So I get this invitation to submit my blog for approval so that I can review items on my blog. I figured, "Hey, I give my crappy opinions for free on my blog, why not get paid for it on occasion?" So I submit my blog FOR APPROVAL.
A few hours later, I get a REJECTION. The stated reason? "The website is a suspected fake."
Yep. That's a quote.
WOW.
You know, I always knew that my life was way, way out there, but never (in a million years) considered fake.
SPEAKING OF WAY OUT THERE: Who gets a foreclosure notice on their waterside property -- basically a DOCK -- for $18. The same $18 that was supposed to be taken out of our mortgage escrow. The same $18 that we were never alerted was overdue BECAUSE? The township had the wrong address on the waterside property. The same township that told me "It doesn't matter that the address is wrong, it's still in your name" (Uh...whaaa...huh?!?!).
I can't imagine why someone would think I make this crap up...
(Sometimes even I can't believe this is my own life).
Addendum: I was just wondering, do you think THE REJECTION NAZIs think that those links to my THREE BUSINESSES on my blog are FAKE TOO?!?!
(But I'm not bitter...)
I really hate rejection.
In any form.
Addendum to the addendum: I think I'll review the rejection site on my blog. MWAHAHAHAHA...
Final Addendum: I SERIOUSLY need to get out more...
Dear The Quarter:
I know, it's been far too long since we've collaborated. I miss you. I miss Tory and Jackson. I miss Abbey. I miss the sites, sounds and smells of New Orleans. I miss the mixture of humidity and warm breeze from the river while eating beignets at Cafe du Monde, covered in powdered sugar and listening to the hint of a lone saxophone waft through the air. I miss the laughter of people watching the street performers and knowing that a fried oyster Po boy or muffuletta is just around the corner, if only I would ask.
I know you want answers. I know many things are happening where you are, so many things left in limbo, unanswered. I have the answers that you need. I have the ability for closure. I know you don't understand what has happened. I know you need answers about the death, the plantation, that creepy Ray guy. I know you don't understand all the secrets and what has led you to New Orleans. I know you need to decide what you want to do with your life and your job back in D.C. I'm sorry I haven't taken the time to provide those answers for you.
I hope you'll forgive me that so much time has passed. I ask only for your patience and continued understanding until the timing is right.
Your Author,
Jacqueline Wilson
We're this___close to being an episode of Clean House. So today ("the nicest of the nice summer days we've had" as my bitter husband spat), we're cleaning house.
Not playing outside with our daughter (who loves the outdoors - check that - loves watching the cars that drive outdoors).
Not swimming.
Not drinking margaritas on our dock.
We're cleaning.
C-L-E-A-N-I-N-G. (The opposite of H-A-V-I-N-G F-U-N).
I don't really know how it happened. The moment that it started to spiral out of control, that is. It seemed to be around the time that I found out I was pregnant (with the "surprise you're almost 40 and have an oldest stepdaughter in college and one in high school" pregnancy). I was ill the entire 8 months of pregnancy (Ella came 1 month early). I was so sick that I only gained 8 pounds in the first 6 months of pregnancy. EIGHT POUNDS. I gained that the first 2 days of my Cancun vacation two years ago. If I wasn't hanging my head in the toilet bowl, I was at the doctors office or in the hospital for yet ANOTHER medical emergency. I think the downward spiral started to happen about then and we never recovered. I mean, when you spend 98.34% of your day puking or feeling like you are going to puke, you don't really care if your office desk is clean or if the macaroni is growing mold in the 'fridge.
I'm working specifically on my office today. It's HARD. REAL HARD. I have built-in bookshelves on both sides of the room that are packed. What goes and what stays? It's hard when you are an academic writer. As soon as I throw one medical book away, sure enough, I'll get a contract were I need page 287 out of that one book. *sigh* I think I'm actually breaking out into hives.
It's sad. We used to be organized people. Todd and I have both successfully worked from home for years - so that alone proves some level of discipline. Now? I have to shove over a pile of teetering crap just to make room to work at my desk. Real productive.
On my desk right this very moment (that I can see as I'm writing this): a stack of marketing books, stacks and stacks of God-only-knows-what stacks of paper, some packing tape, 2 other laptops, 3 kids books by Gyo Fujikawa
I used to have a cleaning lady. I wonder what happened to her? Maybe she's stuck in my office clutter somewhere. I do occasionally hear a muffled cry...
I suck at thank you notes. Which is really ironic since I am, well, let's see, a WRITER.
