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Showing posts from November, 2016

Question of the Day #31

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Gina:  I went to a concert with my sister and the singer decided to spend 30 minutes ranting to the crowd about someone who threw a bra on the stage and that he wanted to figure out whose it was and that he couldn't touch it because he has a wife. While the people in front of us were horribly drunk and seemed like they were going to fall down the bleachers at any moment. Kate:   I don't know if I would call it my worst concert moment, but I got kicked in the face in a mosh pit at Warped Tour one year. I believe Aiden was playing at the time. Sandy:  I went to a show to see a band and it was also sad but I was going just for this band (my darkest days) well their bus wrecked so they couldn't play. I was pretty upset about that. I lived and I did get to see them not once but twice in two weeks and met them both times the second time the drummer recognized me from two weeks before. That totally made up for it! Melissa:  I want to start by sayin...

The Sounds of Advice #20: Tips on Saving Money

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Tips on saving money: Aisling:  1. Start a change jar. Every time you end up with change in your pocket, wallet, purse, etc. put it in a jar. Once the jar is full roll it all & cash it in at the bank.  2. Start a savings account at your local bank.  3. If you have trouble keeping money in your savings account because you tend to spend money a lot try this instead. Put the money you want to save in an envelope & keep it in a safe at home. Only take the envelope out when you're adding money to your savings. The rest of the time it will be out of sight, out of mind.  4. Set up a savings goal board. Get a corkboard to put up pictures of what you're saving up for to remind yourself how much you want to save your money.  5. Recycle. Have some empty bottles or soda cans just sitting around your house? Recycle them & put that little bit of extra money in your savings. Sandy:  Saving money can be hard for anyone and everyo...

Invisible Not Imagined: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

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I don't have this disorder, but someone I love very much does, so I want to touch on this subject, as well as many other invisible illnesses over the next few weeks. I thought this would be a very good starting place, since it's become a big part of my life. I'll admit, I didn't know a whole lot about the disorder until recently.  Most of us have something we don't like about our appearance — a crooked nose, an uneven smile, or eyes that are too large or too small. And though we may fret about our imperfections, they don’t interfere with our daily lives. But people who have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) think about their real or perceived flaws for hours each day. They can't control their negative thoughts and don't believe people who tell them that they look fine. Their thoughts may cause severe emotional distress and interfere with their daily functioning. They may miss work or school, avoid social situations and isolate themselves, ev...

The Sounds of Advice #19: Holiday Stress

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How to Deal with stress while preparing for the holidays: Aisling:  1. Make a to-do list & try to budget your time. Also make sure to get the more important tasks done first if you can.  2. Learn to say no. If you already have too many things to do/get done and other people are asking you to do even more, don't feel bad about saying no. The holidays are supposed to be a time to celebrate, not overwork yourself.  3. If there are family members that are known to butt heads over certain subjects, try not to worry. Don't take sides, remain neutral. Every one is entitled to their own opinions but family & holiday time should remain argument free.  4. Count your blessings. Focus on what's good in your life. Celebrate together. Sandy:  I have always started my shipping in July/August to help have less stress later. Other then that I just enjoy them as much as possible. If I get stressed about something. I walk away from it. Come back...

Rescue Me: Cover Reveal

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Nine lives, four paws and endless furry antics to entertain us. Cats are creatures of habit but what happens when those they love and trust cast them out? They end up in shelters or on the streets all across the world. Their habits become shaken and they must adapt. It is extremely difficult for them to learn to trust again. There are those that are willing to take the time however. Cats are calming, lovable animals that can purr their way into your heart without you even realizing it. If you take the chance to adopt or foster one of these incredible balls of fluff you will find yourself bending over backward just to hear their adorable meow and snuggle with them at night. They are work but they are worth it. It is too bad we don’t have nine lives as well. Perhaps then we would have enough time to repay all of the joy and love they bring into our lives. Rescue Me Rock & Roll Saved My Soul Please join us for the Release Party on December 18th!

Question of the Day #30

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Gina:  Craig Owens or Joshua Ramsay Kate:  Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, without a doubt. Sandy:  That's tuff! I'm going to have to go with either Chad Kroger or the members of Skillet. Melissa:  Jared Leto (Thirty Seconds to Mars) Renee:  Phil Collins to pick his brain about his life and career Aisling:   Hmm...Pink Twinkle:   Enrique Sid:   Ed Sherman or Gerard Neiman Arminta:  Corey Taylor Heather:   I'm not sure. Maybe Taylor Swift. Lori:   Donnie Wahlberg from New Kids on the Block Radeyah:  I've wanted to meet Avril Lavigne for so long now. So I'd definitely choose her. Colleen: Adam Levine  Jen: Papa Emeritus III

Concert Safety Tips

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How to be safe at a concert: 1. Dress for the concert:  Although this doesn't directly apply to safety, you don't want to overheat and pass out. Wear light clothes and avoid bogging yourself down with multiple layers of clothing. 2. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water prior to the concert to avoid getting dehydrated and passing out. You'll be sweating, so your body will need lots of water to replenish its lost fluids. 3. Conceal your money: You are at the risk of getting mugged on the way to/from the concert as well as when you're there, so be sure to hide your money. Consider putting it in your front pocket, your shoe, or another place that makes it harder to steal. Also, avoid flashing your money around. If people see you with large sums of money, you could become a target. 4. Go with friends: This is an important safety tip, since there's safety in numbers. Attend the concert with at least one friend. Carpool there or plan to meet at th...

