Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bright Hub Closing Its Doors?

  By Susan Barton | December 10, 2011 - 1:53 pm | , , ,
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I recently received the email below and wanted to share it with anyone considering a “career” with BrightHub.com. As my previous article concerning my experience with Bright Hub explains, I was unceremoniously fired from Bright Hub after challenging the opinion of Ms. Thing Editor, Michelle McDonough, so I’m wondering why I even received this email. From the looks of this email it will now be necessary to write even longer articles for even less money. Good luck to anyone who’s desperate enough to slave away for these morons.

 

Dear Susan Barton:

Bright Hub has focused on providing value to our readers, our writers, and our advertisers since 2007. We have made adjustments along the way to remain competitive in a fast-changing environment, and currently, over 5 million visitors a month engage with the Bright Hub site. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our writing and editing community.

The last few months have been particularly challenging. Like many companies we are facing the reality of a changed economy, while simultaneously working to increase visitors in a post-Panda world. This combination of market forces has required us to make some hard decisions about our business model moving forward, including the elimination of some internal staff positions as well as our ‘Shared Success’ writer program.

Therefore, our current writer and editor roles have ended, effective immediately, and your last payment for revenue-sharing will be on December 15. Any updates or editing of previously created content will be handled by internal staff.  And, if we should ever need to delete one of your articles, we will return the article and copyright to you via email, utilizing our current article notification system.

Does this mean we are closing our virtual doors? No. Bright Hub will continue to focus on our core content areas of Business, Technology and Education, and will be contracting on an ad hoc basis with a small group of writers and editors, who will work closely with our in-house editorial team. Fees for both writing assignments and editing work will be based on the length and depth of content coverage needed. In addition, content strategy consultants will be utilized in key areas. These will be professionals with their thumb directly on the pulse of the industries we cover. These strategists will work with our editorial team to ensure we are providing a rich reader-experience for our many website visitors.

If you would like to be considered for future contract work, please send a note to support@brighthub.com. This is also the email you should direct any questions or concerns to about the changes we have outlined here. Internally, Bright Hub is losing two key staff members, Kelly Walborn and Krista Cramer.  They were valuable members of our Bright Hub team and we wish them well in their new career opportunities.  In addition, both Kim Lloyd and Neil Henry are transitioning out of their current roles, but still remain at Bright Hub working on internal projects until sometime in January.  Tracy Sabattis will be assuming leadership of the editorial community, with support from Josh McWilliam and Carly Smith.

We understand that for many of you, the time will have come to part ways. Some of you have been with Bright Hub for a long time, and we are crushed to say goodbye to beloved members of the team, both internal and external. We are grateful and reflective of the success we had together. We thank you for all of your hard work, your commitment and your patience as we journeyed together throughout these tumultuous times, and wish you much future success.

Sincerely,

William Phelan

CEO

Bright Hub, Inc.

 

The Two of Pentacles and the Juggler’s Lesson for Life

  By Susan Barton | November 27, 2011 - 8:14 pm | , ,
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“The trick to juggling is determining which balls are made of rubber and which ones are made of glass.” ~ Anonymous

 

 

 

Once there was a man who made his living as a juggler in his tiny village. The local children gathered every afternoon to watch his performance. They cheered, clapped, threw down a few coins and asked for more. The juggler was happy to oblige and continued his juggling tricks long after sundown.  Although the juggler provided a great deal of joy to the village children, his bills were late, his children were hungry and his wife was very unhappy.

So the juggler set out for the neighboring villages to perform his juggling act. He worked long hours to build his juggling business and before long his skills became legendary and were in great demand. The juggler was happy to be able to send home large sums of money, until he received word that his crops were dying, his wife had fallen ill and the children missed him immensely. 

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Looking at the Two of Pentacles above we see a man concentrating on balancing two spheres. As one ball goes up, the other comes down and we’re left to wonder how long the process will go on before the juggler tires, gives up, or drops one or both globes. In the background are two ships at sea. They smoothly ride the waves of the ocean, or cruise the ups and downs of life.

Many of us feel as though we must be master jugglers, often struggling to find a happy medium between work, family and play. The process of constant multi-tasking can take a toll on our health and quality of life and relationships. The willingness to delegate some of our responsibilities to others is often a frightening proposition. We worry that no one else is capable of taking adequate care of our business, home or family.