I really loath them. It's not that I don't appreciate the gifts. It's not that I don't WANT to express thanks. It's just that I hate the concept of being required to send thank you notes. And, I feel phony (even if I did like the gift).
There are just too many unanswered questions with thank you notes. I mean, what's the purpose of them anyway? Is it really to thank the person? Let the person know you got the gift? What if you hated the gift? Should you still send a thank you? And, how long before you send a thank you? What if it's after that allotted time? Can I still send it? What if I've said thank you in person? Am I still required to send a written thank you?
See, there are just too many confusing issues for me to deal with. So, for those of you - all of you - that I've missed over the years with the unintentional rudeness of not sending formally written thank you notes, I'm sending you a telepathic thank you note RIGHT NOW. Yep, this very second.
FYI-This will be my future way of distributing Thank Yous from this point forward.
(And, you're welcome).
What is all this crap new and improved cool stuff to your blog, you ask? Well, I've been thinking. The site is called WRITER ramblings. Seeing how I never really talk about my writing or about books, I thought I would start doing something semi-literary. Namely? Letting you know what I'm reading - see "Current Reads" in the sidebar and also cool books that I recommend (uh, see above). I'll change the recommended reads regularly probably rarely but at least they are there now on occasion, and probably the current reads even less. (Please, no comments about how slow I'm reading right now. Hellloooo, I do have a 6 month old, you know).
Also, you will see a regular a posting when I feel like it after some margaritas an occasional book review. But don't expect your current bestsellers. RARELY do I read what everyone else is reading. *shudder to conformity* But, you might find some interesting reviews/recommendations anyway (or not).
Anyway, it's just what I was thinking tonight.
It will probably all change tomorrow with the light of day (but you can't blame a girl for trying).
You know, I can't really figure out if freelance websites are useless or if it is just me. I belong to a couple of these sites where people/businesses list jobs and I can bid on the job if I feel so inclined. Honestly, it's very rare that I feel so inclined. Luckily, most of my freelance work comes from one publishing company that I've been EXTREMELY BLESSED to work with on a regular basis for about 5 years (don't get me wrong, I still need fill-ins for down times, thus membership to the freelance sites). Other stuff comes from referrels. After that? I can't remember one job that I've bid on and "won" through one of these freelance writing sites. Lately, I haven't even been viewing the listings regularly because I find myself becoming very annoyed. Many of the postings are ridiculous - like the business who wanted a freelancer to write an E-book but only had a budget of $175. Pa-lease. I find most of the listings insulting to my talent and experience. And then I think, are there really writers who take these jobs for this little money?!? Amazing to me.
Anyway, a while back I posted on a guy who had asked for a freelancer to write a eulogy for him. Today, this was the posting winner:
Project: Memo-report on online learning. I am an Uni Student. This is one of my school assignments. I am very bad in English. So I have no idea how to write. I want this report to be done before 2nd Oct 2007. My Uni is very strict on plagiarism. So please try to use your own words & put references. Honestly I can't effort too much on just a small assignment. So please charge me with very resonable price
Would this guy:
a. Be better at English if he, say, DID HIS OWN ASSIGNMENTS/WORK?!?!
b. Understand the effects of plagiarism better if a sassy freelance writer took this job and then plagiarized the entire thing?
c. Be willing to pay what a true writer's time and expertise is REALLY worth if he admitted that he was asking the writer to compromise his/her ethics by CHEATING for him?!?
d. All of the above.
SCORING: 10 points for A; 20 points for B; 30 points for C; 10,000,000 points for D and a free wiffle ball bat to beat the guy about the head and neck.
Seriously, if I had the time, I would do some of these projects just to teach these people a lesson. Instead, I have to fill my time writing about useless things on my blog, thank you very much.
I belong to several freelance writing sites where companies/individuals post projects they have and then the writers bid for the projects. I was on one site a few days ago and there was a posting that read something along the lines of:
Need eulogy written for person that just died. Have to deliver by Saturday. Budget $100.
Ok, this is wrong on SO MANY different levels. If you've been asked to deliver a eulogy, isn't it because it's someone that you supposedly
a. KNOW
b. CARE ABOUT
And, how am I supposed to write a eulogy that depicts a person's life THAT I DON'T KNOW, HAVE NEVER MET, and DON'T CARE ABOUT. Seems to me the guy would have a better chance of just winging it after a couple of Buds.
WEIRD.
I can't say that I didn't momentarily consider submitting something to this guy just to teach him a lesson (OK, really, just to amuse myself...)
Addendum: This is just as wrong as the person who posted the project!
