I've just realised that I really am green behind the ears and not nearly as savvy as I thought.
I've just read a posting on integrity on the SITS blog; Truth in Blogging: Do You Blog With Integrity? and I'm a perturbed to say the least.
It has never occurred to me to wonder if what I'm reading in the blogging world is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Yes, in part, I really am that naive. For starters I don't lie, phrased simply I am just too lazy to do so.
Whenever I do find myself in a situation in which I could either lie or tell the truth I rarely choose to lie. That isn't to say that I don't do it because well...you guessed it I would be lying. What I mean is that I will and do tell what I consider to be small lies to save a person's feelings (see previous post When, If At All, Is It Acceptable to Lie?) but would I accept payment to positively review a product...absolutely not!
In lying I'm misleading people, I'm opening myself up to insurmountable criticism and its a lie I'd have to repeatedly stand by and repeat. I can't do it. Not only would my conscience not permit me to do this I simply don't have the energy that it would take to perpetuate the lie.
When I blog its my opinion, my voice, my experience, my thoughts and my feelings. No one elses. However, I'm being forced to remove my rose tinted glasses and realise that not everyone is like me in this; some people are fake (they lie, they pretend to be someone that they aren't, they pretend to like things that they don't like etc) I'm not going to speculate on their reasons for doing so but to state the glaringly obvious I suspect that it either has something to do with money or low self esteem.
Am I shocked that society has got to the point where people need to openly declare that they possess integrity?...well actually yes. I have always assumed that everyone else, especially in the blogging world, do possess integrity and what I'm reading comes from their heart, its the real them or their honest opinion.
Does a lack of integrity always come down to a need for personal gain? Isn't that then just greed? In today's current economic climate can we still afford to possess integrity? If I were approached to review a product, say a book series since books really are a weakness for me, for money, do I have a price? Would I so easily choose my integrity over adding to my book collection for free and money in my bank account?
I'm going to say no. I assert that I can't and won't be bought because I DO possess integrity and won't negotiate on what is essentially me but I will now be more vigilant in my assessment of other people and their writing.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Wednesday Wonderings
Hello again. I've had another busy week since last posting...the in-laws flew in from the States so I've been playing host, plus had to do LOADS of cleaning, tidying, sprucing etc before they arrived, (they've been so entertaining I've had face ache from laughing!), L's about to go away for a few days, I've been trying to find something to wear to pudding's christening which is very soon, am back on the exercising wagon after I fell off it spectacularly....So just to reiterate I've been busy.
Not too busy to have moments where I go off on a tangent though and think about random things. To cut to the chase here's what I've been musing on...
What I'm going to get my mum for Mother's Day?
If the dust and dirt fairy visits anyone else's house as often as she does mine?
Why people have to park on the grass outside their house when they could just as easily park their second car over their drive and not make the place look chavvy and trash the grass in the process?
If L knows how frustrating it is when he disagrees with just about EVERYTHING that I say?
Where the bin men are this morning?
Why all my underwear suddenly look like rags and like I've worn them to death?
What I'm going to do with myself during the four nights and days that I have to myself when L is away? (stay up late and eat bad food I imagine just like I usually do)
Why for a person who has control issues I seem to wing a lot of things?
Why I have the concentration span and patience of a butterfly at the best of times?
My excellent memory - blessing or curse?
How I manage to pretty much go through 2 bottle of bleach a month?
Why I find it hilarious to watch a nature programme and make up conversations in funny accents for the animals?
What is wrong with cake, or chocolate for that matter, for breakfast?
If I'll ever get over my fear of heights? (probably a good job I'm only 5ft, can you imagine if I was 6ft?...I'd probably never stand up!)
What I've done to my bent thumb to make it swell and be very sore? (feel free to be sympathetic people L doesn't do sympathy as we all know)
And off the back of the one above why I wasted my time going to the Drs to be told exactly what I knew I'd be told? Huh wonder if they went to the same 'listening school' as L?