The Two of Pentacles reminds us that maintaining balance in our lives is important. Flexibility is crucial, as we often see our lives going in one direction, but circumstances can force us to quickly change course. There’s a bit of childlike playfulness in the way this juggler performs his balancing act. Life often presents us with challenges, but if we see these  challenges as opportunities to grow, improve and advance it will ultimately benefit us and those around us.

We can help ourselves greatly when we decide which balls to balance, which to delegate and which to drop by assessing, organizing and prioritizing professional and personal responsibilities. Restructuring, delegating or even abandoning unproductive methods can make our daily lives run more smoothly.

Some questions to ask ourselves:

What responsibilities do you see yourself juggling?

What, if any, aspects of your professional and personal life are being sacrificed by your juggling/multi-tasking?

Which jobs, tasks and responsibilities would you classify as rubber (resilient and durable)? Which are glass (fragile and delicate)?

As a result of your juggling act, which problems do you see as the most damaging to you, your business or your family?

Which tasks do you feel most comfortable delegating to others?

Hectic, stressful lives can often get the better of many of us. Celebrating the progress made along the way will be our reward in the end.

 

So You Want To Be A Nanny? The Prelude…

  By Susan Barton | June 27, 2011 - 2:36 am |
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So, maybe someone told you about all the money to be made as a nanny. What could be so difficult about getting paid to take care of someone’s children? Live-in? Sure, why not? Room and board, possibly in an exciting city like New York or Los Angeles? Nanny to a wealthy family sounds like a plan to me. But before you jump head first in to the world of Nannydom allow me to share my adventures with you. The story is a long one, so I’ll post it as a series. Here’s the beginning:

I am leaving the comfortable safety of my home tomorrow for New York City. Well, Scarsdale in Westchester County to be exact. Why? I’ve decided to accept a nanny position. My town is so poor and depressed that it’s just about impossible to find a well-paying job, let alone any sort of job at all. I’m tired of working at menial jobs. About the only thing I haven’t done yet is work at a fast food “restaurant”. And, at this point in my life that’s not something I want to be doing. But that would have been my next step had I remained. It’s sad when you have to leave your home to earn money to support yourself and a family.

I intend to keep a journal of my adventures in being a nanny. Hopefully I’ll have some clever and inspirational things to write. I thought about calling it “The Nanny Diaries”, but of course that’s already been taken. So I’ll have to think of another title.

For now I will be living in the Hamptons with my “new family” because they are spending the remainder of the Summer at their weekend house. I’ve been told it has 5 bedrooms, so it must be quite large. For the rest of the year my duties will take place at the family home in Scarsdale. The family seems nice. Extremely priviledged. I’m nice, but poor. I’m hoping that I can somehow feel comfortable in my new environment. I keep telling myself they’re not adopting me, just hiring me. So it’s okay to be on a different social level. That doesn’t make me any less of a person.

 The family is of a different religion than I am. I don’t think the mom understands my tattoos. Especially my reference to my “lives” instead of “life”. She asked me about it and I sheepishly explained I believe in reincarnation. I wish I could be more assertive when it comes to explaining my beliefs. She sort of looked surprised, but didn’t really comment. She seems open enough not to judge. This is good because I am pretty unconventional.

The children are typical children. Active, bright, etc. But I get a sense their mom is a strict disciplinarian. I am not. I have always been very lax and lenient. It’s beginning to feel a bit like “Wife Swap”. I wonder if I could get a reality show out of this gig. I don’t think the other mom would want to swap with me. Somehow I don’t see her living here happily. Although the thought is pretty funny.

It’s really going to bug me that I can’t post while I’m away. Writing is therapeutic. I won’t have my computer and I don’t even know if they have the internet at their weekend home. Although I’d be willing to bet they do. If they have a computer and the internet I’ll continue to post. Otherwise I’ll write again when I come back on the 25th. I have to be here for the 28th because I’m going to see Linkin’ Park at the NY State Fair. I mentioned this to my new employer and she didn’t even know who Linkin’ Park was. Hmmm…guess the other half does live differently.

To be continued…here and here.

Yogurt Commercial Promotes Anorexia?

