Tag Archives: writing

January 29, 2012 · 2:17 pm

Finances as a freelancer

As a freelance writer, finances are always on my mind. People don’t realize it, but a freelance writing business, unlike chemical investment banking, is categorized as a small business. Although sometimes I curse myself for taking on such a task, given the state of the economy, I feel like I’m pretty lucky. After all, I get to work from home in my pajamas, if I prefer. (Not that I ever do.)

Looking over the finance pages of the New York Times website, the state of business over all seems shaky, except for the world of chemical mergers and acquisitions. Chemical companies seem to be stable these days, probably because everything that gets manufactured these days has one sort of chemical compound or other. Look at the ingredients panel on a Twinkies package or on the back of a paint can! They’re unescapable, and, therefore, chemical manufacturing is an important business.

But, I digress, I was talking about business, wasn’t I? Oh yes, running your own business can be difficult, but is completely worth it. I get to do silly things that post cat pictures and write blog posts. I don’t think I have it in me to run a larger business, but I manage well with what I have. How can I ask for anything more?

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Tagged as The Freelance Life, writing

July 11, 2011 · 8:25 pm

Launched! My dad’s RC N34 DC3 website

I started a new website/blog this afternoon for my dad. It’s all about the radio-controlled airplane that he built and designed to resemble the FAA’s N34 DC3. Since he was invited (and accepted, of course) to show the RC aircraft at the Cleveland Air Show again this year, I feel that it deserved its own site.

It’s still a work in progress, but here’s the link: Walt’s N34 DC3.

For more information on the plane’s debut at last year’s Cleveland Air Show, click here and here.

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Tagged as Cleveland Air Show, DC3, FAA, N34, new stuff, writing

June 1, 2011 · 12:22 pm

Slightly obsessed with Tumblr

Over a year ago, I started an account on the “micro-blog” site Tumblr, just to see what the fuss was about. Yesterday in a rare moment of boredom I logged back on and started playing with it. I am now obsessed.

I love the idea of being able to submit tiny little one-line posts and single photographs to a blog without having to expand it and create some sort of a narrative structure. Sure, this blog is awesome (if I do say so myself) for longer things like book, product and food reviews, multiple cat pictures and funny stories, so it isn’t going anywhere, but it’s nice having a place to post shorter things and some of my truly “random” thoughts. My Tumblr is essentially an extension of this blog, which is its intended purpose.

So, here is the link to my Tumblr: More Random Thoughts of Crazy Mandy. I hope you’ll check it daily to see what kind of crazy thoughts I manage to come up with.

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Tagged as more random thoughts, Tumblr, writing

March 31, 2011 · 2:58 pm

There’s weirdness afoot

I’ll start off with the non-cat related news. I’ve decided to take the National Blog Posting Month challenge in April, so be prepared for at least one post a day starting tomorrow. First up are the many book and food reviews that I’ve been working on.

And now, on to the cat stuff:

Abby has never been a lap cat. She’s a sit-next-to-you-and-lick-your-arm-cat, but not a lap cat. Until today, that is. She decided to join Josh on his new(ish) recliner and get comfortable:

In fact, all of the cats have been trying out the new chair, including Isis:

And Hercules:

And on top of all of that, Osiris has figured out how to play fetch. And get on top of the refrigerator:

And for the final picture of the day, I captured Horus out-cold on the cat tree:

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to sign up for my new weekly newsletter. The first issue goes out tomorrow!

For Email Marketing you can trust

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Tagged as cats, kittens, NaBloPoMo, photography, writing

February 8, 2011 · 3:15 pm

Quick bits from around the web

I’ve started a blog on Food Blog. Here’s my first post, A quick introduction. It’s going to contain quick reviews of individual dishes, recipes, and my thoughts on food. I’m still going to keep the restaurant news and reviews for Examiner.com.

Also, I’ve taken the Goodreads 2011 Challenge. I’m going to attempt to read 100 books this year. I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

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Tagged as Blogging, books, food, Foodblog, Goodreads 2011 Challenge, reading, writing

January 13, 2011 · 1:55 pm

Random thoughts and updates

I haven’t left my apartment in almost 48 hours. That sounds weird, right? Well, it helps if you realize that I currently don’t have a car. Mine went into the shop two days early – Tuesday – to be exact, when the problem got worse and it started stalling out every time I had to stop at a red light or stop sign. My husband thinks the problem is an O2 sensor, so we’ll see if he’s right. Either way, I’m car-less through next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Another reason I haven’t gone outside is due to the giant blizzard that hit yesterday, but since I have no where to go right now (not to mention no way to get there), that doesn’t really bother me. It can snow all it wants right now! Ha ha ha!

My books from Barnes and Noble arrived, finally. They came Saturday, the same day I received an email from them letting me know that they were shipped. So, at least I have something to do besides write and watch the snow fall.

As far as work goes, I’m currently writing a bunch of book reviews, posts on sports for both of the blogs I write for, and a few restaurant reviews and news updates, so be on the look out for updates. I’ll post links to them once they go up.

Isn't Osiris HUGE? She's a 5-lb Calico Bundle of Trouble.

And now I’ll end things with kitten pictures. Can you believe that they’re both over five pounds already? Yikes.

When she was at the vet last week for her final kitten shot, she didn’t want to leave her carrier. Our vet had to forcibly take her out of the cage. She isn’t much of a lap cat, unlike her brother, who’s much calmer and snugglier.

: You can see Horus’ “transition paint job” in the picture.

