Hey, I'm over here...

So I have been keeping up with blogging lately, but I've been spending time on my other blog. WordPress is a much better platform for displaying photos and I'm trying to become more familiar with the other features that the site offers.

I'll be back on MOA more regularly in the future, but check out the JCS site for all the latest!

McChrystal, Rolling Stone and Journalism

My latest piece for YPNation focuses on the repercussions of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and his comments in Rolling Stone. The article and McChrystal's resignation are now old news, but my commentary looks at how this debacle could affect the media. I predict that journalists are going to have a very difficult time getting access to top officials in the future because of what happened with McChrystal. Check it out here and let me know what you think.

My New Website

I've been neglecting My Own Audience for a few weeks, but I've been working on a new online project. I just created a new website featuring my photography and freelance writing. I used the blogging host Wordpress to create my website because it offers a few more design options than Blogger and it displays photos very well. Once I figured Wordpress out, I found it easy to use and I really like how my site is looking so far. It's still a work in progress, so please feel free to pass along your suggestions and comments!

Don't worry; I'm not leaving Blogger! I'll still be blogging on M.O.A. about whatever pops into my head and I'll be using the new site to display my published work and blog about media and writing-related issues. It's pretty amazing how easy it was to create a cool and professional website and it's great to have a spot where all my online writing can be found. Please check out the site and let me know what you think.

P.S.- From time to time, there will be posts found here and at my new Wordpress site. Sorry for the repeats, but I can promise that there will always be posts here on M.O.A. that won't be on the new site!

Etiquette for the YP Job-Hunter

Last week, my story for YPNation focused on using traditional etiquette tips and practices after a job interview. It was interesting to hear experts saying that old-fashioned etiquette may make a difference in the job hunt. Look for a follow-up article on cover letter and resume tips coming next week...

The ups and down of the rental market

My latest story for YPNation is now online. (It's actually been published since Monday, but I was busy cheering on Marathon runners-- more on that in another post.)

Anyways, it's about the changes in the apartment rental market in the past year and a half and how YPs have influenced those changes. I found it interesting to see how much young professionals have impacted the market and how they continue to impact it.

Check out the full story here.

A New Writing Idol

Tonight, Clarice and I went to a book reading at the Coolidge Corner Theatre sponsored by the Brookline Booksmith. As you may recall, the Booksmith sponsored the fall John Irving reading where I got to see my favorite author live and in person. But this time, I wasn't all that familiar with the writer and Clarice wasn't either.

We saw Anne Lamott, a novelist and columnist with an impressive body of work. While I hadn't read her work before, one of my best friends, Erin (aka The Mouse), recently recommended Lamott's book, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Life and Writing. As the title suggests, the book is on writing and everything else that goes with it. Erin said the book was insightful and very funny and just a few weeks after she told me about it, I saw that Lamott was coming to the Booksmith for a free reading. I picked up two tickets and downloaded Bird by Bird to my Kindle--which I just started a few days ago.

Clarice and I were so impressed with Lamott, even though we had no idea what her new book was about and didn't know all that much about her. She was funny, authentic, a beautiful speaker/reader (I love hearing writers and poets read their own words) and such a talented writer. We both left the reading inspired by her and two converted Lamott fans.

The Booksmith hosted a book signing after the reading and we headed over to the store. Clarice had bought Bird by Bird in anticipation of the big event. While we were waiting in line, I was kind of bummed that I didn't have a copy of Lamott's book. (It's a downside of owning an e-reader that had never occurred to me!) So, being the nerd that I am and being encouraged by my fellow nerd C, I asked Anne to sign a Booksmith bookmark for me. That's right-- a bookmark! (By the way, I did explain that I was reading Bird by Bird on my Kindle.)

So Clarice and I now have an autograph and a new writing idol. I would definitely recommend checking out Lamott's work and seeing her in person!

Top image from Amazon; bottom image is me being a geek

A little inspiration...

My latest story for YPNation is now online and it's a profile of an inspiring young professional. Shannon Varney was laid off from his financial management job at the beginning of the economic downturn and sank into a depression. But he was moved into action and created his own non-profit organization; a career move he never thought he'd make.

Check out the rest of Shannon's story at YPNation!

The Scoop on Running Groups

My latest story for YPNation is now online. It's on running groups and some of the surprising benefits of joining for YPs. I enjoyed researching and interviewing for this story. It made me think about joining a running group! We'll see... Check it out!

One Year of My Own Audience

It's been exactly one year since I began My Own Audience. Yay! I'm taking a cue from Un Bel Oiseau and celebrating my blog's first b'day!

I do have to admit that I started this blog as more of a job strategy than anything else. I figured that most positions I'd be looking at would require blogging experience, so I needed to become part of the blogosphere. I started this blog to gain on-the-job skills, but it's ended up being a great creative outlet. This blog has also kept me brainstorming, writing and taking photos. I'm so glad I started My Own Audience, even if my intentions for starting a blog were more professionally-minded than anything else.

And on my blog's first birthday, I have some fun writing-related news: I've started contributing to a really great Web site, YPNation. The site is aimed toward young professionals and features news and commentary, social networking and links to resources on the Web. I'll be writing about a variety of topics, including the media industry. My first piece for YPN is about my old friend John Edwards and The National Enquirer.

Happy reading and Happy Birthday, MOA!

Dog Envy

I realized a long time ago that being a writer was a solitary occupation and different from most jobs. And while I do enjoy having co-workers and the social aspect of working in an office, the freedom and creative control of being a writer outweighs the benefits of reporting to an office every day.

My current status as full-time job-searcher/wannabe freelance writer finds me indoors and glued to my computer most days. And while it may be good practice for my future dreams of being a novelist/writer, it's not too fun. It's tedious, boring and sometimes lonely--especially in a small apartment.

But I know there is one thing that would improve this scenario and will one day make me a better writer when the time comes: a dog. That's right, woman's best friend would be a welcome relief to the long and lonesome work-from-home workday.

What could be better for a writer than a furry friend who provides welcome periodic distractions and won't judge you when you start brainstorming and talking to yourself? I've always been a dog-lover and I've spent many recent afternoons thinking that a canine companion would make the job search more fun and could provide some inspiration for writing. A little unconditional love from a pet goes a long way when you're frustrated.

I know a dog is out of the question for me right now since they're not allowed in my building and I definitely couldn't afford one. But I look forward to having a dog someday soon and hope he or she will be the ideal "office mate" when I write the next great American novel (or short story/essay/children's book).

For now, I just have to visit some of my favorite four-legged friends below: