable Shopping Bags. Each year billions of plastic bags end up littering the streets and choking our waterways. Not only that, but it takes vast amounts of oil to create plastic bags. Purchasing a few reusable shopping bags will help you eliminate hundreds, if not thousands, of shopping bags from littering the planet.

3. Energy Efficient Light Bulbs. Sure, energy-efficient light bulbs may cost more initially, but the benefits they will bring to your household are worth the extra couple of bucks. They use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, produce less heat, last up to ten times longer, and can save up to $30 per bulb over its lifetime.

4. Rechargeable Batteries. Rechargeable batteries can offer an economic benefit when used instead of one-time-use disposable batteries. Though they may cost more up-front than disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries come in almost all standard configurations and they can be discharged and recharged hundreds of times before they wear out.

5. Organic/Local Foods. Local foods are those that are produced within 200 miles of your home and therefore use less fossil fuels to get it to your grocery case. Your local farmers’ market is chock full of local foods that are often less expensive than at the supermarket. Organic foods are grown free of chemical or oil-based pesticides and industrial fertilizers. You don’t have to convert your entire diet, but adding a few of these items with each trip will make a big difference.

6. Fair-trade or Rainforest Friendly Coffees & Teas. Certified fair trade coffee and tea help ensure living wages and safe working conditions for farmers. TransFair and Rainforest Alliance both include rigorous environmental standards in their certification criteria. There are also fair-trade and rainforest friendly chocolates!

7. Earth Friendly Hair Products, Soaps & Lotions. Chemicals and synthetic ingredients in many shampoos, conditioners, body washes, soap, lotions, and facial care products are more detrimental to your skin, and the ecosystem, than you think. Personal care products that are plant-based as opposed to chemical-based are better for your skin and the environment.

8. Natural Fiber Clothing. Hemp, an important renewable resource, is one of the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibers and holds its shape well, stretching less than any other natural fiber. Other fibers that are being used in natural clothing are organic cotton, wool, silk, even bamboo!

9. Recycled Paper and Other Stationary. Whether it’s a spiral bound notebook for school or beautiful stationary for a romantic letter, there are a wide variety of recycled paper products available today. Buying recycled products like this not only prevents trees from being chopped down, but it keeps more waste out of landfills.

10. Recycled Glass Products. There are many beautiful products offered these days, particularly for the kitchen, that are made from recycled glass. There are vases, glasses, stemware, bowls, and plates, all of which have been constructed out of glass bottles that otherwise would have been headed to the garbage dump.

You don’t have to invest in solar panels or a wind power generator to green up your lifestyle. These are just a few examples of easy ways to watch out for the environment without spending a lot of cash.

This article can also be read here on iQualifyNow.com.

5 Questions to Ask Before Taking Out a Payday Loan

A payday loan is a small, short-term loan, usually between $100 and $500, extended to a borrower until his or her next payday. It can be called a cash advance loan, a check advance loan, or even a deferred-deposit check loan, but regardless of what they’re called, they generally are all the same. Payday loans may be helpful when you are having temporary cash flow problems or are facing a financial emergency. Before considering such a loan, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions first:

1. Are there any other options?

In many cases, you can find an alternative to getting a payday loan. Before making a decision, brainstorm for other possible solutions, such as using a credit card or selling an item or two from your home. You may just find a better way to accomplish your goal.

2. Are you prepared for the fees and interest that you will be charged?

The word “interest” is generally not used in payday lending agreements, rather a fee is charged for the service. Fees are typically between $15 and $25 per every $100 borrowed. That adds up to an annual percentage rate equivalent of approximately 391% to 650% interest! For that much, make sure that your purchase is going to be worth it.

3. Is the amount of money you are borrowing reasonable?

Because of the high cost, it’s important that you are sure you will be able to pay back the loan quickly. If not, the “roll over” charges for extending the loan will add up fast and could easily even double the amount of your loan. Some people who needed immediate cash have ended up taking payday loans from other lenders to pay off previous lenders. You can make sure that this doesn’t happen to you by keeping your loan as small as possible.

