&
Advertise Here with Today.com
 

Archive for April, 2009

Apr 16 2009

Thou Shalt Not Steal

Published by jodapoet under Writing, philosophy Edit This

Photo courtesy of www.stinky.typepad.com

“I’d rather be caught holding up a bank than stealing so much as a two-word phrase from another writer.” ~ Jack Smith

Growing up as a Catholic we were taught that stealing was a sin and that we would never get to heaven if we stole anything.  Now that I am much older I really don’t adhere to this belief in the literal sense.  However I do believe that stealing comes from the ego as I have stated in previous posts and that in order to live in a state of joy and harmony we need to shed our egos.  Being one with our spirit and living at heart is the only path to peace.

Stealing is a form of power. Continue Reading »

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

6 responses so far

Apr 15 2009

A Partial List Of Plagiarist Splogs

Published by jodapoet under Writing Edit This

This is a partial list so far of the plagiarist splogs based in Russia who have stolen content from my A Poets View Blog.  Plagiarism is a serious problem so please be careful and educate yourself on prevention etc… Visit Dragon Bloggers post to learn much more.

Skip Duhos BlogSo, if anyone is drawn and you have a poetry or photo blog, email me at jmcojo@ gmail.com with your html and I’ll add you to Poetic Shutterbug . Because I no …
http://duhos.info/ - cached

David Byrne Journal
email me at jmcojo@gmail.com with your html and I’ll add you to Poetic Shutterbug . Because I no longer have EC I determination be heavily advertising …
http://davbyrne.info/ - cached

Robinson Agri Blog » Poetry
email me at jmcojo@gmail.com with your html and I’ll add you to Poetic Shutterbug . Because I no longer retain accept EC I prerogative …
http://agricul.co.cc/category/poetry/ - cached

Iain Dale’s Diary » Blog Archive » Self Image
Only your passionate psyche can fill you. 4. Ignore criticism. Criticism is born of negativity and should not inhabit acknowledged. …
http://dale.stepheen.info/2009/04/08/self-image/ - cached

Robinson Agri Blog » Blog Archive » Self Image
Only your passionate complexion can late you. 4. Ignore criticism. Criticism is born of negativity and should not be acknowledged. Filed under: Poetry …
http://agricul.co.cc/2009/04/07/self-image/ - cached

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

No responses yet

Apr 14 2009

Plagiarism

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing Edit This

Photo courtesy of www.leadingessays.com

Plagiarism is rampant across the Internet.  When it happens to you it seems as though you are the only one experiencing it however you are not alone.  With so many websites and blogs saturating the Internet it is likely at some point and time you will be plagiarized.

Plagiarism is simply the stealing of another person’s ideas and words then passing them off as your own.  As writers, when we research stories it is necessary that we use citation on photos, quotes, sentences etc…  For photos I always like to just mention the website and sometimes with a clickable link to the site.

On Sunday, as I always do, I began preparing some writing for the next day.  I also do my advertising on that day and all the incidentals that go along with writing a blog.  One of the things I always do is go to Copyscape (just Google it to bring up the site)  and check all my blogs and websites.  I do this because I was plagiarized once before on Poetry.com so I regularly check that site.  While checking my A Poet’s View blog to my horror I found two separate blogs which had almost all of my recent posts copied and altered on each blog to include photos and the affiliate links that I post with my blogs.  These blogs which copied my content are: http://duhos.info and http://davbyrne.info

Take a look at my A Poets View blog then take a look at each of the blogs I’ve mentioned and you can clearly see what they have done. 

They’ve copied my content and altered the phrasing which basically was smart on their part because by doing so if there were any legal action taken I would have to prove that the original content was mine.  What they obviously do not know is that I can easily prove this content to be mine just for the fact alone that I have affiliate links on the posts which are only available to me just as with all of your blogs they are only available to you. So, this is also a good lesson on getting those affiliate links on each of your posts.

