WYSIWYG

I was writing a press release for a client when I ran across the acronym: WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) and it made me pause. I have one identity across the Internet - on Twitter, Facebook, forums... whatever. I say what's on my mind and rarely censor myself. Is this a good thing?

In real-non-Internet life, I took that tack when I was PTA president. I told people in meetings that, while a president should be impartial, I had opinions. I would refrain from voting, but I wouldn't refrain from expressing myself. I told them to impeach me if they didn't like it. People didn't always agree with me, but they didn't want me to leave office... making it very difficult to step down when I was ready to move on.

Anyway, yesterday, someone was very nasty to a dear friend of mine on Twitter. I, of course, went on the attack. It didn't take long to put the jerk in his place. He never stood a chance. Within 4 tweets he was acknowledging his error. But... do I risk putting myself in an unfavorable light by calling a fucktard a fucktard?

I'm a freelance writer. But, more importantly, I'm a loyal friend. I do risk putting people off with my sarcasm and biting wit. Yesterday was really my first attack on anyone. It was completely justified and I am not sorry. Not in the least. But it raises this question: Should I have some separate identity online that is more restrained and professional? The very thought makes me shudder.

I am who I am. When working, I am professional. I produce excellent quality work, on anything from articles to blogs to fiction. Part of what I bring to the table is my dedication. What do you think? Do I need to try to be more politically correct online? If so, I'm not sure how to do that... I'm WYSIWYG.

Are My Eyes Bleeding?

One of my recent jobs was to write some website reviews. No problem, I've done hundreds. I received the list and dug in. I am here to tell you that I will never be the same.

Have you heard of Chatroulette? No registration, completely free social application. You click in and are suddenly face to face with a stranger via webcams. At least, that's the intention. I wasn't really ready to face strangers, so I disabled my webcam.

I won't bore you with the details. I'll get to the nitty gritty. Out of about 50 strangers, I saw a dozen teenage boys, two girls fluffing their hair, 4 balding men, and 3 erect penises. No kidding. Three guys were... um... pleasuring themselves with their webcams directed at their private bits. The first one took me a minute to process what I was seeing. I was shocked. I nexted the guy in horror. I was prepared for the second dude. I clicked on the button to report him (it probably does nothing, but I felt like a superhero - saving others from seeing that nastiness). The third perv nexted me before I could report him. I suppose my lack of webcam was a downer for him because he couldn't see my revulsion and disgust.

Bottom line, folks, Chatroulette is NOT like a fun gambling game. It's like Russian Roulette. And there are guys out there with loaded guns that they are just dying to show you. Ew.

By Popular Demand: GUNK

I have one of those recipes that is super easy, yet always popular at EVERY party. I suppose I may as well share it...

Okay, now this is my super secret recipe... so handle with care! All amounts are approximate... I don't bother to measure. It's a little different every time.

I use a 4.5qt dutch oven

Melt about 1/2 stick of butter over medium heat

Add about 1 1/2 bags mini marshmallows, stirring constantly until melted

Add a BIG (if I had to guess, it is probably close to 1/4 cup) scoop of peanut butter and stir till melted

Keeping heat on, add whatever cereal you have in the house until the pot is nearly full (Cheerios - regular or honey nut, Reeses, Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, Corn flakes all work well - mix and match. Cereals that are too sweet -Capn Crunch for example - will make the gunk too sweet)

Stir to coat - this works pretty easily if you keep the heat on

Dump the gunk into a buttered casserole dish. Do not press down. Heat the pan to release any stuck bits.

Let cool.

That's it. Enjoy.

100 Stories for Haiti

In case you haven't heard, a wonderful writer named Greg McQueen has been organizing 100 Stories for Haiti, a project that will benefit the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. He has recruited numerous volunteers to write, edit, and advertise the project. I have submitted a story for consideration and I hope it is chosen.

The final product will be available in eBook format (thanks to Smashwords) and paperback (thanks to Unbound Press). I hope we will be able to find a company willing to produce an audiobook version as well.

This effort deserves your attention. Greg has been taking on a wonderful leadership role - go check out the website with his video updates. And when the book becomes available in a few weeks, I will link to it here. Please buy one!

On a personal note, I wish to extend a very special thank you to Greg's wife who created the lovely web badge you see here.

Brown Sugar Icebox Cookies (for my favorite murse)

A Twitter friend was asking for an easy Christmas Cookie recipe. This one is even better than easy - you can make it ahead! Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Christmas Cookies
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large egg white
Sanding sugar or any decorating sugar

Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
Beat butter with mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add sugar to butter, beating at medium speed until blended.
Add vanilla and egg white and beat well.
Add flour mixture, stirring until well blended.
Dump the dough out onto waxed paper and shape into a 6 inch long log.
Pour sanding sugar onto waxed paper and roll log through it to coat all around the log.
Wrap the log in the waxed paper and place in zip top plastic bag and refrigerate or freeze until you are ready to use!

Preheat oven to 350.
Remove log from waxed paper and slice into 1/4 inch slices.
Place about an inch apart on baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from pan and cool on wire racks.
Makes about 2 dozen.

An Ode to Creepy Internet Friends

Over the last few years, I have met some incredible people online. I don't know how to explain just how great these friends are. Before you get all excited and begin to lecture me about internet safety, I want you to know that I took things slowly and cautiously... and the only time I have been uncomfortable was not because of one of my CIFs, it was because of a client. (a story best left untold)

The strangest thing about having Internet friends is that I don't know them in person. I feel absolutely comfortable communicating with them online and even in text messages, but I have not physically met even one of them. Yet... when I am having a rough day, they encourage me. When I have a problem - they are right there trying to help me. And they NEVER judge me.

I hope that one day I may meet my online friends face-to-face. Some of them are planning a get together for next year. I won't be able to go... but know they will text me and message me and I will be there in spirit... and they will miss me too... because we are friends.

Potential Employer Questions: Was I Right to be Offended?

I recently applied for a blogging gig for a company that sells products both online and in physical stores. They sent out a mass email, asking all applicants to complete a survey so they could whittle down the list of candidates. The first several questions were basic, but then things got a little uncomfortable.

I was asked if I had shopped on their site. Well, no, I hadn't, but I had visited it. I was, of course then unable to answer the question asking about my experience with their store or website. I was then asked where the nearest physical store location was located. I had to use their completely unacceptable store finder to finally locate the nearest one.

This when it got even odder. I was asked about my blog and the url. No big deal. Then I was asked if I sell advertising on my blog and if I am willing to share this new business blog on my other blog. The next question asked if I tweet. Why, yes, I do... but why do you care how many followers I have? It then asks for numbers of blog subscribers (none - this is a newer blog), facebook friends, and even the number of contacts in my email address book!

When I finally bypassed those questions, I found my way to the creative writing section. It asked for a story about my childhood. Then I was to choose a product and say why it would make a good gift, and then 10 varied blog subjects for comment.

I stopped answering questions when I was asked about my social networking. It felt like a fishing expedition for the most prolific tweeters with the largest followings who could be used to promote the business. I emailed the company and told them this. I also told them that I would not be applying for a job with them. They danced around my issues and said that I wouldn't be expected to use my address book... but if I chose to...

I choose not to. The questions were too pushy and seemed ethically questionable. I'll find work elsewhere.