I was just wondering, what do you do, Sal? Besides hang out here with us cool people, Like what type of work do you do? I was just curious, that's all. I'm a receptionist..extremely boring job, for a probation office here in Austin. What about everyone else?? What do all of you do? Later! Nikki

Nikki if you click on someone's name they usually have all their details filled in and I think Sal has a spot for occupation. I'm a researcher but its a contract to contract life here lol. Sometimes I'm bogged down I can't breathe and other times I have a month long vacation : )

Machine operator. :)

I'm a webmaster. I do websites and stuff. Nothing really big deal but it's not hard and it pays pretty well. It's become a hobby as well (80'sXChange). :)

Certified Pharmacy Technician. I have a title now! Woohoo! Sorry, I just passed my Certification test recently, after years in the business. I studied my ass off and it was the hardest test I have ever taken! I am alittle proud of myself! **Pats self on back** **hurts arm** Rain CphT

Well I am a aspiring writer of poetry and fiction and have a goal of having one if not all three of my novels published... In Real life though I am a Customer Service Rep...YUCK!! But hey it beats being a nail tech which I went to school for a year and after two weeks on the job in a salon setting I knew it was NOT for me...LOL!!! One thing I would like to do is go to school to become a web designer as I love making pages on my 50megs site...

Well I'm a Doula (childbirth support) I do prenatal counselling and support women and their families during their birth. I am also taking a Breastfeeding Counsellor Course, on my way to eventually become a certified Lactation Consultant. But the best job of all is being a mom to 2 beautiful girls :) Ayla

I am a Sales Administrator. I went to school for a Libral Arts Degree, and I got one! I was hoping to major in Psychology, but I ended up in Japanese studies instead. But, I work in an office, doing mundane work that makes you feel like you are better than this! I design web pages on my spare time, and hope to do that for a living one day! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> Maybe even be a photographer...my original dream (from high school)! I still have time, but no drive to get out of my rut! Help! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

Legal Secretary for a Bankruptcy Attorney. Big dream to work for the Federal Court System, so I can get Federal Benefits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I always dreamed of being a Writer. I've worked as a waitress and factory worker in the past but now I'm just a housewife and I take care of my mother. I still plan on Writing someday! But for now too many other things stopping me <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":(">

Well we have a regular little writers guild here : ) I got really burnt out writing grant proposals and social policy reviews but eventually I'll get back to my first love - fiction.
Try doing some short stories and submit them to magazines Blaziegrl : )
A really awesome book I recommend to open up the writing flood gates or any other type of creativity is "THE ARTIST'S WAY: A spiritual path to higher creativity" by Julia Cameron. Its an amazing work book <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">
As for the rut your in Mirdonamy I hear you on that one - I've been in a blue funk for months but I went back to some things I used to do to cheer me up - 80s music first thing in the morning, thinking about the good things I did at the end of the day (even if its something small - like smiled at an elderly lady bracing herself against the snow) <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> Life is supposed to be about balance - creativity/spirituality (not necessarily religiosity)/health/social/physical/intrapsychic etc. There are days when I'm lucky if I meet one of these balances but if I don't try I'm definitly stuck in that awful rut. Crawl your way out :P I can't wait to see your jewelery page <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

Zel, what would be the best subject to write about? I mean what kind of stories would magazines be more likely to publish? Have any idea's <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/embarassed.gif ALT=":O">)

Well always write what you know and what interests you. If you find cheesy romances too much to bear <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> There are tons of magazines out there with a variety of interests <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">
My best friend in highschool has wanted to write for a long long time and he's a photography bug so he combined the two plus his enjoyment of railway memorabelia and wrote for a modelrailroad magazine. Its a start.
I think Women's Day or Women's something pays $1000 for 1500 to 3000 words of a good story : )

I have a good idea for a story. It would be the most controversial book ever. It may even be too controversial to make a movie out of it. Maybe we can have a few of us aspiring writers work on it, then split the earnings...