Of course I was infuriated and as I always mention on this blog act with your heart and not your ego, well I did not take my own advice.  I basically wrote a firm and threatening letter to the email address associated with these two blogs and basically told them to get the posts down or I’d contact my attorney.

Back to the lessons on plagiarism.  It is a crime and is punishable by legal action.  The first thing you should do when someone blatantly steals your content is write to them and nicely ask them to take the content down.  Of course in my case, I was not nice at all and I do not intend to be in the future.   Give them a reasonable time to take the content off the site which could be one to two weeks.  Again, I told them ASAP which means NOW! If they do not remove the content you can either ask them to cite you, the original author as the source or you can write to the host server and report that your work was plagiarized.  I passed on all of these and went for the kill.  If none of these actions work then you talk to an attorney.  Exactly what I did.  I have many friends who are attorneys.  Here are a couple of links which are very informative in copyright law and the inner workings of plagiarism.  Copyright Law and Plagiarism Website .

The next thing to do is check out the Whois site where you can type in the domain name of the plagiarist site and find out who and where they are.   If they are in your neighborhood you can easily go buy rolls of toilet paper at Safeway, write PLAGIARIST all over the toilet paper then toilet paper their house. See I’m covering my behind again using affiliate links in my post.  If you do not have a Safeway near you click the link below.


In my case, the domain name was registered to someone in Russia so I guess the toilet papering is out.  The Whois site gives you all sorts of information including addresses and phone numbers.  With this information you can contact them directly.  Again, in my case I’m not calling Russia though I am close to Alaska so I may give S. Palin a call and see if she could deliver a message for me.  I’m being sarcastic to hide the anger here.

In any case I will keep you updated on what happens with this situation and I also wanted to mention that a few of the posts on both of these sites looked familiar to me so you may want to check them out thoroughly.

I will be really interested to see if this post shows up on their sites.  So far all my posts have so this should be interesting.

Two things I’d like to mention here:

First - Being angry doesn’t solve anything.  Remember you can choose your reaction to situations good or bad.

Second - I guess I should be flattered.  The fact that they would want to steal my writing only shows they have good taste though they are not very intelligent.  My personal suggestion to the plagiarist - Learn how to spell and use correct grammar so that when you are caught you may be able to get away with this crime.  Yes, it is a crime.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

17 responses so far

Apr 13 2009

Independence

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing, philosophy Edit This

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

by: Robert Frost

Being independent is seen sometimes as being different in today’s society.  If we find ourselves taking a different path than our peers we are seen as the “odd” one.  Yet do we really want to have someone else thinking for us or making decisions for us because it’s the popular thing to do?  Just because your peers are taking drugs or drinking and driving does that mean that you have to adhere to that same behavior?  In high school and college I know that many of us were faced with these situations.  Many of us followed what everyone else was doing because it was the “cool” thing to do.

Many people also follow the guidance of others in relation to what they do for a living.  We may want to become a  writer or musician yet we are guided towards another career by well meaning people who decide they should do our thinking for us.  It takes courage and an immense amount of self confidence to take the road less traveled.   It is so much easier to follow the pack than journey alone, yet a journey alone provides us the freedom we need to grow and become who we were meant to be.  We can only find our true self by taking the road less traveled.

I snapped the photo above while at the Botanical Gardens.  I watched my little feathered friend for a matter of about five or six minutes.  While his peers were enjoying the water, murky as it was, he simply stood there and watched.  His contemplation gave me the idea for this post.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Believe in what your heart tells you to do.  Following your peers in what they think and do only allows you to ignore your true self.  Think for yourself even if it differs from others.

2. Let go of expectations.  Let others be who they are.  Even if you do not like their choices or have the same beliefs allow them to be an individual and independent of anyone else.

