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http://mynext50.blogspot.com

elizabethsekagray — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:53:27 -0500

Security

My therapist talked about how we build this security and it is really all just a big sham. Today as my future looms in front of me, a gigantic, blinking, neon question mark, I think about all of those things I did to feel secure.

I moved out and got my first apartment when I was 20. Some people stay at home for security, others move out, I was an other. I was still in art school (at this point on my dime), working part time at an advertising agency, a job I found by calling every advertising agency in the phonebook. Call number 72 needed someone for 6 weeks while his “girl” (it was a long time ago), was out recovering from a hysterectomy (he probably said “female problem”). I was in (the job), and out (of the house). I didn’t have money for food (but I had enough for cigarettes, again, it was a long time ago, and a cleaning woman, I have my priorities!), did that stop me? NO!

I bought a house when my last roommate moved out and stiffed me with 2 months rent, after all as she explained “how was she going to have her rent money and security deposit if she paid what she owed me?” I was never going to be put in that position again. I would own my own place. I had credit card debt and no savings, did that stop me? NO!

I got married at 30. Love and numbers would keep me safe, now there were 2 of us and that’s double the safety, right? We started to add to our security pile, life insurance, bank accounts, a big sweet Yellow Lab. I didn’t really know how to be an adult (what with being raised by wolves and all), but did that stop me? NO!

Over the years we have bought real estate in Hawaii (Maui and the big island), Florida and the Jersey shore. Real estate is the ultimate security, right? Well, maybe not right now, but hopefully soon. Amassing a ton of security (debt). Mortgages, condo fees, taxes, the triple crown of insurance (wind, flood and fire), they all come with strings attached. Some of them I have never even seen, none of them pay for themselves, but did that stop me? NO!

We had a child that we both love and adore. You would be hard pressed to find a kid more loved and adored. We can move in the family world knowing we belong, school, karate, piano, camp, braces, the whole deal. We are securely a family now. We had no idea what to do with a child, and cried more than he did the first couple of months, but did that stop us from having another one? HELL YES! Even I have my limits, after all this is a real human being, not just a plot of land.

You really can’t build security with things. I have tried, and tried, and tried, believe you me, none of this can help me now. Or can it? Because as I re-read this I no longer see security, but I do see a willingness to try new things, a real risk taker with an extremely strong drive to move forward. And isn’t that what I really need right now? Nice to be reminded of this, I really needed it this morning. - Beth @ http://mynext50.blogspot.com

Let's Make a Deal mystifies me

Honeybeast — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:33:38 -0500

Though I'm entranced by the costumes and personalities in the vintage version.

But ooh, Pyramid, ooh! I don't watch TV when working at home ... but I would TiVo that. I am a true 70s kid and even had the board game.

Daytime TV

sassymonkey — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:05:05 -0500

I get home from my office job a bit after 1 and then I park myself on the couch with my laptop to do job #2. Mostly I flip around the channels trying to find something that doesn't make me poke my eyes out. I'll usually flip by Oprah to see who's on (hey, sometimes it's bloggable). The (Canadian) Food Network gets a lot of air time. Sometimes I'll tune in to the channel that shos endless repeats of CSI (or maybe they just feel endless...). Some days I'll park it on a digital radio station.

I cannot watch soap operas for more than a few minutes. I just don't enjoy them. I haven't watched them since I was a kid.

Mostly I bemoan that lack of good programming during the day. lol

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

It's all about helping & giving

paulag01 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:16:48 -0500

Thanks Melanie... you sum it up right there. Whether it is a big name reporter or a twitter pal with 10 followers, it's about giving and helping and serving..... that is how you build a reputation.

Paula Gregorowicz
The Paula G Company
http://www.thepaulagcompany.com

Learn 5 Steps to Move from Fear to Freedom (free)

Good tips & links

Melanie Nelson — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:44:11 -0500

I've found the best way for me to be taken seriously or considered an expert (and I'm still not sure I qualify as a serious expert, LOL) is to just help people. Those face-to-face interactions and even answering questions in forums or on Twitter help establish you as a go-to person for a particular niche. If people know you're a reliable source of help, they'll return to you.

Melanie Nelson
Contributing Editor at BlogHer.com (Web/Tech)
Owner, Blogging Basics 101
Co-author, TypePad for Dummies (due in stores Feb. 2010)

WTF?????

