So the cruise Mrs. Grumpy and I took was amazing. Typically what I would do is take a few hours to write something brilliant and then post a "story" about the experience here on "acourtesyflush." I love the freedom of blogging. I especially like not having to interface with any other human being while I'm posting. Blogging is cathartic and the creative process is rewarding. Certainly not financially, but in an "At least I don't have to deal with a pinhead editor, so I'll bite the bullet and give it away for free kinda a way."
I've now written almost 600 posts, not including the two previous blogs I stupidly deleted, which probably means I've written over 1000 posts and as any writer and blogger knows that's a book or two. In fact, I've written so much the "L" key popped off my keyboard the the arthritis in my hands has become worse.
Now Mrs. G and I would sure like to go on another cruise, in fact one a year would be nice. And of course there's all those pesky bills and the leaky roof, the unfinished pool and I will need to upgrade to a Blackberry soon. I've been with my present employer over 4 years. I should be upgrading to a new truck soon. But freight is still slow and my last (weekly) paycheck was $450 - more than 1/2 of what it was last year. Anyway I don't mean to bore you, times are tough, but this is the good 'ole USA and opportunities still abound.
So, it kills me to go in a bookstore. After we got back from the cruise, we went out for dinner and Mrs. G drove us to our fav Borders. Having seen where former President Truman stayed in Key West - the first stop on our cruise - I wanted to learn more and bought a book about Truman by David McCoullogh. The book is excellent by the way.
But, walking around the bookstore, seeing all these "books" about nothing, books that are published about murder and other horrible crimes and assorted weirdos and completely stupid things - well, if I do pick up a book - I can't even get past the first few paragraphs. And there are those "other" little stupid useless books with less than a 100 pages, well, I think about my 1000 postings and it really bothers me.
And then there are all those shiny magazines. Some of which sell for $11! Four 20 foot shelves of them. About EVERYTHING! Tattooing, flying, model trains, cooking, fashion, watches, carpentry, cigars, canoeing and whatever else you can imagine. And these writers and editors are getting PAID. And then I found it. A magazine on cruising and cruise ships. And on the back page was a "piece" written by someone about their - can you imagine? - cruise experience. And I said, holy shit, I can do better than that - I'm a better writer - and I could get PAID for it. Wow, what a concept!
So, an early New Year's Resolution. Write more - sell more - get paid. Makes a great meditation mantra - aaaammmm - write more, sell more, get paid - aaaammmm - write more, get more, get paid - I like it. Besides I'm never gonna go on the cruises "we" want like Alaska and Nova Scotia driving a truck in this economy. That's food stamp city. I've just got to bite the bullet when it comes to interfacing with humans again - even editors.
So folks, here we go - my return to - my foray - back into - freelancing. I tried it once before and earned about $350. Not bad. But, it didn't work out. The "editor" and I, well, let's just say it ain't easy being an Alfa Male. Wish me luck. Hopefully you'll be reading about "our" incredible cruise experience in that magazine I told you about. And get paid for it!
The picture is of the cover of "Truman" by David McCullough and the book is published by Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, June, 1993.
