I am a sexual abuse survivor. I had a father who screamed, threatened and bullied me and admitted to practicing killing me for the day he got up the courage to kill us all, then kill himself. So when a collection agency from Centurylink called me this morning and threatened me with physical violence and intimidation - I got angry. I tweeted about it a LOT. And I will continue to.
I signed up for Centurylink because it was the only service in the rural area I’m in. The service rarely …

I just got back from St. Petersburg, Florida from the Poynter Institute’s seminar on “Becoming an Entrepreneurial Journalist.” It was an intense, week-long course on how-to-write a business plan, how to start a business, social media, and all the things you need to know to, well - to start a business. I met 18 of the most fascinating and talented journalists in the country - each with their own business dreams and plans. I can’t tell you what their business plans are, but I can tell you about the journalist…or …

I’m a risk taker. I always have been, even as a toddler. As I’ve gotten older the risks have turned from rock climbing, kayaking, hiking and motorcycles to things like intimacy, making friends, being vulnerable - emotional risks. I prefer jumping out of a helicopter on the end of a rope any day. At least once you hit the ground, it’s over - except for the adrenaline rush that feels so good. Emotional vulnerability is like the steps to the pool….slippery and dangerous and meant to be taken with care …

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about dancing in the rain.”
My power was off for about 30 hours recently. I lost most of the groceries in my small fridge, but thankfully all that was really in there were cans of Slimfast! Several other families I know weren’t so lucky. They’re already struggling financially and losing a freezer with a month’s groceries was just one more straw on the growing pile.
My whole life seems to revolve around email and the internet since I mostly work online. Without …

A vicious storm knocked out the power and the cell towers in my area last night. They’re still out. So I drove to the local library to use their wifi since they’re next door to the Sheriff’s Department and were first to get their power back on. There’s no one else around since it’s only 6 a.m. and the library doesn’t open for two more hours. So, I’m just sitting here, enjoying the deliciously cool air, the quiet, the last dregs of a cup of coffee and the joy of …