well then

Aug. 5th, 2009 05:55 pm
ontology: (Default)
[personal profile] ontology
Talked to parents about The Great Escape last night; it went both better and worse than I expected, but the best part is that it's over and I don't have to think about it (or panic about the bit where I have to talk to people on purpose about a specific thing, which sends me into fits of terror no matter how benign the subject or how intimately known the people). Most of the "worse" was me not being nearly as eloquent or sense-making with my mouth as I was in my head, and my body's inclination to start crying before someone's even had time to drop the proverbial hat. All that to say -- I almost have a plan. I think.

So: parents largely supportive, if somewhat taken aback, I think. Dad is going to teach me to drive, and start investing in the small economy car we've been talking about getting for the last year (cannot learn on Mum's car for it is broken; cannot learn on Dad's car for it is a hippie van of hugeness). I am going to study the driver's manual, and make up catchy songs to make me remember everything if I have to. Apparently one can learn to drive and get one's license in a few weeks if one is diligent and learns well? I was always under the vague impression that it took months. I think having bicycled on main roads so much will be at least a little helpful -- cars are entirely different, of course, but I've internalised a lot of rules and knowledge of how things work.

I am also seeking out-of-the-box ideas for making money; Dad suggests I have at least a thousand saved. This is laughable with my current job or lack thereof (stilllll on the payroll! but aside from my name being on it you couldn't tell I worked there), hence the rather mad ideas I am coming up with, including but not limited to selling plasma to the Red Cross (you can get about thirty bucks in a week) and donating my body to Science. Which, um, sort of appeals to me, actually, in an Adventure sort of way. There's nothing right in town, but I'm looking into Pittsburgh and State College next. Dad did some of that years ago -- he had to wear some kind of patch for some drug they were testing; I don't remember anything else -- and, you know, I'm young and healthy and weird side affects aren't going to be hugely problematic to my life at the moment (I mean, unless they make me go insane or break out in giant puss-filled boils, or both), and I have the time and freedom to stay at a hospital or some such for several weeks if there's a sleep study or some such I can participate in. It is quite possible that this could take care of all of the necessary money in one go: and, as I said, it kind of appeals to me in a weird way. I like new experiences, helping scientific advances is nifty, and money is pretty nice. So, yes, that's what I'm looking into at the moment.

Haven't talked to the other parts of the plan -- relations and Susu -- yet, so we'll see where that gets me.

Am I really doing this? I must be mad.

Date: 2009-08-05 11:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lady-moriel.livejournal.com
Ah, yeah, but we're all mad here...

Hm, selling blood plasma to the Red Cross, I wonder if I could do that. You know, despite the fact that even getting a couple vials taken, at least at the wrong time of day, makes me want to pass out. >_< And don't forget to look for psych and econ experiments too, whether at Pittsburgh, State College, or there in town; as opposed to medical trials, they'd probably pay a lot less, but they'd take less time, too (a couple hours once, say). Aaaaand don't forget trying for an online job. No really. Yes I am a broken record why do you ask. Also you should look into publishing some of your poems, and any OF you might have finished, which...probably isn't much, but I could see your apocalyptic piece being picked up. Ralan's (http://www.ralan.com/index-f.htm) might be a good place to look for market listings, despite its...uh, less-than-professional appearance. Lots of spec-fiction listings. Apparently that Turkshido coffee stories book isn't available as a HIT anymore, which is sad, but keep checking MTurk, too. And you might want to add Magpie (http://www.be-a-magpie.com) even if it's a little annoying; if you can get some decent "per view" ads, it can add up.

And good for you talking to your parents; the bigger a deal something is, the harder it is to talk about logically.

Date: 2009-08-05 11:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] take-a-sadsong.livejournal.com
Er, do you know if online freelance writing jobs are really good? My dad keeps telling me about them, but my mom wants me to wait until I'm graduated because I need to spend time writing school reports and stuff. But just wondering if it's worth it for maybe next summer or if I get some time this year.

Date: 2009-08-05 11:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lady-moriel.livejournal.com
I guess it really depends--a lot of what ends up listed on Online Writing Jobs (http://www.online-writing-jobs.com) turns out to not be online or at least not entirely, because it's based in some major city and you have to go there for training or something...and I have yet to actually get any because I've been busy. But I'm pretty sure 99% of it is legit, and what isn't should be relatively easy to identify (or flagged for removal already by the time you see it). A lot of what's there is relatively short projects, too, rather than ongoing jobs, so if time's a concern you might be able to do that. It just depends on what's there and what you're qualified for, I guess. This site (http://www.katieshugs.com) has some other decent work-at-home info.

