From Bunny Slippers to Business Plans
So my mom called me this morning just to tell me that it was Poem In Your Pocket Day. Basically, in honor of National Poetry Month, you’re supposed to carry a poem around in your pocket (obvs), sharing it with those you encounter throughout the day.
As one of those word nerd sorts — who used to write absolutely hideous poetry as a child…and…um…a college student — my favorite poem is unsurprisingly related to writing…or at least to the power of words:
A week ago, I posted here about an invoicing error I had made, mentioning that I was lucky to have covered my ass in the service agreement I had drawn up.
Because I hate to bring up a problem without providing a concrete solution (and because my contract advice probably leaves much to be desired), here is a roundup of sites that offer sample contracts and contract-related advice:
I’ve been feeling a bit off this week. I was away from my computer for four days, having gone up to Boston to see my father-in-law run in the Boston Marathon, and have yet to regain my stride, despite the rewrites and ms edits on my to-do list.
That and the web magazine where I make most of my money has a new CEO, and its future editorial direction is up in the air. I waver between being nervous about the security of my income and mourning the possible end of the pub’s sexy beginnings.
Thank god the rest of the blogosphere is still cranking out quality shit:
When I first cracked open the cover of Pamela Slim’s Escape from Cubicle Nation, I wasn’t sure I’d find anything new inside. After all, the title makes it clear that the book is for those still lost in the cubicle jungle.
After remaining lost in its pages, however, for a long weekend trip, I had to acknowledge that there was a wealth of information therein that all of us could benefit from.
[Photo via]
This past weekend, I traveled to Boston to see my father-in-law run in the marathon. It was my first marathon ever, and I wasn’t quite sure what it would be like watching a group of people run by.
My husband, my mother-in-law, and I set up shop about 100 yards from the finish line, right outside the Prudential Center and a block or two away from the library. We were lucky enough to get a spot right at the barrier, where I stood poised with my camera, waiting for our runner.
Next to us was a woman with…um…a loud mouth. I wasn’t sure if she was there to see anyone in particular, but she cheered on just about every runner who went past us, referring to the names on the fronts of their shirts.
“Yeah Jan! Whooo! Almost there! Yeah Pam and Steve! Whooo! Doing great!” Nonstop. It was a wonder she still had a voice.
Some of the people around us gave her dirty looks, but I just loved the way she broke through to those runners on the last leg of their journey, giving them the strength to make it those last 100 yards. I was alost overcome by emotion every time one of them broke out of their running reverie and smiled, or gave her a thumbs up. It seemed to me that she was doing those marathoners a great service.
Sometimes, my work day feels like a marathon — one filled with endless blog posts, pitches, interviews, rewrites, edits, and the like — and I wish I had someone to drag me those last few yards to the end. This is where my own personal freelance support group comes in handy.
Just a week ago, I linked to my review of the Peek Pronto over at the Modern Materialist.
I had been eager to review it as an alternative to the iPhone or BlackBerry but, in the end, I found it wanting.
In fact, I even went off on a minor rant on how having such a device made me feel more immobile, rather than mobile.
I know that not all of us have this problem, though, which is why I’m trying to reach out to all of you smartphone users in a different way.
After the jump, 5 reasons you shouldn’t spend money on a smartphone:
The other week, I agreed to copy edit a manuscript for someone.
When asked for a cost estimate, I used my past experience proofing book manuscripts to figure out how long it would take me to get through a 90-page manuscript. Then, I took that number and multiplied it by my hourly rate.
Three and a half hours into the project, it became clear to me that I had drastically miscalculated. The project could actually cost up to three times more than I had previously projected.
I was mortified.
I’m actually leaving the condo! For more than one hour! This weekend, Michael and I are going up to Boston with his parents to watch his dad run the Boston Marathon. We’re staying through Tuesday. Boston is my favorite place. Hurrah!
Anyways, this means I’ll be attempting to stockpile posts f0r Monday and Tuesday beforehand. We’ll see how I do. But first, let’s get this week’s link love out of the way!
Ah, Tax Day. We’ve made it (but just barely).
Now it’s time to figure out how to spend the returns.
I was thrilled to have a chance to review the Peek Pronto. Loath to spend money on a smartphone, the cheaper plan for this standalone e-mail device seemed ideal.
In the end, though, even that small cost proved to be not worth it.
Head over here to see my full review.
