An issue swept under the rug won’t stay there forever…

As Americans prepare to vote this November, issues start to rise about the future of our country and the laws that govern it.

 

just vote

 

There’s always a few key issues that get pushed to the side time after time until right before the election. It throws many citizens through a loop… by now you most likely know who you are going to vote for, right? So they mix it up a little, shake us up and leave us scrambling to figure out the right answer…

 

What’s best for our country?


And what makes the two front running candidates they have what it takes to be the man in charge?


Can anyone save us from this mess we have created?

 

Just go vote this year. It your civic duty as an American. You can vote for someone other than the two main candidates. You are entitled to, so might as well enjoy the liberties we actually have left.

 

Now, after going a little bit off topic – the reason why I even bring up the over publicized opinions of another critic goes back to my initial thought – the issues we often forget about because of the magnitude of the other issues you hear about constantly. My bedroom door is covered in campaign ads. From only one of the candidates.

 

Here are some excerpts from an article on Alternet -

Larry King Hosts Third Party Debate: Presidential Candidates Slam the Drug War

 

At last night’s third-party debate on C-SPAN, Larry Kingasked the four candidates a question that neither Romney nor Obama has been willing to address: “How does the war on drugs affect Americans?”

And where do they stand in terms of this? 

 Three out of the four candidates agreed the drug war does more harm than good – calling for not just a public health approach to drug policy but also legal regulation of currently-illicit drugs like marijuana.

Shocked? Read on.

“We don’t just need to legalize marijuana,” said Anderson. “We need to end drug prohibition just like we ended alcohol prohibition and treat drug use and abuse as a public health and education issue, and get it entirely out of the criminal justice system.”

Ding ding. We have a winner.

 

Ninety percent of the drug problem is prohibition-related, not use-related … that should be the focus. So let’s legalize marijuana now. Right now in this country, we are at a tipping point on this issue.” He later went on to say, “Look, this is not about advocating drug use. Fifty percent of kids graduating from high school have smoked marijuana – that’s an issue that belongs with families, not in the criminal justice system.”

“In the final debate for President Obama and Mitt Romney, moderator Bob Schieffer referred to the war in Afghanistan as America’s longest war.”


“But America’s longest war is actually the war on drugs, which turned 40 last year.”


“We’ve spent more than one trillion dollars fighting this unwinnable war, thousands have lost their lives for it, and the madness will only continue until the public leaves elected officials no choice but to pull their heads out of the sand.”


More like pull their heads out of their a&*$# – but well put.

 

Just think about this before you make your mind up about it all.

“Fifty percent of Americans support taxing and regulating marijuana and well over seventy percent support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.”

By excluding third party candidates from the presidential debates, not only are Americans limited to the two parties, but urgent issues that the two main parties refuse to address – like the war on drugs – are silenced.

All quoted material written by Derek Rosenfeld. Read entire story here.


Do you know where your candidate stands in terms of issues important to yourself?

 

Just because it’s not a big topic like birth control does not mean it shouldn’t matter.


And if you want to view the internet data on the two men up front in the running?


Check this out: 

Search engines & the internet predict the 2012 presidential election outcome


US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN-OBAMA-VOTE

 

In a picture taken today, Barack Obama votes early in US election as both parties battle for female vote

 

Election news from a website named Trail Mix shed some more light onto the ugly truth regarding the state of our nation.

 

“Polling data suggests Obama has built a lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney among early voters in the run-up to the November 6 election.”

“The early vote push comes as polls show women are abandoning the Democrats and an untimely story about the habits of female voters was howled down as sexist.”

 

Wherever you stand, just do your country a favor and make sure you cast your vote.

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Living Life in Lower Alabama

 

As an Massachusetts native, I grew up walking and talking like a New Englander. I love the Red Sox, I have seen Plymouth Rock, and when I think of the beach I imagine the dirty brown “sand” along the coast of Cape Cod. Heck, my favorite mixed drink is a Cape Codder, which is cranberry juice and vodka.

 

CHATHAM, MA - AUGUST 11:  People gather on Cap...

People gather on Cape Cod’s Lighthouse Beach in Chatham, Massachusetts. A man was confirmed to have been bitten by a great white shark less than two weeks ago along the shoreline at Cape Cod. An increase in the seal population on Cape Cod has led to increased shark sightings near the shore, including great whites.