  By Susan Barton | June 19, 2011 - 11:07 pm | ,
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According to several recent news articles and reports, the manufacturers of Yoplait yogurt, recently agreed to pull a commercial the National Eating Disorders Association was claiming promoted eating disorders. The commerical shows a woman agonizing in front of an open refrigerator trying to decide whether to eat a piece of cheesecake or not. While she contemplates her decision, she mentally gives herself reasons and justifications for eating the fatty treat. This woman is primarily seen from the shoulders up so (contrary to what other articles seem to be saying) we really have no idea how thin she is. Before she chooses the cheesecake another woman comes up next to her and takes a Yoplait yogurt from the refrigerator. Woman number one compliments woman number two on how good she looks since she lost weight. In the end we see woman number one happily eating a Yoplait yogurt.

The National Eating Disorders Association’s website congratulated Yoplait, saying “Yoplait demonstrated responsibility regarding our mental and physical health, and we applaud them for making their consumer’s health a top priority!” And they go on to suggest consumers “show Yoplait your appreciation by writing to them using the sample letter provided!”

Apparently the NEDA was notified via their website’s Media Watchdog page. According to the site, “Media Watchdogs are volunteers across the country who choose to closely monitor various forms of media, commending or critiquing advertisements or programs that positively or negatively impact body image and self-concept. Watchdogs monitor TV, radio, newspaper, magazine and internet ads or programs and send notices of ads or programs worthy of praise or protest to the National Eating Disorders Association office.”

Are we to accept that Yoplait advertises its product any differently than any other reduced calorie product? Are we as consumers now forced to have a watchdog group deciding what commercials and advertisements we can and cannot view? Yes, anorexia is a serious disorder that reportedly effects one half to one percent of females in the U.S. (males are effected as well), but so is alcoholism which effects a much larger number of Americans and has some pretty devastating effects and consequences. Does viewing a beer commercial force people to go out and get drunk?

Overeating, under eating, over drinking and other behaviors are all personal choices. Enough with the commercial/ad/television show/movie-made-me-do-it mentality. We’ve become a nation of finger pointing whiners.

Incidentally, despite the claims from Yoplait, this commercial is still being shown. I have seen them myself so should I report them? Or should actually I allow people to make their own decisions?

You Call This Penny Pinching?

  By Susan Barton | June 17, 2011 - 9:27 pm | ,
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This Yahoo article had me scratching my head. It features 2 individuals and 3 families who call themselves extreme  penny pinchers. In my opinion, only one of these examples of thriftyness has something of any value to share.

We have one woman who says she saves $300 over the course of a year by eating off the dollar menu at fast food restaurants. Really? I hope she’s saving up for the cholesterol and heart medication she’s going to need if she keeps eating greasy, fried food. Sure lady, you’re saving money but you’re not eating healthy. She claims she orders food without the mayo or sausage but fast food is all crap and most people have come to know this.

Then we have a family who decided to raise pigs in order to save money and eat a healthy diet. What? First of all it costs money to house, feed and provide veterinary care of farm animals. And, pigs? Since when is pork a healthy food choice? Not to mention what probably happens when the time comes to slaughter Wilbur and Babe and slap him on the dinner table. Grow some vegetables. It’s cheaper, better for you and you don’t have to kill it.

Next we have a set of parents who make their kids pay for dinner. There’s no mention of where the kids get the money. Since they look pretty young in the picture I’m thinking it must be from their weekly allowance and last I knew parents provide that so where’s the savings?

Then there’s a guy who collects vacuums from the side of the road. He claims he makes approximately $400 per year picking up these discarded items and selling them on craigslist. First of all, where does this guy live that there’s a constant supply of discarded vacuums? And is all this driving around, using up pricey gas, posting on craigslist, having complete strangers come to your home worth it?

Finally, there’s one penny pincher who seems to have made a sensible choice and is saving some actual money. By moving to an old mobile home in the middle of nowhere on some acreage where he raises cows, chickens and goats. His previous home was already in foreclosure so he didn’t have too much of a choice.

I respect other writers, I really do. But when I see a teasing picture or video on Yahoo’s homepage I expect to read something new, innovative and valid. Not some off the wall sillyness.



Skim Scam Flim Flam

  By Susan Barton | June 15, 2011 - 6:51 pm | , ,
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I like to paint. I find it to be a lot cheaper than therapy. When I moved from NY to Texas I left so many of my beloved belongings behind (long story). Among those many things were my art supplies. So I recently took a trip to a neighborhood Michael’s Craft Store to begin building my art supplies back up. Seventy bucks later, I was well on the road to painting my way to happiness once more. Until I read a Yahoo article about skimming scams.

It seems Michael’s was recently yet another target of a debit card scam. Seems the arts and crafts chain had no idea what had happened, only finding out when they were contacted by “banking and law enforcement authorities” after they in turn had been contacted by customers. Numerous customers had noticed fraudulent charges made to their debit cards which ultimately had been traced back to transactions made at Michael’s stores. As I read further into the article I saw that the skimming scam had been perpetrated at Michael’s stores across the country. Then I came across a quote stating that several customers at a local Irving, Texas store had had their debit card information compromised. Eeek! That would be me!

I immediately checked my balance online and was relieved to see all was well with my account. Still unconvinced I then called the bank and was reassured that my account was uncompromised and they “had taken care of the informational breach”. Whew. To date, Michael’s claims it has removed all pin pads from all stores, but is still suggesting customers continue to monitor their accounts for suspicious behavior. However and obviously, skimming scammers are getting more and more sophisticated. Actual physical tampering of individual pin pads would have been necessary to conduct a scam like this. How did this happen?

These scams have been around for a few years now, but in the past have mostly been limited to gas stations and ATMS, places that aren’t usually monitored regularly. But the scam is obviously growing and getting more and more advanced. As was the case in the Michael’s scam, crooks were able to slip a tiny device into the pin pads that then allowed them to read the magnetic strip on debit cards as customers swiped them. And then a tiny camera was able to record customers as they entered their pin numbers. Some experts say that the average consumer has a one in five chance of being a victim. Unbelievable. So what are we supposed to do? We need to use our debit cards and most of us don’t feel comfortable carrying only cash. Here’s some excellent advice written by Yahoo Finance contributor, Dan Kadlec:

1. Cover your PIN. Your bankcard won’t work without the PIN. Thieves usually obtain the PIN with a small camera stationed near the card processor. So keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place. It might be a camera. In any event, shield the keypad with your body or free hand when entering your PIN.

2. Be selective with your ATM. Again, look for anything out of place. Any wires exposed? Tape evident? Hardware loose? If so, find another ATM. Use an ATM inside a bank whenever possible. Stay away from ATMs in remote locations or that appear seldom used. These are easy to tamper with and might even be dummy cash machines.

3. Leave some wiggle room. When you insert your card, wiggle it while it’s in the slot. If something seems loose, there might be theft device attached to the swipe hardware. Wiggling the card might jar the theft device from its hiding place.

4. Monitor your accounts. One of the best protections against continued use of your stolen information is to check bank statements regularly. With a debit card, you may be responsible for the first $50 and you must report theft within two business days of discovery and no later than 60 days after the theft for protection. Credit cards have more protections and might be a better choice if you have any reservations about an ATM or processing machine.

5. Look for security cameras. ATMs and gas pumps that are under video surveillance and have cameras aimed directly at the card readers are less likely to be fitted with card-skimming equipment.

6. Keep an eye on your card. When you give your card to a waiter or clerk, be skeptical of any request to swipe it through multiple devices or if they must leave your sight.

7. Be careful at the gas station. Gas stations are among the most prone to skimming. Use a credit card or choose the credit option on your bankcard.

Hello and Welcome!

  By Susan Barton | June 15, 2011 - 6:27 pm | ,
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I began blogging many years ago, with my original site, lovesleftovers.wordpress.com, as a way to share my personal views on just about everything. I’d like this site to be just as eclectic, but a little more focused – hence the Quotes, Photography, Articles and Podcasts tagline.

I’ve been a freelance writer for years, first while my three children were babies and throughout their childhood. I managed to raise my children as a single mom while running a couple of home-based businesses, most notably a daycare business and my writing business. I’m currently a contributing author to several article directories and websites and have several business and individual clients I write for. If you I can write something (articles, SEO articles, web content, newsletter and ezine articles, etc.) for you please let me know by contacting me via email at info@lovesleftovers.com. Or you can visit my business website to see how my associates and I can help you.

I am also an Indie book promoter and marketer. If you’re an Indie author and would like some FREE marketing services, please visit eBook Review Gal for more information. I also provide services to artists, musicians and business owners.

I’m a photographer, and so is my husband. Although my husband has his own photography website, I’ll still be sharing some of his beautiful photos here. Please don’t copy any photos. If you’d like to use our photos, we ask that you email us for permission to do so. This request goes for anything else included in the site.