The Outsider – Me, Myself, & I

Wow, its been a while since I’ve posted anything! I’ve been working back at the shop full time for the last week. Monday I’ll be working as well after I set up my financial aid and everything else I’m going to need to start back to college in the Spring.

Something I’ve noticed over the last few months or so is that everyone treats me as an outsider. I’m no longer really included in anything and pushed to the side for other “more important things” to take my place. I don’t feel welcome anywhere – not even at home. I don’t know why – but maybe it is for a reason. Maybe to push me to move on with my life and those who are meant to be in my life, will be and those who aren’t, well they’ll be gone. 

I’m working on my Computer Information Systems (CIS) degree and will have over half of it completed within nine months. I know my plans for what I want to do with my degree and have found a shortcut to start a career in nine months instead of waiting 2 years to get my degree before I can start making the big bucks. I have met a great advisor who is helping me through the loop holes and helping me land one of the highest paying salary jobs in the area. I’m so happy and can’t wait until next September. No more having to write for pennies. I am still writing, but most of my clients have hired someone else because I have raised my rates. Blogs are now $20 -$35 per post instead of $10 and $15. Q & A  and articles up to 500 words are $45 each and my hourly rate is now $25 per hour. This is still under the current going rates for these types of articles and posts, but I feel I will still come out ahead with these rates. But many of my clients have looked for writers in India and other countries where they are willing to write for pennies – this in turn leaving American writers with no work. I have also started up web designing again. My rates for that are $50 an hour for now. Soon I hope that it will take off and I can make a pretty good income with that until I finish my degree. Well, I have to finish up the laundry and catch up on some other stuff around here.

Setting Up My Business – Today

My business name is Meisha MacKenzie. I’m setting up my site today.

Another Rainy Day – Call me Twitterfied!

 

This morning I woke up to the rain pouring down outside. Don’t get me wrong, I love the rain, but my knee does not. It’s really early for me to be up and about, well I can’t really say I’m up and about. I’m still in the bed listening to the rain, sipping on the coffee my man brought me before he left for work this morning, and watching Mocha talk to the birds outside the window. All of that along with checking email and getting to work on the remaining 4 blog post I have to complete and the other 5 Q & A’s, & 10 more articles all due by Monday. And then I have another 20 Q & A’s due by the end of October. You would think I was making a pretty good income here, but the pay just isn’t enough to pay all of my bills. It looks like I will have to raise my rates in the near future (a few weeks) and I may end up losing some clients, but I must do what I must do. Yes it would seem I’ve somehow ran out of days as well and now it’s down to the last minute type of writing. So much has been going on lately and time has somehow just passed me by.

When I woke up at 6:10am this morning I had a plan. I was going to get up, grab the laptop and start working on the blog post. I completed on last night while I watched my man play that new game we just got for the Xbox 360. I love playing xbox when there are good games out. Lately, there just hasn’t really been that many. Saints Row is awesome – so much better than any of the GTA’s. We just put a deposit down for Saints Row 2 – it comes out on October 14, 2008. I can’t wait Anyway, back to what I was saying about my plans for today. I completed one of my blog post and started on another one while he was playing Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. I guess I should’ve completed them all, but I got side tracked (or saw something shiny as everyone always says to me), and started cleaning out the refrigerator and watching my DVR’d 2 hour special of Gordon Ramsay‘s Kitchen Nightmares.

I love that show. Watching it makes you not want to eat out at any restaurant any more. I still eat out though. Usually at O’Charley’s. I absolutely love their grilled chicken and their rolls.

 

From December M. Raynes Twitter Page!!!

 Okay, so I’ve been spending quite a bit of time on Twitter. Now at first I looked at this little thing and just couldn’t figure out exactly why anyone would want to use it, but after a few look sees and a few post I’m now addicted! Go figure right, something so simple can take up a whole lot of your time! Well, as it would seem that time has once again slipped away. It is right now 8:26am. Where did the last hour and a half go? Well, enough yip yap on here for now. Time to get things in the workings.

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Happy Friday Everyone!