I wonder what that could be Sal, Zel that sounds great! I have to make some time for myself & get started on writing. So Sal Whats your idea? Give us a hint <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

Thats my biggest hangup right now is time <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("> I use the afternoons that my daughter is in school right now to work on my actual work that pays the bills and I'm usually exhausted by the end of the day to be too creative. When I do my vacation at the cottage its an optimal place to write because there is no tv, no computer, no telephone - no distractions <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> I've got several book ideas outlined and sketched but they are pretty much on the back burner for now <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

One of my problems is that I don't think my husband believes I can do it, he says he does but I doubt it <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/mad.gif ALT=">:">

Blaziegrl I'm going to type something out of this book 'The Artist Way' you've got to get it. : )
First of all there is something called Morning pages. Set your alarm clock a half hour early each morning and write 3 pages. It can be "I can't think of anything to write" "I can't think of anything to write" "I can't think of anything to write" over and over but trust me a stream of thought will come through, even a grocery list <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol">. These pages are free pages don't look back for a couple of weeks on these and don't judge your spelling grammar whatever, this is a tool for unblocking.
Next you have to write out (long hand by the way for this stuff - brain fuction theory of somesort) sorry... write out 10 times
I, Blaziegrl, am a brilliant and prolific writer (artist, sculptor, poet etc) write this 10 times. Well you are writting this you are going to hear your inner critic - you can't spell, you have no time, it will never pay the bills, etc. Write these down too and then go back in time to who may have said these. All the people that thought they were being helpful in their criticism were actually shutting down the artist in you. So perhaps yes your husband does support you and its easier to think he doesn't because someone in the past (a teacher, a parent) dashed your dreams and now the non-support pattern keeps you safely blocked. I know <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> I discovered my father (playing music in an orchestra will never pay the bills, learning the piano will be a good asset for your husband), my music teacher (girls don't have rythmn they can't play drums) a boy in the 5th grade laughed at me when I tried out for Liza Doolittle in our spring pagent (shut my artist right down - he was probably just as scared about his turn so i forgive him now) These have all been skulking around my brain for years. I started a novel 10 years ago that is half finished and it sits in a manilla envelope in my cedar chest. Time heals wounds and sets your artist free.
Think of it this way - you can start writting today for yourself and who knows maybe you'll do a family history, a great novel (be on Oprah) or just some short stories in a few years. If you don't you'll just be a few years older still holding your artist in : )

Does anyone else get writting dreams. Every winter they come on strong for me - character, plot, total action, total color. The past two years they have been screaming at me which has awoken my calling that I have been ignoring : )
I've been blathering on an on but I hope this helps.
Its never too late (look At Alice Monroe) and don't beat yourself up - I don't do morning pages every day like i should but the days I do I'm unblocked.

Here are the basic priniples that you should read to yourself daily that are in her book.

1. Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy.
2. There is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life - including ourselves.
3.When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator's creativity within us and our lives.
4. We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.
5. Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.
6. The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature.
7. When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to Good Orderly Direction.
8. As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected.
9. It is safe to open ourselves up to greater and greater creativity.
10. Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity.

I believe you can do it Blaziegrl but now you have to start allowing yourself to believe and 'know' you can. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">
Hope this helps and I'll be glad to quote other stuff from this book as I work my way through if you'd like <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

One more thing. Take an artist date this week. Go by yourself with a pad of paper, it could be a coffee shop, a book store, a park bench, etc. And give yourself an hour to breath and to observe - there are many many stories out there waiting for you to discover them and this will help you recharge.

BTW any references in her book to God are not meant to be biblical - your spiritual creativity may be taped from God, the Godess, Buddah, some spiritual entity, nature etc. Think creativity <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

Thanks for the help Zel, I'll have to look for that book <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> I've coppied your advice until I find it <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

I think I have the best job of all of you.... I work for Walmart! LOL <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D">

Hey, Virgo.. What do you do there? I've never been in a Wal Mart. What is your job there? I'm curious...

I swore when Walmart came to our city I wouldn't shop there because we have a Canadian chain called Zellars but you know the store is clean, huge, they don't mind kids playing, and the prices are great. I also like that they have given seniors a role in the whole enterprise - my daughter thinks they all look like her Poppa but it just makes the place nice.
Do you enjoy working there? I know I would not want to be in retail around Christmas time - too many grumpy people <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol">

I live down the street from a Wal-Mart! It is my favorite store. Sometimes, I am there twice a day even! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> Hee hee

We only have K-Marts around here in New York..

Zellars took over the Kmarts in Canada. The one nice thing about Zellars is they have points like airmiles that you can add up to buy merchandise or cash in for movie tickets etc <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

Don't they have Walmart's in New York Sal? I do alot of different things there. I work in domestics and fabrics and sometimes I even run a register. I started out decorating cakes in the bakery. We have good benifits and we get a discount, which I love. The people that I work with are great. We get a bonus check every March. I use to manage a pizza parlour in our small town. Did it for 5 years, but with that job there were no paid vacations, benifits or insurance. Did get alot of free pizza though. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D">

Hey, Virgo2.. There are no Walmarts here in New York! But I know they're a big store and a good company to work for! They buy direct from manufacturers.. Not many companies do! They normally buy from large wholesale companies...