Why I feel the need to allow people to place their own dirty dishes etc in the dishwasher only to go back out to the kitchen and rearrange them?
Why things in the house only decide to break when L goes away?
Where all that water came from that I found around my dishwasher and washing machine?
How L can manage to fall asleep at the drop of a hat and just about anywhere?
How the slugs from this time last year managed to get in the house?
Why the birds are avoiding the fat ball that I've put out for them? Fat balls in my garden usually last about a day this one has been there for a week!
Not too busy to have moments where I go off on a tangent though and think about random things. To cut to the chase here's what I've been musing on...
What I'm going to get my mum for Mother's Day?
If the dust and dirt fairy visits anyone else's house as often as she does mine?
Why people have to park on the grass outside their house when they could just as easily park their second car over their drive and not make the place look chavvy and trash the grass in the process?
If L knows how frustrating it is when he disagrees with just about EVERYTHING that I say?
Where the bin men are this morning?
Why all my underwear suddenly look like rags and like I've worn them to death?
What I'm going to do with myself during the four nights and days that I have to myself when L is away? (stay up late and eat bad food I imagine just like I usually do)
Why for a person who has control issues I seem to wing a lot of things?
Why I have the concentration span and patience of a butterfly at the best of times?
My excellent memory - blessing or curse?
How I manage to pretty much go through 2 bottle of bleach a month?
Why I find it hilarious to watch a nature programme and make up conversations in funny accents for the animals?
What is wrong with cake, or chocolate for that matter, for breakfast?
If I'll ever get over my fear of heights? (probably a good job I'm only 5ft, can you imagine if I was 6ft?...I'd probably never stand up!)
What I've done to my bent thumb to make it swell and be very sore? (feel free to be sympathetic people L doesn't do sympathy as we all know)
And off the back of the one above why I wasted my time going to the Drs to be told exactly what I knew I'd be told? Huh wonder if they went to the same 'listening school' as L?
Why I feel the need to allow people to place their own dirty dishes etc in the dishwasher only to go back out to the kitchen and rearrange them?
Why things in the house only decide to break when L goes away?
Where all that water came from that I found around my dishwasher and washing machine?
How L can manage to fall asleep at the drop of a hat and just about anywhere?
How the slugs from this time last year managed to get in the house?
Why the birds are avoiding the fat ball that I've put out for them? Fat balls in my garden usually last about a day this one has been there for a week!
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Slightly Tapped and Other Arguments
Good afternoon everybody, my name is Natasha and I talk to myself.
I even argue with myself too. In fact this happens more often than the talking to myself.
I know it is kind of strange but in order to convince myself than I am not a woman teetering on the brink of the abyss of insanity I call it thinking it out loud.
See, when phrased like that it suddenly doesn't seem so far fetched and I don't come across as so ... well not all the ticket and slightly tapped for want of a better phrase.
I'm not alone and I don't mean that in the alien-lifeforms-are-out-there I am not alone but in the I know other people, especially women, do this too way. Its just that I'm the first to admit it.
Out loud.
And in public.
Ask any woman, preferably after she's had a drink or she'll probably be evasive and not answer or point blank deny it, but at times when she talks to herself its because no one else is listening or because she's giving herself a good talking to.
Or because the kids drive her to do it.
Or because she is the only person who can be relied upon for a common sense answer.
Or because, well it really is just too Shirley Valentine to address the wall.
Or...Natasha I think they get the point. Move on.
I don't tick all of the above boxes - I don't have any children - and I mostly talk to myself when I ask L a question and he doesn't respond. What this means is I then pretend to be him and respond to myself for him...I never said I was the brightest star in the night sky people and I've always maintained that I'm different (you can call it special if you want).
So, come on ladies don't be shy, join me up here, who else talks to their self?
I even argue with myself too. In fact this happens more often than the talking to myself.