3. Listen to your heart.  Even if you have conformed to a certain way of living yet feel in your heart you want something different, you have to take the road your heart provides.  As my favorite guru, Dr. Wayne Dyer professes, “The reward of self-sufficiency will far outweigh the practice of conformity.”


Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

4 responses so far

Apr 12 2009

A Poem A Day - An Easter Carol

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing Edit This

An Easter Carol

by: Christina Rossetti

Spring bursts to-day,
For Christ is risen and all the earth’s at play.

Flash forth, thou Sun,
The rain is over and gone, its work is done.

Winter is past,
Sweet Spring is come at last, is come at last.

Bud, Fig and Vine,
Bud, Olive, fat with fruit and oil and wine.

Break forth this morn
In roses, thou but yesterday a Thorn.

Uplift thy head,
O pure white Lily through the Winter dead.

Beside your dams
Leap and rejoice, you merry-making Lambs.

All Herds and Flocks
Rejoice, all Beasts of thickets and of rocks.

Sing, Creatures, sing,
Angels and Men and Birds and everything.

All notes of Doves
Fill all our world: this is the time of loves.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

5 responses so far

Apr 12 2009

An Eye For An Eye?

Published by jodapoet under Writing, philosophy Edit This

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

For the past few weeks I’ve been reporting on the Sandra Cantu murder case out of Tracy, California on My City By The Bay blog.  This disturbing case has drawn many feelings both from the heart and the ego.  On my last post I mentioned that the killer should be taken out of suicide watch so that she can just end it all.  I said that because I truly believe that anyone who takes a life does not deserve to live.  I know that sounds harsh and I tried looking deep within myself to understand if that comes from my ego or my heart.  I think it is derived a little from both.

The anger I have over this case,  a person killing a child, makes my ego come into play out of that anger, wanting to see the killer punished.  However at the same time my heart is wounded as a result of a child being killed yet allowing the killer to commit suicide would not do anything to bring the child back.  What’s done is done and cannot be changed by anyone else leaving this earth.

This is very conflicting.  I know that any feelings coming from anger are basically rooted and ruled by ego. Yet, my heart grieves for this young girl and her family.  She was only eight years old and I just cannot have any sympathy or compassion for the person who killed her.  I want to be able to say, well the killer obviously is greatly disturbed and needs help but saying that goes against what I feel in my heart.

I think many can understand these conflicting feelings.  Most people are peaceful and passive at heart yet when we see something so terrible such as murder it is only human to want to see justice. 

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this subject.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

5 responses so far

Apr 11 2009

The Northern Gate

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing Edit This

Photo courtesty of www.twinspin.org

This is a poem I wrote years ago for a specific Religious publication.  It is in the Pindaric Ode traditional verse style and I thought it appropriate to post it for Easter.

The Northern Gate

A child is born unto the night
into the womb of Heaven’s light.
His journey sows a seed of peace
As sacrificial lamb to fleece.
His shoulders bear a cross of blood
As tears of sin unleash the flood.

     Thine eyes behold the Northern gate
And see the star’s prophetic fate.

Forsaken not by Father’s hand
His death doth scar a shallow land.
He rose above upon third day
Sight unseen to light the way.
His death become the gift of life
To free the soul of endless strife.

     Thine eyes behold the Northern gate
And see the star’s prophetic fate.

A Happy and Blessed Easter to all!!!

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

7 responses so far

Apr 10 2009

Individuality

Published by jodapoet under Writing, philosophy Edit This

2836897individuality-posters.jpg

The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.

Alan Alda

This quote by Alan Alda eloquently describes the essence of individuality.  We are all blessed with intuition yet not everyone listens to those soft words which come from our heart.  

Have you ever been faced with a situation where there is something that is telling you to stop yet you go ahead anyway?  That something telling you to stop is your intuition.  My mantra is to always listen to that soft whisper.  When asked to do something or go somewhere your initial reaction is that of your heart.  That is your inner self or your intuition that guides you in the right direction.