Date: 2009-08-05 11:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] take-a-sadsong.livejournal.com
Not mad; I always had the feeling you'd go back to Boston from the way you've spoken of it for years. :) I think it's wonderful to go where you love.

Ha! Donating oneself to science is definitely adventurous, and I've thought about it too except, well, I don't know if I'd necessarily like to go through weird side effects, but if I was working toward a financial goal and I felt at peace about the clinical study, I wouldn't see much of a reason not to do it. (Neat story: My dad was actually on the board of judges in the eighties to test the flavor of this new drink called Mountain Dew; all the judges were given different samplings, some sweet and some horribly awful, and they had to rank them on scale. Dad made money and also helped to make history. :D)

In the same predicament with the car driving, though I'm hoping to start working on it soon. We have a minivan which I'm not really excited about learning to drive with, so I'm hoping I can acquire a small car. But, hey! If you learn to drive a hippie van of hugeness you can pretty much drive anything (sans: 18-wheelers and oliphants).

I'm really excited for you! :)

Date: 2009-08-05 11:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lady-moriel.livejournal.com
Also, re: driving, the amount of time it takes depends solely on how much time you can use to practice, really. It took me ages mostly because I didn't want to do it, but getting a learner's permit isn't hard; that's just a written test. Actually learning to drive can probably be done quickly if your parents/someone else above 21 have enough time to teach you. It takes rather longer to move from "OMG I need eight pairs of eyes to watch the road and my mirrors and my speed!" to muscle memory, and until that happens it's kind of nervewracking, but you don't have to be perfect to get a license--just, you know, not an imminent danger to other drivers. :p

Date: 2009-08-06 01:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] last-archangel.livejournal.com
You're not mad. You're brave. I bless you for it. I could never be that brave. I've never done anything brave in my life.

EDIT: Also, what do you think of this? It's actually a Rammstein cover of all things, and while it's a little eerie...

Date: 2009-08-10 08:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] faeriemaiden.livejournal.com
Ooooh, I like it. It reminds me of the choral stuff in the library.

On the subject of instrumentals, here (http://www.mediafire.com/?4fmn1iyyzhn) are the Bach cello suites I have, which are perfect writing music. I think the Suite No. 2 in Dm is the better fit; it's just deciding on a segment when they're all so glorious.

I also stumbled on this ridiculously perfect song the other day -- 'Berlin' (http://www.mediafire.com/?idfnjumdzyd), by Hanne Hukkelberg (lyrics (http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858640739/)). It has city-watching and Damiel/Marion! It might make a good opening, I'm not sure.

A handful of other instrumentals I found -- 'All Is Calm' (http://www.mediafire.com/?m21nwnmzy21), 'even/odd' (http://www.mediafire.com/?jzw0mzbynq2), or 'An Evening of Long Goodbyes' (http://www.mediafire.com/?1zdnv1uzyzt) by Rachel's; 'Weak in the Knees Across the Sky' (http://www.mediafire.com/?zzdjcmdtf32) by Linford Detweiler; and 'Beaten Wings' (http://www.mediafire.com/?ijmkclwwhyn) by Colm Mac Con Iomaire. I also wonder if Sarah Slean's 'Looking for Someone' (http://www.mediafire.com/?nmww2vqgmcn) (lyrics (http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858709956/)) might suit Marion?

Date: 2009-08-11 12:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] last-archangel.livejournal.com
Well, I am a huge Sarah Slean fan, so I'm willing to bet that I'll love the song and highly approve - and I haven't even listened to it yet!

So you like "Engel?" Good. I'll Amazon it tonight.

Date: 2009-08-06 03:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] burningstarsxe.livejournal.com
Oh I am glad the talking went well. As for driving, it's not quite as terrifying as it seems, although I'm still not fond of it. It is loads easier in a smaller car though. Avoid driving large vans at all costs.

Any vague ideas of a timeline for this?

And I say, selling plasma (and supposedly one can sell blood too? separate from blood drives, obviously) and such to the Red Cross is something I had heard of and found intriguing in a strange way. Pass on any info you find, would you? It seems to me a good way to make some extra cash, and it really appeals in the science fiction, (isn't this like black market vampire stuff?) adventurey sort of way. One probably has to be eighteen I suppose, but as I only have a few months until then...