I know it is kind of strange but in order to convince myself than I am not a woman teetering on the brink of the abyss of insanity I call it thinking it out loud.
See, when phrased like that it suddenly doesn't seem so far fetched and I don't come across as so ... well not all the ticket and slightly tapped for want of a better phrase.
I'm not alone and I don't mean that in the alien-lifeforms-are-out-there I am not alone but in the I know other people, especially women, do this too way. Its just that I'm the first to admit it.
Out loud.
And in public.
Ask any woman, preferably after she's had a drink or she'll probably be evasive and not answer or point blank deny it, but at times when she talks to herself its because no one else is listening or because she's giving herself a good talking to.
Or because the kids drive her to do it.
Or because she is the only person who can be relied upon for a common sense answer.
Or because, well it really is just too Shirley Valentine to address the wall.
Or...Natasha I think they get the point. Move on.
I don't tick all of the above boxes - I don't have any children - and I mostly talk to myself when I ask L a question and he doesn't respond. What this means is I then pretend to be him and respond to myself for him...I never said I was the brightest star in the night sky people and I've always maintained that I'm different (you can call it special if you want).
So, come on ladies don't be shy, join me up here, who else talks to their self?
Wednesday Wonderings
I've had a busy week this week (I know I'm surprised too) so I've not had much time to be away with the fairies and my musings. That said, here's a taster of what has fluttered through my mind over the last week...
Why people spend so much time talking about the lives of other people, i.e. famous people, rather than focusing on their own?
Where all my post it notes have gone? I've searched at least 4 times and I can't find them in any of my usual dumping places.
Why people think its strange that I'm obsessed with banana and cinnamon?
When my favourite authors (Robin Hobb, Jacqueline Carey, Guy Gavriel Kay) are going to write something new?
Off the the back of the one above, if I will find another author that I love as much as my favourites to obsess about them instead?
When I'm going to pull my finger out and write my own fantasy story?
How I manage to fall out of favour with my 3 year old friend H quicker than I can get back in her favour? Yesterday morning at 9am I was invited to her birthday party by lunch time she had uninvited me!
Where L was when Mother Nature was giving out sympathy? Not even at the back of the que is my guess.
Where all the dust in my house comes from?
How I managed to leave a pair of my knickers (white shorties covered in pictures of old tattoos featuring words like love and hate) on the radiator when the work man called today to service our boiler? I suppose its a good job it wasn't my bridgets.
Why other women think its strange that I don't buy gossip magazines?
How L can possible call me a hoarder of books when not 6 months ago I donated nearly 30 to my local library. Doesn't he know that I need them all?
Why mum had to tell me that she thought Jack Black looked like my dad? Thanks mum. No really.
Tattoos? Body art or tramp stamp?
When my obsession with chocolate, smelling it, consuming it, thinking about it ... is going to stop?
If cake is ever a bad idea?
What L thinks is wrong about me eating a jar of nutella with a spoon?
How L can think simply throwing my knickers at the washing line is going to help them dry all the way through? And what is his aversion to pegs?
Off the back of the one above, when next door are going to get fed up of me sneaking into their garden to retrieve my underwear?
Why I've developed a random patch of psoriasis on my leg and after nearly 6 months of being virtually clear of it too?
Where the fairness is in the above?
Where time goes?
If any one else argues with their wii fit instructor?
How some people really can be that sick that they think its witty to make jokes about Japan's plight?
Why when I bend over does L have to stand behind me and make inappropriate movements pretending to be taking me from behind?
What I'm going to do when K, my little pudding, H and C move away?
Why with all the channels that we have on Sky is there never anything on that I want to watch?
How I managed to get toothpaste in my eye this morning?
Why people spend so much time talking about the lives of other people, i.e. famous people, rather than focusing on their own?
Where all my post it notes have gone? I've searched at least 4 times and I can't find them in any of my usual dumping places.
Why people think its strange that I'm obsessed with banana and cinnamon?