I believe we are all connected.  We are all brothers and sisters.  What makes us individuals is not our hair or eye color but our spirit.  Our spirit with roots in creation and passion.  Our spirit and our heart are at the core of our individual nature.  Within spirit lies our creative talents - our true authentic self.  Our heart houses our feelings and passions.  These two entities work together to help us find our true self.

Being an individual is being able to tap into your spirit and find the real you.  We must not adhere to what others think or feel we should be.  We should march to our own drummer and seek our own truth.    Just think if we were all the same in our creativity and passions, what a boring world this would be.  We are all one yet unique in our spirit.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Let go of responsibilities that others have bestowed upon you without your consent.  You should not have to live up to any choices others have made for you.  You are your own person and as a result make your own choices.

2. Do not ask permission for anything.  As an individual you can stand up on your own and create from your spirit.


Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

7 responses so far

Apr 09 2009

Disrespect

Published by jodapoet under Writing, philosophy Edit This

“Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too.”

Will Smith

I unfortunately had the distinct displeasure of seeing disrespect first hand last evening.  I went to a concert where my dear friend was performing with her quartet. It was a beautiful show of which I will be reviewing on My City By The Bay blog later this week.  I still have three more shows to attend.

Before each song my friend would say something about the song and the songwriter and would sometimes throw in a little wit which the audience loved.  However there was a man in the crowd who found it necessary to heckle her between songs.  Whenever she began speaking he would blurt out something by either repeating what she was saying or he would ask a stupid question.  Now,  I know her very well so I know how she was feeling while he was doing this yet, she handled it amazingly well. The first couple of times she responded very nicely to his heckling and by the end of the show she merely ignored it.  It was disturbing to everyone.

His behavior during the performance is the perfect example of ego ruling your actions.  The negativity was clear and displayed throughout a room full of patrons enjoying a concert.  Why he felt the need to do this I will never know however it’s a perfect example of ego ridden behavior.

As the night went on I became more and more angry with each of his heckles.   It infuriates me when someone I care about is being disrespected.   At one point I actually, without even thinking began to get up when my friend sitting next to me stopped me.   My reaction to his actions, feeling angry and wanting to do something about it, was just as bad as his heckling.  My reaction came from my ego.  I had the choice to get angry or simply ignore it and I chose to get angry.  I’m glad I didn’t act on that anger.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Simply let go and let God.  We choose our behavior.  When we see someone disrespecting someone else we can take the high road and either ignore it or gently tell the person who is being disrespectful that his or her behavior is not condoned.

2. Being disrespectful towards another human being is despicable.  Never let your ego choose dominance over another person.


Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

4 responses so far

Apr 08 2009

A Poem A Day - First Time He Kissed Me

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing Edit This

First Time He Kissed Me

by: Elizabeth Barrett Browning

 

First time he kissed me, he but only kissed

The fingers of this hand wherewith I write,

And ever since it grew more clean and white,…

Slow to world-greetings…quick with its “Oh, list,”

When the angels speak. A ring of amethyst

I could not wear here plainer to my sight,

Than that first kiss. The second passed in height

The first, and sought the forehead, and half missed,

Half falling on the hair. O beyond meed!

That was the chrism of love, which love’s own crown,

With sanctifying sweetness, did precede.

The third, upon my lips, was folded down

In perfect, purple state! since when, indeed,

I have been proud and said, “My Love, my own.”

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

2 responses so far

Apr 08 2009

Thank You Today.com

Published by jodapoet under Writing Edit This

I want to thank Today.com for the Editor’s Choice award for this blog A Poet’s View.   It was completely unexpected and that makes it much more special.  A Poet’s View was my first blog.  I knew nothing about blogging when I came across an ad for Today.com over six moths ago.  I checked out their website and decided to give it a try even though I had no idea what I was doing.  I learned so much from the forums and from the other bloggers within the community.  The day I decided to sign up with Today.com and start blogging was a pivotal day for me.  To get paid to do what I love to do, which is writing was truly a dream come true.  I’ve met so many other extremely talented and creative writers in this community.  It’s an online family that helps and encourages all of their writers.  Everyone helps each other and they do it out of friendship which is rare.  I’m truly blessed to be able to sit down and write each and every day and share my thoughts and ideas with my readers.

