Pepper and I met (virtually) when we were both freelance-writing for the same client. Well, Steve wasn't actually the "end-user" client himself; he was more like a broker of freelance writing-jobs. His jobs paid a little less-per-word than the gigs I landed on my own (because he was taking a cut), but he was a … Continue reading Roommates in a Padded Cell
Tag: Freelancing
Advice for Mr. Pickletoes
I had a pleasant email this morning from a fellow blogger, JJ Pickletoes, and one of his questions deserved some thought. And as I thought, I remembered a principle I followed as a teacher: if one person asked the question, other people probably had that same question too. In a classroom, I'd address it openly … Continue reading Advice for Mr. Pickletoes
“8 Things About Lists”?
I could be said (with some amount of understatement) to have a penchant for list-making. I came by it honestly, if there's a gene for that---my dad actually kept a list of all his lists. (A meta-list?) I'm sorry now that I never asked him what his List List was for. Were there lists he … Continue reading “8 Things About Lists”?
“Hi, My Name is Right Brain”
I confess myself to be a selfish user of social media. I put things there (at least I do when I travel, or when I write) but I don't read there. The thing is, I'd generally rather read a book. At its best, social media should be an exchange of interest. At its best, it … Continue reading “Hi, My Name is Right Brain”
Bilbo’s Birthday (or: the Baggins-ian Calendar Proposition)
Yesterday was Bilbo Baggins's birthday. It's the only fictional-character-birthday I know, and not because I'm a big Tolkien nerd (though I am), but because it's also my sister's birthday. Just before my own birthday earlier in the month (or as I like to think of it: the annual reminder from my mother about what LABOR … Continue reading Bilbo’s Birthday (or: the Baggins-ian Calendar Proposition)
Legos—Did You Know?
As a parent, Legos were my least favorite toys to step on barefoot. Did you know that a Lego can withstand over 4,000 Newtons of force? That's why the Lego always wins when you step on it. But that's really the only drawback to Legos. (Well, that and the price of Legos these days---it's nearly as … Continue reading Legos—Did You Know?
The Science of Smiles
Okay, I have to admit my body is not yet accustomed to day-long shifts standing on concrete. Or more accurately, it's not yet re-adjusted to that... When I owned and ran a restaurant the days were a lot longer, and sure, they wore me out---but they didn't make my muscles sore like they are this … Continue reading The Science of Smiles



