Tag Archives: order fulfillment for independent filmmakers

Nurturing Potential

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“It helps us to all work together, because its the parent and the teacher and the child – its that triangle..”

Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools has stated that the potential is there for students to become super men and super women, if given the opportunity for a great education. Our children’s inability to progress is due to the educators ineffectiveness in fulfilling the needs of the children in the classroom. It is the adults who are failing the children. This is a blanket statement, however, we all know that there are as many good teachers as there are inadequate teachers.

Every child deserves and needs a great education. They are the future of our country and students need to be taught in a way that recognizes and builds upon their strengths and gifts,so they can become global leaders as adults.

David Guggenheim’s new film “Waiting for Superman” will be premiering in New York and L.A. on September 24. This documentary film provides an inside look at education in America, our need for equal opportunity, America’s teachers and some answers to saving schools.

As highlighted in the film, the opportunity to obtain an excellent education should not be dependent upon the chance of winning a lottery to be admitted into one of the new high performing charter public schools.

Obviously, educational institutions can not be entirely held responsible for the success of a child. Parents need to do their part, too. Expose your child to the arts, to museums, to athletics, to faith and to groups of empowering people. A child has the potential to achieve what is set before them – so set the bar high! That way, your child will know you have confidence in their abililities and that you know they can succeed! It is all about nuturing potential.

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Sharing the Word!

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“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”                 ~Mark Twain 

How coincidental is that? Today, I had planned to write a blog on the man who is known as our first American novelist – Mark Twain. He is one of the most well-known essayists and moralists in our country’s history! This morning, I had a few minutes to spare before my dentist appointment, and took the opportunity to take a little drive into an area of Steamboat Springs, CO that I had not previously taken the time to explore before. There the name was, on a street sign, Mark Twain. Was it an Avenue or Road or Lane? ! I dont know! I was so thrown off guard by this odd coincidence of having just composed, on paper, last night a blog based on  Mr. Twain that I can not remember which!   

Seeing this sign has changed the content of my blog. I was going to go on and on about the man who was born in 1835 and died in 1915 AKA Samuel Langhorne Clemens. His speculative ventures included silver mining, business and publishing.  His writings had appeal to young and old, alike. Although in he is known for his humor and wit, many of the essays he wrote in his final years were filled with his “venting” against power, corruption and greed.

Why his name should appear on a street sign in a place like Steamboat Springs, CO, I wonder. Perhaps it is just a subtle reminder to all that as we travel down the road of life  “to do the right thing.”

 

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Welcome back, Jonathan Franzen!

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“Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them all.” ~Henry David Thoreau

Well, well, well – look who is back on the Oprah Book Club list – author Jonathan Franzen! In 2001,  Jonathan Franzen landed on the “O” pick list for his book “The Corrections.” Now he is fulfilling Oprah’s need for outstanding, thought provoking reading with his latest book “Freedom.”

Although the Oprah Show will be coming to a close after this season, her book club will continue on. Over the years, Oprah has created quite a buzz for authors and their books. Millions of readers worldwide participated  in Oprah’s on-line book club discussing new thought leader, Eckhart Tolle’s book “A New Earth.”  For authors such as David Wroblewski, being thrust into the limelight as a first time author with his book “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” had to be a thrill. I personally flat out loved that book!

“Freedom”  will be added to my long list of  I want to read, will someday read or might read books. Perhaps I will move it ahead of the pack, to the top of my MUST read list.  That way, I won’t have to see if it was worthwhile waiting for.  I will know right away! Join me in discovering what the rage over this book is all about. Oprah promises it will be a fulfilling read!

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Common Clarity

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  “Almost all new ideas have a certain aspect of foolishness, when they are first produced.” ~Alfred North Whitehead

Having good language and writing skills is important for all of us. It helps us to communicate in our jobs, with family, friends and through social media, too! But using lofty, big words that no one else understands can be frustrating and a turn-off for the reader. A book or film with a message that is clearly communicated, is the most fulfilling to me.

If you visited this blogsite yesterday, I am glad you returned today! Yesterday’s blog writing was filled with archaic words that may have left you feeling the need for a reference book on weird, wacky words. It takes time that few readers have, to continually look up words you do not quite understand. I will spare you and provide you with a clear interpretation, right here and now!

The internet is a sciniary( keeper of archives), so it should be able to rally to the task of helping me find the right words. So useful is the worldwide web to writers in so many ways. Without it, I would need to practice the art of scoteography (writing in the dark).  Poets seem to find words that work in the context of their writing, so very easily that I have become a musophobist (person who regards poetry with suspicious dislike). I believe that poets can’t possibly come up with all those magnificent, creative words without extra God- given gifts for language. A gift that was not given to all individuals.

