New Year's Resolutions

I don't often make New Year's Resolutions. I prefer to set goals. That way if I don't follow through there's less guilt.

Last New Years, I vowed to read the Bible cover to cover in 2008, and after today's reading I'll have finished. It was a great goal to set, and I think I might just start over and do it again next year.

One thing about reading the Bible for yourself, and in its entirety: you get a better idea of the things that are important to God. When he repeats something twice, you know he means business. But what about when he repeats some over and over and over and over? I think you can pretty much assume that it's a priority.

This past year, the message that I read again and again (and again and again and again) was that, more than sacrifice, God desires for us to act justly, show mercy, be compassionate, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and love our God with our entire hearts and souls. When we do that, we worship God.

So in 2008, I have three goals:

1) To act justly, show mercy and compassion, and to love God with my heart, mind and soul. I'd like to do a mission or service project a month, for example.

2) To stop eating shellfish and pork. When I was reading the dietary law, I was reminded of a book I read called "Holy Cow," by Hope Egan. There's a reason why God abhors it when we eat shellfish; he created those creatures to clean up after us, filter out pollution and toxins. So we shouldn't eat them. Same with pork. So I figure if God abhors it, I should try and obey. I can't promise I won't screw this one us. I love bacon and shrimp. But I'm going to do my best.

3) To have one adventure a month. I might kill two birds with one stone with #1, but as much as possible I'd like to try something new, do something outside of my comfort zone, and be adventurous.

Post Christmas blues

I am exhausted. I mean, truly exhausted. The holidays have drained me physically and emotionally, and what's weird is that this was one of the most low-key, unbusy Christmases ever on record.

And yet today, I can barely keep my eyes open. I've been oversleeping every day for the past two weeks. I think it might be just some after effects from that virus/cold I had a couple of weeks ago. But I have one more holiday family visit this week, and then it's back to normal. That, and a major feature story to write.

Just the thought of it makes me want to take a nap.

Making money on YouTube?

I just saw this guy on the "Tyra" show, and he was saying that he's a "professional YouTuber," meaning he makes his living off of YouTube. Quite a nice living, in fact. He makes $20,000 a month off of his YouTube videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/smpfilms

How on earth does someone make that kind of money on YouTube? I don't see any ads on his site (well, maybe that "click here for your fortune" is an ad) and as far as I know, people don't pay to watch the videos.

So where's all this money coming from?

Me? Look like Julianne Moore?

I was at agility class the other night (aka circus dog school) when one of the women asked me if anyone had ever told me that I look just like Julianne Moore. I did have someone tell me that, once. I've also been told that I look like Courtney Cox (when I was younger, slimmer and had darker hair) and Glenn Close (um ... err ...)

The woman said the resemblence was incredible. Really? Huh. I don't see it, but I'll take it.

Need feedback for an article on social networking

Hey all! I'm working on an article on social networking and wondering if you wanted to share some thoughts. It's a fairly major story that will run nationwide and simultaneously in numerous Christian newspapers. Just looking for some general info right now. You can send me an email to joanneATjoannebrokawDOTcom or leave a message in the comment section:

If you're a Christian, which social networking sites do you frequent the most? (Facebook, MySpace, Shoutlife, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc)

What are you looking for on the sites? Dating? Professional networking? Way to kill time? Connect with old friends?

Have you ever had an uncomfortable or even scary experience social networking? Had someone stalk you? Use the site to slander you? Make unwanted advances? Get involved in an inappropriate relationship with someone you met on a social networking site? Do something online you wouldn't normally do in person?

What's good about social networking sites? What's bad?

Do you have kids, and if so, do you set limits (and what kind) for them on sites like MySpace, Facebook, etc?

Are you over or under 18? Over 30? Over 50?

Can I contact you for more information?

Working on my dogvotional

Well, I've become a minor victim of the flailing economy. I had a small part time job with a publication, and found out yesterday that, at least for December, there isn't money in the budget for me.

That's not as bad as it sounds. I love the job and am really grateful for the money I've made over the past few months. But it's also quite possible that God wants me to finish up some other stuff I'm working on and this might be the only way to get me to do it.

So I'm just using that time to work on the dog book instead. I drafted a chapter yesterday and my good friend Phil is keeping me accountable to write one at least every week.

One thing that I found really interesting as I write the dog book: I didn't journal during the months after Natasha died and we got Scout. Weird. I journaled the day we put her down, and then picked up again sometime in September. Thankfully, I blogged a little, and I took a boatload of pictures, so I can piece together some of the events I wanted to write about.

Just goes to show how important it is to write every day!