Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Tiny URLs

Tired of URLs the size of War and Peace?

http://tinyurl.com/

Cute little URLs for free.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Best Lunch Ever


Beating the crap out of Emerils and every other fancy lumch place is the Seattle secret Farestart. Who and what? And why should I go there you ask. Glad you did.
FareStart is a job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals. Over the past 15 years, FareStart has provided opportunities for over 2,000 people to transform their lives, while also serving nearly 3 million meals to disadvantaged men, women, and children.
On any given night, there are 8,000 homeless men, women, and children in the suburban cities, urban centers, and rural towns of King County, including over 2,500 individuals who meet the federal definition for chronically homeless.

This goal of ending – rather than managing – homelessness will be achieved by seeking long-term and sustainable solutions to the issue. Through the coordinative efforts of social service agencies, the 10-Year Plan aims to develop an enhanced community-based response throughout the county to the threat of homelessness before it happens.
As affordable housing options are increased significantly through this plan, FareStart will be dynamic in its outreach efforts to keep in line with the trends and needs of our Seattle-area community. As members of our community are placed in housing, the need for job-training will play a critical role in ensuring the self-sustainability of these individuals. FareStart’s culinary job training program will continue to reach out to those who lack the experience and on-the-job training, to help them achieve employment in the food service industry.
FareStart's 16-week comprehensive training program works to build a strong foundation and support system for every student who passes through our doors. The program works with students individually, moving them towards a successful reentry into the community and enabling them to create a new life for themselves and their families.
The FareStart adult program is an intensive training program combining hands-on food-service training with classroom instruction, individual case management and job placement services. This program prepares homeless and disadvantaged men and women for jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry and helps them to keep those jobs.
On any given night in Seattle close to 800 youth are homeless, without a safe and permanent place to stay. With the goal of meeting the complex and unique needs of at-risk youth, FareStart’s Youth Barista Training & Education Program (BTEP) was launched in 2003 through a collaborative effort with YouthCare. The program provides at-risk youth, ages 16-21, with the opportunity to build a better future for themselves by increasing their ability to change their situation and engage in a supportive community.

Similar to the core FareStart Adult Program, the eight-week Barista Training and Education Program provides job training and placement, life skills, employment counseling, classroom, and on-the-job training for the competitive espresso industry.
And if all of THAT doesn't warm the chambers of your big hearts knowing that eating their supports this program maybe this will...
So if you're headed in the Seattle direction, want the meal of a lifetime and to support a good cause to boot (of and do not miss the chocolate brownie with homemade ice cream), make a reservation.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Does it pay?

You tell me. These are the average earn out figures per first book per publisher. Don't ask where I got it.

Avon/HarperCollins
$26,000

Berkley/Jove
$6500

Ellora's Cave
$2900

Harlequin Lines

American
$10,000

Blaze
$12, 200

Historical
$13,300

Intrigue
$17,000

Superromance
$21,800

St. Martins Press
$25,600

Slhouette Lines

Bombshell
n/a

Desire
$20,000

Intimate Moments
$12,000

Romance
$10,300

Special Edition
$21, 500

All Writers Shold Be Mailed A Copy...


(sorry didn't go for shorter HTML but couldn't seperate it from pic)

This lingered on my self for years until I got it out the other day and dusted it off. Totally useful. A must have. Available used at Amazon.

BSG Moment

Starbuck is the dieing one who will lead the people to Earth, not Roslyn.

Dare me to be wrong.