When my favourite authors (Robin Hobb, Jacqueline Carey, Guy Gavriel Kay) are going to write something new?
Off the the back of the one above, if I will find another author that I love as much as my favourites to obsess about them instead?
When I'm going to pull my finger out and write my own fantasy story?
How I manage to fall out of favour with my 3 year old friend H quicker than I can get back in her favour? Yesterday morning at 9am I was invited to her birthday party by lunch time she had uninvited me!
Where L was when Mother Nature was giving out sympathy? Not even at the back of the que is my guess.
Where all the dust in my house comes from?
How I managed to leave a pair of my knickers (white shorties covered in pictures of old tattoos featuring words like love and hate) on the radiator when the work man called today to service our boiler? I suppose its a good job it wasn't my bridgets.
Why other women think its strange that I don't buy gossip magazines?
How L can possible call me a hoarder of books when not 6 months ago I donated nearly 30 to my local library. Doesn't he know that I need them all?
Why mum had to tell me that she thought Jack Black looked like my dad? Thanks mum. No really.
Tattoos? Body art or tramp stamp?
When my obsession with chocolate, smelling it, consuming it, thinking about it ... is going to stop?
If cake is ever a bad idea?
What L thinks is wrong about me eating a jar of nutella with a spoon?
How L can think simply throwing my knickers at the washing line is going to help them dry all the way through? And what is his aversion to pegs?
Off the back of the one above, when next door are going to get fed up of me sneaking into their garden to retrieve my underwear?
Why I've developed a random patch of psoriasis on my leg and after nearly 6 months of being virtually clear of it too?
Where the fairness is in the above?
Where time goes?
If any one else argues with their wii fit instructor?
How some people really can be that sick that they think its witty to make jokes about Japan's plight?
Why when I bend over does L have to stand behind me and make inappropriate movements pretending to be taking me from behind?
What I'm going to do when K, my little pudding, H and C move away?
Why with all the channels that we have on Sky is there never anything on that I want to watch?
How I managed to get toothpaste in my eye this morning?
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Editing, Ponds and Fond Farewells
Well my moments, hours, days and weeks spent editing a friend's novella are over and I'm incredibly sad that its come to an end despite knowing it was time to bid it a fond farewell.
I loved it. Truly loved it. I liked taking it apart and analysing it down to the smallest detail - should he use this word or is that one more fitting? Does this paragraph belong here in chapter 6 or should it come much earlier on chapter 3? Would so-and-so have used that phrase? Is that reaction right for them? Doesn't that bit of speech sound more like so-and-so and not so-and-so? *Big heavy sigh* It was fantastic and its over.
I'm well aware that I put far more hours into it than a profession editor would have done, this is only natural considering I am not a professional editor. Plus, I was keenly aware that I was being handed a new writer's 'baby' as well as their fragile ego. I remember the first time I had to hand over a piece of creative writing...I felt sick to the pit of my stomach, my palms were sweating, I was obsessed with my reception, my heart hammered in my chest...I felt like my jugular was exposed to the baying hounds of hell as I waited for their feedback.
How much did I earn for my substantive editing of his novella? I'm not really sure, but I believe about $120. The reason I'm vague about it is I offered to do it for free. Not out of the goodness of my heart but rather because I'm all for encouraging people to follow their dream, especially if it involves creative writing. I will bolster and encourage and support any creative endeavour, particularly writing as there's where I have experience so it wouldn't have mattered what he offered to pay me - I'd have still turned it down. I was still rejecting the idea of payment right up until two hours ago when I emailed over my final notes. Even now, skint and out of work as I am, I'm toying with the idea of donating it to the USO. After all its not like I had that money to start with...and I did get far more out of the experience than payment can really express.
I'm quite interested in looking to do it on a regular basis and I have to say I do have some proof reading lined up for September (academic essays) but that's September and its academic which isn't nearly as diverting or exciting. I've briefly searched the net and as per usual there is a mine field of websites all professing to be the oracle on how to become an editor and all you need do is purchase their book for $16.99 or whatever...yeah right. Not helpful.
Today I dipped my foot in that pond, tomorrow I may decide to dive in and go for a swim (or drown) as I wade searching for useful pearls of wisdom.
Oh well, may be if he likes what I've done and the changes I've suggested he'll refer me and my editing skills to others or even use me again...Please keep your fingers crossed for me.
I loved it. Truly loved it. I liked taking it apart and analysing it down to the smallest detail - should he use this word or is that one more fitting? Does this paragraph belong here in chapter 6 or should it come much earlier on chapter 3? Would so-and-so have used that phrase? Is that reaction right for them? Doesn't that bit of speech sound more like so-and-so and not so-and-so? *Big heavy sigh* It was fantastic and its over.
I'm well aware that I put far more hours into it than a profession editor would have done, this is only natural considering I am not a professional editor. Plus, I was keenly aware that I was being handed a new writer's 'baby' as well as their fragile ego. I remember the first time I had to hand over a piece of creative writing...I felt sick to the pit of my stomach, my palms were sweating, I was obsessed with my reception, my heart hammered in my chest...I felt like my jugular was exposed to the baying hounds of hell as I waited for their feedback.
How much did I earn for my substantive editing of his novella? I'm not really sure, but I believe about $120. The reason I'm vague about it is I offered to do it for free. Not out of the goodness of my heart but rather because I'm all for encouraging people to follow their dream, especially if it involves creative writing. I will bolster and encourage and support any creative endeavour, particularly writing as there's where I have experience so it wouldn't have mattered what he offered to pay me - I'd have still turned it down. I was still rejecting the idea of payment right up until two hours ago when I emailed over my final notes. Even now, skint and out of work as I am, I'm toying with the idea of donating it to the USO. After all its not like I had that money to start with...and I did get far more out of the experience than payment can really express.
I'm quite interested in looking to do it on a regular basis and I have to say I do have some proof reading lined up for September (academic essays) but that's September and its academic which isn't nearly as diverting or exciting. I've briefly searched the net and as per usual there is a mine field of websites all professing to be the oracle on how to become an editor and all you need do is purchase their book for $16.99 or whatever...yeah right. Not helpful.
Today I dipped my foot in that pond, tomorrow I may decide to dive in and go for a swim (or drown) as I wade searching for useful pearls of wisdom.
Oh well, may be if he likes what I've done and the changes I've suggested he'll refer me and my editing skills to others or even use me again...Please keep your fingers crossed for me.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Wednesday Wonderings
So...well I'm kind of in a better mood than I was this time last week. My sense of humour hasn't really came back but I have had a double helping of sarcasm recently, so...I suppose I should be thankful.
Being semi-thankful has freed me up to have time for musing about the following;
Where my head was on Monday? Monday morning, remembered no less than at least 4 times that I had a hygienist appointment with the dentist at 14:30, Monday afternoon...FORGOT!!! My forgetfulness cost me £82.00 - £41.00 for the appointment I missed and £41.00 for the one I had to go to today.
What horrible person gave me a stomach bug and why would they do that.
What is so hard about putting a dirty bowl and some cups in the dishwasher that makes L place them on the work surface ABOVE said dishwasher rather than in it. Let me guess...because the sink is full.
Why people are interested, even remotely, in the car crash of a life that is Charlie Sheen. The guy is odious, seriously repulsive. Oh and you can add Lindsay Lohan to that list of repugnant individuals too.
I know I've mentioned this one before but I'm still waiting for an answer, why if we have a double bed with our own pillows does L insist on sleeping on my side and sharing my pillows.
Why people assume that because I adore my little pudding (God son to be) that I have changed my mind about having children.
Why there are only 24 hours in a day when I have so much that I need and want to do.
Why workmen NEVER EVER turn up on time or when they say they will.
How I managed to hurt the tendon in my big toe on my right foot to make myself walk like a complete freak.
What is going on with my hair today, it is sticking up in so many places that I look like I have been plugged in and electrocuted
Why when L goes away do I turn into a kid left home alone - the house descends in to a chaotic mess, I eat all the wrong foods, stay up late and refuse to get out of bed in the morning.
Being semi-thankful has freed me up to have time for musing about the following;
Where my head was on Monday? Monday morning, remembered no less than at least 4 times that I had a hygienist appointment with the dentist at 14:30, Monday afternoon...FORGOT!!! My forgetfulness cost me £82.00 - £41.00 for the appointment I missed and £41.00 for the one I had to go to today.
What horrible person gave me a stomach bug and why would they do that.
What is so hard about putting a dirty bowl and some cups in the dishwasher that makes L place them on the work surface ABOVE said dishwasher rather than in it. Let me guess...because the sink is full.
Why people are interested, even remotely, in the car crash of a life that is Charlie Sheen. The guy is odious, seriously repulsive. Oh and you can add Lindsay Lohan to that list of repugnant individuals too.
I know I've mentioned this one before but I'm still waiting for an answer, why if we have a double bed with our own pillows does L insist on sleeping on my side and sharing my pillows.
Why people assume that because I adore my little pudding (God son to be) that I have changed my mind about having children.
Why there are only 24 hours in a day when I have so much that I need and want to do.
Why workmen NEVER EVER turn up on time or when they say they will.
How I managed to hurt the tendon in my big toe on my right foot to make myself walk like a complete freak.
What is going on with my hair today, it is sticking up in so many places that I look like I have been plugged in and electrocuted
Why when L goes away do I turn into a kid left home alone - the house descends in to a chaotic mess, I eat all the wrong foods, stay up late and refuse to get out of bed in the morning.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Wednesday Wonderings
Blah, blah....etc.
Why I got out of bed this morning.
Why whoever owns the dogs that keep barking haven't taken them in the house by now, are they that selfish and inconsiderate!
Why I keep putting my foot in it at the moment. I just open my mouth...and everything comes out wrong.
Where my sense of humour has gone. I'd like it to come back or for me to able to join it, wherever that may be.
Did it really only take me half and hour to completely destroy - and by this I mean chop into about 6 pieces - our old leather arm chair. I would like to add that I'm only petite. Let that be a warning to anyone who thinks that my bark is worse than my bite! Ggggrrrrr
Why radio stations can't seem to play any other song than that really cheerful one by Adele about her ex. Kings of Leon CD on repeat it is then.
Why can't I stop thinking about chocolate and cramming copious amounts of it into my mouth. Hhhhmmm chocolate.
What is the deal with hormones and how do you control them. Yes I know that's two things but its my blog and are you really THAT brave that you're going to argue with me. I wouldn't suggest it.
What happens to all the socks that I keep losing. Two go in the washing basketing...and only one gets put away.
Why I got out of bed this morning.
Why whoever owns the dogs that keep barking haven't taken them in the house by now, are they that selfish and inconsiderate!
Why I keep putting my foot in it at the moment. I just open my mouth...and everything comes out wrong.
Where my sense of humour has gone. I'd like it to come back or for me to able to join it, wherever that may be.
Did it really only take me half and hour to completely destroy - and by this I mean chop into about 6 pieces - our old leather arm chair. I would like to add that I'm only petite. Let that be a warning to anyone who thinks that my bark is worse than my bite! Ggggrrrrr
Why radio stations can't seem to play any other song than that really cheerful one by Adele about her ex. Kings of Leon CD on repeat it is then.
Why can't I stop thinking about chocolate and cramming copious amounts of it into my mouth. Hhhhmmm chocolate.
What is the deal with hormones and how do you control them. Yes I know that's two things but its my blog and are you really THAT brave that you're going to argue with me. I wouldn't suggest it.
What happens to all the socks that I keep losing. Two go in the washing basketing...and only one gets put away.
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