Here's what my boyfriend and I saw from our house today:
Snow photos and a surprise!
For anyone else in the Northeast, I hope you are safe and sound and warm!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Dragon Nthly v2.
Just a quick note: I have started a similar blog on WordPress, for anyone who would like to follow that one. You can find it here. I set this new blog up, not because I enjoy duplicating my efforts, but because I needed a WordPress login for several blogs I follow, as well as one or two to which I may contribute.
It will essentially be a stripped-down version of this blog.
I swear I'm not crazy...well...much!
This will continue to be the primary blog for my business, so fear not: I'm not changing everything on you!
Thanks for your support.
It will essentially be a stripped-down version of this blog.
I swear I'm not crazy...well...much!
This will continue to be the primary blog for my business, so fear not: I'm not changing everything on you!
Thanks for your support.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
POETRY: "Capture"
This poem was written in 2003 when I was on assignment in Harper's Ferry, WV. I was there to write an article on John Brown's Fort (interesting story!) Sadly, at this time, I did not own a camera, but as you will see from the poem, my hunger to shoot was strong, my current vision already sprouting!
Enjoy!
"Capture"
Capture this moment.
Capture it.
Your eye, the camera,
Your retina, the film.
*Click!*
A memory.
Dappled sunlight,
River rush.
The trickle of a hundred
Tiny waterfalls,
Created by mountain runoff.
The smells.
The sounds:
Engines, water, people.
A walk up a riverfront road,
Where history speaks.
Ghosts greet you in daylight,
Telling their stories without words.
Here, impressions are words.
Emotions, emphatic sentences.
The walk ends.
The work must begin again.
(c) 2003 Jennifer L. Moore. Do not duplicate.
Enjoy!
"Capture"
Capture this moment.
Capture it.
Your eye, the camera,
Your retina, the film.
*Click!*
A memory.
Dappled sunlight,
River rush.
The trickle of a hundred
Tiny waterfalls,
Created by mountain runoff.
The smells.
The sounds:
Engines, water, people.
A walk up a riverfront road,
Where history speaks.
Ghosts greet you in daylight,
Telling their stories without words.
Here, impressions are words.
Emotions, emphatic sentences.
The walk ends.
The work must begin again.
(c) 2003 Jennifer L. Moore. Do not duplicate.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Recuperating.
I just wanted to post a quick note to let those not yet aware know that I have returned to the land of the living. (Well, online, anyway.) My surgery back on the 14th went fine. My follow up with my doctor is Tuesday, and I will find out then what all happened. I do know that my original problem has been taken care of.
Even with all of the pain and fatigue associated with recovery from surgery, I noticed an immediate change in how I feel. As early as the day after the surgery, I felt healthier. It is my sincere hope that the surgery took care of what was causing my pain and fatigue flare ups, but only time will tell. I do know it has significantly improved my health.
That said, I am still very tired. I spend about 3/4 of each day in bed either sleeping or reading. Though I'm trying to limit my time online, I have been sucked in by a few photo projects--photos that have caught my eye as I go through my files. Two have been posted for sale. Even this little bit of effort wears me out, though, so I need to make myself stop.
Speaking of that, I have two posts I want to make very soon--One about the connection between creating art and physical energy, and another about clutter and flow. The clutter post has been knocking about in my brain since summer, but as my readers know, I get distracted easily. (I also procrastinate when I think an idea is really good. How's that for fear of success?)
I want to thank everyone who has lent me prayers and support or has just been patiently reading my Tweets and Facebook updates. Support is important, and I appreciate it, no matter the form.
Take care of yourselves!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
POETRY: "Mind Go"
There was a band that my ex-partner and I used to like to go and see perform, and it never failed: I usually at least began something while I was listening to them. This piece is an example of that. There is something in their music that touches me in just the right way. Maybe it's the energy of the group. Maybe it's their lyrics. Whatever it is, it's a gift, and I always look forward to going to see them. They are called Unorthodox. If they had a Web site, I would post it, but they do not.
I have not seen them in a few years, and I'm not sure whether they are still around, but try MySpace. They are/were extremely talented. I hope to hunt down some of their CDs, eventually.
"Mind Go" is a stream-of-consciousness piece.
Mind Go
Why won't you let your mind go?
What are you afraid of?
What are your tethers?
Find them. Cut them loose.
And fly.
Roll with it.
Feel your soul laid open to the All.
Let the wind toss and batter you like a leaf
or a clump of ash,
Cold from last night's fire.
Cut the tethers and
Breathe.
Live.
Dance.
Sing.
Let the music
move and flow
like a stream
through your tired bones.
The world
encumbers
and pollutes.
It kills joy,
smashes art.
...If you let it.
Why do you always have to keep it topical?
"He's so cute. I wonder what he thinks of me?"