 

I love New England, born and raised in Western Massachusetts. I love the Northern weather and beautiful autumn weather (my favorite time of year). I remember cursing at the “leaf peepers” who came every fall to admire the breathtaking autumn scenery. I even liked the snow… I mean everything except shoveling the driveway.

 

 

 

But seven years ago I moved down South. Way down South, the panhandle region of Northwest Florida.

 

 

Maybe you have heard of Panama City Beach, a city where a lot of the spring break college students migrate to every March and April. I don’t live in “PCB”, but I’m less than an hour from it in a town that you could mistaken for one of the backwoods towns in Alabama. Some locals call these parts “lower Alabama“. Five minutes from the state line, it is fitting.

 

Florida/Alabama border, on County Road 285 nea...

 

 

Apparently, one definition of the area states calling this location of my new home “Lower Alabama” is correct. In slang term at least.

 

“Lower Alabama is also a pejorative slang term used by some Floridians to refer to the part of Florida directly south of Alabama, especially the area around Pensacola, and eastward to Destin and Panama City. This is often jokingly shortened to “L.A.”, though this term is also used extensively by Alabamians too.” (From: Wikipedia)

 

Panama City Beach, Florida

Panama City Beach, Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Culture shock is the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, or to a move between social environments. I experienced a pretty significant amount of culture shock for almost a year.

 

“I’m fixing to make dinner”?
“You’re going to fix supper? What’s wrong with it?”
Now I understand that “fixin’” replaces “going to”.

 

The slang was completely different. It took me some time to find a “packie”. They sold beer in every gas station and “super market”, so I managed without having to find a liquor store.

I was not used to calling my elders by “sir” and “mam”. I am very polite and was raised with manners, but most older adults and role models (teachers) were addressed with their respective suffix (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc).

lower alabama

 

The way I talked and the words I used amused the local folks. At first I was against adapting my mannerisms.But as saying “ya’ll” became more familiar I began adjusting and making more friends. I started to fit in after a while, but it did take more than is apparently “normal”, according to Wikipedia’s explanation of the  four phases of culture shock.

 

The people here, in the area referred to as “Lower Alabama” calls Northerners “yankees”. However, those Northerners who end up staying – an outcome of the adjustment phase of culture shock – earn the title “damn yankee”.

 

I have held onto a lot of the New England culture – I still root for the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots – but I have integrated a lot fo the local culture into my daily life.

 

Culture shock can create anxiety for some individuals. But for myself, that has faded away as well. I feel at home, and am beginning to have more patience towards the laid back nature of every day life.

 

I didn’t escape the frusteration of the “leaf peepers” though. Now I deal with the overhaul of traffic during the summer months.

 

Destin

Destin,FL (Photo credit: Keoni Cabral)

 

And now, when I go back North to visit I experience a phenomenom refferd to as “reversed culture shock”. Not to mention my friends and family asking me “what?”, when I forget to use the right phrase during conversations.

 

“Do what?”

 

“I mean ‘what did you say’”

 

to be continued?

 

Culture Shock

 

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100TH POST @ twakstartrick.com

bite down.

After a little over a year and ninety nine posts later, this little domain has come a long way.

Here are some of the highlights – my collection of the good, the bad, and the ugly.Shooting Star 3.jpg

Enjoy…

 

* 1st ever post - September 20, 2011 (contains profane language)

http://twakstartrick.com/twaked-cracked-and-totally-wacked/

* My favorite of the first posts (September 2011)

http://twakstartrick.com/make-it-rain/

* A New Direction

Counting Blue Cars

The song that inspired this post:

 

http://twakstartrick.com/life/

* Reflections

http://twakstartrick.com/getting-older-what-a-long-strange-trip-its-been/

* Healthy Living

scandelous

http://twakstartrick.com/pomegranate-juice/

 * Most searched keyword post – “colored pencil art appreciation”

Colored_pencil

http://twakstartrick.com/colored-pencil-art/

 

TOP FOUR
Most popular posts

  1. 5412570985_3529931968_m[1]The Blogging Blues: Thoughts on Content Marketing Controversies12 SEPTEMBER, 2012
  2. chuck palahniuk quoteLife is Good – 20 tips on staying positive30 AUGUST, 2012
  3. 1347722407812575[1]Reflections – The effects of our behavior & happiness16 SEPTEMBER, 2012
  4. cloudy skiesFlorida’s Hurricane Madness30 AUGUST, 2012

My favorite posts

be yourself darling
Just for fun – Favorite post with a story behind it

2. http://twakstartrick.com/shes-got-a-point/

I discovered the tool on WordPress that imported Tumblr posts. Sounded cool so I imported the posts not even thinking they would ALL show up on my blog. If you’re like many that use Tumblr as a photoblog, then you see the problem that arose. I spent the rest of the night deleting many and adding on to others.