This blog is becoming somewhat naufrageous (in danger of a ship wreck)! If I continue, it will end up a capilotade (hashed together story).You will call me a cumber-ground (someone who is useless in their job) and suggest that I become a bouquinist(a dealer of second hand books).

Does it sound like morology (foolish talking) to you? Well, PLEASE do not discerp (tear it to shreds) unless you have linguipotence (mastery of the languages).

Enough of being inaniloguous (full of idle talk). These words are not drogulus (not able to be verified). They can be verified. I will deliciate (make myself happy) by ending this blog.

In the meantime, I will go try to open some boxes of books, that are hard to get into because they have segilbond (encircling plastic bands that hold shipping cartons shut – you know- the kind that are so hard to remove until you use them as a handle).

A girl just wants to have fun on her new computer, and use a lighthearted start. In coming days this blog will be more recognizable with fulfilling content!

 

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Wacky, Weird Words

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When God bestowed man with the power of language, he did not equip us with a way to know exactly how and when to use words in every context.  Therefore, fulfilling an obligation to use words in a responsible manner is easier for some individuals than others. There are appropriate words for each occasion, but finding the right words can be a challenge.

Some words are used so infrequently, that they become obsolete. I have a new computer.  Let’s put it through a rigorous test to see if it can exhume some very helpful but rarely used words to assist me with my blog writing today.

The internet is a sciniary, so it should be able to rally to the task of helping me find the right words. So useful is the worldwide web to writers in so many ways. Without it, I would need to practice the art of scoteography.  Poets seem to find words that work in the context of their writing, so very easily that I have become a musophobist. I believe that poets can’t possibly come up with all those magnificent, creative words without extra God- given gifts for language, that were not given to all individuals.

This blog is becoming somewhat naufrageous! If  I continue, it will end up a capilotade and you will call me a cumber-ground and suggest that I become a bouquinist.

Does it sound like morology to you? Well, PLEASE do not discerp unless you have linguipotence.

Enough of being inaniloguous. These words are not drogulus, they can be verified. I will deliciate by ending this blog. If you want to learn the meaning of these weird, almost obsolete words,  come on back tomorrow and I will give you a full interpretation!

In the meantime, I will go try to open some boxes of books, that are hard to get into because they have segilbond around them!

 

Keeping Us Safe

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“Sometimes it takes risking that friendship to find a love that will endure all things.” ~  Unknown

The events of 9-11 are all so fresh in my mind. Early Saturday morning, I reached page 197 in former First Lady Laura Bush’s memoir “Speaking from the Heart.” Here begins Mrs. Bush’s recounting of all the tragic events of that horrific, fateful day.

On this 9th anniversary of  the senseless loss of thousands of Americans, I helped my fellow Kiwanians as they rescued, with nets and buckets, the majority of 2500 rubber ducks that were released and floated down the Yampa River in Steamboat Springs, CO. The Rubber Duckie Race is an annual fundraising event for the Yampa Valley Medical Center, which Kiwanis has been involved with for over twenty years now. www.kiwanis.org. This year’s proceeds will go toward purchasing a medical instrument which will detect infections, such as staph, of new patients prior to being admitted to the hospital. An important, pro-active medical device.

As I helped with this fundraiser from the sidelines, I began to think how taking pro-active steps saves lives. Had our country known just how vulnerable, we were to attack, it would have done all that it could to be pro-active on that fateful day. If  all the safety nets had been in place, perhaps several thousand lives could have been spared.

I opted to stay safely out of the waters , as I helped with this fundraising event on Saturday. I did not want to risk the chances of petite, little ole me, being carried down the rapidly rushing waters of the Yampa River. I wanted to stay safe to enjoy today. It is a day of celebration of two people who have survived the challenges  and risks of marriage for 30 years! My husband has been my safety through each and every day of it.  I am truly grateful for all that I have and feel sad for those that no longer can share anniversaries, holidays and daily living with their mates that were lost in the Twin Towers.

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Do a Nice Thing!

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“It is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception and compassion and hope.” ~ Ursula K LeGuin

How would you like to fulfill a dream of a child who is sick and in the hospital? Well, you can, in a very easy way! If you are a parent whose kids have grown, and you have no longer used children’s DVDs sitting in boxes, or in your basement or garage, you can donate your kid’s flicks to children’s hospitals and pediatric medical units, all over the United States.

This idea came about when four sisters visited a young friend being treated for leukemia in the hospital. Children are distracted and pain is eased when they can watch colorful, fun DVDs from the comfort of their hospital beds.

Rather than selling your children’s  idle DVDs in garage sales and the like, give them away to children who will value them the most. Send them to –

Kid flicks/Barta, 11755 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA  90025

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You’ve Got to be Kidding!