Thank you.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

10 responses so far

Apr 07 2009

Coffee Mug Hunt Contest

Published by jodapoet under Writing Edit This


We all know how losing a beloved item held close to our hearts is devastating.  Well my friend over at coffeebreak.today.com has lost her irreplaceable coffee mug due to an accidental breakage.  My heart goes out to her.

The only way to get over this loss is to find another mug.  Yes, I know her Blooms Mug is irreplaceable but she needs to move on with her java addiction.  As a result,  she is on the hunt for a new mug.  Her Coffee Mug Hunt contest is very simple.  Find a new mug and win a prize.  It’s as simple as that.

So, in order for her to shed her grief for good, check out her contest and find her a new “love mug.”

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

3 responses so far

Apr 07 2009

Suffering

Published by jodapoet under Writing, philosophy Edit This

Photo courtesy of www.k53.pbase.com

Man has falsely identified himself with the pseudo-soul or ego.  When he transfers his sense of identity to his true being, the immortal soul, he discovers that all pain is unreal.  He can no longer even imagine the state of suffering.”

Paramahanda Yogananda (1893 - 1952)

I’m writing about this today for two reasons.  First, being Easter in a few days and being raised Catholic you are taught that suffering leads to eternal life.  Secondly, in many other cultures and Religions people are taught that we do not suffer as only the person we imagine ourselves to be suffers.

To be completely honest, I cannot believe in either one of these teachings.  In my opinion to believe that we have to endure suffering in this life to be in pure bliss throughout eternity is completely illogical to me.  On the other hand to believe that we really don’t suffer but rather imagine ourselves suffering is just as illogical.

While I truly believe that the ego is the negative source of our being the quote by Paramahanda Yogananda is very difficult to absorb.  Dr. Wayne Dyer , my favorite Guru puts it this way. “If you have a headache and feel pain, you must unattach yourself from your body and look at the pain from the outside, then you can move that pain and be rid of it.”  I’m sorry but I just cannot understand this way of thinking.  To put it simply when I am in pain, I have pain.  I fail to understand how the ego is behind that pain.

In the Catholic religion I’m supposed to feel pain and embrace it so that I can live in heaven throughout eternity.  I’m sorry I don’t understand that one either.  Neither teaching makes sense to me at all.

I wish I could come to some understanding on this subject so please, someone out there enlighten me.

Your thoughts are very much appreciated.


Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

5 responses so far

Apr 06 2009

Self Image

Published by jodapoet under Writing, philosophy Edit This

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of www.3.bp.blogspot.com

I’m not using a quote or poem today because the photo says it all.  What matters is what we think and how we see ourselves.  

Have you ever noticed when being in a social situation where you are meeting people for the first time they always ask “so what do you do?”  Then they automatically base their opinions of you on what you do for a living.  And, we all do this.  We all ask that question.  We unfortunately are not what we do for a living unless of course we are making a living doing what we love to do.   If you love to play guitar on weekends yet work 40+ hours a week at a job you hate only to collect your paycheck and benefits, is that who you really are?

We have to look deep inside to our soul.  We have to connect with our inner most feelings and passions because that is who we really are.  Money and material things do not make us who we are.  Yet, we inevitably work and live for money and material things.  It is a vicious circle.  When we realize and see ourselves for the person we are inside our spirit, only then can we see our true self image.

What other people see based on what we do and how we look is meaningless.  It’s what we see inside that makes all the difference.

Here are some suggestions:

1. If we think we are not good enough, that is what we will manifest in our life.  It’s what we see inside and embrace with our heart that tells us we are unique and loving.