Date: 2009-08-06 05:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] faeriemaiden.livejournal.com
Considering that I have bicycled through snowstorms and ice storms in order to get to work (parents are not cruel, but their cars do break down a lot... well, Mum's does, and Dad's is almost always at work when I have to be), the frighteningness of driving that has loomed over me the past several years is beginning to look a lot less bleak. Plus, you know, a lot of places to work in New England require driving. Like concerts, omg. No-one ever plays in DuBois. EVERYBODY plays in Boston. I have to be there. :D

Re. blood donating, the only information I have thus far is that the hospital doesn't do it directly and they told me to talk to the Red Cross. Apparently the local Red Cross is down the street from my house. I... don't recall ever having noticed it before in my life, but definitely talking to them soon. (Am indeed worried about black market vampire stuff, though.) I think one has to be eighteen -- but maybe you only have to be sixteen? I don't remember, having never done this before, although honestly I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner.

If there isn't anything in DuBois, parents have offered to drive me to Pittsburgh or State College if I find a scientific experiment thing to be in or something of the sort. Which is very nice of them, although they are probably just using me as an excuse for Panera/Trader Joe's/Starbucks.

Re. Harvard, of all of the people I could end up being collegemates with, you would be in the top five. ^-^ And although I am firmly convinced I will never, ever get into Harvard, looking at some of their programmes makes me dizzy with glee. Plus, HARVARD. and BOSTON. and BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC BUILDINGS. Also, have you looked into Emerson (http://www.emerson.edu/) at all? It is my first choice college -- overlooks the Boston common! wholly liberal arts & communications! (...does this mean they have few to no math classes?) really cool programs! build your own major! -- and when I got the first information booklet in the post I actually started crying. The second, more informative one pretty much made me stop being able to talk.

Date: 2009-08-07 01:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] burningstarsxe.livejournal.com
The only problem with living somewhere urban is that I will go to way too many concerts. Naturally there will be more which are low cost/free, but I am bad at resisting buying merch and such at shows, just because I like supporting artists. Not to mention the time spent that should probably be spent doing Useful Things. I have problems wanting to go to too many shows already, and that's with most of them being 2 1/2 hours away. :P

:D Now look here, I am quite sure you could easily get into Harvard. You're plenty bright enough, and all you'd need is to show them some writing examples. My sources tell me that Harvard really likes eclectic, interesting students. I think that's a good sign for both you and I, wot wot. And they are also supposed to be very friendly to homeschoolers.

Date: 2009-08-06 04:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aohdwyn.livejournal.com
I actually did both the plasma donation (totally worth the time, as you can sit and read while you donate, and (in my experience, anyway) one doesn't feel faint afterward, having gotten one's red blood cells back. The only unpleasant bit (depending on how you feel about needles) is how COLD the saline they suspend your blood cells in is when they stick them back inside you. Bring a sweater, no matter how warm the day is. I always spent a few moments shivering violently, during re-insertion.) and the trying-out-medical-experiments bit. Well, I only did the one, and it was totally easy, and I didn't experience any weird side effects, at all (of course, for all I know, I was on the placebo...) It was a pill for stomach problems (I was having a lot at the time, I'm pretty sure stress triggers my IBS) if I felt stomach pain, I would take a pill. Every evening, whether I had taken a pill or not, I would log on to the website the researchers had set up and fill out a short questionnaire. This was for, oh, a few weeks? Anyway, at the end, I had a physical, filled out more paperwork and questionnaires, and then got a check for a few hundred dollars. Not an unpleasant experience, and it helped me pay rent that month, so.

I guess what I'm trying to say in my tl;dr way is: these ARE real ways to make money, and I survived doing both(I donated plasma for several months, if I hadn't moved away from the donation centre in DeKalb [and the only one I know of] I'd still be doing it) with no ill effects.
Is it possible for you to get ahold of the school papers of local universities? I know I found the advertisements for both the plasma place AND the scientific study I participated in the NIU school paper -- college students are the prime targets for these things as they are young, healthy, and very, very broke, usually.

A thousand sounds like a good buffer; and you'd be surprised how quickly that can evaporate. (Although maybe I'm just bitter because I just watched my paychecks disappear in the usual beginning-of-the-goddamn-month way. =P )

You have some good, solid ideas on how to earn money; the hard part will be implementing them. The current state of the economy doesn't really help much, either. =/ But there's not much you can do about that.

