This Web Blog was haphazardly produced without using Spell Check one danged time. We like it that way.

ESOTERICA: Yeah, the top country for readers here is still the USA. But only about 47% of the people reading this site come from America. More than 50% come from elsewhere. We're still trying to figure that out.

Our publisher - oops! forgot this is not a magazine any longer - I expect that as we begin to do new things at places elsewhere - places such as CinemActivist.com - we'll pique your interest.

13 July 2007: Long-time readers of this site are aware that there are issues which I am serious about: global warming, public transportation, potable water for all the world's people, equal justice, racial justice, the crisis of global poverty, health care for all Americans and HIV/AIDS.

I care about issues, of course, but those top my list. I get my Game Face on when those are mentioned.

In this regard, my relationship with Cinema Libre Studio has moved to a new level. I'll be Blogging for their CinemActivist Blog as well as here, cross-posting, etc., during the next few months.

In that capacity I'll be bringing you more unusual reviews on DVDs that I believe you should consider. I have always been interested in economic issues because I believe they are important, so I'll attempt to introduce you to an economic "hit man" along this journey. (Yeah, economics is a dry, dry topic. But you might learn something. I did.)

As far as technology writing, yeah, as the trailer says, I'm also negotiating on becoming the owner of the Leverage Social Media Blog, as a companion to what I do here about politics and society. That's where I intend to continue our conversation about the so-called "Web 2.O" and what it can do for business and society. I believe the two conversations - here and there - might find some overlap over time.

I suppose what your witnessing is a series of experiments during which I diversify my writing, while also becoming even more ubiquitous on this medium than I was before. I've decided that maybe Rod Amis is a brand name here on the Internet.

After all, I am not getting any younger and need to concentrate my efforts on a retirement fund. Stop laughing!

Time to play again! This inspired by World of Warcraft. This is one of those vids you need to click on to have happen, Homes, Enjoy! But after that return here. I'm not done with you yet!

And you thought this a boring Blog, didn't you?

I said I would have Guest Bloggers here. I shall. The first one up is my friend ANTONIO GRACEFFO, who appears a couple days from now with a piece on the Taut Bato of the Philippines. After that we'll feature some other of my favorite writers.

(What I love about you is that you pretend to miss me when I'm gone. That's so sweet.)

Antonio vied for the first slot but I suspect you'll hear a few words from my friends Moraa, Mpush and Steve along the ride, as well. I am into sharing.

Meanwhile, I'd love to hear from YOU. Do you enjoy the ride? What topics would you want me to address here? What would you want done differently or more?

As I said, I've already heard that I should do shorter and more frequent posts. Do you agree? Let's start a conversation, mon amis.

There should be professors at universities around the world who debunk the myth about "writing from the heart." That is garbage as far as most successul freelance writers I know can tell you. IF you mean to be a successful freelance writer, as some people say I am, you realize that writing is a business.

There are almost no editors - your customers - who care very much about the gem-like quality of your soul, your talent or your amazing insights. What they care about is that you produce copy on time, in a decent facsimile of the Queen's English and you suit what they believe is what readers will pay for and advertisers will support. That's it. It's that simple. If you pitch them what they want, according to their editorial calendar, they pay you handsomely. You hit and miss, of course.

I have yet to encounter many editors who even care about my facility with words. They just want the words on the topic they are interested in at the moment and then I'm yesterday's news.

So I keep wondering why professors don't tell their students this instead of feeding them the Youngblood Hawk myth about the brilliant writer who becomes a star. None of us are stars. For every J.K. Rowling, there are hundreds of thousands of us who just make enough money to keep roofs over our heads, wives able to buy new shoes and children who might make it to college.

I've had a number of people tell me I'm the highest paid freelancer in Austin. That fact astounds me, quite frankly, when I consider how many wonderful and talented writers happen to live in this town. The only difference between them and me, as far as I can see, is that I never stop looking for work and I know that I need to let editors know right away that I won't take less than a certain number of cents per word. A lot of these people are better writers than me. I don't know why they let their editors get them on the cheap.

I've said it before but I'll say it again now: I wouldn't wish the life of freelance writer on a dog. But God knows I love it.

Cheers!

Keep me in your prayers as I keep you in my own.

Thanks for visiting.

Talk to you in a day or so.

Be well.