Success at Associated Content? Probably Not for Me!

Personal gratification and a love of writing keep me submitting articles to Associated Content. It cetainly isn't the money/ It is the sheer joy of expression.



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Being King of the World Can Be a Burden

A review of pet peeves that annoy and bother. Also, a list of people who might, in the words of the Lord High Executioner in the Mikado, might never be missed. Finally, a request for additional nominations from the public!



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Newly Discovered Lobe in Women's Brains Determines Fashion Taste

Ever wonder how women always know what's in style and what is not? And why have men no clue whatsoever. The answer in physiological and presented here -- for the first time!



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My writing at Associated Content not very successful

First of all, I have said that I write for AC to avoid boredom and to exercise whatever writing ability I might have. I am hardly as prol;ific as others and, as a result, do not have the "page views" or earnings as others. On the other hand, I do not go out of my way to promote myself.

In any event, as of this morning, my statistics show that I have written a total of 80 articles, have an aggregate of 18,900 page views, or an average of 233 per article. Two of the articles have in excess of 1000 "views" and I guess that's OK since 9/24/06 when I started. I still send missives to the local papers, the Tampa Tribune, a not-too-good paper, poorly written and devoid of news, and the St. Petersburg Times, which is far better. I submit periodic writings to the latter's opinion/blog site.

I envy those people who can make a living out of this craft. I wish I had started writing many, many years ago.

I'm keeping busy and meeting, through AC and this Blog, all sorts of nice people.

A Letter to My Employer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, or to Yours

Suggestions on where to focus recruiting efforts for a service industry and how, with inexpensive motivation gifts and trinkets, a company can give employees a sense of company-identity, loyalty and a rationale for staying. Less turnover means greater profits. Everyone will win!



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Everyone Who Could Vote, Does and Will!

We all vote. If we, individually fail to cast a ballot, we are giving a proxy to special interest groups and fanatics who Will vote in our place. The core of supporters, far right and far left, may not represent our views, but they will vote and make choices for the rest of us.



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Killing for Pleasure?

I am a confirmed carnivore and, therefore, not opposed to the killing of animals for food. I do worry about individuals who get arousal and thrills out of the act of killing, itself. This is sickness. People rationalize this joy of the kill by calling it a sport; until deer have guns, it's no sport.



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Florida Ban on Homosexual Adoption Born of Bias and Ignorance

Florida is the only state that forbids, absolutely, adoption by homosexuals. The result of this prejudice is thousands of children deprived of a loving home.



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Florida's State Song Needs Replacement. . . Now

Florida's official state song, written by Stephen Foster who had never been to the state, is offensive, raciest and should be replaced.



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Quotas on admission to universities can be exclusionary or beneficial

At one time, quotas were used by educational institutions to exclude applicants who were well-qualified. Affirmative Action is designed to benefit less-qualified individuals, those who would not be admitted on a merit basis alone. Neither system in in the best interests of the individual or society.



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You're Fired! Pitfalls in the Firing of an Employee

The firing of an employee may restricted by contract, statute or company policy. If an employee must go, there are procedures and practices that an employer must consider.



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The Bush Administration's Disdain for Governance Leads to Folly

If you hate government, believe it's the source of problems, you cannot be expected to govern well. The Bush's desire to bypass government and privatize governmental functions removes citizen oversight and leads to unwelcome results.



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Discussions with Vigor but Not Rancor!

The inability to discuss issues without personal attacks is a great loss in political and ordinary debate. It's time we stopped this rancor and learned to address real issues.



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Charlie Kaiser, You are (or were) evil

It may be the tragic events at Virginia Tech or the remembering the Columbine incident, but for whatever reason, my mind went back to a summer I spent at Camp Koda near Naples, Maine, when I was a kid. It was the worst period of my childhood. All because of a bully and SOB named Charlie Kaiser.

I remember very little of my childhood, most memories having been lost or blocked or whatever. The few fragments of memory that remain are, for the most part, unhappy ones. In any event, Charlie was in my cabin at Camp and every night and afternoon, whenever the idea occurred to him, he would torment me, hitting, name calling and totally abusive; he would rip the comic books my parents had sent in a package, he would incite others to join in. The worst thing was that others did participate until I was lefty crying and humiliated.

Other boys from my home town lived in nearby cabins and they did nothing to support me. I hated each and every one and had fantasies about hurting or scaring them all. Of course. I did nothing and just felt the pain.

I know that the counselors and camp owners were aware of my torment but no one came to my aid, no one told the world that Charlie was an total worthless bastard.

So I'm going to say it and admit that I hope Charlie roasts in Hell.

Trip to Connecticut

This past weekend, Joan and I went to our friends' granddaughter's Bat Mitzvah in Trumbull, Connecticut, a community near Bridgeport and between Hartford and New York.I understand that the affair was originally going to be in February but that the family wad concerned about poor weather so it was set for the first weekend in April.

So much for trying to do good; we froze.

We flew into Hartford early Friday afternoon and picked up our rental car. It was equipped with one of the fancy navigational systems. It is a good thing I depended on good old fashioned maps and not the gizmo because I couldn't get the darn thing to work. It was surely smarter than I.

We arrived in Trumbull and the hotel was fantastic. One thing though. On Saturday morning we went to the motel's dining room for breakfast. There was a buffet in operation and, from my experience down south and a lot of places, the buffet was (I thought) complementary. It turns out that the charge was nearly $15/person. I guess that I am a hick in the big city. Good eggs, though!

The host and hostess were wonderful, treating us as old members of the family. The service was great; the young lady who was the subject to all of this, was poised, articulate and a delight. Rebecca is a person with strong ethical and philosophical beliefs (she will not eat and food from an animal that must be slaughtered; she is a sincere Vegan). What was remarkable and much appreciated and admired by me is that she was able to articulate her beliefs beautifully. I do not go along with her (I love steak and hamburgers) but totally respect her sincerity and honesty. The kid is remarkable. I already said that, but she's worth the duplication!

Saturday night, we sat by the fire in the lobby of the Marriott, Joan sipping a Kahlua and I an Irish whiskey. I really could get used to this.

Sunday morning, we awoke to the sight of snow. It was falling at quite a rate, even if it didn't stick. And it was cold. Very cold. After a brunch at their home, we started to return to the Hartford airport. The airport was only an hour or so away and our plane didn't leave for nearly 7 hours. It was too windy and cold to sight see and, being Easter Sunday, there wasn't too much that was open anyway. So we sat at Bradley airport in Hartford from 1 PM to take off. By the time we got back to Tampa, it was 10:30 and exhaustion overtook us.

My job at Jackson-Hewitt is winding down, tax season ends next week. If I am not chosen to work part-time over the summer, I'll be devoting more time to Associated Content.

I sort of enjoy this blog stuff -- even if it's like the sound of a falling tree when no one is there to hear the crash!

I have written an article for Associated Content that seems to have created some interest. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/191915/when_the_heat_of_engagement_cools_who.html

This is about who gets to keep an engagement ring if the marriage is called off.

Joan and I have just returned from Connecticut -- where I froze -- to attend the Bat Mitzvah of our friends' granddaughter, Rebecca. The young lady was poised, lively and very, very talented. More about this later on.

Changing types of articles on Associated Content

I intend to keep writing for Associated Content but I think I am going to lighten up a bit. I had pontificated on weighty political topics but my wife suggests that I write on less serious subjects. So, I'm going to try. I'm working on an article on the days of the week and why there are 7 of them Turns out that some cultures have from 3 to 10 days and I'm going to enjoy doing the research.

We are going to daughter Wendy's home this evening to enjoy/celebrate the Seder. But when tomorrow comes, I'll start!