You're a canny girl, I'm sure you'll be able to learn to drive, no problem. You'll find the hardest part is getting an adult driver to find the time to coach you. Are there any large, empty parking lots near your house where you can practice? Have any friends over 21 you can bribe with baked things? (I don't know what it's like where you live, but in IL the person helping the driving learner had to be over 21 and with a license of their own.)

Date: 2009-08-06 04:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lady-moriel.livejournal.com
Wait, you have IBS too? Not that I should've known that, I guess, since we only have mutual friends and haven't actually talked, but...y'know.

Date: 2009-08-06 05:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] faeriemaiden.livejournal.com
My father donated plasma when I was about six, which is why it came to mind... of course it was a lot more humiliating for him, as he was in his mid thirties with a family and we were so desperate for money that he turned to desperate things. (I've learnt a lot about weird, especially temporary, jobs from my father, whose willingness to do whatever it takes to keep his family safe and fed kind of awes me -- scientific studies, delivering phone books, selling promotional crap on street corners... the older I get the angrier I get -- he has a freaking MASTER'S DEGREE! Which he bloody well earned by being intelligent and hard-working! Quit screwing him over, universe of employment!)

Looked on Boston Craigslist, and the job market is definitely better than in my town, especially in the ratio of "jobs available" to "jobs I can/will actually do" (here, there's a lot of factory work, some fast food but not much, esp. as two restaurants just burnt down in May, so everyone from there needed new jobs, some educational stuff I'm not qualified for, et cetera). Sure, everything's wicked expensive, but I'd be living with people (I hope) who would supply me with basic food, and big cities have better opportunities for purchasing inexpensive local food and things like that. (OR TRADER JOE'S OH GOD I HOW I MISS YOU. Dad tells me it is also an excellent place to work for, so that's high on my list if Susu's doesn't work out. Panera is apparently quite good also? My father also mentioned that as crazy as it sounds, applying for a Panera job with a short essay on how much I love it and how we always scramble to find one when we're in a city because we just love and miss the cinnamon bagels THAT MUCH -- anyway, that this would actually maybe help? I dunno, he's worked a lot of jobs, so I reckon he'd know... Think outside the box, self. You're pretty good at doing that for a lot of mundane things -- now work at the really important stuff.)

My father has offered to teach me to drive as soon as we have the third car, so that should be good. Dad can get very cross and impatient, but he's a pretty good teacher-of-stuff. He may also make me bribe him with baked goods, though. Or demand them after the fact. I'm sure there are empty parking lots somewhere, though I can't think of one just now. Um... what about supermarkets and things? Some of ours are twenty-four hours, but not all of them -- do the parking lots clear out after hours? Oh well, I suppose he'll have the solutions for that.

asjshg donating my insides. :/ I'm really glad I've had blood drawn once -- when I was being diagnosed with depression they did blood tests to see if I had any medical issues that might be exacerbating it; I was clean, but blimey, I spent like two weeks dreading the taking of my blood! It wasn't so bad, though, and I don't remember feeling especially bad afterwards... of course plasma is a little different, but. *shrugs* Honestly, I'd rather a bit of pain than work a dour sort of job for a few months.

Being a grown-up is so weird.

Date: 2009-08-06 05:35 am (UTC)
aliseadae: (Default)
From: [personal profile] aliseadae
If you do decide to start submitting poetry Duotrope is a good site to find markets and Goblin Fruit is an excellent market. (http://duotrope.com/ and http://goblinfruit.net/).

Date: 2009-08-06 05:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] faeriemaiden.livejournal.com
I have been thinking about that, thanks for the recommendations! I'd like to write some marketable short stories, as well, but I've been working (albeit not so diligently) at that for years and haven't really got very far. I've considered shaving serial numbers off some fanfiction (I nearly always write minor characters, fortunately enough!), and there are stories I never get around to writing that perhaps I finally will -- having a computer is tremendously helpful with all of that, though. As much as I love notebooks and paper and resent the Machine Takeover (Kindle? NO GOD NO PLEASE SOMEONE KILL IT), my scattered brain takes much, much kindlier to neat words on a screen. And I'm really enjoying reading through Goblin Fruits' website! Thank you again!

Funny thing -- I tend to unconsciously think of myself as a child writer, unmarketable, not ready. Then I realise that I am a year from twenty, and quite a lot of people are starting their Careers by this age... o.O

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