2. Stay away from those who constantly gossip and judge.  When you participate in these negative energies your self image is at an all time low.

3. Be happy about and grateful for what you have in your life.  Do not look for material sources to fill your life.  Only your passionate spirit can fill you.

4. Ignore criticism.  Criticism is born of negativity and should not be acknowledged.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

7 responses so far

Apr 05 2009

Poetic Shutterbug Poetry and Photography Blog

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing Edit This

poeticshutterbug.jpg

Poetic Shutterbug is a blog in which I post my poetry and photography.  I have had it for a few months now and was advertising solely through Entrecard.  However, I have decided to “breakup” with Entrecard and use other advertising venues such as Today.com   What I would like to do is build a blogroll on this blog for anyone who has a poetry or photography blog.  What I would like to do is add photos of your blogs with a link to your blog.  Something much like an EC widget at 125 x 125.  So, if anyone is interested and you have a poetry or photo blog, email me at jmcojo@gmail.com with your html and I’ll add you to Poetic Shutterbug .  Because I no longer have EC I will be heavily advertising this blog as much as I do my today.com blogs.

If you do not have a poetry or photography blog and are a Today.com blogger, email me your link and I’ll add it to a link blogroll.

For all of you who dropped EC on me in the past I thank you very much.  I would like to keep in touch so leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.

Thank you. Jo aka jodapoet

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

3 responses so far

Apr 05 2009

Interview With Paula Katinas - Reporter/Writer

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing, philosophy Edit This

This is one of my favorite pictures of myself.

Below is an interview I conducted of one of my favorite people, Paula Katinas.  She is not only a gifted writer but a great friend.  She works as a reporter in New York which is something I greatly admire about her.  I would so much enjoy being a reporter.  I wanted to introduce her to all of you and report on some fascinating facts about Paula.  For more information about her you can visit her myspace link at the bottom of this post.

Thank you Paula for affording me the opportunity to interview you.

1.  It must be exciting reporting for a local publication.  What made you decide to become a reporter?

       I have wanted to be a newspaper reporter since I was a child. I saw the “Superman” television shows, as well as movies like “His Girl Friday,” and they really struck a chord with me. I thought journalism was a glamorous profession filled with witty women who fell in love with equally witty men. So, I guess my answer to the question of what made me decide to become a newspaper reporter is that it fed my movie-filled imagination. I fantasized a lot as a kid. While my job is far from glamorous, I still love it because it allows me to fulfill a fantasy of being a writer. It is exciting work. I cover everything from drug busts to community board meetings and get to write features on interesting local people. I just wrote an article on a local woman named Giulia Melucci who has published her first book, a memoir titled “I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti.” It’s a memoir about how she is so successful in the kitchen but has lousy relationships with men. I really like the variety of articles I get to write. Also, being a reporter makes you feel like a big shot in the neighborhood. It’s a big ego boost when the local congressman takes your calls.

 

2.  Finish this sentence.  If I weren’t a reporter, I would be a…

      If I weren’t a reporter I would be working in a grocery store or a supermarket stocking shelves. I think working in journalism has opened up a world of possibilities for me that I would have been too shy to think of, otherwise. I think my life would have been so much different. I would have been too shy and withdrawn to go after my dreams.

 