Southerngirl — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:58:00 -0500

Did somebody piss in your cheerios this morning? It surely was not me. I thought we were having a conversation. I did not apologize for ACORN I simply asked are you willing to say that ALL government contractors should be held to the same standard? I presented you with the FACTS I KNOW about ACORN from my own first hand knowledge of what they have done and I said at least in Baltimore which is the chapter I have knowledge of. I have taken their classes. I sat through numerous presentations by them as a part of the eldery and homeless ministries our church ran. I went along to help those who maybe could not read or had other challenges. Where in the h*ll does the Hitler crap come from? If there has been swift action against the Blackwaters and Haliburtons of the world I cannot find it. I would appreciate links to those actions becuse ACORN funding from taxpayers is in the millions I think around 2 or 3 but Haliburton and Blackwater is up to around 20 BILLION each so I really really would like those links. But only after you have a nap or a drink or whatever it takes to help you have a civil conversation.

Same question applies: Are you willing to say that if ACORN is defunded then so should all those other organizations?

Michelle

I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/

You have the same excuse as Hitler apologists

Flightkeeper — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:36:13 -0500

Hitler was nice to animals so he wasn't all bad. So go ahead, apologize for ACORN, they still are being dragged to courts for voter registration and their name is mudd as far as the members of the congress are concerned. It's good to know that they still think it's heinous to traffic in sexual slavery. And just so you know, ACORN is a non-profit which means that they use the people's money. Is more expected from them because of that...YES. Blame ACORN for dragging everyone else down with them because of those individuals who got caught on camera. Blackwater and Haliburton are companies, they work for a living; if they weren't effective they wouldn't have been hired. When they commit fraud and get caught you can bet that the ramifications are swift and there are no exceptions and no apologists.

(My blogs are http://flightkeeper.blogspot.com and http://cutefuncool.blogspot.com)

A little challenge?

Southerngirl — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:17:47 -0500

Read this

Michelle

I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/

You have been listening to too much Rush

Southerngirl — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:19:17 -0500

Maybe you should mosey your little self right on down to an ACORN office and actually see what they do. They have helped to write laws to fight the very same lending practices that sent our entire economy into a tail spin. They have Kept many people me included from taking interest only loans. They offer classes and workshops on home ownership. SO maybe you should try getting some actual facts. ACORN at least in Baltimore does not deal with renting their goal is homeownership with a loan and budget that will ensure you stay that way. They also work on improving neighborhoods bringing in funding for parks and rec services into under served neighborhoods. But in actuallity I do not think you want any real information on ACORN you are just happy in your comtempt I am better than them mood. No one has to tell you the right leaning organizations that have been accused of fruad you know exactly which they are but as always there is some excuse for your side. Becuse focus on the family, Haliburton, Blackwater, are not responsible for what their employees do as long as they fire them when they find out about wrong doing. Oh that's what ACORN did.

Michelle

I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/

Not Quite

Southerngirl — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:09:24 -0500

A lot of those companies on that list will stay in business but not all. Most of those companies esp defense contractors live on their Gov't contracts. ACORN local offices will in fact stay in business. They are funded by many different sources. Haliburton will stay in business doing what exactly? All of their work is in some way shape of form federally funded. From the building contracts to the mercenaries security forces they offer. But as I said do we agree that all of these companies should be defunded if ACORN is defunded? I have been a benefeciary of ACORN's programs and KNOW that this is a witch hunt. But if they are hunted then so should all of the companies on that list. Corruption is corruption.

Michelle

I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/

Here's a question

Suzanne Reisman — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:29:48 -0500

If the "journalists" who made this tape went to multiple Acorn offices around the country and caught no one doing anything wrong, then presented only the two most egregious examples of wrong doing as typical of everything they observed, how is this investigative reporting? It is presenting only a part of the picture that happens to support the conclusion that the "reporters" wanted. Sorry, but I call bullshit.

Journalism looks at the bigger picture of things. In this case, the bigger picture showed that most Acorn staff and offices acted within the law. The ones that didn't were rightfully fired. So why is this a story at all?

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Oth

Bye, I guess my question will go unanswered

Flightkeeper — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:20:09 -0500

It just confirms the empty accusations.

(My blogs are http://flightkeeper.blogspot.com and http://cutefuncool.blogspot.com)

ACORN and Right Wing Tanks

larraine — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:36:00 -0500

I'm not getting into this anymore. Obviously like so many on the Right, you can give it but you sure can't take it.

OK you still haven't given us names

Flightkeeper — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:57:47 -0500

of the right wing tanks and what they've done. Just empty accusations. It's kind of ironic how you accuse other people of throwing around accusations when you've been doing that yourself.

(My blogs are http://flightkeeper.blogspot.com and http://cutefuncool.blogspot.com)

ACORN and Right Wing Tanks

larraine — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:49:29 -0500

no more blatant than the universal contempt that the Right has for ACORN.

There have been a lot of accusations thrown around. The fact is that plenty of conservatives would just like to see poor people disenfranchised. Roadblocks are constantly being put up including longer waiting lines because of fewer machines and voter intimidation.