I have now graduated to the simpler Tumblr widget that appears in the right sidebar…

And finally…

Before I wrap this post up  I just want to thank those people who have support me or visited this website – if it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have made it this far :)

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How important is content to a website?

Andrew Davis Branscaping Content Marketing Wor...

Andrew Davis Branscaping Content Marketing World Instagraph

Apparently the debate over whether content is king has more data to support the claim – according to a recent study on content marketing strategies.

90% of Marketers Know the Importance of Content, but only 38% Have a Strategy

content marketing strategy and blog writing

What does this mean?

That although marketers know how important content is, they fall short when it comes to execution.

But why?

Quite honestly one of the main issues facing marketers creating content that is worth reading is as simple as time.

Original content, written and proofread and finally published takes time and is hard work.

There is techniques to use, certain protocol to follow, and then on top of that making what you write actually interesting to the people reading it sometimes makes what appears to be a simple task downright daunting.

 

Here are a few tips on content writing I have gathered over the course of my time writing articles on the internet.

- Don’t over work yourself. There is nothing worse than reading something that sounds like you are not really into the topic. Or that was rushed.

- Write about subjects your are both knowledgeable in and passionate about. Do some research. The extra fifteen minutes you spend looking up some key facts can make a world of a difference in how your article ends up.

User generated content

User generated content

- If you can, try and post regularly. Don’t set your goal too high though, that is unattainable. Instead of aiming for an article or post a day, start of with one per week. If you do more than that, awesome! You exceeded your goal.

- Not everything you (or anyone else for that matter) writes will be a piece of literary genius  Give yourself a break. It is totally acceptable to post a review of an article someone else wrote or a simple post you can get published quickly.

- Put something already published on your blog in your own words and cite your source if you are short on time. This is an easy way to get content on your website and avoid stealing someone else’s work.

Don’t copy and paste someone else’s work by the way. And if you do, be prepared to get nasty emails or phone calls from the original author. There are plugins that detect these types of actions. Just be warned, it’s just not right and even Google does not like duplicate content.

Original content is important, especially to rank your website in Google. 

If you are an English dropout fear not, there are easy ways around the writing aspect that still will convey your message. Use video, pictures, polls, links, and other forms of interaction in your article to engage your audience. Cover a few main points in your own words and spell/grammar check. Easy.

Every blog writer really has their own system of how they produce a blog post. It does take time to develop a writing strategy that will produce quality content and ultimately a solid marketing strategy.

Content is appealing to the internet’s consumers. In order to succeed in any

the issues we realize as vital  are often the ones we pay attention to.

New Marketing Strategy

Think about it…

Check out these blogs for more content and marketing articles:

 

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The Blogging Blues: Thoughts on Content Marketing Controversies

English Majors

(Photo credit: toastforbrekkie)

What is a “blogger” anyways?

(My thoughts after reading a recent article entitled, “How We Turned an SEO Team into a Content Marketing Agency” (see link below)

As a passionate writer, and more recently a passionate “blogger”,  it has always killed me to see poorly written websites full of mispellings and poor grammar usage. I notice the poor capitialization and other “errors” before I even begin reading. I can’t help it, my mother always corrected my grammar as a child and I find myself doing so as an adult today.

I’m no English major by any means, but I put time and thought into what I write. I proofread.  Twice.

I won’t go too much into detail about myself here, but I’m sure I’m not the first writer who has gotten a case of “the blues”.

I love to write and maybe that’s the problem.

If you want to make a career as an author, you have to write.

That is my greatest challenge.

The real reason for my post was to share an article I read concerning SEO and content marketing.

The article: How We Turned an SEO Team into a Content Marketing Agency

“Content marketing is evolutionary, not revolutionary” A guest post from Kevin Gibbons, MD of Quaturo. 

via: www.buzzstream.com

 

and another article that points out some issues in the original article for those interested…

 

Search Engines Love Content by Go Local

(Photo credit: Go Local Search)

Content is king…

I never gave search engine ranking too much thought because I did not want to write in the style that was effective in the past – it was forced and for me stream of consciousness has always proven to work best personally.