"Look what she's wearing!"
Dig to the silt at the bottom.
Everything else is shit.
It melts away in the rain.
What have you got then?
The depths are where we live.
I mean, really live, man!
You got to let go
and follow your
inner track
to the good stuff!
(c) 2002 Jennifer L. Moore. Do not duplicate.
I have not seen them in a few years, and I'm not sure whether they are still around, but try MySpace. They are/were extremely talented. I hope to hunt down some of their CDs, eventually.
"Mind Go" is a stream-of-consciousness piece.
Mind Go
Why won't you let your mind go?
What are you afraid of?
What are your tethers?
Find them. Cut them loose.
And fly.
Roll with it.
Feel your soul laid open to the All.
Let the wind toss and batter you like a leaf
or a clump of ash,
Cold from last night's fire.
Cut the tethers and
Breathe.
Live.
Dance.
Sing.
Let the music
move and flow
like a stream
through your tired bones.
The world
encumbers
and pollutes.
It kills joy,
smashes art.
...If you let it.
Why do you always have to keep it topical?
"He's so cute. I wonder what he thinks of me?"
"Look what she's wearing!"
Dig to the silt at the bottom.
Everything else is shit.
It melts away in the rain.
What have you got then?
The depths are where we live.
I mean, really live, man!
You got to let go
and follow your
inner track
to the good stuff!
(c) 2002 Jennifer L. Moore. Do not duplicate.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
On hiatus.
Just a short note to apologize (again) for not updating more often. The fact of the matter is that I have several ideas for posts. I hope to get them up in the next few weeks.
The other fact of the matter is that I have had a very tough fall and winter on a personal level. In a week, I will be having surgery, and I've been having some health issues for a while. Though I have been working on some photos, designing some T-shirts, and working on some crafts to get up and listed, I have otherwise been keeping my head down and conserving my energy.
I have also been doing some self-reflection (read: navel gazing) and have not really liked what I've found, so I am dealing with those things--rather than burying them again. 2010 will be a tough year for me, emotionally, I think. A year of growth, which is ultimately a good thing.
The whole point of this post was to let you all know, my dear readers, that you will need to wait a little longer for meaty content from me. Also, on Wednesdsay, January 13 (unless my sugery date changes,) I will be putting my shops into full vacation mode at least through Saturday, January 16--possibly longer--while I recover a bit.
I want you all to know that I appreciate the support that I've gotten from my community and colleagues the first year that JenniferLynn Productions, LLC was in business. It's been a slow start for me, but I expected that. I'm expecting many good things in 2010. I hope you'll all stick around and share the journey with me!
Also, if you're inclined, I'm asking for prayers and good wishes, not only for an uneventful surgery, but for a full and successful recovery from whatever's been ailing me. If you are not so inclined, I will see you when I'm feeling better!
Happy 2010, everyone!
The other fact of the matter is that I have had a very tough fall and winter on a personal level. In a week, I will be having surgery, and I've been having some health issues for a while. Though I have been working on some photos, designing some T-shirts, and working on some crafts to get up and listed, I have otherwise been keeping my head down and conserving my energy.
I have also been doing some self-reflection (read: navel gazing) and have not really liked what I've found, so I am dealing with those things--rather than burying them again. 2010 will be a tough year for me, emotionally, I think. A year of growth, which is ultimately a good thing.
The whole point of this post was to let you all know, my dear readers, that you will need to wait a little longer for meaty content from me. Also, on Wednesdsay, January 13 (unless my sugery date changes,) I will be putting my shops into full vacation mode at least through Saturday, January 16--possibly longer--while I recover a bit.
I want you all to know that I appreciate the support that I've gotten from my community and colleagues the first year that JenniferLynn Productions, LLC was in business. It's been a slow start for me, but I expected that. I'm expecting many good things in 2010. I hope you'll all stick around and share the journey with me!
Also, if you're inclined, I'm asking for prayers and good wishes, not only for an uneventful surgery, but for a full and successful recovery from whatever's been ailing me. If you are not so inclined, I will see you when I'm feeling better!
Happy 2010, everyone!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
On Content Mills and Why I Have Not Been Freelancing.
I know I mention my writing from time to time, but I don't think I've yet blogged on why I have been on hiatus from my freelancing for so long. Some of it, of course, has been what we call "life." I have a day job, I've had health problems and upheavals, and I've been focusing on my visual art this past year.
I have really not put a lot of effort into finding leads and pitching articles for a long time. Part of it, I will admit, is that I got badly burned by an editor for whom I worked as a stringer a few years ago. There was another sad outcome, where a publication for which I'd been a stringer was discontinued. I loved that job, and I really put my all into it, and as far as I know, my editor appreciated my efforts and my work. It was definitely a sad day when he called to say he was ending the project. Where ever he is now, I hope he is doing well.
