Tag Archives: order fulfillment independent filmmakers

Who is on Your List?

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“If we were all like angels, the world would be a heavenly place.” ~ Author Unknown

Are you a list maker? Not all of us are, but I have always been. I make lists of things to do, books to read, movies to see, friends to call, bills to pay.  They all keep me going in the right direction and organized. For businesses, database lists are essential and they take real effort to update and maintain.

The other day, I decided to start a new list. One I have never thought of making before. It is a collection of angels! I read an article in the newspaper about a new kind of angel that I have never heard of before. The subject of the article was micro-nutrients that are added to our food – things like iodine, zinc, vitamin-A, folic acid, and other vitamins. Without these supplements to food, children in many countries suffer from heart-breaking defects. There are groups such as Project Healthy Children, Helen Keller International and Vitamin Angels who give aid to countries that are deficient in providing essential vitamins and other micro-nutrients. A variety of these essentials are only about 30 cents per person per year. Yet, many countries do not have the resources to invest.

I am going to put Vitamin Angels right at the top of my list along with book angels, providing books to needy children and film angels, investors in films. All are important contributors to physical health or cultural well-being.

Is there a non-profit organization or individual that you would like to add to our list of angels? Perhaps we are missing some one!

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The Winds of Change

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“The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.” ~ Lech Walesa

I am of the belief that in order to change the world for the better, all of us as human beings need to join hands within communities and between communities to inspire change. In my opinion, a change in values needs to happen on a familial level, political level, community level and within the workplace. When folks with the same moral compass share beliefs and convictions, and join forces to get a job done, change can happen.

Over the past year, I have increased my participation in community involvement. And you know what? It feels good! I have found support from others in all kinds of ways that I have not expected. It has kept me focused on positive things rather than the daily sobering news of our country and our world.

Through one of my social media networks, a question was posed to all of us that share the network. It read “Is your glass half empty or half full?”  The response has been a revelation! Regardless of the news of rising gas prices, real estate foreclosures, terrorist threats, companies going bankrupt, very few persons have stated their glass is half empty! These are the folks that I want on my side!

I choose to believe that the positive responses that have come out of this question are a result of steadfast belief in our fellow man to bring about change! However, without active participation, words mean nothing. We need to move from rhetoric into action. It would benefit us all!

Think! If there was one single thing that you could change to make your own world better, what would it be? Share it with us! I bet there are others that feel the same way you do. Let’s see!

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Playing Watchdog

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” I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion” ~ Billy Jean King

Today’s blog is simply to inform all of our clients of the January 4, 2010 United States Postal Service increases. We are providing this information to our client’s, so that these increases can be taken into consideration when you establish your customer’s 2010 shipping and handling fees.

The overall increase in postal fees is 3.3%, however, there is good news!  There has been a decrease in the frequently used priority flat rate envelope from $4.95 to $4.90. Parcels sent via Priority Small Flat Box rate will not see an increase this year, and the USPS has promised no increases in the first class postage stamp of 44 cents.

For full details on the January 4, 2010 increase, please visit http://p.e.usps.com.

Keeping current with changes in postal and delivery service rates and fees is a never ending job. As an order fulfillment company, we must be guardians for our clients to make sure they retain the highest profit margin on their sale. We strive to stay “in the know.” Constantly researching the quickest, most reliable and most economical methods of shipping is all part of getting the job done!

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Ripe Retirees

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“It is not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well.” –Rene Descartes

I am living in a community filled with extremely active retirees. Not only only are they physically active, but their minds don’t miss a step either. They have all chosen to live in an active mountain community so they will continue to stay involved and engaged in life long after the generation before them would have called it quits!

Recently, the Aging Well program of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association independently published a calendar highlighting an amazing group of retirees who lead active lives by continuing to play tennis, ice climb, ski, swim, brand cattle, volunteer and participate in other forms of vigorous sport and hobbies well into their 60s, 70s and 80s. This calendar encourages all older adults to stretch beyond what they feel they are capable of at their ages and to live fully and well at any age. For more information, visist www.agingwelltoday.com.

Within this community, I have met a wealth of highly successful retirees who lead fascinating lives. Their experiences through past careers, parenting, travel and contributions as Board members of non-profit organizations and other associations provide fodder for stories and lessons that should be shared with younger generations. Independent publishing provides an excellent opportunity for all retirees to share knowledge and wisdom with generations that will follow in their footsteps.

Writing and journaling keeps the mind active. Merely through published words, you can become a mentor to others! Think about that! It is never too late to become an aspiring writer!

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New Beginnings

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“All time management begins with planning.” ~ Tom Greening

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? For alot of people, New Year’s resolutions are the same year after year. They include determination to loose weight, to stop smoking, to include a fitness regiment in their daily living. My New Year’s resolutions include things such as adjustments in attitude – choosing action vs. inaction, taking a new path rather than the same trampled route, focusing on forward motion rather than remaining static.

Determination to move into new territory is scary and uncertain, but the way I see it, it is better than quiet desparation. It involves a leap of faith. Without faith, there is no hope! What it really comes down to is, I would rather feel a sense of accomplishment knowing I have done all I can to succeed.

There is always something in all of our lives that can be done a little differently. Discard what is not working and pave the way for more efficient ways of doing things. It can make a world of difference in your publishing success.

What would you change that would allow you to focus better on your business at hand as an independent publisher? Let us hear from you!

Wishing you all a thoughtful, productive, prosperous and Happy New Year!