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“The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed.”  ~ Chamfort

What good are the words “RANT” and “RAVE” if we don’t use them every once in a while? The thing is, they are just two little words taking up unnecessary space in the dictionary unless we all put them to work occassionally!

 I put “RANT” to good use yesterday, as I sat in front of a computer at the library. Once again, my computer is in the shop. This occurrence has been  repeated far too many times this summer. I tried to console myself as I walked through the library doors. I uttered words to myself like “oh well, at least our library is gorgeous, new and bright!” Followed by, “I will work efficiently, since my time will be limited on a library computer.” To cement this concept in my brain, I chanted “I will quickly get in and out, I will quickly get in and out.”

Yeah, right!! I selected a computer placed right across from #028.909 NEL in the non-fiction section of the Dewey Decimal System. There sat the culprit ogling me and it refused to let me be! The flirt was a book called “So Many Books, So Little Time : A Year of Passionate Reading” by Sara Nelson.

Now, I ask you – “How can you possibly get in and out when you spy a title starring at you like that?”

  1. The title – I can relate to!
  2. My dream is the tag line.
  3. I met the author at a publishing conference a few years ago.
  4. I am curious to know if Sara Nelson can write as well as she speaks.
  5. You can not just strike up a relationship with just one book! What about all the others?

Now for my “RAVE” – Sara Nelson’s book came home with me (and a few others, too!) What a delightful, easily-devoured book! As a book reviewer, Sara executes her job so well. Throughout the book, she name drops titles left and right, and gives you enough of a tease to know you want the whole story! It is a great publication for someone who wants to read so many books, but has so little time!

When my computer is back from the repair shop, I will resume my chanting “I will work efficiently, I will, I will, I will.” That way, I’ll have more time for you know what!

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Limited Only by Initiative

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“Initiative is key. Anybody who wants to be somebody is going to work as hard as they can to fulfill that dream.” ~ Unknown 

It is no secret that the publishing industry has undergone dramatic change over the past ten years. As cited by Bowker, non-traditional publishing grew a robust 181% between 2008 and 2009. In a few more months, we will be able to determine whether these growth percentages have been sustained for yet another year. From where I stand, this would be fulfilling news! 

Although many in the traditional publishing industry would like to tell you that these numbers are all a result of the downturn in the economy, I am not convinced of that!  

Agreed, the downturn of the economy has been a catalyst for change in business. It has given businesses a good reason to take a look at outmoded ways of thinking and to restructure. For businesses who believe that change is good – they have done things to work in positive new directions which include developing creative vision, gaining new momentum and starting fresh initiatives! Non-traditional publishers and businesses alike are putting technology at the center of the company and are learning how to reach large numbers of people at the least cost. Not a bad deal , now, is it?  

Are you an independent publisher whose marketing tactics are no longer relevant for the times? Wasting time, energy and money preserving old ways of doing business is never a good idea. Don’t have the comfort level or the time to explore what your next steps should entail?  That is okay.  There are those that can help! But do not tarry – invest in the future of your business and move forward. Go to your favorite search engine and look for  e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers.

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You are Worth it!

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“The best thing you can do is be a teacher to young people” ~ Rick Pitino 

Have you ever asked any kind of volunteer “if it is worth it?” In my experience, many will respond “YES,  that volunteer work is both fulfilling and satisfying, and that is payment enough.” 

Last week at our Kiwanis meeting, www.kiwanis.org, three mentors from the Partners in Routt County Program, a program associated with AmeriCorp., visited and spoke with the Kiwanians about the admirable work they do in mentoring children at risk.

The program pairs mentors with children, at local schools, who have been identified as being “at risk” for a number of reasons – perhaps poor family dynamics, drug or alcohol addiction problems, low self -esteem or kids who struggle socially or educationally. The mentors develop comfortable relationships with the at-risk children and they become someone the kids will confide in when things get rough. 

Did you ever wonder what your time is worth, as a volunteer? On average $20.58 per hour! However, it does to vary from State to State. To see what value your state of residence puts on volunteering, please visit http://bit.ly/cxvboF. 

I was glad to hear that these valuable volunteers from Partners in Routt County are compensated by way of a small stipend and the benefits include being able to “pay back” educational debt. It makes volunteering even more worthwhile. However, what the volunteers are paid does not fully compensate for what these volunteers are worth according to the statistics given by the www.volunteeringinamerica.gov  chart. 

By donating their time, volunteers from Partners in Routt County are saying to each and every child they mentor “YOU ARE WORTH  IT!”  And that is like music to children’s ears!! 

Thank you, Volunteers – you are worth it, too!

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