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The Cycle Turns

Posted on November 5, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: To the Sea by Jack Johnson Interesting day yesterday. I managed four projects and the beginning of a fifth (project, that is) before 3 pm. How I’ll never know. Maybe it was my eagerness to return to working. Nothing done on NaNo. Every time I started I remembered another project that…

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Back to the Dance

Posted on November 4, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Backwards Walk by Frightened Rabbit Today is my first official day back. All mothers have been sent back to where they came from, and the house has returned to normal. It was a wonderful time seeing family. I’ll miss them. We spent the time preparing for a party. I’ve realized something…

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Monthly Assessment: October 2010

Posted on November 3, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Nothing. Too busy to listen. I’m still on overdrive post vacation, but the guests are leaving one by one. I’m stealing a few minutes now to share my monthly assessment. If I don’t, I’ll never do it, which means you may never do it, and that’s not good. So here goes:…

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Like the Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland

Posted on November 2, 2010 by lwidmer

That’s me today – guests leaving, still some here, lots to do, no time to do any of it in….. Short and sweet today, folks. Favorite memory from Ireland: We were walking in Glengariff Park, a nice trail along a stream. He lagged behind to look at birds while I went ahead exploring a bit….

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The Politics of Freelance

Posted on November 1, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Cave by Mumford and Sons I thought that when I became a freelancer I’d be well rid of people jockeying for a higher position. You know the ones – the office folk who make your ideas sound like theirs, who step in and attempt to sound like the expert on…

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Churches and Stones

Posted on October 29, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Awake the Soul by Mumford & SonsWhat I’m reading: Recipes – I’m about to spend the next week cooking One thing that struck me throughout all parts of Ireland was the spirituality. Pagan symbolism mixing with Christian ones were abundant. It’s no surprise – there’s a soul alive beneath the peat…

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Faith and Begorra!

Posted on October 28, 2010 by lwidmer

Could it be? Am I back? I am indeed. We landed at JFK yesterday afternoon and took three trains, a bus, and a car back home. Never have I gone on vacation where I didn’t look forward to getting back home at the end of it – until now. I’m enchanted. What an absolutely magical,…

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It’s DAW-nee

Posted on October 27, 2010 by lwidmer

Sure, his yellow suit with the flood pants is way too reminiscent of Elvis Costello, but his sound is uniquely Donny Iris. Or DAW-nee, as he’s known in western PA, where he’s considered a local hero. Note the incredibly tight afro, thick-rimmed glasses, and dorky bow tie. Not to mention the shoulder-padded, long-skirted 80s queen…

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Guest Post: Are Women Better Freelancers?

Posted on October 26, 2010 by lwidmer

It takes a courageous man to tackle gender issues. It’s even more courageous when he does so in terms of how women could possibly be better writers than men. Our chum Jake Poinier dives in with a style that is, well, purely Jake, which is to say purely entertaining and thought-provoking. Jake, you have moxie….

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Guest Post: Working Through the Noise

Posted on October 25, 2010 by lwidmer

Today’s bits of wisdom come from our own Ashley Festa. Ashley joined us here not long ago to try to improve her career options. And she’s done a remarkable job of building the confidence necessary to get the job done. As a result, her client base is growing. All newbies should watch her, for she’s…

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  1. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy
    October 25, 2010

    Ashley-one of the biggest adjustments I have had to make in the last year is going from working alone at home to moving in with my 87-year old mother.

    My dad died a few years ago and I the real estate market didn't make it ideal for my Mom to move in with me. So, have laptop-will-travel, I moved into her home.

    Love her a bunch, but I just can't seem to stop her from constantly interrupting my work. Going out to a Wi-Fi spot just isn't an option for me.

    I have lots of string instruments CDs (which I've always used) so I plug them in to drown out the background noise. I am an early riser (around 5 am) and Mom doesn't get up until 7:30 or 8 am. So, I try to do most of my productive writing then (right after visiting Lori's blog). 🙂

    I constantly remind myself that I would be really sorry if I didn't have this time with my Mom so it puts it all in perspective. If WAHMs can do it, so can I. You can't put a price tag on family.

    Enjoyed your post, Ashley!

    Reply
  2. Ashley Avatar
    Ashley
    October 25, 2010

    Cathy, you're exactly right. Work can't come before family because people are just too important. Work will always be there, but children will grow up and parents will age, so we have to enjoy them while we can. I'm glad you're finding ways to make your career work around your mom!

    Reply
  3. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy
    October 25, 2010

    I work well with my rain forest and ocean wave meditation music. The music is light and the sounds of nature refreshes me.

    I can't work with too much silence as it makes me think too much. I tend to think about things that end up worrying me which shoots my focus down the drain. I also can't work with hustle and bustle as they tend to tense me up, which also affects my focus.

    I find the meditation music is the perfect balance for my needs. Some people find that it makes them sleepy, but It works well for me.

    Reply
  4. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy
    October 25, 2010

    I'm with you there, Wendy. I had a boss when I was in Corporate America who told me walking into my office was like walking into a spa for a massage. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Ashley Avatar
    Ashley
    October 25, 2010

    Wendy, I don't like too much bustle either, especially if it's people I know. For some reason, strangers bother me less.

    Cathy, I think I'd like working in an office like that!

    Reply
  6. Jake P Avatar
    Jake P
    October 25, 2010

    Back in my magazine days, I used to be able to handle everything the art department would subject us to. And lord knows that could be just about anything.

    But on my own, I prefer what I've got right now: windows open and just the white noise of quails in the yard and distant airplanes. I manage it OK when the kids are home on various school breaks, and I can operate with the background noise in most wifi spots, but I'm far more productive flying solo. Yeah, it makes me feel old in the cranky old man, get-offa-my-lawn kind of way.

    Reply
  7. Ashley Avatar
    Ashley
    October 25, 2010

    Jake, the older I get, the more I'm turning into a cranky old man (er, woman) too. I'll take peace and quiet over hustle and bustle any day.

    Reply
  8. Paula Avatar
    Paula
    October 26, 2010

    I have a desktop, so I've managed to avoid trying to work in a public place. I don't think I could. I'm one of those people who's always sure someone's going to sneak up and steal something when I'm not paying attention to my surroundings.

    To avoid the feeling of isolation, I usually tune in a talk radio station (not ones with argumentative blowhards trying to spark controversy). I consider many of the on-air people – hosts, news, traffic, weather and even sports reporters – as my virtual co-worker.

    Today I wish I could drown out the sound of the strong winds blowing things into the side of the house. Who knew autumn leaves could make such noise? I'm sure anyone else in the Great Lakes Region knows what I'm talking about today.

    Reply
  9. becky @ misspriss Avatar
    becky @ misspriss
    October 27, 2010

    I work from a coffee shop at least once or twice a week. If it gets too loud for me there, I just put in my headphones & listen to my iPod. I have a playlist that I use over & over, so it's just background at this point. Perfect for concentrating on writing.

    Reply
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