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Once in a Blue Moon

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“The only thing you live to regret are the risks you didn’t take”~ Unknown

Today, I am feeling very fortunate. Since starting my company, I have had the opportunity to meet many incredible people that I would not have ordinarily met, had I not taken a risk. Among them have been extraordinarily talented artists, filmmakers, and individuals who serve their communities through the non-profit sector – all of them independent publishers. All have had similar goals – to share beauty, kindness and knowledge through their unique and creative talents.  All have been so very committed to changing our world for the better and each person is awe-inspiring in their very own way.

Tonight, as the New Year approaches, I will be taking some time to reflect on these past few years to remember some of the individuals that I have crossed paths with. Many of these individuals I have not met face to face, yet through an e-mail or a telephone conversation, they have left a mark on me. I can recall the discussions we have had about their goals and aspirations for their independent publishing companies. All have inspiring, educational or entertaining stories to tell through their books, films or music or through their commitment to a cause or a mission. All are the kinds of people you meet only once in a blue moon.

We want to hear from more of you! By posting your comments to our blogsite, we can together build a community of like-minded people who have independent thoughts, ideas and dreams to share.

Happy New Year 2010! May this coming year bring publishing success to each and every one of you!

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It is All about Perception

” Blessed are those who see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing” ~  Camille Passaro

All day I have been listening to weather news from the mid-Atlantic States. What would be an ordinary snowstorm in the mountains, brings total chaos to areas unaccustomed to snow. If you have ever lived in the Washington, DC area, you know what I mean. If the word snow is even whispered, the government shuts down and all the people leave their offices early in a panic before the white stuff even begins to fly. As soon as that nasty word is uttered, the snowplows line up on the roads to start the vigil. When the first snowflake is spotted, the plowtrucks nearly collide rushing to be the first to sweep the demons off the trail. It is not the snow that is the enemy, it is all the people who have been driven into a frenzy by that four lettered word!

Someday, we will all learn that mother nature is not something to be defeated, controlled or subdued. Mother nature does not listen! She does her own thing, a real woman of independence!

I say “Let it Snow! And a special Merry Christmas to plein air painters of the mid-Atlantic who rarely get to experience a white Christmas. Wrap up and go outdoors and paint today. You have been given a wonderful gift from nature. Some of the most beautiful and most romantic paintings have come from plein air painters who have braved the weather and painted outdoors in less than comfortable conditions.

“Richard Schmid Paints the Landscape- November” DVD was filmed on a day when the weather conditions went from sun to clouds to snow all within the few hour film shoot. West Wind Fine Art, LLC www.westwindfineart.com can attest to the weather that day!  Richard’s DVD will teach you, as an artist, how to cope with changing light and weather conditions as you paint out of doors.

Richard took his slide show to the Portrait Society of America a few years ago. Maybe he can return to the Capital again, and teach Washingtonians a thing or two about changes in climate!

 

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Classic Cinema Celebrations

“It is the little things that make life big” ~ Unknown

I need to do some quick research! In a few days from now, our son will be arriving for the Christmas holidays. Not only do I have to set in food provisions for a ravenous, 21 year old college “kid” but, I need to come up with some movies that we can all enjoy watching as a family. It is part of what we do together during the holidays.

Sometimes I wonder whether my son’s desire to be a filmmaker didn’t start with watching The Muppet Christmas Carol as a toddler. He would sit and watch it three consecutive times before he tired of it. And I plead guilty – I let him!! He was, and still is, a child with over-the-top energy and it was the only way he and I could rest.

I am going to put a little leg-work into finding a newly released independent holiday film. I know exactly where I will start my search – The Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com. Any independently produced movie you are looking for is sure to be listed in this useful database. There must be something fresh and new on the indie film scene that is destined to be a holiday classic! If not, we will pull out the old classic holiday films like Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life.  I never tire of seeing them all.

What will be different for sure this year, is when I pass around the popcorn, I will surprise my son with a bottle of beer, too.  Ah, how kids grow. Enjoy the journey!

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It is Boxing Day!

“All the statistics in the world can’t measure the warmth of a smile” ~ Chris Hart

To an order fulfillment company, all days are boxing days! As the holidays roll around, the heat is on, as orders are being processed, packed and shipped at a feverish pace. Postal and delivery service carriers also have their work cut out for them. All loads are bigger and heavier to bear during this time of year.

To citizens in the United Kingdom and most areas settled by the British (Australia, Canada and New Zealand), December 26th is boxing day. Historians say the holiday came to be because servants typically worked on Christmas Day. The day after, those in the service industry usually took their holiday and visited their families.  The servant’s employers would present them with gift boxes as they went on their way. This tradition continues today in the UK and other countries, as people give presents to tradesman, mail carriers, doormen, porters and others in the service industry.

The postal service and delivery carriers have ramped up their staff to do their best to see to it that all gifts arrive in time for holiday giving. When a gift arrives at your door, make it “boxing” day, and give a tip, a gift of a smile or friendly thank you for their service. It may make the job all the more fulfilling!!

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Weekend Indy Publishers News

Poets and Writers Magazine 50% off  newstand price go to www.pw.org

Literary Magazine – The Kenyon Review www.kenyonreview.org   Holiday special 25% off newstand price and a one year subscription will give you access to 70 years of  literary excellence through digitally archived copies that are  now available on-line.

Ne w Book  – Fiction Writing for Dummies http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog by Randy Ingermanson. Now available in stores. This is one of the latest from the “Dummies” serious of books, that many people find so useful.

Don’t know what to give a writer for a holiday gift? How about something that will inspire, education and inform? Magazine subscriptions and books about writing are always a welcomed gift, and they can be ordered on-line, often at reduced prices.

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