HAPPY FRIDAY…

It’s finally Friday. I can’t believe it – where did the week go? I guess I lost a few days due to some personal things I had to work through (relationships – sometimes I really wonder if it’s all worth it then I see his smile and feel his touch and I know it’s worth it all) – which would explain my previous posts or there lack of. Now that things are back to normal I can get back to business. Skype is really driving me nuts. We pay $60 a year (yeah a great deal) but I guess it is true – you get what you pay for, right? Hopefully my phone service will be back online soon. It’s been almost 3 days.

Moving on…

Today I have a plan. I plan to work on my 5 gardening Q & A’s and catch up on some laundry. I have so much stuff to catch up on and it just seems there just aren’t enough hours in the day sometimes. Right now it’s 12pm and my hours in my office are 10pm – 4pm. Many years ago when I worked full time as a writer (always overloaded with work) I would work sometimes 18 hour days and sleep a few hours a night if that. I have decided not to work long days and just work Monday – Friday with EVERY Holiday off as well as special occasions (permitting my projects allow it). I refuse to burn myself out this time. I know – the ones of you who know me and know me well are saying “Yeah right! You’ll be working your arse off and burning the candle at both ends in no time!” Well, I plan to get back on my freelance writing career path and stick with it for another 10 years or more.

Today’s Plan…

1. Complete 5 Gardening Q & A articles
2. Fill out my divorce papers
3. Laundry
4. Make Chili for Dinner (yummy)
5. Return a few emails to clients
6. Relax the rest of the evening!

Well, back to work for me!!!

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Talking is Hard To Do!

Just like the headline says “Talking is hard to do!”. Yesterday my front bottom tooth split. Not sure why, and now I can’t speak clearly. I haven’t made it to the dentist yet – no insurance plan and no cash equal no cure. So, sitting here talking to my new friend on Yahoo and emailing my old friends and catching up on some DVR stuff is all I have to do since there’s no work right now. At least I don’t have a job that involve talking with voice. I couldn’t imagine being a phone rep or something, I’d never be able to get through the day. 

Well, this entry may not be all that long. I just feel like crap today – so there’s really not much to say about anything. I have quite a few emails to answer and I want to work on my website today and add some informative text. But that probably just won’t happen today. 

It’s cold here today. I’m not sure if it’s just because I feel bad today or if it really is cold. It’s only September – it should still be hot outside. Well, I guess I’ll write more in this later.

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Just Another Day

Well so far today I have searched for jobs online. Not any luck really. Last night I sent out a few inquiries and received on back (with hopes). She said that if I was picked out of a trillion other writers then the job was mine along with about 4 others. That’s fine by me. The pay is pretty decent as well. Today is Sunday, so nothing much to do really other than search high and low for work.

I may put some stuff on ebay for sale. I do have a book to sell. “Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer”. I just bought the book, read it twice and it really didn’t help me out at all. I’ve read so many that say the same thing, so why not sell it and maybe it’ll help out someone else. I don’t really have much to sell on ebay, but maybe I can find something. I was thinking about some photographs, pictures I take around the area, but still I can’t see why anyone would purchase such a thing on ebay when they could get it from their local Micheal’s Store or A.C. Moore. I guess I really should search for a forum where people are selling their photographs and if they’re actually making an income from it. Hmmm… I’m gonna add that to my to do list today. Along with learning Photoshop Elements 6.0.

You can purchase some of my prints here. <— Link prob. does not work. I will be checking that out. So far the page says “SERVER ERROR” on their website.

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Saturday & It’s Raining!

Well, it’s finally Saturday and it’s raining outside. Seems to be the overflow of Hurricane Hanna, but I don’t mind it. We need the rain. Today, there’s really not much planned, just the norm. I will search the internet high and low for an online writing gig – find a few, apply for them and then move onto my photography portfolio. Yesterday I stayed in my office all day. Today however I think I may sit in my Saturday workstation. I usually sit in the living room, but lately I’ve kinda tried to keep my living room for living and my office for working, not that much work really gets done in there anyway. So maybe out here in the living room today (yeah right) some stuff will get done.

Well, even if nothing gets done today, it’s the weekend. No harm done, right! Today, I may just search photography guidelines for magazines. Every magazine has photographs in it, although many magazines have their own personal photographers, I may be able to sneak in there somehow with a photograph or two.