Another option for a freelancer looking to pick up a few bucks here and there is to write for what some call content mills. I have linked here to a good overview of some of the problems with these outlets. The problems, however, do not start there. The problems start with the fact that these outlets pay very, very little, once you do the math. We are talking in some cases as low as a few cents an article. It depends on how many articles are written and how quickly and how often. Getting back to my link here, though, I will say that the primary reason that I have chosen not to go this route is the quality of these articles. What I write might be fine--I've worked as a stringer, I know how to do my research, etc. Overall, however, I personally find the quality of the articles generated by these outlets to be questionable to low.
For example, I am a cat caretaker. I have multiple cats, and I've had cats all of my life. I was raised with cats, I read about cats, I discuss cats, etc. I have seen articles on some of these sites--cat advice articles--that were wrong and at times outright dangerous for the cats in question. I do recall that in a few cases, I have posted comments to the articles--where I was able--either alerting people that the information was incorrect, or correcting the information if I had that knowledge.
To sum up what I'm trying to say: I can either keep working really hard and just framing out time for writing, doing my blogging, looking for leads, working on my own projects, and submitting work, or I can write articles for a few pennies here and there--OK, in a good month, a few DOLLARS--and give my time and energy away for the benefit of the businesses that run these sites. It's an easy choice for me.
While my name is not "on the map," and I am not "a sought-after writer" or "great journalist," what I am is a writer who has faith in her abilities and who values her integrity. I know that, down the road, I will find the right opportunities, and that perhaps one day I will be successful with my writing. In the meantime, I get to enjoy the process. I get to think about and map out projects. I get to daydream a little. I get to write material that I enjoy writing and that I know will appear in quality publications. At the end of the day, this is a far greater reward for me.
I might never get rich, but it's also very likely I will never be used for someone else's gain.
I will end this by saying that I realize that every person is different. We all have different needs, and some of us depend on writing income for a living. (I am lucky enough to have a day job, but would love to support myself solely on my writing and art!) I get that, and I get that these outlets do work well for some people. To those people, I would say "More power to you!" I would also say, however, "Why don't you try pitching to some publications who will value your work and pay you what you are worth?"
I have really not put a lot of effort into finding leads and pitching articles for a long time. Part of it, I will admit, is that I got badly burned by an editor for whom I worked as a stringer a few years ago. There was another sad outcome, where a publication for which I'd been a stringer was discontinued. I loved that job, and I really put my all into it, and as far as I know, my editor appreciated my efforts and my work. It was definitely a sad day when he called to say he was ending the project. Where ever he is now, I hope he is doing well.
Another option for a freelancer looking to pick up a few bucks here and there is to write for what some call content mills. I have linked here to a good overview of some of the problems with these outlets. The problems, however, do not start there. The problems start with the fact that these outlets pay very, very little, once you do the math. We are talking in some cases as low as a few cents an article. It depends on how many articles are written and how quickly and how often. Getting back to my link here, though, I will say that the primary reason that I have chosen not to go this route is the quality of these articles. What I write might be fine--I've worked as a stringer, I know how to do my research, etc. Overall, however, I personally find the quality of the articles generated by these outlets to be questionable to low.
For example, I am a cat caretaker. I have multiple cats, and I've had cats all of my life. I was raised with cats, I read about cats, I discuss cats, etc. I have seen articles on some of these sites--cat advice articles--that were wrong and at times outright dangerous for the cats in question. I do recall that in a few cases, I have posted comments to the articles--where I was able--either alerting people that the information was incorrect, or correcting the information if I had that knowledge.
To sum up what I'm trying to say: I can either keep working really hard and just framing out time for writing, doing my blogging, looking for leads, working on my own projects, and submitting work, or I can write articles for a few pennies here and there--OK, in a good month, a few DOLLARS--and give my time and energy away for the benefit of the businesses that run these sites. It's an easy choice for me.
While my name is not "on the map," and I am not "a sought-after writer" or "great journalist," what I am is a writer who has faith in her abilities and who values her integrity. I know that, down the road, I will find the right opportunities, and that perhaps one day I will be successful with my writing. In the meantime, I get to enjoy the process. I get to think about and map out projects. I get to daydream a little. I get to write material that I enjoy writing and that I know will appear in quality publications. At the end of the day, this is a far greater reward for me.
I might never get rich, but it's also very likely I will never be used for someone else's gain.
I will end this by saying that I realize that every person is different. We all have different needs, and some of us depend on writing income for a living. (I am lucky enough to have a day job, but would love to support myself solely on my writing and art!) I get that, and I get that these outlets do work well for some people. To those people, I would say "More power to you!" I would also say, however, "Why don't you try pitching to some publications who will value your work and pay you what you are worth?"
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