PearlyWrites Yahoo Group

For any freelancer interested in receiving an email or daily digest with the open projects PearlyWrites receives, then please sign up at the PearlyWrites Yahoo Group.

Please note that if you are a new freelancer to the group, I would need to see samples or an online portfolio before approving membership. Also there are copies of the NDA and Independent Contractor Agreement available under files which I would need before any project details will be given.

Developing this group is a way to ensure all freelancers receive a message when there are open projects as well as to try and make management easier. Please make this group yours and feel free to share in the discussions and thoughts about freelancing.

Google's Changing Algorithm?

As reported on CNet yesterday,

Is Google's PageRank algorithm changing?

There are many speculations about if this rumor is true or why Google wants to change their continued plan to conquering the Internet and make an online marketer rich world to totally dropping many high ranking sites down the totem pole.

Do you think Google likes that they have the power over the entire search engine market and building an Internet empire? Yes of course they do! Between all the buying of other companies, they just keep getting bigger and stronger but to change the algorithm that may hurt some companies, is the power going to far?

Or we can look at it another way; with the changing of the algorithm, will it give the smaller Websites and online businesses a chance to rank higher in the SERP's? Unfortunately I cannot answer this question but would be interested in seeing if this rumor is true, how it will affect the online-racking-in-the-money business to the smaller gal's online, working-hard-to-pay-the-bills eCommerce business.

Let's tune in together to find out what Google has planned next...

A Free Affiliate Site

If you are interested in Internet Marketing, have you ever heard of MoreNiche?

One of my online networking connections pointed me to this site a few months ago and I didn't give it enough time to review. The past two weeks I have been reading and reviewing the entire site more and they offer TONS of free information for their affiliates to use. From Webmaster ideas, forum support and the main Webmaster is always on the forums answering the newbie's questions.

The members of MoreNiche are very supportive and it is a great place to learn about how to market your products and services online. If you are learning what SEO is or want to learn more about it, there are free resources, guides and articles to use.

If you have any questions about MoreNiche or want to learn more about how affiliate programs can bring you a consistent income, visit the site and read some of the available information.

Man finds 3.92ct White Diamond

Did you know there are parks all around the country to go rock hounding? Recently a man and his fiance from Wisconsin found a 3.92ct White diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.

I wonder how rare it is to find a diamond in the diamond park. What I mean is the gems you would find in the park, are they worth a certain amount of money that your findings would be worth selling or would the experience to keep the gems mean more to you?

Well girls, they say diamonds are a girl's best friend so why not take the trip to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas and hunt for the diamond of your dreams!

My First AdWords Workshop

Since I was accepted into Simon Leung's apprentice program, I have been waiting to be assigned a project to work on. I received an email Sunday night about starting to do some copywriting for one of his newest ideas and then yesterday, received an IM from Simon inviting me to his AdWords workshop.

After a whole minute of thought, I was on the phone booking my flight and hotel room to San Jose, Cali. I have been studying on my own about AdSense and AdWords but it is different attending a 3-day workshop from one of the Google Masters!

The workshop is November 9 - 11 and I will be flying up on November 8 and returning Sunday evening. Now all I have to do is get that song out of my head, "lalalallala on my way to San Jose dahdahdaaaa."

(I don't even know the words but the tune has not left my brain yet.)

Vaccines and Children

A news story was posted today on the Yahoo News home page about parents faking religious beliefs so their children do not have to receive vaccinations such as chicken pox, mumps and measles.

First of all this is not a new topic; vaccinations (though mandatory by the government and school districts) are believed by many parents and organizations that the vaccines are to blame for causing certain illnesses. Illnesses such as autism and mental health issues are the two most concerning parents.

Quoted from the news story: Even though government-funded studies have found no link between vaccines and autism, loosely organized groups of parents and even popular cultural figures such as radio host Don Imus have voiced concerns. Most of the furor on Internet message boards and Web sites has been about a mercury-based preservative once used in vaccines that some believe contributes to neurological disorders.

You can look at this argument from both sides, the parents and the government. I've experienced both from being vaccinated since as my mother says it, "I didn't know any better and would have chosen not to vaccinate you and your sisters," to seeing close friends who were vaccinated and then becoming ill after a chicken pox vaccination which caused paralysis and long term physical disabilities.

Parents are aware of the risks they are taking by not vaccinating their children; but they are more scared of what the vaccinations can do to their children's body chemistry both mentally and physically. This will be an on going debate in the eyes of the government but to give the parents the choice to vaccinate or not to vaccinate is part of our American freedom.

Colbert for President!

If you watched The Daily Show with Job Stewart last night, then you saw Stephen Colbert make a guest appearance on his old stompping grounds. He came out ridden on a tricycle by Uncle Sam, played by Justin from Stewart's staff.

The two sat down for an "interview" where Colbert gave Stewart a card to read prompting him and poking fun at the way the presidential candidates announced their decision to run.

Colbert announced he is considering running in his home state of South Carolina BUT will announce his decision on a more prestigious show.

The Colbert Report aired after The Daily Show and Colbert announced that he will be running for President in the state of South Carolina. Should be interesting to see the outcome of his announcement.

Worked on New Book

Today I finally dedicated the entire day to working on my new book. I conducted research and began my outline of how I want the book set up.

It will be about Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona with many photographs and not too much writing. Yes, a second passion of mine is photography so when I was asked if I would be interested in a book where the majority of the book will be pictures, I jumped at the opportunity, as well as bought a new camera.

Of course I told a few local people about the book already and they made some snobby comments like, "Um, well hasn't that been done already?" Instead of responding back nastily, I just smiled and said, "Yes, probably but aren't there tons of books with the same story published and different character names?"

OK maybe that was a little snobby response back...but what is a new author to do? Be insulted before the book has been completed?

I did go to Barnes and Noble to check out my competition and there wasn't too many books. The concept of the publisher is a very unique one so I am hoping this will help with interest and book sales. I am also trying to feature places that other touring books have not covered.

Spoke to my publisher today as well to get a few questions answered like do I need signed releases and I never received the book building guide.

Two hours before the work week is over, or is it?

The Week Isn't Over Yet?

I began this week with a surprise trip from my husband to Kauai, Hawaii. Our sixth wedding anniversary was this past Sunday and after not taking a vacation for 3 years, my husband decided it was time to get away.

With both of our working schedules, we both could only take off for a few days and he chose Hawaii. Long flight for a short few day trip but def. worth seeing. We stayed on the GREEN island as they call it. 500 inches of rain a year since most of the island is a rain forest and we did see some sun. The beaches are gorgeous of course!

Flew home on the red eye Monday night on US Airways on the most uncomfortable plane seats that ever existed! Neither one of us slept and I did have a few outburst as people kept pushing my chair and waking me up since somehow I ended up sitting on the aisle seat.

Finally got back to normal Tuesday night after taking a few hours to sleep and get back to work!

Oddity client's interview posted in the New York Times so wonderful news for them! Congrats!

Writers got wonderful compliments! Thank you and Woohoo!

Jewish holidays coming to an end soon.

With all the excitement and traveling this week, I feel the week is over. But obviously it is Thursday and The Week Isn't Over Yet! Oy Vey!