Okay – Today’s plans:

1. Laundry
2. Update Photography Portfolio
3. Clean out the Fridge
4. Update Netflix
5. Search Craigslist for writing jobs
6. Twitter – enough said
7. Update Facebook

This entry will be continued!

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Happy Labour Day!!!!

Just posting Happy Labour Day to my blog readers! I’m off to a cookout and enjoy the day of doing NADA!

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Let it Rain – Let it Pour

Today is a lucky day for the area around here! It’s pouring down rain! I love the rain and we are in such a great need of it. Our grass is brown and crunchy – not what grass should be.

So far today, not much has really gotten done around here other than the bed was made up, laundry was caught up, the dishes were loaded in the dishwasher, and a few emails were replied to and oh my Lord, I posted a ton on AW today. So yeah, I guess some did get done. I feel so tired today. It’s raining outside and I guess it’s just one of those days. You know, one of those “lazy” days.

Dieting Update:

My diet is going pretty well. I’ve lost 4 pounds. Of course it’s not just the dieting – I think it’s probably also the exercise. What type – I’ll never tell. 😉

This post may not be as long as the others over this last week. I feel drained. So far I have quite a few questions ready to present during my interview with Freekibble and can’t wait to get started on it. I do however want to have a few more questions just to make sure that I can make at least a 600 word article. I have been contemplating on whether to pitch my artilce idea else where since I would be giving up all my rights to this article as well as it is very low paying. I’m not sure I want to give up all my rights and that is more important at the moment than the money is. I’ll have it all figured out in a day or two… I hope.

I have also had a great idea for another blog that I would love to make a bit of cash from. I’m not really sure how I could do that, but maybe I can figure that out as well in my free time. Well, enough writing for now. I’m going to go relax and maybe post another later.

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Tuesday – A Brand New Day!

Today is a rainy day – I’m so happy! Well, my plans for today are as follows. Post for some quotes and information on AbsoluteWrite.com and I have received a lot of great feedback. I want to thank the ones who have posted responses to my post. Thank You! 

I have a lot of great ideas and watching the news last night just added a few more to my list. They won’t be full feature articles or anything of that such, but they will be quick tips, list, and filler articles. The easy of the easy, and a great way for me to start.

My list of things to do today isn’t really all that long.
1. Update my Blog (doing it now)
2. Delete/Organize the hundreds of emails (Completed)
3. Post more requests on AW (Completed)
4. Answer Emails (Completed)
5. Finish 2 Parenting Fillers (Half Completed)
6. Clean the Fridge (Completed)
7. Enjoy the Rain (Yay, finally it’s raining!)
8. Work on getting all of the info for my “Is There a Control Freak in Your Marriage” article. (Almost Done)
9. Start up another Filler on Parenting (Started)
10. Finish my “Being a Freelance Writer” article
11. Get the “FreeKibble.com” Profile article questions created
12. Query another magazine with my idea (Completed)
13. Update my FaceBook Profile (Completed)
14. Email Les Parrott, PhD back (Completed)

See 14 things aren’t that bad. Now it’s just getting them all done. So far I’ve posted quite a bit on AW, so maybe I can relax on that issue. Answering emails and getting my profile article in order is probably the most important right now.

Well I posted on AW and oh wow, I couldn’t believe the responses I got and the amount. It was awesome.

Below is an email I got from a dear friend of mine… Read, enjoy, and laugh your arse off!

Today is International Disturbed People’s Day

Please send an encouraging message to a disturbed friend… just as I’ve done.

I don’t care if you lick windows,
take the special bus
or occasionally pee on yourself..
You hang in there sunshine, you’re friggin’ special.

Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you’ll never get back.

Today’s Message of the Day is:

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

Send to all the people you love and don’t want to lose in 2008, even me.
If you get 3 back, you are a great friend.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Today – There’s a plan… I think!

The Plan

Well so far I think there is a plan for today. The key word there is “I think”. I have 5 article ideas that I’m working on. My “Control Freak”, “Potty Training”, “Freelance Writing”, “Freekibble.com” & “10 Questions for your Therapist”. I also have 4 query different query letters to get out today, some research, an outline or two, and a ton of interview questions to put together today for two articles. Pretty much I’m saying its going to be a very busy day for me.

