As of May 5th, 2012, over $419,000,000 (that is 419 MILLION US dollars) has been contributed to all candidates to run for the position of the President of the USA. Combined, not just one party, so I am not playing favorites here.
$419,000,000
Instead of bombarding us with ads and campaigning, wouldn’t it be lovely if that amount of money went somewhere else…oh, like say create or keep 8,038 teaching jobs (at $50,000 for the school year) for one year, or over 11,000 jobs paying as low as $35,000 a year?
Yeah, drop in the bucket, one may say…but to those 8,000 to 11,000? No, it would be a big deal.
Hard to judge who should get it, where it should go, etc etc etc…yes, it is, especially with so many out of work: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Household Survey Data
Both the number of unemployed persons (12.5 million) and the unemployment rate (8.1 percent) changed little in April
Splitting all that money amongst all unemployed would only garner a check for $35.52. Not much of a help for anyone (well, for someone starving…).
I would rather see that money at least go to something good, something that would be helping others.
I would rather the President’s $191,000.000 fund education, or the Arts (yes, my personal bias: those in the arts need to live too), medical/health care, anti-violence/hate crime programs, the elderly, or something that would help other people. Better that then take up advertising time, spin negative ads against Romney, and such.
THAT would be the person I want running this country. Raise money from those who are fighting being taxed fairly and use that money for the common good.
No religious, political or personal agenda: just helping others.
In January, the number of job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs fell to 7.3 million. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 5.5 million and accounted for 42.9 percent of the unemployed. (See tables A-11 and A-12.)
BTW…this was for “nonfarm payroll employment.” I did not look up anything for farm workers; almost afraid to see how many more that adds to the numbers.
So…the long-term unemployed? Little change, and about 5 and half million: 5,500,000 people who are without work!
This is not taking into any account of those who worked the temp/part time jobs, nor does it state how many fall close to or under the poverty level doing that work. This does not take into account a lot of new college graduates who were not “long-term” employees, nor those who, due to the financial reality of today, are trying to get INTO the workplace, to help support families.
It does not tell the story of ages, of careers/long held positions that are no longer, and people having to move along, finding what work they can….IF they can.
The statistics do nothing to really tell the stories, and it is the stories that matter most, because then we can relate. We can find that bond/thread to someone’s else’s plight.
Do we have to make it personal? Do you have to know the person to really care? There is a reason that the Viet Nam Wall in Washington has such an impact. There is a reason, if you see someone’s name &/or face attached to an atrocity that it makes it more real.
Statistics? Nameless numbers that can get juggled to tell it’s own story.
There were protests across the country, Occupy (insert wherever). No real focus, lots of noise and fuss, that, now, months later, has amounted to a lot of nothing. If there was a protest against the “1 Percent“, it did little to nothing to change anything.
Until we have some really clear focus, and some caring about what is going on, and a REAL PLAN…
To trade goods or services without the exchange of money.
A tagline to a newspaper article caught my eye: “Uninsured Can Exchange Talents for Care.” Lincoln Hospital, in The Bronx, is offering artists in that borough of NYC a chance to get health care; they get credits for each hour worked that can be used towards a variety of medical treatments & prescriptions. Their program, Lincoln Arts Exchange, is modeled after the Artist Access program at Brooklyn’s Woodhull Medical Center.
Bartering is nothing new. It is used in markets across the world, trading goods. Services may have taken a back seat, but the idea works for me. I have no “goods” to barter, but I do have a “service,” and that is my art, whether it’s a performance (Storytelling or Interactive Theater), workshop, or Editing/Copy writing service. With money tight, if I can exchange some of my time and energy to get something I need…bartering is a great idea.
When I ran my theater company (The Brothers Grinn: 1994-2006), I rarely paid for rehearsal space (until the need for an abundance of NYC members of the company). I bartered with a few places (Two churches and a couple of other locations), offering them either free group performances or solo workshops for weekly rehearsal space. This was a huge savings for a company that was young and toured an average of 120 performances a year. We had no “home” space to perform/work out of but the spaces I found worked for us on many levels; the money I saved that way was put into many things the company needed (costumes; sound equipment; insurance; etc).
What Creative Service Do You Have To Barter?
Health Care, rehearsal space, food…what can you add to the list? I’ve only just started a very small section of what could be possible if more would open their minds to the idea: Artists have something to offer.
There is a great deal of concern and hand wringing over saving the arts. Recently, the Westchester County Arts Council sent out a plea for us to write to our congressmen about major cuts to the arts. I did is they asked, knowing that in even the smallest way our voices have to be heard.
I got an answer back not from the congressmen but from his assistant. there was a lot of blame and finger-pointing in this letter, it still talking how great Westchester County is in comparison to other locations. I will copy and post her letter, but before I do: I have something to say. Yes, big surprise.
With all the talk about saving the parts one very important component seems to be forgotten:
WHAT ABOUT THE ARTIST?
I am a performing and teaching ARTIST. I make my primary living from working in the Arts. My discipline is Theater/Drama, Storytelling and Creative Writing. I do not create “lasting” art in Fine Arts, but I DO perform a service in the Performing Arts.
When you cut the funding for the arts, you are not just cutting out a sculpture or a painting, or a dance or theater piece, or a choral work, you are taking money out of reach of PEOPLE who are trying to pay their bills and survive. by making these budget cuts to save organizations, you are also then putting more people on unemployment. This fall, I have been unable to find a job, mainly because in my field there’s much less work. There are also more people out looking for any work, so even jobs that I could fit into are inundated by other people looking for work.
Where would we be without ones like Van Gogh?
Is it just me, or does this just not make any sense? A good friend of mine has put it very simply: at this point in time, if everyone across the board and that means the big boys in the middle management boys played fairly, more people to keep their jobs. It’s part of what I’ve been saying in that we need creative solutions and problem solving in place of the reactionaries.
I do not want to be on unemployment. I want to work. I feel there are ways that more people can work and keep their jobs. Today on the news from NPR I heard that more than 28,000 postal workers will be laid off soon. What jobs will they be able to get to support their families?
It’s very easy to cast blame and point fingers. As a country, we seem to excel at that.
Wouldn’t we be better off if we were creative problem solvers?
As stated above, here is the letter I got today:
Thank you for writing to County Executive Robert P. Astorino regarding funding for the arts.
Please be assured that Mr. Astorino has read your message and he has asked me to respond to you on his behalf.
The county executive understands and appreciates your concern for the arts. While developing the proposed 2012 county budget, Mr. Astorino and his administration have given the arts the same consideration accorded to every program, service, agency and facility supported by county government.
As you know all too well, this is a very challenging economy. There is a critical need to balance a $114 million county budget deficit with a responsibility to provide essential services and property tax relief, protect Westchester’s neediest residents, promote structural financial reform and reduce government spending at all levels. One of the major roadblocks to maintaining the funding level for Arts Westchester and many other worthwhile programs and services, is the failure of the public employee unions to agree to make a reasonable contribution to their healthcare premiums. Westchester County’s union employees are one of the few groups left in the nation that contribute nothing to their healthcare costs. This ever-increasing financial burden necessitates reductions in other portions of the county budget. The county executive, since taking office two years ago, has attempted to get county workers to agree to the same level of healthcare contributions state workers make. While there is a reduction in the allocation to arts programs, the County Executive’s proposed budget includes funding for the arts at $750,000. This action is in no way a reflection on the outstanding quality of exhibits and performances presented by the arts community nor the talents and efforts of all who labor to bring these offerings to fruition. It is instead, a part of many across-the-board measures which must be taken during these difficult times.
Your views and those of all who live and work in Westchester are very important to the county executive. Your input is both welcome and valued.
Again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Janet Lokay Assistant to the County Executive 148 Martine Avenue White Plains, New York 10601 (914) 995-2127
Here was my response to Ms. Lokay:
Hi… it’s not just the exhibits and performances.
You forget a very essential part: the artist has to live, pay bills, and be part of the economic structure. By cutting the arts, it’s not just the end product but the people who live through the process. Two very different things.
I am a Teaching Artist and a performing artist. My entire life is creative and my livelihood depends on schools, libraries, community centers and more have funds to hire me and others like me. I live for the educational process that is part of the learning process…and it does not seem politicians realize this.
Schools may not hire a full time Theater Teacher anymore (I have my NYS Certification in Theater), but they SHOULD hire me as a consultant, which is what a TA (teaching artist) really is. I integrate my work into the school core curricula, and it enhances, not wastes, the teachers’ lessons.
I would love to have a conversation about this. Yes, many of us produce art that is seen; there are many more of us who produce art that is part of the educational process, for ALL ages, and we’re hurting, trying to make a living.
My thing: instead of telling me why something isn’t working, why are we not doing problem solving around the negatives out there. I’d rather know what has been attempted, or will be, instead of what is not working. I work a lot with my students, when I get them, on problem solving.
I’m serious about talking with Mr. Astorino.
She gave me her phone number. If I don’t hear from them, and if you know me at all, they will hear from me. I will let you know what happens next. I’m tired of the excuses. Let’s get off of unemployment
On March 13, 2011, the world saw the creation of an inspiring relief project, which has turned into an ongoing compilation of short stories. This project provides a message of hope for millions of people around the world. Conceived through the desire to help those who were suffering through an unforgettable tragedy, The With Love Project began.
Only days before ideas of With Love started swirling around the thoughts of each author; the earthquake and tsunami that impacted the lives of millions of individuals who lived in northeast Japan. These families lost loved ones and close friends, while capturing the world’s undivided attention for many months. This became a very emotional time for everyone who contributed to the project.
Catrina Taylor, approached a small group of talented writers on Facebook and asked them if they would be interested in participating on the project. As quickly as she asked, several writers stepped up to support the project, offering inspiring pieces. Soon after an artist offering images to create a cover and a publisher also volunteered their services to reach out to the masses. With Love, by Indie Writers United was published with the help of teamwork and quick collaboration to complete the anthology; along with an independent group of small press operators.
After several discussions, the writers had selected a charity. The charity was one that not only helped individuals locally, but to those worldwide who also needed the assistance for all situations. The charity picked Medecins Sans Frontieres, which is better known as Doctors Without Borders. All the money earned from the project is donated to the charity service. Once the anthology became available, Catrina and publisher-Sarah Barnard of Ethics Trading, were approached about additional releases.
From there, both Sarah and Catrina devoted their time in developing guidelines for future publications. They have since released The Dawn of Indie Romance in July; along with their most recent, After Dark. Both releases are signed, With Love, along with any future releases in the series.
After Dark presents a transformation in the series- which features several independent writers and artists- that includes: Stuart Nager (in both volumes). Lisa Vooght, Corrie Barling and Jude Robinson. Both, The Writing Network and Ethics Trading, recognized that art adds not only uniqueness to the series, but that it’s a valuable addition for the reader and sought pieces from visual artists that fit into the theme of this anthology.
If you are interested in learning more about the series, contributing either written or visual pieces, or how you can contribute please visit the Facebook or G+ page.
If you would like to enjoy reading an enjoyable variety of stories for a good cause you can find all three books on Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook and other book retailers.
“You should never risk your integrity or your soul for any amount of money.”
~ Charles Jackson
“To sell your soul is the easiest thing in the world. That’s what everybody does every hour of his life. If I asked you to keep your soul – would you understand why that’s much harder?”
― Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~ Harriet Tubman
“Hey Sailor, new in town?” ~Anonymous
Marketing!
Ugly, ugly word for a Performing/Teaching Artist. We are a small bushiness owner, as our small business is ourselves. We are the product, the merchandise, the goods…and it is about time we realize it, and it really is the time that our venue bookers realize the same thing. It’s a business, and it is time for people to stop and realize that.
What does marketing do for us nowadays? It still remains a crap shoot, for the most part. Things have changed in a sense. Overall, the game stays the same.
In the past, I would do a mailing, maybe close to 1,000 pieces. If you got 3% return, you were lucky. Most of the mailings went into the trash filing cabinet. The more well known acts might go slightly higher, but that fluctuated. Repeat bookings was where you made your money; new venues were often hard sells unless (1) someone saw you perform or (2) you came highly recommended. I mean highly. Not just a “oh, I saw so and so, and they were pretty good.”
Email happened, and it opened up a way to save money. The problem: many look at email advertising as spam, and they delete it. So, more trash. Mailings are expensive, but now are looked at a little more closely; still, most of it gets “filed.”
Right now, the landscape is changing, and it’s tough to figure out exactly what will work best for you. It’s been a topic of conversation for a lot of us for awhile now.
What to do? What to do????
What to do:
Persistence: Be persistent. It is key, but not to the point of obnoxiousness.
Follow through: don’t assume.
Know the name and title of the person who does the hiring.
Make an appointment and go meet them. Putting a face to it and having a short sit down goes a lot further than a cold call (most still won’t want to meet up: see #1 and make it happen).
Put money and effort into your Website: no guarantee at all, but bookers in our field like bells and whistles. (ps: they don’t like to read, so keep the copy light and the videos and mp3′s nice and current and clear).
Don’t just trust one site, like Monster (which S**Ks). Use ‘em all.
Pay for advertisement if you can. PROFESSIONAL ADS ONLY. (yes, shouting, but make it look like you have money and don’t need their work. That calls out much louder than mediocre work).
Continue to do snail mailings, but do it on professional printed papers (Idea Art; Paper Direct; etc). Make it look “nice” and unforgettable. See 5.1 above.
Offer some freebies; something that will bribe entice them. You know what you have to offer. Demos are a good idea.
Make what you offer “sexy.” I’m not talking sexual (head out of the gutter, please): make it so someone goes “ooooooo!”
Be a presence on the internet.
Do NOT be afraid of the Social Networks and Social Posting Tools. I use Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Digg, Reddit, Stumbleupon, Yahoo! Updates, Google+, Triberrr, and a few others…and I’m always looking for new ways to get my name out…and although I hate the SEO term: we are our own BRAND.
NETWORK: it really is who you know, so many times. Too many times, but…
Care to add to this list? I have more, but I want to know what you, my dear, helpful, friendly, sharing to the point of hurting, beautiful/handsome readers have to add. Really…sharing IS caring!!
Join Us In The Rule of Three Writers Challenge BlogFest!
Final Day to Sign Up: Monday October 3, 2011
I am co-hosting an exciting creative writing blog challenge, and I hope you will join the over 40 writers participating!
During October 2011, venture into the shared world of Renaissance (information below). You will create three characters set in that world: any genre, any time period. During the course of four weekly postings you will craft your tale where your three characters interact, or not, winding up in one great cumulative story. Each Friday, you will be given a set of prompts to move you along until you reach your climax. There is the chance to discover new writers, see a different side of ones you already admire, and hopefully have tons of fun doing this: you might also win some prizes. Read on!! <a href=”http://wp.me/P1mecg-bV”><img src=”http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z451/Jc_Martin/RuleofThreeshield.jpg” alt=”REN3″ width=”242″ height=”242″ /></a>
Grab this code for the badge created by the wonderful Portia Burton, Concept by the equally wonderful Lisa Vooght
The Shared World: Renaissance
An outpost town in the middle of nowhere, but many routes (the TARGE, KRIS, and VILLEIN are the largest of routes, but not the only ones) pass through or by the town. The SCHIAVONA Desert is encroaching on one side (to the West), a once lush forest (the CULDEES) lies to the East and South. A large river, the ESPADON, runs through the forest of ASSART (to the north) but it is not close by. The ROUNDELI Mountains are also to the North, far, far away, and when you look towards them you don’t know if they are an illusion or not. Closer by are the smaller hill chain, the MAIN GAUCHE and the MINOR GAUCHE, that fed the mining, creating caverns (the KASTANES) and passages (one particular passage is known as HERIOT’S PASS) lie underground.
The town has had a number of identities throughout it’s history: A trading post; a mining town; a ghost town until it was rediscovered; a thriving community; the scene of a number of great battles; the scene of one great tragedy (that led to it’s Ghost Town standing); a town of great joys and celebrations, and so much more.
At this point in time, there is a general population of 333. A mixture of a community. It boasts families that have lived there for generations upon generations, but they are in the minority, and are not in positions of power. There are traders who have come back here, at the end of their many travails, to settle in. The new families and power players have taken this as a last refuge for themselves, hoping to rebuild lives torn apart on the way here.
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…and:
Announcement: The Doll is a horror novelette by J.C. Martin that has only been read by a limited audience so far. It will be FREE for anyone who signs up on the Rule of Three linky list. We will email participants on the linky list with the direct link.
For those of you who don’t know it, I had a story published (my first) in July 2011. The story, “Redhead Riding,” can be found in the ebook anthology Dawn of Indie Romance. The proceeds go to a worthy charity that helps victims of natural disasters, so please support the book. It can be purchased at Amazon US, Amazon UK, or Smashwords..
The BIG announcement:
I am going to have a new story published around Halloween 2011! My story, “Trolling for Loving,” will be published in an anthology of the paranormal. I went outside the publishing box, so you won’t find any vampires or werewolves in my world. Trolls, Redcaps and the Ferrypeople of Hell? Oh, yes indeedy. More info to come when it’s announced.
Sparkfest is the invention of Christine Tyler of The Writer Coaster, and this is my first introduction to her writing blogging world. I am sure it won’t be my last as I just subscribed. SUPPORT WRITERS AND OTHER ARTISTS. End of soapbox.
The prompt for this blogfest:
What book made you realize you were doomed to be a writer?
What author set off that spark of inspiration for your current Work in Progress?
Or, Is there a book or author that changed your world view?
Christine has a whole set of “rules” on her page: check them out, and enter as you will. Me, um…well, if you’ve been reading me at all, you should have an idea about how I feel: Rules? Rules? We don’ need no stinkin’ rules! Her basic prompt was to choose one of the three above.
By The Way: if you don’t know, I am also a Fiction Writer, and write on my Tale Spinning Blog. This probably should have gone there, and it might still, later. Thought you should know, if you have only known me for what I write about in Education.
I’m going to try all three. Just to be…me. (Thank you, Gene Simmons. I hope she says yes, and I hope you are better).
What book made you realize you were doomed to be a writer?
This is a tough one for me. I am not sure there is one book that did that. The first thing that comes to mind, really:
Comic Books
I have been involved with reading, collecting, cherishing comic books since way before I could read. My mother used to buy me a few when I was very little (Gold Key; Harvey; Classics Illustrated; Disney; and Archie comics) and I loved the whole thing. It was more than pictures and words. Comics took me on a journey across the world and into imagination. When I discovered Super Heroes, that was it: Hooked 110% all the way. My imagination knew no boundaries from that day forth. I also understood very well that with great power comes great responsibility.
My memory may play tricks with me, but besides wanting to be a scientist (not with MY grades!), I had always wanted to write for the comics. Always. Still do. I used to write my own little things in school when I was bored out of my mind. Always drawing my little thumbnails (didn’t know I was story-boarding then), creating characters, writing dialogue, etc.
So…doomed to be a writer? I don’t think I’ve ever thought of writing as a doomed thing. Exciting, creative, expressive, exploitative, demanding, challenging…yes. Doomed? Never.
What author set off that spark of inspiration for your current Work in Progress?
My current work in progress is Agent driven: I asked her “what do you want from me?” when all she had previously said was she wanted to see a novel from me (she won’t handle short story writers). Her answer: “I want a great love story.” So, that is what I am doing right now. For those of you that have read my published short story in Dawn of Indie Romance, you’ll see I do have that in me.
The author who set me afire in inspiration overall is Roger Zelazny. I do have a few other things in the works besides the “great love story,” and I feel that I owe them all to the late Mr. Zelazny. He was, to me, THE writer to look up to, to want to be compared to. He broke down big heavy walls in his speculative fiction and fantasy writing. He explored ancient mythologies putting his own twist on things.
Lord of Light was the first book of his I read, and will reread it as long as I can read. Hinduism, scifi, fantasy: you name it.
A Rose for Ecclesiastes just an amazingly beautiful story, melding Christian mythos with science fiction AND it’s a love story too.
The Chronicles of Amber is probably what Zelazny is best known for. This fantasy series has everything in it: great stories; great characters; great mysteries; great love; great horror and tragedy; and a lot of Zelazny’s humor.
