Icd Freelance's Bucket

Christmas Day

2009-12-25T08:23:00.003-05:00

It's Christmas day 2009. This year has been a difficult time for some, a normal time for others with a few enjoying the best year of their lives. We all hope to see the latter state as part of our lives. Sometimes it takes going through a rough period to really appreciate what is of real value to us.

Leaving the personal aspect of living and looking nationally a lot of people view the future with a degree of foreboding. Most of this anxiety is due to a political landscape that is driving by political ideology fortressed by a view inward by those involved rather than looking outward to the country at large.

History is teaching us a hard lesson. A lesson we have seen before but in prior generations. A lesson forgotten as each new generation looks upward looking for something different, something better. What they always fail to see is the lesson of history. Great oratory does not made a better world or life experience. Much as a fire and brimstone preacher can short term motivate their flock to do better and not sin a great political orator can motivate those who forget history to follow the path of it feels good.

People want to improve their lot in life, they want change. Often they fail to identify exactly what this change involves and how it will impact their lives and as importantly their families from children to parents. A dramatic shift in economic patterns no matter how well intended will rend upheaval on the life of everyday Americans. Regardless of the promises to treat a certain class better most will find they are also caught in the swirling suction of a drain that needs more water. Soon anyone who has water will have to put it into the basin to be drained and used as a price for change, radical change, life changing change.

As the new year approaches let's try to remember that change can be good, change can also be hard. That is why most people fear change. They like the familiar they are uncomfortable with new things for them to do. If we the People of the United States of America now see the change desired going the wrong way we can fix it. We can fix it by the same means we created it and that is to change Washington to actually represent the People who elected them into office. If not we will keep changing until we look a lot like France, Britain, Germany and possible Russia. That should give us all a lot to consider.

-icdfreelance

Taking a Trip to View Fall Leaves

2009-10-15T11:08:00.005-04:00

Just returned from an almost annual trip to the Smokey Mountains to view the changing of leaves colors as fall begins to redo the National Forest. This trip is a soul stirring event when you reflect on how beautiful nature spins the seasons.

This year we took our little Maltese puppy to see how she traveled on a longer trip and she did very well. Having her along added a lot to the trip and based on the weather and problems with our cabin rental, it was nice to have a happy traveler with us.

Planning is alway important when you expect to join thousands of others in viewing some event. Fall leaf viewing is one of those occassions when you expect large crowds. To get the best locations take fore thought and early arrangements.

We followed this advice making our arrangements for a mid October trip in July. For a lot of reasons we wanted a great view of the area. Basically it mattered not that we planned as our choice of cabin with a view was removed by the rental agency due to a foreclosure of our selection.

Planning Helps but Does Not Guarantee Success

While there is not a lot they could do about that we were never notified of this change to provide a choice of switching dates or other arrangements. No communication of any type. We found the change occurred when we arrived at the cabin and realized it was not the one we rented in July.

The response we received from the rental agency was, "we are sorry but it is the only cabin we had." The fact it had no view, none except roofs, roads, and a tree seemed to matter not to this business. There seems to be no resolution for this as they do not consider our loss their loss.

If you plan on a trip to the Smokies and want to rent a cabin contact me and will provide the details of this company so you can make your mind up if this is the place you want to trust with your reservations.

Would We Do It Again?

You bet. The trip was great regardless of this nag. We had fun, our puppy became a traveling member of the family and we plan on another mountain trip in the spring. We will probably make other arrangements with another rental agency though to avoid the potential of another problematic reservation.

-icdfreelance

Interesting View of Life

2009-07-16T22:28:00.004-04:00

Recently I wrote three articles referencing weddings from the grooms perspective. The first article was a Survival Guide for a Groom which provided some guides to getting through that wonderful time. The other two centered on the bachelor party and wedding expenses.

It surprised me that the least popular topic concerned wedding expenses. Probably due to the joy of the occasion no one wants to think about money. Unfortunately today most people do not want to think about money, controlling the use of credit and staying afloat in this weaken economy.

There is a blog, A No Debt Zone, that seems to be taking this topic on in a number of ways. This blog is dedicated to helping people recognize how difficult credit problems are to solve, plus providing ideas and plans on how to attack the problem. Mostly common sense approaches that we all can use with a touch of ideas from experts.