Update:

Well as all plans go, some do not. This is basically what I call a “no go planning day“. Although some of my plans did get done, like for example – I made it to the grocery store and purchased all the needed items for our little cookout tonight. Chicken legs, corn, and beer. I also made it to the bank like I’ve been thinking about doing for a while now. I also organized a few of my quotes from experts for an upcoming article which I wanted to get done over the weekend – That didn’t happen. But finally things are a bit caught up. I also have the FreeKibble.com profile article to get working on as well. The good news is – Tomorrow is a new day and I can have a new plan.

Today I was cruising around online and looking thru some old journals I had on aol. I came across one from an old friend of mine. SlowMotionLife. I have not seen her online or heard from her in years. I often wonder where she is and what she is doing. She was a great inspiration to me way back when I needed it. I never got to thank her. I hope one day she’ll stumble back online and maybe drop me a line or two to let me know she’s alright.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

A Quiet Sunday Evening

Well today was a pretty good day. Nope I didn’t get any writing done today, but I did recieve two response to emails from interviewees. One was from Les Parrott, Ph.D – His newest book is out in your local book store or can be found online. Be sure to check it out. He so graciously answered a few questions I had for an article that I have been working on and sent out a few queries to potential markets in hopes (fingers crossed) that they will love my article idea and say “yes awesome, it’s all yours.” That is the email or phone call I’m waiting for.

I love how helpful everyone in the writing world as well as some of the experts in particular fields are. They are all willing to help out someone. It’s so great to see that.

My Diet

Well, so far so good. I still have kept the 2 pounds off, but I haven’t lost any more. It’s the weekend (I know I should really stick to my diet) but I have been eating a bit of junky type foods, but not in large amounts. Very small amounts – I don’t know, maybe that makes a difference. Tomorrow however, I’m back to rice, veggies, and fruits. I still tend to drink quite a bit of soda. I try not to, but sometimes that is all that really goes with certain foods.

Birds and Windows Do Not Mix

This little guy flew straight into our window this morning. He hit the ground and we thought he had a broken neck. He was twitching and on his back like he was about to die. I went out and cupped my hands around him and he jumped out of my hand. Then I picked him up again and he just sat there, stunned. We gave him some water and he just sat there drinking. Later on we put him on a low tree limb and he sat there. A few hours later he was gone. We’re not sure if he survived or not, but he was no where to be found. We have a lot of small birds fly into our windows and some don’t make it. We find their little bodies laying on the ground in front of the windows or on the sidewalk further away. I dont’ understand why they all keep flying into the window, but some say its because it shows the reflection of the sky and trees. I wish they wouldn’t fly into the windows though. I’m afraid that one day they’re going to break on of the windows. This doesn’t just happen in the summer time, but all year around. It’s kind of freaky when you think about it.

My day was pretty good over all. We went to my boyfriend’s Grandmothers 87th Birthday party, ate a great dinner, had some Yorkshire Puddings, cake, icecream, and played a game of Trivial Pursuit – I didn’t win. All around it was great. I had a lot of fun.

I didn’t get any writing done today, but at least I did get this blog entry completed so it counts as some writing along with posting on a few forums earlier this morning.

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe –
with Eggs, Plain Flour, Milk, Cold Water & Lard

Ingredients
2 Eggs
4 oz (125g) Plain Flour
1/4 Pint (150ml) Milk
1/4 Pint (150ml) Cold Water
Salt & Pepper
2 tbsp Lard or Dripping or Cooking Oil*

Directions
Pre-Heat the Oven to 425F (220C, Mark 7). Crack open the Eggs into a cup and mix well. Add the Milk and Water together in a jug. Sieve the Flour into a large bowl and season with a sprinkling of Salt & Pepper. Pour the Eggs into this and stir together well with a fork. Gradually pour in the Milk and Water and stir until you have a stiff batter. Beat or whisk well until you have no lumps **. Allow to rest for half an hour.

Slip the Lard or Dripping into a deep sided baking tin and place just this in the oven. Allow to heat up until visible smoking. Quickly, but carefully, take out and rest on the top of the oven. Pour in the Batter mixture. Place back into the oven and bake for around half an hour until the batter is puffed up, golden brown and crispy.

Serve immediately

Serves 4 as a side dish to a main meal.