The Sounds of Advice #18: Spreading Love, Not Hate

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What is a Hate Crime?  Hate crimes are offenses that consist of willingly injuring, intimidating or interfering with another person, or attempting to do so, by force because of the other person’s race, color, religion or national origin. If you believe you have been a victim of a hate crime, it is imperative that you report the incident to law enforcement immediately.  Contact your local police department and file an incident report.  In addition to filing a police report, you may report the incident to your local FBI field office for potential further investigation.  You may also contact your state Attorney General’s office to inform them of the incident. You can find resources for each state at the following link: https://www.muslimadvocates.org/hate/reporting-hate-crimes-in-your-state/ LGBT Hotlines: YOUTH AND ADOLESCENTS HOTLINES GLBT National Youth Talkline (through age 25): 1-800-246-PRIDE (7743) Rainbow Youth Hotline 877/LGBT-YTH (542-8984)...

Question of the Day #29

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Gina:   I used to as a teenager Kate:  A little bit. Sandy:   I have heard a song or two. Melissa:  Yes. Some of my playlist is in French, Gaelic, Native American Indian, and Gregorian Chants. Renee:  Some yes, my dad got me into Enya (Celtic) and my mom likes Yanni's original music with lyrics in Italian Aisling: No Twinkle:  Yup Sid:   Yes! I love it. one of my favourite is Bachimi by Palo Mandazi, or Rain by SID Arminta:  Pretty much just Rammstein Heather:  Never. Lori:  No I don't Radeyah:  I do! I listen to Indian music. It's so upbeat and lovely and a huge part of my culture. I also listen to some songs in Arabic as well.   Colleen: A little bit Jen: Yes 

Tips and Tricks: On Writing

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1. Don’t write linearly: Don’t set out to write something from beginning to end. A story is meant to be read from front to back, but not necessarily created that way. If you have an idea for writing the sixth chapter first, then start there. The epilogue can even be the first thing you put down on paper, then work your way back. Scattered chapters will eventually be filled in, and it will force you to look at the story from different angles, which may present different ideas or new approaches. You’d be surprised how well this works when a whole book starts coming together. It’s also great for getting around writer’s block. 2. Have two or more projects on the go: Speaking of writer’s block, having more than one project on the go is never a bad idea. Although focus and dedication are paramount to completing a work, sometimes you inevitably get stuck. It’s good to be able to move on to something else instead of feeling frustrated and stagnant. You don’t have to have a few big ...

The Sounds of Advice #17

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How to deal with a co-worker you don't like: Aisling:  Try to maintain distance when you can. Be polite to them when they're around. If it's a serious matter then speak to a boss about it. Basically follow the golden rule. Treat others how you want to be treated. Also, if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. Sandy:  Best thing to do is stay professional. Only say what you have to when you have to talk to them. Depending on the issue, you can always talk to someone higher up as well. I try my best as well to ignore things they tell me as well. Kate: Always try to be professional and appropriate, even if it's difficult. Workplace issues are never easy to deal with. I know from personal experience. Try not to let it get to you, but if it's hindering you from doing your job duties, speak to someone from management or human resources. They'll be able to better direct you in how to deal with the issue in an appr...

November Band of the Month: Farewell My Love

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Laced up tight with a static passion, and bursting at the seams with eagerness and determination. Music is defined as the instrumental & vocal sounds combined in such a way that they produce the form, beauty, harmony, and expression of emotion. Farewell, My Love is a group of four brothers with backgrounds that bend from all eras and areas of the music realm, whom have come together to redefine and re-ignite what the definition of this great wave is. With roots connecting them from Arizona, California, and Virginia, each member has been able to bring a distinct influence and vision for how music has shaped them as individuals. For Chad Kowal, Röbby Creasey, Charlee Conley, & London Mckuffey, music has been their greatest escape and most monumental illumination. With this motive in mind, they've all come together with the intention to create a sound that will affect others the way that their greatest inspirations & mentors have affected them throughou...

November Volunteer of the Month: Melissa Lorriane

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Volunteer of the Month: Melissa Lorriane !  My name is Mj Rain. I was born and raised on Long Island, a suburb of New York City. In the summer of 2005, I moved to Central Iowa, where I currently live with my mom, husband, and cat. We all hope to move to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania by the summer of 2017, so we can be closer to our home, New York.  I’m published by Rock & Roll Saved My Soul. I’m With Geek, The Cat’s Meow for Writers and Readers Magazine, and Broken Bars Publishing. I was also one of the many winners for NaNoWriMo 2014.  My Current WIP, is a duology titled Alpha & Omega, an original Greek myth. Fall Out will be about the destruction of Atlantis, while Echelon will be about the rise of the new kingdom in the aftermath. I have been a true blue New York Rangers fan since I was 16, am a world class variety Potterhead, need a 12-step program for my coffee addiction, love chocolate in all of its many glorious forms, enjoy cooki...