Horus, on the other hand, is funny. He tries to beat up the other cats (even the ones much larger than he is) and runs around “meowing” and trying to swat at things that no one else can see. Weird, huh? He won’t like us much after he gets neutered next month!

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Tagged as books, cars, kittens, snow, writing

January 1, 2011 · 8:26 pm

2010: A year in review

Here are my top ten events for 2010:

And there’s more greatness in store for 2011!

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Tagged as camera, Cleveland Browns, Droid, Food Network, kittens, N34, NaBloPoMo, snow, writing

December 30, 2010 · 1:44 pm

A quick update and New Years’ wishes

I’ve been relaxing a bit this week, catching up on my reading piles, and preparing to launch my the newest feature of this blog: book reviews! I’ve been promising them for a while, and they will be appearing next week sometime.

If you’d like to see what I’m reading and reviewing, there will be a section in the sidebar on the right.

In other news, I’ve come up with yet another book idea (yes, this makes three) and just have to find the motivation and time to work on it. Hopefully, next year I’ll have a chance. That sounds weird, doesn’t it?

There’s plenty of other things that I’m working on and everything will be posted here sooner rather than later. I have three restaurants to review for the Examiner, Indians history columns to write for Deep Left Field, and more blog posts on Crazy Mandy Talks Sports, once the Browns stop irritating me.

In the meantime, here a few cute kitten pictures to end the year with…

The kittens are 4 months old today! As you can see, Osiris and Horus are at that weird “teenage kitten” stage where their ears are too big for their heads and their heads are too small for their bodies.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Tagged as Book Reviews, kittens, new stuff, New Year's Resolutions, sports, work, writing

December 22, 2010 · 8:44 pm

Starting the new year with new tires

I received my Christmas present from my mother-in-law this past weekend. She asked me awhile ago what I needed, and I told her that I needed tires for my car, so that’s exactly what I got. Four Yokohama’s, an oil change, and a four-wheel alignment. Then it turned out that my right front tie-rod end was shot, along with the wheel bearings, so she paid for those repairs, too. Technically this counts as a gift for this Christmas, my birthday next year, and possibly next Christmas.

Now, for my New Year’s Resolutions: I’m making them early this year. (Christmas Resolutions?) I’m not going to make the standard stop procrastinating/send more birthday cards/ see more movies resolutions, because I’m already working on those. This years are more career-oriented, with the exception of the first one. So, here we go:

Resolution #1) To eat healthier. I’ve already started this one. I’ve cut back on the junk food (except for today when I had a candy bar for breakfast) and am drinking more water. Rather than the sugar-laden Vitamin Water that I adore, I tried HINT water. It has just a little bit of fruit juice, hence the name “HINT” and is quite tasty. The fruity taste shows up a bit more when it’s warm, and it has no calories or fake sugar, so that works for me. So far the mango-grapefruit is my favorite flavor. I’ve also tried the Wings of Nature Organic bars, since those are way more healthier than the granola bars that have chocolate chips in them. The cranberry crunch bar was my favorite of those. I usually don’t like cranberries unless they’re dried and coated in sugar, so I was pleasantly surprised. I also enjoyed the Almond Raisin Bar. All of the Wings of Nature bars are soft and low in both calories and sugar. They’re certified organic, and believe it or not, are made in Canada. (You all know how much I love Canada!) I haven’t tried the Espresso Coffee Bar yet, so I’ll have to keep you posted on that one.

Resolution #2) To work on my book. I started it last month, as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), but am nowhere near completion. However, for non-fiction, all I need is a good book proposal to shop around to agents, so that is my goal for 2011: to get closer to having a book published. I’m not expecting lightning to strike, but if I can get the book finished and (hopefully) some sort of literary agent by the end of 2011, I will be happy.

Resolution #3) This one is more civic-duty minded. I’m planning on joining the Lorain County Civil Air Patrol sometime next year. Probably once the weather settles down. I’ve been told that they need help with their public relations, and that’s right up my alley. It’s an all-volunteer organization, and they need help. Also, I’ve already signed up to be a volunteer Watershed Steward for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I’ll be going to local board and planning committee meetings to make sure that they don’t approve anything stupid that will mess up the local waterways. I’ve been complaining about what other people call “progress” for years, and now I’m going to be in a position to do something about it. I’ll probably be doing more for the CVNP once the weather gets warmer and their other programs kick in, too. (And I’m dragging Josh in to both of those. He gets to join me.)

So, with 9 days left in 2010, I’m already off on the right foot. What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

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Tagged as Christmas presents, Civil Air Patrol, CVNP, food, HINT water, New Year's Resolutions, tires, Wings of Nature Bars, writing

December 13, 2010 · 12:21 pm

Snowed in

I used to love the snow when I was a kid. I remember putting on my giant purple snowsuit and boots and running out into the front yard to build defective-looking snowmen. I learned early on to never throw snowballs at my dad while he was shoveling, because he’d fling a shovelfull of snow at me.

Unfortunately, the second I learned how to drive, I started hating the snow. The first month I had my license, I managed to get my car stuck in the street outside my parents house not once, but twice. When I was in college it wasn’t a big deal, mostly due to the fact that it didn’t really snow in Ashland. That and I lived in a dorm all four years and just walked everywhere.

Once I graduated and got a job, I really hated the snow. I had a hard enough time waking up enough to drive in the mornings, let alone drive defensively in a foot of wet, slushy, Lake Effect white stuff.

Now that I get to work from home, I look out the window at everyone trying to drive around in our unplowed parking lot and think, “HA HA! I don’t have to go out there!” It kinda makes my day.