4. Is the establishment you’re taking your loan from a reputable company?

Your security is important. As with any loan, make sure you do some research before signing on the dotted line. Start with their certification: all payday loan companies must have a license from the state they are based in and some states don’t even allow payday loans. Secondly, make sure that the company has been around for at least 2 years or more. In that time, they will have built up a reputation as a reliable service. Thirdly, check with the better business bureau to see if there are any complaints against the lender. Don’t even consider one that has had a history of problems.

5. Do you have peace of mind about getting the loan?

Taking out a payday loan can easily turn a temporary financial difficulty into a chronic problem. If you have the slightest doubts about the answers to any of these questions, stop: don't do it. A payday loan may not be the right choice for your situation and could make things worse.

This article can also be found at iQualifyNow.com.

Wasteful Packaging: It Isn't Just Wal-Mart

Though I am no longer a smoker, I still receive offers, gifts, and coupons from both Camel and Marlboro cigarettes, as I have a significant other and several friends who smoke. Today, I received coupons in the mail from both of these companies.

From Marlboro, I received an envelope with the rules to a sweepstakes, as well as a promotion code to enter it. It also came with six coupons for cigarettes.

From Camel, I received what I believed to be a gift, as it was a 5” x 5” x 1” box wrapped in plastic. Inside the box was another box and inside that, another. The boxes were promoting a new type of cigarette in brand-spankin’-new packaging. In the last box was a fake, “new Camel” cigarette pack and inside that, a single coupon the size of a business card to buy this new smoke.

This type of wastefulness is ridiculous and I have e-mailed Camel regarding it. I doubt that they will care much, even though I bet they spent much more money on printing, packaging, and postage for their single coupon than Marlboro. I would have been more understanding if there had been a gift inside, but essentially, it was 4 layers of paper and cardboard for a tiny coupon.

If you have a similar experience, it is important that you speak up and tell the company how you feel. How ever will they know that this topic is important to consumers if we don't tell them?

This article can also be found at the Blogger News Network.

[EDIT: This is the response I received from Camel after voicing concerns regarding their waste:

I noted in your e-mail that the answer "no" was selected for smoker status and wanted to let you know that our offers and websites are restricted to legal-age consumers of tobacco products.

If this information was selected in error, please let me know. I will be glad
to assist you.

I see that I will have to change my smoker status in order for them to properly ignore me. :) ]

20 Inexpensive Weekend Activities

The festivities of the holiday season have passed, but many consumers are just now feeling the crunch as they receive their credit card bills and statements. Post-holiday buyer's remorse can be a real drag, as entertainment and recreational activities tend to be one of the first expenses to be cut. It's not necessary, however, as there are many ways to have fun in every city and town when finances are tight. The following is a list of 20 free or inexpensive activities for those who may need to reign in their spending.

1. Rent movies or subscribe to an on-line DVD rental service instead of seeing movies at the theater. You can choose to eat whatever snacks you like, you can wear your slippers, and you know what the mystery stain is on the floor.

2. Cook a special dinner at home. Cooking a meal at home instead of buying one at a restaurant tends to be healthier and cheaper. Try out a new recipe or whip up an old favorite.

3. Go for a long walk. The exercise is good for you and if you explore your local community on foot, you are much more likely to meet your neighbors. You just might find a new friend!

4. Discover your local parks system. The amenities these green spaces have can include pavilions, playgrounds, hiking and biking trails, fishing piers, swimming beaches, and more.

5. Go out for afternoon coffee instead of evening drinks. You're far less likely to over-indulge in caffeinated drinks than alcoholic ones.

6. If you really want to have a drink with your friends, have a cocktail party at home instead of going out to the club. Even at the cheapest bar, a single round of drinks can often cost as much as a bottle of liquor or a good bottle of wine.

7. Volunteering is the ultimate inexpensive weekend activity. Time invested in making a difference in your community is always well spent.

8. Have a yard sale. Clothing, furniture, household items, whatever. It won't make you rich, but it can be a lot of fun!

9. If a yard sale is too much work, bring your extra stuff to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Not only is it a good deed, your charitable donation could mean a tax deduction for the fair market value of the item.

10. Read a book. Plenty of reading material is available for free at your local library.

11. Rediscover the lost art of picnicking. Pack some sandwiches, fruit, crackers, and beverages into a cooler and head out to the beach or a park. Is it too cold to be outside? Spread a blanket out on the kitchen floor and reminisce about warmer days.

12. Have a game night. Play board games, checkers, chess, card games, whatever types of games that you like.

13. Go to a local zoo or museum. Visiting these types of places is both educational and fun.

14. Recapture your youth through miniature golf or bowling. These highly underrated activities are incredibly inexpensive.

15. Check local community calendars for free or cheap concerts, trade shows, or other enjoyable activities.

16. Support your local high school, college, or amateur sports teams by attending a game. There is usually something for every fan, including softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, hockey, wrestling, and more.

17. Pick up an inexpensive sport for fun. Many local parks offer volleyball and basketball courts, soccer fields, disc-golf courses, and other facilities. All you need to supply are the teammates and the ball, throwing discs, or horseshoes.

18. Play video games. Work on reaching that next level on your own or play party games with a group of friends. Conduct a contest to find out who is the best at each video game.

19. Learn more about the history of the area you live in by visiting local historical sites or landmarks. Gain an appreciation of the past events that formed your current community.

20. Study new skills or pick up a new hobby. Learn how to change a flat, jump a battery, or change your oil. Teach yourself to crochet, knit, or needlepoint. Take up painting, writing, or photography.

This was the first article that I wrote for iQualifyNow.com. The original article can be found here.

Valentines Tips: How to Surprise Your Sweetheart on $50 or Less

This Valentine's Day, many consumers will still be spending less on gifts. Perhaps your own spending has been tight recently? Whether you're searching for a heartfelt item for a man or a woman, there is a wide variety of gifts which cost $50 or less to suite many personalities. You don't need to break your wallet to show your loved one how much you care.

A Gift For Her:

1. One Dozen Long-Stemmed Red Roses. Yes, a gift of red roses at Valentine's Day seems cliche. But when was the last time you bought her flowers?

2. Sterling Silver Heart Locket. This timeless gift is sure to please your sweetheart. Choose from a 14", 16", or 18" chain and don't forget to put two small pictures of your smiling face inside.

3. A gourmet or specialty box of chocolates. If your Valentine is a chocolate aficionado, present her with a luxurious box of chocolates. Don't forget that chocolate is an aphrodisiac!

4. A bottle of her favorite perfume. You know, the one that drives you wild? If you don't know what her signature fragrance is, choose a classic scent like Chanel No. 5, Eternity by Calvin Klein, or Shalimar.

5. Sexy Lingerie. Women like to feel and look sexy, especially for their man. Though she'll be wearing it, the gift of lingerie is sure to please the both of you.

6. A Freshwater Cultured Pearl Bracelet. Sure to please any woman, a pearl bracelet is one of the most versatile pieces of jewelry a woman can own. A variety of styles and clasps are available for $40 - $50 online.

7. Gemstone Earrings. If your lady's ears are pierced and your budget can't afford diamond earrings, select a pair of pearl or semi-precious stone earrings.

8. A PajamaGram from PajamaGram.com. There are a variety of packages to choose from that are $50 or less. Your pajama gift is delivered with a lavender sachet, a "Do Not Disturb" sign, and a personalized gift card inside a keepsake organza hatbox.

9. Specialty Gift Basket. There are quite a few gift basket options available for $50 or less. Is your honey a coffee connoisseur or a lover of fine wines? Take a look online and see if you can't find a whole basket of goodies for your sweetheart.

10. A gift certificate for a massage. What better way to pamper her than with a professional massage? You can buy gift certificates in person, over the phone or on the Internet at many spas.

This was the first article that I wrote for iQualifyNow.com. The original article can be found here.

There was also supposed to be a second half to it. Don't think that I forgot about the menfolk, they like gifts, too! The second half wasn't published, or hasn't been published yet, but here it is:

A Gift For Him:

1. A bottle of his favorite cologne. Ladies, you know you love the way that he smells. Or maybe you want him to try a new flavor? Check out Davidoff’s Cool Water, Aqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani, or Boss #6 by Hugo Boss.