3.  Is there one particular story that stands out above the rest?

       There are a number of stories that come to mind. The September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center was certainly memorable. I was not at the Twin Towers that day, but the community I cover, Bay Ridge, lost 32 people in the attack. Two days after the attack, this would be Thursday of that week, the families of the victims started coming into the newspaper office one by one asking us to write about them. I sat with many of them, interviewed them, and tried to get a sense of who these victims were. My paper printed numerous articles about the victims over the next several weeks. One of them was a 25-year-old man named Terrence Gazzani, who worked in Cantor Fitzgerald, the bond firm which had offices on the top two floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. His aunt brought in a picture of him. He was a handsome kid. He could have been a model, that’s how handsome he was. I showed the picture to my editor and saw, “This is what the terrorists have done. They’ve taken away promising young people like this kid.” But I have also loved many of the features I have written throughout the years. I did a couple of articles two years ago on two local radio personalities here in New York named Joey Salvia and Christina Stoffo. Both were regulars on The Michael Kay Show, a sports talk radio show on ESPN Radio. And they are both originally from Brooklyn. Christina is no longer with the show. Both of these talented people are very different off the air than on. They seemed nicer, much more intelligent and articulate off the air. For a long time on the show, Salvia played the role of a womanizing sleazeball and Stoffo played a sex kitten. In real life, he’s a married man with a young son and she’s so intelligent, she could run a major corporation. The interviews made me realize that a lot of what you hear on the radio, even on talk shows, is role playing. Interestingly, Salvia’s role on the show seems to be changing. They even ‘fessed up to the fact that he’s happily married and the father of a newborn.

 

4.  I know you are an avid reader.  What is your favorite genre and who is your favorite author?

      I actually like non-fiction better than fiction. I like biographies and books about politics. In terms of fiction, my favorite writer is Jane Austen. I try to re-read “Pride and Prejudice” and “Persuasion” every couple of years.



5.  Working on a novel is very time consuming.  When do you find time to write?

 

      This is an interesting question to me because I am grappling with this issue at the moment. I am finding it very difficult to find the time. I write all day for a living.  And I often cover things at night. When I come home, all I want to do is relax. Working on the novel seems like an extension of the workday to me. But I am going to try to break the writing down into smaller segments, even if it’s just 15 or 20 minutes a day. It will take a much longer time to finish the novel, but I think it will be a better pace for me.

6.  Tell us a little something about your novel.

      My novel is about a middle-aged woman who helps a man in his mid-30’s search for his missing father on the streets of New York. The main character, Margaret, is based on me. She’s a newspaper reporter with a self-confidence problem. In the book, she’s going to learn a lot about herself and her capabilities. In the search for this old man, she’s going to find herself. I have written about 50 pages so far.

7.  Finish this sentence.  When I am not working you can find me…

When I am not working, you can find me taking long walks, reading a good book, or
spending time with friends.  My friends are very important to me.

          

8.  If and when you experience writer’s block, how do you deal with it?

 

      Writer’s block is a tough thing to deal with. My way of dealing with it is to just write, even if what I’m writing is idiotic and will never see the light of day. The act of writing itself gets you unblocked, I believe. I think people experience writer’s block because they are perfectionists. They want what they’re writing to be PERFECT. When you write for a newspaper and you have to produce three or four articles a day, you know they’re not all going to be sensational. You just do it.

9.   What inspires you?

      Everything inspires me. A sunrise, the sound of birds chirping, overhearing a person on the subway saying something funny, a movie, a piece of music, a baby’s smile. Everything.

10. What makes you smile?

      I smile when I see an act of kindness, whether it’s directed at me or is just something I’m witnessing.

 

Thank you so much for this interview. If you want to learn more about me, I’m on Facebook (search for Paula Katinas) and I’m on MySpace, where you can find me at http://www.myspace.com/woman617

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

2 responses so far

Apr 04 2009

A Poem A Day - Beauty

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing Edit This


BEAUTY
John Masefield

Have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills
Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain:
I have seen the lady April bringing in the daffodils,
Bringing the springing grass and the soft warm April rain.

I have heard the song of the blossoms and the old chant of the sea,
And seen strange lands from under the arched white sails of ships;
But the loveliest things of beauty God ever has showed to me
Are her voice, and her hair, and eyes, and the dear red curve of her lips. 

 


Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

2 responses so far

Apr 04 2009

Standing Alone

Published by jodapoet under Writing, philosophy Edit This

Photo courtesy of www.floridastateparks.org

Strength of numbers is the
delight of the mind.
The Valiant in spirit glory in
fighting alone.