On a separate thought, take a minute and listen to some of the music samples from Merv's Pod. Merv has an easy style blending a little country, folk and Barbary Coast. Some of his life in England finds it's way into a couple of the songs. Enjoy.

-icdfreelance

Micro Niche Finder, Twitter and Gay Wilder

2009-06-14T23:46:00.002-04:00

Got a chance to spend some time working with the Micro Niche Finder. That appears to be a really good way to ferret out unique niches for limited campaigns. Plan on taking it on a real tour tomorrow to see what it does for me. Let you know that works out.

Twitter. Been using Twitter for a while but never understood it's capability other than for exchanging brief notes on what's happening with you. Getting a better handle on it now and find it has quite extensive marketing potential. Some of us are just late to the party.

Also got a chance to look at blog, website and lens of Gay Wilder on relationships. Looks like the blog is just getting started, the website is attractive both supported by an informative lens. You might want to check them out. Blog is Here with links to the lens and website.

-icdfreelance

Some New Things

2009-06-11T23:30:00.004-04:00

After writing the article on A Bachelor's Survival Guide to Wedding Planning have received a lot of comments, questions on how, why I wrote the article. Only answer is I wanted to cover the subject differently. The other two in that series on Bachelor Party and Wedding Expenses are just starting to get read. Maybe the month of June creates the interest.

Put up a website, blog and Squidoo lens on the subject of folks getting discouraged in their internet marketing efforts. The why's and what to do about it. Short answer is lower expectations, raise reality. A lot more to be said on the subject but that about starts it. Just look for The Bone Yard of Internet Marketing.

Still pluggin along with my Kindle 2. Still love it especially with the mp3 capability. Wish the screen would rotate to 9 x 16 view when on the internet to view much like my Nokia N810.

Until next time.

icdfreelance

Little Time Off

2009-05-29T08:22:00.004-04:00

Got away for a few days to Pawley Islands in South Carolina. A good, low crowd beach, place to go. Even on Memorial Day weekend the beach was easy to use, play and let the dog walk (on a leash) of course.

If you get there, if you can find Periwinkles in Litchfield, order "Austin's Blue Crab Cake" as you will not regret that find. Eaten a lot of crab, eaten a lot of crab cakes in a lot of places but never found any finer crab cake. Highly recommended.

After returning home found a moment to lament about leaving my dog here and reliving the leaving/not leaving Daisy home question. Wrote a short piece about that decision which is listed on my articles list on the sidebar. Dogs are a lot of fun, cats also for that matter. It's just different fun with a cat but both mostly rule.

later,

icdfreelance

Adding to the bucket

2009-05-19T19:34:00.009-04:00

Been busy writing eZine articles, chasing facts and taking care of family things.

The new items in the bucket are eBooks for Anyone soon to be followed by eBooks and the Kindle 2. Not a review but a "how does it live with me" look at this reader.

Found a little time to talk about Weight Loss for Anyone from the perspective of someone who loss 22% of their body weight without using tools, programs, or diets just common sense.

Finally there is a new item coming related to Remote Aerial Photography and this is the Equipment & Tools required to explore this area. Approximate cost for various items are presented with a total bottom line dollar estimate.

We are moving some things out and adding new to the bucket.

Check out the link below for: A Grooms Survival Guide for Planning a Wedding

Until,

icdfreelance

Today's Bucket

2009-05-10T11:31:00.003-04:00

The bucket is starting to fill but always room for more. Today we moved into the fun side of hobbies and how to get involved. Most of us play golf or did play golf. I was one of those addicted to following the little ball for a lot of years. Enjoyed and hated it sometimes at the same time but overall a growth experience. One thing it taught me was control of self even when you really wanted to explode. A good lesson.

Making room now in the bucket for other things like Aerial Photography. I use to take photo's when flying but doing that was expensive even when I piloted the plane. Today fuel cost alone for aviation grade fuel brings surcharges that really reduces pleasure flying time. Found an alternative that takes some training, some equipment but with the advent of First Person View of remote, radio controlled aircraft it brings the cost down for AP solutions and you still get to fly the plane.

We will get into more of that later but for now if you have an interest in AP check the links on this page. Also if you need any camera, electronics products stop by Daisy Doodle's Store. Lots of goods there.

Til later,
icdfreelance