When the mass hysteria hit Google that was the Panda and Penguin updates I became intrigued. I began to learn the basics of SEO and applied them to my personal site and was sold.

 

(Okay I lied, just a few more details to get my point across.)

I am the type who is undeclared in college and still stuggles to declare a major when the deadline to do so came. I’ve never been too fond of commitment who would have guessed?!

Writer Wordart

(Photo credit: MarkGregory007)

Maybe that’s why the whole industry is so appealing.

I am now a college graduate (twice..) and unemployed (in most peoples eyes). I spend the time I would be slaving away at a forty hour a week retail management job learning what I feel to be an invaluable set of knowledge.

I have hope that I will be able to support myself doing something I’m passionate about – or at least like doing.

 

To me, that means more than any college degree ever will.

Whatever the future holds in store for me I will just have to wait and see, but felt compeled to touch on some of the hot topic issues surrounding SEO and content marketing – and how they affect everyone of us.

Without bloggers, the internet would be full of bad grammatical errors of those poor fellows who try their best writing when clearly it isn’t something they shouldn’t tackle on their own.

 

 

 

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NPR.org » 3 Clues To How Geography Fuels Innovation

See on Scoop.itMidday Escapades


“Based on population alone, the New York City region should be king of innovation — the kind measured by patents.” http://t.co/OjFhjMuM...


See on m.npr.org

Florida’s Hurricane Madness

English: Image of the Parkersburg tornado taki...

Talk of the Town

You are out of luck if you wait to buy gas during the madness precluding a hurricane.

Seriously.

Anyways a quick story.

 

My “neighbor” is knocking on the door.

What’s up?

I’m on the internet, writing a post for my blog.

“Tornadoes are close by”

So I do the only logical thing I can think of during a time such as this.

Sex.

 

Tornado warning

 

 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR… *********************************************** (my county in Florida)…

* UNTIL 300 AM CDT

* AT 225 AM CDT… A TORNADO HAS BEEN DETECTED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEAR CANEY CREEK… OR NEAR LIBERTY… MOVING NORTH AT 35 MPH. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENTLY STRONG STORM ON RADARAND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF WEAKENING AT THIS TIME.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE ******************** (listing of some nearby towns..)

Night of the Tornado Warning 1

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

TAKE COVER NOW! LEAVE MOBILE HOMES AND VEHICLES FOR SAFER STRUCTURES. MOVE TO A HALLWAY OR CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND OUTSIDE WALLS.

English: DeFuniak Springs, FL, May 12, 2009 --...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. IF YOU WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING… IT MAY BE TOO LATE!

OAKVILLE, LA - AUGUST 29: Rising waters from H...

I said to a different friend the other day, as everyone acted like crazy people buying up all the town’s gasoline,

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the next face eater surfaces during all this madness.”

I mean I’d rather be caught in hurricane storms than get half my face eaten off by some naked wild man sniffling from the rail he just snorted.

 

I’m just ready to weather all storms.

No pun intended.

 

It’s now 3:30 and nothing more than rain… but I’ll update in cases of a sudden change in weather.

 


Children`s Place Sales Going On Right Now!

 

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Will the digital age see the demise of office supplies?

 

Will the digital age see the demise of office supplies?

Americans love technology. Many are “plugged” in or “connected” somehow twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Whether on the computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, e-reader, whatever the newest gadget out there is this week, we can’t get enough of information technology. The internet is our new addiction and it’s clear that we no longer have a need for things once thought to be essential to our daily lives.

 

Simple, everyday objects are slowly fading into the past as we replace them with new, high technology devices. Although the progression has been gradual thus far, the everyday objects that are soon to be relics of a once primitive way of life are things like the pencil, the pen, paper, staples, handheld calculators… office supplies.
Think about it.
We can literally do everything with our smartphones (and more). If you have yet to make the switch, just imagine a world of “apps” or applications for every imaginable task. From note taking to spreadsheets to web design and floor plans… even simple  to-do lists – we have moved into a new way of doing work these days.
So who is feeling the heat? Office supply chains are suffering from losses in revenue despite all efforts to stay flat in the profit/loss margin. Even though most of the big office supply retailers such as Staples and Office Depot sell computers and other high technology devices, they simply cannot make up for the plummet in the bulk of their inventory… even paper sales have decreased over the past year.
The numbers don’t lie. Staples revenue is down 25% from 2000, which is when the retailer saw it’s highest grossing annual revenue. The company has already stated it will be closing some of its stores and it comes as no surprise to many.
Although not every American has made the transition or is even ready to face the digital age we are in, stores like Staples and Office Depot have already begun to feel the effects of our need for more technology. We live in an internet obsessed age – continue to watch because the changes have just begun.

