I had to take my neighbors to court because the roots of their trees were destroying my sidewalk and fence.  For over three years, I asked him to cut the trees.  He said yes.  They never came down.  Finally, a few branches fell on the wires in my yard one windy day in Chicago which freaked me out because that could have been my garage.  One was a huge tree.  After that, I started putting my requests in writing.  The whole family stopped talking to me. 

My first request to him, immediately after the branch incident, was to remove the tree and repair my property.  It was ignored.  I waited until late Spring 2008 to communicate further.  I offered to pay half of the tree removal along with materials to repair my sidewalk and fence if his construction company completed the work.  Yes, he has a construction company! He ignored that request.  I even tried to do mediation, and that request went ignored.  So, the only thing left to do was to seek legal counsel.

It took a minute to get that tree down.  It’s gone; I can’t complain. However, I can complain about his request: To go half on the removals, repairs, and legal expenses. Needless to say, that is not going to happen.  I just had to share the nerves of these people.

CC Industry:      Radio

Status:               Exempt

Job Description

• Work with Programming to maximize integration with on-air and on-line
• Work with Promotions to identify relevant events and feature prominently on site
• Work with Sales staff to identify available inventory and tout new features
• Manage Online Staff to physically maintain sites
• Work directly with CCOMR Online Services management to provide feedback and suggestions on market needs/requirements/requests
• Work with sales to create web based sales initiatives
• Serve as project manager on all projects produced by the web department
• Work with vendors to ensure all products are functioning properly
• Keep a watchful eye on the news to ensure our websites are always current with breaking news
• Keep an eye on third party vendors to ensure our sites are in full working order

Job Requirements

• 4+ years of college and 2 years website creation experience, or a comparable combination of college and experience
• Strong Organizational, Leadership and Interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with others and recommend solutions
• Expert knowledge of Adobe’s Creative Suite

Bonus Points

• Strong working knowledge of video, audio and photography
• Strong working knowledge of Sony Vegas and Final Cut Studio

Please apply at www.clearcareers.com/jobs by Friday, November 6, 2009

I have four ventures that I truly enjoy – The Write Design Company, Shorty blog and newsletter, and As NOT Seen on TV. I had to prioritize my ventures in order to make money.  With this newfound realization, I have been researching and learning what I need to learn to be effective at what I do, which is why I have not been posting as often as I used to. I have even fallen behind in reading my email messages!

So, my ventures have been prioritized in the following order:
1. The Write Design Company – I will be providing social media, blogging and copywriting service.  This is my bread and butter.
2. As NOT Seen on TV – I will slowly be integrating video into this blog.  This is exciting and scary.  But look out for good stuff.  This is my fun stuff.
3. Shorty Blog – I am looking to develop this blog so I can do away with the newsletter.  This is my informational resource.
4. Shorty newsletter – I’m ready to bring all of this online, and try to keep my current followers in the process.

This is just to let you know what’s going on with me.

Updates are starting to come in from the official webstie of Black Friday Ads. Visit the site and sign up for email updates.

I was having a conversation with someone, and he mentioned that he visited homes growing up that had NO books.  I was appalled, even in my old age, because that has never happened in my lifetime.  Granted, many bookshelves were not in immediate view, but every home I’ve visited had a book somewhere.

So, if you have ever visited a home that had NO books, please share your experience.  This is all new to me.

I have been using wordpress for all of my blogs, Shorty In Da House, Marcie Writes, and As NOT Seen on TV.  I checked out WordPress for Dummies at Borders on last week and learned some new stuff. 

Also, most of the bloggers that get paid for blogging use WordPress from what I gathered from my reading.  It only makes sense to use what’s working, right?  (Now, it’s time for me to start getting paid like the pros.)

If you are interested in WordPress and have no idea how to use it, I have the following suggestions:
1. WordPress site has a wealth of information to get you started and keep you going.
2. Check out WordPress for Dummies
3. There is a One Day WordPress in Chicago on Saturday, November 14, 2009.  Get more details and to register at www.meetup.com/mywplife
4. Join a local WordPress Meetup on Meetup.com
5. Visit random sites that are shown on WordPress and contact the owners

Are your children prepared for the cold? We want to help. New, quality coats will be distributed to children living in CHA and Housing Choice Voucher households thanks to a partnership between the City of Chicago, the Chicago Housing Authority and Operation Warm.

You must pre-register online to receive coats.  Registration starts Sept. 14, 2009 at www.chayouth.org.  Include your CHA client ID and the sizes of coats your children need.

Coats will be distributed on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road. A resource fair will also take place on this day.

Remember, you must pre-register at www.chayouth.org with your CHA client ID to receive coats. CHA residency will be verified.

For more information or help, please call 312.786.3621.

Post office hiring, pay $20.94hour, must apply by 18th, go usps.com, click jobs, than customer service/delivery, than click transitional employee! Pass along!

I am overwhelmed by decisions these days.  I need story focuses for As NOT Seen on TV; I need to find a target market for The Write Design Company; and I have an idea for Shorty, but it’s not solid.  I started my blogs for fun; now it’s time to make money. That’s work. 

Am I up for the challenge?  I’ll give it a shot.

In the meantime, there are decisions to make.  It’s time to make things happen.

Following are twelve lessons I learned within the past six weeks.  I actually knew them, but they were magnified over the past six weeks.

1. You have to have a passion for what you are doing.
2. You have to know that you are ready for business ownership.  Everyone is not made for this.
3. You have to have a LOT of  patience.
4. You have to continually learn to become great at what you do. Every little bit of knowledge makes you a whole lot smarter. 
5. You have to work in and on your business.  This is a challenge when you are one person with a dream.  Time management and accountability are essential.
6. Just do it.  Analysis paralysis = no cash flow.
7. You have to sacrifice to get what you want.  If you really, really, really, really want something, you will have give something up to get it.
8. Faith hurts.  I don’t care how much faith you proclaim to have, the ultimate test of faith is working hard and not seeing the actual fruits of your labor.  You know the rewards are there, but when you don’t see them, it’s a challenge.  You just have to continue to stand on God’s promises and not waver.
9. Your close circle of friends is going to be really small.  While I have a slew of people I love, I only talk to the same 5 people, and  pray that I am not draining them.
10. Keep a box of tissues close by because there will be tears of joy, frustration, and pain.  And know that God is there to comfort you.
11. When you start second-guessing yourself, just know that the devil is busy, and you are doing what God will have you to do. If you are not getting opposition, you are not doing anything.
12. Have a balance of fun and work.  You can be busy and not be productive.