Google fills poor people's bank accounts

Here's a story to make you all feel shiny and happy.

Google's hidden payroll at the Christian Science Monitor

What's really great is that the people making money off of AdSense are producing top-notch content that I rely on whenever I have, say, technical questions, and that others rely on for cultural and religious forums. Etc.

I've got the Christian Science Monitor on my short-term list of future writing outlets. They print stories that actually assume that there's more to life than money and real estate. It's really novel.

By the way, check out my new website launch: EricaWriter.com
and let me know what you think. And if you're an artist, don't hesitate to get in touch with me for web design. It's more of a love rather than money thing, which means, even if you're starving, we can work something out.

All my best,

Erica.

saving a horse or the planet

This is Brooke. She lives across the street from us in a teensy weensy little corral. I have felt bad for this horse since I've been here, but mostly don't do anything about it. Occasionally his Artness and I will feed her carrots, but that seems like so little for an animal who lacks companionship and a place to run.
Today, I went over and brushed her. I could tell she liked it; she made sure that I could reach every part of her through the fence.
Brooke made me realize that sometimes you can't change a crappy situation, but you can help a little - especially if you don't let the pain get you down and just give what you can.

Why the lady doth protest

I get the sense that some of you all might not understand why Brad, Carol, Gene, Trilight and others stood out for hours on the war anniversary. Truth is, I wasn't even sure. My best friend, Jason, asked that hard question when I had barely begun to recover from that difficult vigil, and I told him the truth. I didn't do it to change minds, I didn't do it to change anything. I did it for myself. It's a vigil I do once a year (and I'm convinced I'll do it next year as well) to mark the anniversary as a difficult tragedy.

What, you may ask, do I do the rest of the year? I build bridges. I find similiarites with people whom I should by my political beliefs detest. Everything I do is guided by that. That's why it's easy to be in a loving relationship with a man who's away at sniper school right now. Because our similiarites are greater than our differences. And because I trust that he is a good and loving person of high ethics and integrity. While I myself feel no need to go to sniper school, I don't have a desire to stop him. In fact I said, "Honey, when your peace activist girlfriend tells you to buy a new assault rifle and go to sniper school, it's time to think about it."
Okay, I know this horrifies some of you, but the man, who writes an outdoor (think huntin' fishin' shootin') column, was able to work my vigil into last Friday's edition with a little humor but dead serious intent. He's into building bridges, too.
So why I do it. Because I must. I must mark that day. And will continue to do so until there's no anniversary to mark. And I'll continue to be grateful to Jason and all of my friends who lovingly point out that it seems a little wonky. Because it is. But so's the war.