Yorkshire Pudding – Notes

* Not the healthiest of ingredients, but Lard does have a higher smoking point than Vegetable Oil. This is important if you want a successful puffed up crispy Yorkshire Pudding. The hotter the fat is when the batter first hits it the better the end result. Once in a while won’t hurt, but alternatively use Vegetable, Groundnut or Sunflower Oil, but not Olive.

** If you have a hand blender place all of these ingredients in a jug and just wiz until thoroughly mixed. If you don’t then these instructions should help avoid lumpiness.

(This recipe comes from TheBrittishShoppe.com.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Saturday Morning Bright and Early

Well, it’s the weekend and my hunny has went into to work for a few hours and I got up earlier than usual. Today I have quite a few things I want to get done. I’m sitting in my comfy place in the living room sipping on coffee (and enjoying it since I have no more creamer) and don’t feel like going out and picking any up right now.

My List
1- Finish my outline of my Parenting Article.
2- Find an expert and ask them a few questions.
3- Project hunt yet again.
4- Finish Jenna Glatzer’s book.
5- Read thru a few magazines and pick up a few parenting magazines at the store.
And thats about it I think other than maybe go shopping to pick up a few needed things. I guess I will just sit back and relax for most of the day along with trying to complete my 5 objectives I listed above.

My Articles

My parenting article is making some headway. Now to find an expert. I’m still waiting on a reply from the last expert on my “Control Freaks” article. He has not replied to my questions as of yet, but I know that he is probably very busy. I have so many article ideas to get in order and start querying to magazines and search for experts, info, and some quotes from some real day to day people.

Just a quick reflection of my life…

For some reason I just got a quick realization of my life. My life is well, good. I sit here looking over at my two cats laying in the window sill, and think about the man in life, my friends, and my career choice and of how supportive my man is of my career decision. I know he doesn’t like it one hundred percent, but he is still supportive.  I love him so much.

My Diet – Back on Track?

Breakfast: Eggo’s and coffee.
Lunch: Not really sure, but for Dinner we’re grilling out. I just received this in my email – Marinades Help Keep Grilled Meats Safe. We marinade all our meat that goes on the grill except for burgers, however I have a special way of making them. Take ground beef and place into bowl, add chopped yellow onions and a half of a cup of Bar-B-Q sauce. Mix together and form patties. Put them on the grill and cook til done. They are awesome.

Tonight we’re going to have Bar-B-Q chicken legs (I think).  This is a picture of the first Bar-B-Q chicken I ever cooked on the grill. We’ll have grilled corn on the cob to go with this as well and maybe some pasta salad. That is if it doesn’t rain. Looking outside at this moment it is dark, cloudy, and windy with the look and smell of rain on its way. I can’t really complain because we really do need the rain. Our grass is crunchy and brown and thirsting for moisture. A lot of people around where we live have their wells going dry so there is a great need of rain here in our area.

UPDATE: Okay so its the weekend. We didn’t cookout and my lunch wasn’t exactly the best thing to eat. It was a deep-fried chicken breast on way too much buttered toast with tons of mayo, lettuce, and tomato. And a side of tater tots. For dinner I had Pizza. I ate all the toppings off and the inside of the crust (my favorite part along with the pepperoni). Okay on Monday, I’ll start again although I did lose 2 pounds. I’m guessing I’ve gained it all back by now.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Finding a Comfy Place to Write

This is just a quick post I decided to post in between organizing a few things. Many writers can just sit at a desk and write. Others search for a place where they can be comfortable when they write. Others struggle to write because their writing areas are just not comfy enough. Well, today my mission was to create a great comfy place for me to write out my articles, queries, and blogs. I’m in an area where it isn’t private, but arranged in a way of where I can work, socialize, and be with my family all at the same time. If you are a writer who must have complete quiet with absolutely no distractions, then this is not the place for you to write.

I have the love seat with the matching ottoman. I put my feet up and sit back and relax while I write. I have the television and a huge picture window to look at if I get to the point of where I’m seeking some inspiration or just need a break. When I’m not writing in this particular spot, I write outside in the shade. I can get really creative out there as long as the bees and mosquitoes leave me alone.

Where is your special place to write? – Drop me a comment on your best place to get creative!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl