Because I can
Today, I’m going to share a video with you…and a poem.
Because:
- Kelly Diels is a goddess, clearly shares part of my soul and knew that I would love it.
- Vanessa Hidary is a writer and woman SUPREME.
- Therefore, she should be celebrated.
- I applaud all people that say what they mean to say in a way that says what other people mean to/wish to/want to say but never, ever would. Like Ani DiFranco, for instance.
- I think a few people will learn/benefit/catharticize from it.
- It’s Saturday.
- My birthday is on Tuesday.
- It’s really, really hot and humid where I live.
- Well, quite simply put—and said with the same verve that Meg Ryan says, “They’re my bags” in French Kiss, one of my favorite movies with one of the best on-screen kisses ever (yes, the one on the train)—this is, after all, my blog and I can.
Warning! Do not watch this video if any of the following apply to you:
- You don’t like the P word.
- You don’t like the F word (specifically when people use it instead of something prissy like ‘intercourse’)
- You are my father.
- You are my mother. Or mother-in-law.
- You still think I’m eight-years-old (ie. you are either of my older brothers).
- You have a problem with strong women that speak their mind (in which case, why are you here exactly?)
- After watching it, you think to yourself, “Peru sounds rather nice.”
Filed under How To | Tags: Brooklyn, hebrew mamita, NYC, poetry, strong women, vanessa hidary, women, women writers, Writing | Comments (19)
The LOVE ebook
I’m delighted to present you with a fantastic new option for Valentine’s Day. This one doesn’t die or wilt (flowers), it doesn’t harm trees (greeting cards) and it doesn’t cause a sugar high, a sugar low or unsightly poundage (candy).
The LOVE ebook is your long-lasting, eco-friendly, calorie-free alternative, though I won’t lie and tell you it’s not full of sugar. Because it is – by way of many beautiful love-inspired poems, photos and works of art from a spirited group of writers and artists. The stunning design comes by way of Kyle Lacy of Brandswag.
The goal of The LOVE ebook? To spread happiness & positivity and to make a difference for people struggling with the recession.
Because I want everyone to have access to the good stuff, The LOVE ebook is available for FREE download below, but I strongly encourage you to take a moment to CLICK HERE and make a donation to Career Gear as well. As a national non-profit, Career Gear helps men find jobs and keep them through skills training, interview clothing and relationship building.
Career Gear has been so wonderful to work with…gracious, supportive, excited. John Sanful, Executive Director of Career Gear, says it so well:
“Career Gear is thrilled to be receiving the proceeds from The LOVE ebook. Clients of Career Gear learn self-confidence and motivation. After gaining employment they continue to work on themselves and improving their relationships; professional and personal. The LOVE ebook is about relationships as well. Enjoy The LOVE ebook and cherish the relationships around you. Career Gear is honored to be associated with this project and is so grateful for this outpouring of support for our organization.”
Download The LOVE ebook….and then head over to Career Gear to make a donation – every little bit helps! Remember The LOVE ebook will only be available from February 11th to February 14th.
Want to do more? Help promote the book! Just grab the following code for these banners and blog about it…or Tweet, or Facebook, and on and on! Thank you all….
For 728 x 90 banner, copy text below.
Filed under Blogging, Myth or Reality, Networking, News, Social Media | Tags: art, Blogging, career gear, charity, Julie Roads, love, photography, poetry, recession, social media, the love ebook, unemployment, unique valentine's day gift, valentine's day, Writing Roads | Comments (20)
The LOVE ebook: love creations and real support for those hit by the recession
Image by Swamibu
The LOVE ebook: love creations and real support for those hit by the recession
WHAT IS THE LOVE EBOOK?
In an effort to focus on the good stuff – and help out in tough times – The LOVE ebook for charity is filled with LOVE poems, photos and artwork and it’s hitting the ‘net just in time for Valentine’s day. The beautiful composition, designed by Kyle Lacy and his crew at Brandswag, will be posted here for download from February 11th through the 14th – (would make an awesome Valentine’s gift, eh?)
Is it Free?
The LOVE ebook will be available for free, but we are also offering you the option to make a donation for your download – could be for $1 or $1000 – that’s entirely up to you.
Where will the money go?
All of the money raised will be donated to Career Gear (for men and their families) – a national non-profit organization that helps people find, get and keep jobs through career skills training, interview training, proper attire, etc… Times are tough, and I wanted to pick an organization that worked hard and compassionately to help our country’s workforce. (and Career Gear has been so wonderful to work with!!!)
How will you spread the word?
