A few years ago I discovered this FABULOUS software for helping me organize the ba-zillion elements involved in writing a musical. First there’s all the historical research, then the plot and the lyrics and the music and the tracks and the edits …YIKES!
If you are a creative writer you will likely LOVE this easy to use program – Scrivener. There are great online video tutorials, too.
Okay, so I don’t actually believe in RANDOM acts of kindness. But that is just semantics.
I like the idea more of intentional kindness. If kindness is just part of who you are, doing something kind isn’t really random, is it? It is just part of who you are extended to those you encounter.
Anyway, here is a link to an organization that gives folks inspirational ideas about ways being kind: Acts of Kindness
So I was in this church band. One day I was happily playing along on this C- – - – - – Crowns song – until I read the lyrics. One line of the song – While Y- – W – - – - Sleeping – equates someone who wants to save the trees with someone who kills the children (and is presumably pro-abortion.)
I am getting a bit worn out of Christians who judge those who care for the earth as being “liberal”, “bad” and, in this case of these offensive lyrics, baby killers.
Here is my take: I believe God loves the earth He created. The Bible (Genesis) says that every time he created some new thing on some new day He pronounced it good. So… is God a naughty liberal, too?
According to a 2008 analysis by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, it is the minority of Christians who think, for example, that the earth is NOT warming. (This vocal minority only seems like the majority because they are often loudly obnoxious.)
In my humble opinion, members of all Judeo-Christian based faiths should be concerned about the detrimental effects of human activity to the earth. Who can count all the Biblical references to the beauty and wonder of creation? If we believe this planet was made by God, then we should be worried about our actions on several levels that do not concern non-believers. He named us the property manager/janitor/sexton – not the wrecking ball!
So wise up fellow believers! Quit judging others, read that Bible and think for yourself!
What Others are Thinking/Doing in the Mid-Atlantic region:
Chesapeake Covenant Community
Baltimore Jewish Environmental Network
Marylanders Grow Oysters
Chesapeake Watershed Forum
My little artsy enterprise was audited a couple of years ago. It was not fun. A couple of articles I read suggested the IRS was targeting artists and musicians because many take deductions for losses related to the creation of their art. But then they do not make enough of a profit to be considered a business. (Yeah, let’s throw an audit on top of losing money to make us REALLY feel professional!)
Why do I bring this up? Because you need to keep GREAT records in order to “win” an audit. I was, thankfully, able to prove every expenditure was legit, and that it wasn’t just me and my mommy who think of me as an artist. Here is what helped me prove my case.
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NOTE: THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE or an endorsement of any product- please consult an attorney/tax guru for tax advice and do your own research about database programs.
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1. Keep every receipt for every expenditure. I did NOT have a scanner at that time (but I sure as heck do now!) Don’t count on those receipts being legible after a month of two…the ink fades. So scan them as you get them and file a copy in a safe place in your computer or back-up drive.
2. Keep a record of every product you create and what materials you used to create it. In my case, I have a “portfolio” of releases – the actual disc. Even if it was just a small repress of 50 or 100 CDs for promotional purposes, I kept one copy of the actual disc and one set of the entire promo piece.
3. Track the costs of all physical items – use a database. At the time of my audit I had a PC, and I used a program called Art Affair to organize all my data about physical products. It helped me figure exactly what items went into making and packaging piece of “art” (like a promo disc.) So I was able to tie every plastic bag or biz card or one sheet or disc hub to the promotion. I could also break down the actual cost of one individual package that would go to an individual retailer, for example, and could tell you what materials were left over in inventory.
4. Print copies of reviews, press coverage, your web sites, and web sites of others who sell your music. My idea was to prove that, not only do I consider myself a business, but others do, too.
5. Prove your actual income earned from all sources related to your music. Even if you didn’t make a profit for the year, there should be evidence that proves you tried to make a profit.
6. Be organized for your meeting with your auditor. Don’t waste their time. They are people, too – mine was actually very nice.
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A great article explaining the IRS/ Creative Artist situation is at the Chicago Artists Resource web site.
Songwriters are America’s Smallest Small Business: Nashville Songwriters Association
Have you heard about the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life? They recently released the results of a survey of over 3,000 Americans to test their religious knowledge. Se
Take the quiz and see how you stack up: U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey
Even though this series is aired past my bedtime, I LOVE it and am thinking of purchasing it. It is not too late to review the series finale – tune in to get factual historical information about our nation’s religious development. It is very intelligent and very cool…
Click here to read more and to get local broadcast times: PBS – God in America
If you know someone with a serious illness, you might want to let them know about Caring Bridge. It is a web page/email service that will help everyone know the status of the loved one – without adding an additional burden on caregivers. It is a real comfort for friends and family, who can also send encouraging words without bothering the patient. What a fab idea…and it is FREE!
I am VERY concerned about the future of serious journalism.
Much as I love reading my own Tower of Babel posts, I know the difference between investigative reporting and the opinions I express in my blog. The ability to conduct real investigative reporting has been an integral part of the development of our nation. That’s why I’m dismayed by the well-groomed “Ol’ Yellers” who hang out on certain networks in disdainful, panic-spreading herds. While their expertise on pretty much every topic is quite remarkable, their shout-downs generally deliver opinions, not vetted facts.
While the communication style of the “Ol’ Yellers” would be very appealing to my grandmother, who was deaf and nearly blind, I find it annoying as heck. For me, the only value in this type of reportage is medicinal: when I feel my blood pressure drop, I can turn on * * * “News” for a reviving shot of angry adrenaline and heart-pumping fear.
Is it just me or should facts, respectful questioning of guests and non-emotional presentation be a part of reporting?
Once again The Onion, provides a bit of fun in this great bit of financial reporting…
Here is a GREAT idea … the American people hire a lobbyist to represent our interests…
Read about it at The Onion.
(I’m gonna save up to buy me some lobbyin’ folks, too…)
HINT – Start Here…
Did you know 44% of working musicians have NO health insurance? (Yes, that shocks me too. Next thing you know, someone will say folks aren’t paying for music…)
But there is hope. The good people at the Future of Music Coalition are always watching out for musicians, and they’ve written a seven step path to getting insurance.
HINT – Read about the help you need here…