Ghandi

Did you ever notice that when you decide on doing something, whether it be changing jobs or following your dreams and you begin to discuss your ideas with family, co-workers and friends, that you will inevitably need to defend your ideas and most likely end up arguing in defense of your thoughts?  Why? Because when we put those ideas out there, two things happen.  First, behind those ideas is our ego intent on bragging to others in order to validate the thoughts and intent.  Remember that intent from ego is taking the wrong direction.  Intent from heart is the true and right direction.

Second,  no matter how strong you feel about your idea, the fact is that when others finish telling you how “out there” your idea is or give you logical reasons as to why it’s never going to work, all that negativity will kill your idea and result in it never coming to fruition.

As in the quote above, the Valiant is one who stands alone in his or her ideas.  Your ideas from the heart grow and our born into fruition by your not needing any validations but rather taking that first step on your own with a clear understanding and knowing that this idea which comes from your heart is your destiny.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. You do not need endorsements from others.  Endorsements come from ego.  Your heart needs to be the ruler.

2. You don’t need to announce your ideas.  They come from your spirit therefore they need no introduction or applause.

3. Creation is derived from the unseen into the seen.  It is born within your spirit and created as a result of that birth by you.  


Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

3 responses so far

Apr 03 2009

Ego vs. Heart

Published by jodapoet under Writing, philosophy Edit This

“The purpose of our journey on this precious Earth
is now to align our personalities with our souls.
It is to create harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for Life.
It is to grow spiritually.
This is our new evolutionary pathway.
The old pathway - pursuing the ability to manipulate and control -
no longer works.
It now produces only violence and destruction. “

~ Gary Zukav ~

As humans we have two distinct personalities.  There is the mind which is dictated by our ego and the heart which is ruled by our deepest inner being.  These two aspects of our human makeup are constantly at war.  The trick is to realize that our egos create these wars and as such we need to ignore our ego.

Egos are responsible for manipulation, competition, jealousy, hate and all the other negative feelings attached to our mind.  Our heart being our core self is the personality which loves and has compassion.  Most of us live with this tug of war between ego and heart.  As a result we are not living our true lives.  We are constantly in a negative vs. positive quarrel which causes nothing but pain.

Ego dictates having material things in order to be happy.  It dictates having power over others.  It dictates putting self over anything and everyone else.

Heart doesn’t dictate.  Heart is not manipulative.  It is our inner most passions living within our souls waiting to be born.  It is freedom, love and caring.  It is unique to each one of us.  It delivers love from us to those around us.  It does not need material things to be happy because it is the essence of happiness.  It is not “all about me” because it puts others first.  It does not compete with or manipulate others.  It is simply our spirit.

How do we ignore our egos?

1. Listen to your heart before you say or do anything.  It is the intent behind your words and actions that come into play.  If you say something to prove someone else wrong or make yourself sound special or powerful in some way then it is your ego speaking.  Speak, do and react with your heart.  The first thought in your mind when reacting to someone or something is usually your heart speaking, so listen.

2. Don’t brag.  I know I am guilty of doing this though I try not to brag.  When in conversation try using “I” much less and using “you” more often.  Listening to someone spend an entire day boasting of who they are and what they have is a tiresome bore so don’t do it.

3. Don’t allow yourself to become attached to “things.”  I know as I have become older I no longer even want material things.  You don’t need them to be happy.  You will find happiness within yourself.


Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

6 responses so far

Apr 02 2009

A Poem A Day - Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day?

Published by jodapoet under Poetry, Writing Edit This

Shall I compare thee to a summers day
Sonnet 18
William Shakespeare

 

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance, or nature’s changing course untrimmed.
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;
Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st,
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

 

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • MisterWong
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • YahooMyWeb
  • del.icio.us

3 responses so far

Next »

Advertise Here