He was diverse in his writing styles. He had a love for language. He had a diverse referencing skill in what he drew upon as a writer. If I ever had to grow up, I’d want to grow up to be a 1/10 of a Roger Zelazny in my writing. My The Kistune-Mochi Tale (working title) is inspired by his work. Thank you, Mr. Zelazny.
Is there a book or author that changed your world view?
This is the book that blew away my itty, bitty mind when I was around 16/17. It was written/published in 1972, and I still have my copy. So, yeah…16 or 17. I remember reading it, having to put the book down, close my eyes, and my head just swam/exploded with all the complexities I was experiencing from the book. No: I was not on any drug. I don’t do drugs. Never did. This book was enough.
RD Laing’s knots was a psychological poetry brainf**k for me then, and it still retains all of that for me now. Not a fiction book, per se, as I’m normally driven towards fiction. But,it is life presented in an infinity loop of desperation, longings, desires, needs, destructiveness, love, hate, and “what are we doing to ourselves and each other?” wanderings.
Amazon’s description of the book is: “A series of dialogue-scenarios, which can be read as poems or plays, describing the “knots” and impasses in various kinds of human relationships.” I think they do it a disservice.
I think my questioning of “why” someone does something, not as judgment but as wanting to just know to understand, has it’s roots from reading this book. It does help me as a writer/playwright: all characters want something. My question is: why?
Hope you liked this one. Bit on the long side, but…I never did promise you brevity.
You should join this one, if you are serious about writing too.
I Am Now OFFICIALLY A Published Short Story Author!
So, maybe a bit sappy (the video) but the message is exactly right for right now: WHAT A FEELING!! I knew this was coming for awhile, and when I first got the word…you can ask my friends how both humbled I was (yeah, I was and am) but also how much I was doing my Happy Dance! This is exciting for me, and I am really thankful to Sarah and Catrina of Ethics Trading for choosing my story for their anthology.
Dawn Of Indie Romance
A selection of 8 short stories with a Romance theme.
Why should you purchase this ebook? Well, the obvious reason: some great reading. Second, the fund for this are donated to a very worthy charity. Sarah, of Ethics Trading, writes:
As always, any creation from the With Love Project, in conjunction with Ethics Trading, and The Writing Network, has been produced with help from artists and writers who have donated their work and net profits from sales of this book will be passed to Medecins Sans Frontieres to support their ongoing work in emergency situations around the world. As I type this they are working in Somalia amid the catastrophic drought there, saving lives with every donation we can send them. They are still working in Japan, DR Congo, many other countries. Founded in 1971, MSF is an international medical humanitarian organization working in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. Their work is without limit, without borders, without prejudice. They simply save lives wherever they can. I stand and applaud every woman and man who works with MSF, and I am proud to be able to support your work in this small way.
I’m also doing something different today:
I am linking Bornstoryteller to my fiction blog, Tale Spinning, as it was there that my story first took roots. In honor of today, I’m doing something I hadn’t planned on: adding on a chapter to the story. So….I hope you enjoy In Bed With A Redhead. A “post script” to what was published, and it may lead to my developing the whole thing into a novel. Ya never know.
btw…the lyrics to What A Feeling:
First, when there’s nothing but a slow glowing dream That your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind All alone I have cried silent tears full of pride In a world made of steel, made of stone Well I hear the music, close my eyes, feel the rhythm Wrap around, take a hold of my heart [Chorus:] What a feeling, bein’s believin’ I can’t have it all, now I’m dancin’ for my life Take your passion, and make it happen Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life [Solo]
Now I hear the music, close my eyes, I am rhythm In a flash it takes hold of my heart
[chorus (with ... "now I'm dancing through my life")]
What a feeling
What a feeling (I am music now), bein’s believin’ (I am rhythm now) Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life What a feeling (I can really have it all) What a feeling (Pictures come alive when I call) I can have it all (I can really have it all) Have it all (Pictures come alive when I call) (call, call, call, call, what a feeling) I can have it all (Bein’s believin’) bein’s believin’ (Take your passion, make it happen) make it happen (What a feeling) what a feeling… [to fade]