2. Silk Boxer Shorts. Guys aren’t the only ones who like to ogle the goods. The gift of a pair of silk boxers is a gift for both of you.

3. Anthony Logistics for Men Travel Logistics. For the man who is on the go, this package includes a facial cleanser, astringent, shave cream, shampoo, lip balm, and hand & body lotion, all in a Mesh Dopp Kit.

4. Perfect Pushup Rotation Pushup Handles. He has seen the commercials. He is just too embarrassed to admit that he wants an infomercial product to make the call. Lucky for you, you can find this product on-line and in some stores.

5. Sparkle Swizzlestick. This cell phone Flash drive can be used to backup contacts, photos, and music or upload ringtones and photos. It is the perfect gift for a guy who relies heavily on his cell phone.

6. A high quality watch. Most men don’t usually like jewelry for Valentine’s Day, but they do appreciate a good watch. There are a variety of high quality timepieces available for just under $50. Does he have a favorite sports team? Some are available with his favorite NFL, NHL, or NCAA team logo.

7. Creative Zen Stone 1 GB. He loves music, but perhaps he hasn’t made the leap into the 21st century. This cheap 1GB MP3 player is about $40 and will introduce your man to the next generation of portable music.

8. The Hickory Traveler. The Hickory Traveler is a soft-sided cooler filled with plenty of Hickory Farms treats: summer sausage, cheese, crackers, and all the fixings.

9. Leather passport wallet. If your guy travels internationally, he will love this gift. A leather passport case with an embossed cover will keep his important documents together in style.

10. Sexy Lingerie. Okay, so this was also in the list of items to buy a woman, but think about it seriously for a moment. You get to buy yourself some new lingerie and he gets to see you in it. What is sure to follow is a gift both of you can enjoy.

It is Official: I Am Now A Freelance Writer

It may not have happened exactly how I had planned it, especially since it was entirely unplanned, but none-the-less, here I am. After the I realized that the job I had started in August of 2007 (in the hopes of climbing the marketing and advertising copywriter ladder) was leading me nowhere, I finished what little writing I had left to do and quit. Its barely been a month, and as a freelance writer I have 3 clients already, including my previous employer. I am also a part-time web content writer for Barker & Hedges Real Estate.

The most exciting client I have right now, however, is iQualifyNow.com. They've asked me to write a weekly article for them! I began last week and I've finished two articles for them. They will be my next two posts.

Anyways, I'm excited to finally be working for myself and doing exactly what I love, all day long: Writing.

Franchise: Open a Sonic in the Twin Cities Area

Are you interested in opening a franchise in the Twin Cities metro area? Have you been pouring over your options, wondering which one you should choose? You’ve worked hard to get your start-up money and because of that, you want to make sure that you pick the right one.

Choose to open a Sonic Drive-In.

From the Chili Cheese Tator Tots and Caramel Apple Bites to the Bacon Cheeseburger Toaster Sandwich and the Country Steak & Eggs Toaster Sandwich, I would eat your food. I would eat your Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with honey mustard sauce, Sonic Bacon Cheeseburgers, and Strawberry Cream Pie Shakes. I have friends that would come with me, and they would eat your Extra-Long Chili Cheese Coneys, Corn Dogs on Sticks, SuperSonic Breakfast Burritos, Onion Rings, Mozzarella Sticks, and your various frozen sundaes and treats.

You wouldn’t even need to pay for advertising, as commercials already play on television in the Twin Cities. I have been watching them for years on various channels, yet the closest Sonic Drive-In to the Twin Cities area is in Fort Dodge, Iowa: 180 miles away. These commercials are taunting and mean. Someone should take responsibility and make Sonic Drive-In’s advertisements truthful.

If I had the money to start it up myself, I would step up to the plate, but as it is, I’m a recovering ex-college student, working to pay off my debts for the next ten years. I can’t make a monetary contribution more than to say that were someone to bring these yummy, warm, cheesy, chili-covered goodies to the cold state of Minnesota, I would empty my wallet and fill my stomach at your restaurant. Please, when making your decision to open a franchise, choose a winner: Choose Sonic!