 

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HELLO SUMMER! Tips to Beat the Heat :)

Beat the Heat this Summer – Seven Tips

keep cool on the swimming pool

Keep your cool this summer…

There is no doubt this summer will be a HOT one.

records highs 2012

Tips to beat the heat we knew was coming… The groundhog predicted way back in February, and his predictions are being confirmed as the whole country rushes to get their air conditioners back into working order. It just so happens these extreme global temperatures fall on the first day of summer, which is the day with the longest period of sunlight each year, also referred to as the summer soltice.

Take Advantage of the Sun: Click here!

This issue is not one to take lightly either – more people have died due to excessive heat than any other weather disasters (including floods!) Excessive heat is defined when the heat index values are forecast to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least two days. (from Red Cross) View their handy checklist for the basics on preparing for higher than normal temperatures.

Here’s a few tricks of my own to staying cool during the hot summer months…

(I can say that these will be of use to you as a New England native who has been residing in Florida now for six years)

In the Summertime when the Weather is HOT....

Seven tips to beat the heat this summer:

1. DRINK LOTS OF WATER!

If you just don’t like water (I don’t, so I know the feeling) try sprucing it up a bit. Squeeze some lemon in it and get 200% of your daily vitamin C. Gatorade and Powerade are also great ways to keep your body fueled. They also sell single packets of drink mixes to add to your water… these are good, but stay away from the ones with the high sugar contents.

2. Eat more and eat smaller meals.

Food helps keep your body fueled and you will need to eat more to make up for the increase in temperature during the summer. Lean proteins, fruits and vegetables (especially dark, leafy greens), and simple carbohydrates. If you are doing work or activities that are more strenuous, you will need to adjust your diet accordingly.

3. Take your vitamins.

This is especially true if you have any type of health problems. For me, my anemia is affected by the temperature and I have to take iron and B vitamin supplements more often. It will vary person to person, but if you are able to, a once-daily multi vitamin will be a great addition for anyone. Make sure you take supplement on a FULL stomach. Discuss options with your health care provider on your next visit.

4. Wear baggy, light colored clothing.

16-07-10 The Best Way To Make It Through

Dark colors, especially black, attract sunlight, so they will make your body temperature rise. Air will circulate better with loose fitting clothes.

Don’t forget your shades (sunglasses) and a hat for added sun protection (recommended!)

 

5. Use a high SPF sunscreen.

The higher SPF the better (especially in the Southern regions). Apply over ALL EXPOSED AREAS 15-30 minutes prior to exposure and reapply every hour if you are sweating a lot or swimming. If you are tanning (which is not healthy, but I am guilty of it) use a tanning oil with some SPF in it. This won’t make tanning safe, but will minimize some of the harmful rays you are exposed to while you are getting that golden glow we all love to get this time of year. And just because you’re cooling off in the water, doesn’t mean you are immune to the sun… water actually attracts light so you’re more likely to get sun burn while in the water.

6. Stay indoors.

Some days in Florida you have no choice. It is just too hot to be outside, so take the time to catch up on your cleaning or surf the web. There is no reason to risk heat stroke because your lawn is a little bit overgrown. Try to plan outdoor activities for early morning (before 11 am) or at dusk (after 6-7pm). Construction workers, the elderly most at risk for heat stroke.

7. Don’t ignore heat illness

If you feel weak or shaky, get inside, get cool, and drink some water!

Remember to take extra care with your pets this summer as well – they need plenty of water and shade, bring them indoors during hottest times of the day (12-4 pm) if possible. A garage with proper circulation will be just fine if they are not indoor animals.

You have no excuse, go here and send your Pops a FREE Father’s Day card

save money

 

Do you wait til the last minute to do stuff? I am a huge procrastinator and sending out cards usually slips my mind til the day of. And by that time, it’s too late to even mail them. Well no excuses this year, cardstore.com is offering FREE cards for Father’s Day PLUS they will ship them for free! Really! No strings attached, I just got mine ordered and sent off to my wonderful dad 100% free of charge. Get yours now... mention coupon code LUVDAD2 at checkout.

all content copyright Justine Muller.
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