Anyone that knows me, knows that I’m obsessed with Twitter. We will certainly Twitterize the heck out of this thing. We’re also looking to all of you – whether you participate as an artist, writer, donor or reader to spread the word. I’ll use Pitch Engine for PR. We would love it if you would post something on your blog just link back to us here. Please tell all your peeps across every network you’ve got.
The Launch
The LOVE ebook will be available for download here, on the Writing Roads blog from February 11th through the 14th. We’ll do all we can to spread the word and raise some money for good and we hope you will too!
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND HELPING IN EVERY WAY YOU CAN!
We just know this is going to be a blast.
Filed under How To, Networking, News | Tags: art, artists, career gear, charity, donations, dress for success, ebook, job finding, love, photography, poems, poetry, recession, recession help, writers | Comments (16)My holiday gift to you
Okay – I never usually do things like this on my blog, but I’m feeling very taken by the holiday spirit – and wildly grateful for all that YOU give me by reading this blog, commenting with your brilliant and strong thoughts, telling your friends & colleagues about Writing Roads and being part of my community.
So, I’d like to give you a gift, but only one of you (even though I appreciate you all equally). But, it wouldn’t be me if I made this really easy and un-fun. So here is your challenge and here are your steps to success:
- Write a poem.
- It has to rhyme (because I’m a huge fan of rhyming).
- And it has to be at least 2 lines long.
- It must be authentically YOU.
- And it has to be nice (and you’re all nice, so this shouldn’t be an issue)
- Flattery will probably get you everywhere.
- Leave it in the comments below.
- Get totally, blatantly judged by me and my posse (ie. Silas the Farting Dog who sits under my desk and loves me no matter what).
- Hope and pray that you win (and feel free to bribe the judge with cash – me, not Silas).
I will pick the winner on December 23rd and get your prizes to you in nowhere near enough time for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the Winter Solstice.
What? Oh…you want to know what you’ll win? Is that all you can think about?
- The grand prize is the best popcorn popper EVER in the ENTIRE world (because I love popcorn…does anyone see a theme here?)
- A feature on this here blog with your winning poem and a singing of your praises (we can play around with this one depending on who you are, what you do and how this part of the prize will best suit you…). And tons of social media love on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn…wherever you like.
- My love and affection.
- AND…I’d be more than happy to offer more prizes (for funniest, most flattering, most female, most male – you name it…) and I’m positive I can get some (let me know if you want to offer your product, book or services) and I’ll feature them below as we go…
- We have a new prize! The LOVELY Debra Snider has donated her novel, A Merger of Equals, for either the ‘Most Uppity’ or ‘Most Feminist’ poem. For more info on her book, go here.
- And another! @TarotByArwen has offered us A Muse of Inspiration Tarot reading. This one will have to go to the ‘Most Spiritual’ entry, like fer sure.
- My favorite cook in the world, Carol McManus, has donated another prize! Her extraordinary cookbook, Table Talk, features real food recipes, beautiful pics of Martha’s Vineyard and the inspiration to bring the family back to the table. (We cook from it alllll the time!) The poem that makes me the hungriest gets this prize…
- J.Sewell Perkins is offering one 1/2 hour of coaching as a prize – either life or business coaching. JS is awesome – can’t say enough good about this one. So, I guess this prize goes to the poem that makes me think the writer needs help (LOL, just kidding…)
- Take back an hour of your time! @TraceyTarrant is offering one hour of virtual assistant services.
- Lanny McDowell, the phenom avian photographer who took my Twitter avatar pic!, has offered up one of his stunning prints! This is a shot of a Red Phalarope driven onshore from its offshore northern migration route by persistent strong easterly winds. Shot taken near Sengecontacket Pond, Martha’s Vineyard. Print image would measure 10″h X 15″w on fine art paper 13″ X 19″.
- Jessica Smith, of Jessica Knows, Wishpot, MomForce and a zillion other places, is offering up a free admission to her Inner Circle (4 1-hour small group sessions) for the best poem about MomForce!!! (value = priceless)
- This next prize is for the poem that does the best job of ‘counting blessings.’ Cindy Hartman‘s company, Hartman Inventory, provides a service documenting personal property for businesses and residences, mainly for disaster preparedness (knowing what you own helps you maximize an insurance claim; without an inventory, most recover between 30%-50% of what they lost). Other reasons for an inventory are estate planning, estate settlement, divorce and pre-nup agreements, moving, storage, business disolution/sale/purchase. She’s offering a consultation explaining why an inventory is needed (not enough people realize how important this info is until it’s too late), and then providing the know-how so they can compile their own inventory.
GOOD LUCK…I’m breathless with anticipation.
Filed under How To, News | Tags: Blogging, contest, holiday spirit, Julie Roads, poetry, social media, Writing, Writing Roads | Comments (52)
