YBG: The Next Step

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As a part of my new plan to take over the eco-world via blogging, I think I'm going to be posting a bit less frequently from $5 and a bit more frequently from YBG. Just wanted to keep all my non-existent readers in the loop. On the bright side, I plan to take all the things I'd usually want to blog about at $5 and figure out a way to spin them for YBG. We'll see how that goes given I really want to blog hating on Samantha Brown and loving Tony Bourdain...but what's YBG about that?

Freelancer

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Anyone out there a freelance writer? Want to share some tips with this newbie? Last night I bought three books that are aimed at jump-starting my writing/journalism career (look out Samantha Brown, I'm coming for you but with an eco-twist)..."The Writer's Market 2009," "The Well-Fed Writer," and "Starting Your Career As A Freelance Writer." Yep, I'm taking steps beyond blogging to really get this started. Since I'm obviously not ready to quit my job and go knocking on Cox Communication's door, this is my first step towards gaining some street cred and getting some experience with the written word. My initial thoughts are to write about sports and travel from an environmental perspective (when applicable), but that could change as the process progresses. We'll see what happens.

Another exciting thing that I have going on is that I'm going to start writing/producing/reporting for the Stealth Lacrosse Insider TV show on NBC. They were looking to add some estrogen to the mix, and I showed them my BJITW video (it helped that Eric's on the team, obvs)...next thing I knew, I was doing my first two interviews at the February 21st game (superfan Pablo Sanchez and superstar Paul Rabil). My favorite moment from the whole day was while standing around with the NBC crew (of two people) and the camera guy asks "So, how much TV experience do you have?" I look at him, smile, and hold up my hand in a big "ZERO." We all laugh and then head out onto the turf. I'm not going to pretend that I'm not SUPER lucky to land this opportunity, so I'm going to do my best to kick some ace with it! Bay Areaians sure to Tivo NBC at 3pm on March 7th!!! (though I'm not sure I'll have a huge presence in that particular episode)

So that post was all about me, but I had to let y'all know what was up, right?

MY BJITW VID FINALLY GOT POSTED!!!!

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Almost two weeks after initial submission, and you can finally check out the video on the website HERE!!! Also, you can check it out on YouTube HERE!!!! Hooray hooray hooray! I was getting worried that something had gone horribly wrong. Now it's all in the hand of Tourism Queensland...

HolycrapI'msoexcited. Let me know what you think of the video.

Time to settle down to wait some more...

TinyURL

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PS Who knew that TBJITW has a Facebook page AND a Twitter profile?!? I'm ashamed that I only figured this out today.

It's not looking good

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2.3 million unique page views and 10,666 applicants??? Those seem to be the current numbers for the Hamilton Island Job. I knew this genius marketing campaign would generate a lot of interest, but whoduh thunk this many people would take the time to apply? There are still over 3 weeks left for applications, and I think that they're going to have to close the applying period early because of the sheer volume of applications (see #13 under "Eligibility Requirements"). Heck, I sent my video in 5 ($5???) days ago and haven't heard a peep, but that probably shouldn't be surprising. Keep your fingers crossed for me cause wouldn't this blog be WAY cooler if I was posting from Oz (as opposed to illegally from my work desk)? The answer to that is a definitive YES.

PS Someone from Pakistan viewed my blog for 0:00 seconds yesterday! What a fast/inhuman reader! Hi, blog-crawling program in Pakistan!!!

Take 2: A Better BJITW Application Video

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I did a little more editing, and here's what I think is a better version of the video. The original is already submitted to islandreefjob.com, and hindsight is 20/20...but I had to show the "new version" off somewhere :) Thanks for indulging me.

Again, think future travels...fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuture traaaaaaaavels.

Testing, testing...1, 2, 3

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The debut of my Best Job Ever application video...it may not be about current travels, but it's definitely about travels to come. It's hard to not feel ridiculous when watching it, but heck, I had to at least try, right? Right.

Finding myself: Stories about everyday...or not so everyday...travel

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It's been about two weeks since I started this here bloggy, and I realize that to this point my writings have had as about as much direction as Britney Spears circa late 2007. Now that I've stretched my blogging legs, it's time to "find myself." And I've come up with what I consider a great idea (though I'll admit a fine, young women we'll call ACE may or may not have had a lot of influence on it)...

This is going to be a travel blog. No, no, NO...not THAT kind of Travel Blog. This travel blog is going to document all the ridiculous things that happen to me and my friends while traveling...BUT I'm using "traveling" in the broader sense of the word. I mean any kind of traveling for any distance to anywhere...a commute to work, a trip to Hawaii, driving to the gym, a trip to the bathroom...any and every kind of "travel" is game, so while I will happily blog about my annual winter trip to visit friends in Utah or our family trip to Florida, I'm also going to write about what I saw while I was running yesterday or while walking on the beach on Saturday (see Saturday's post).

I hate to even call this a travel blog. It's more a website about getting from point A to point B and/or what one finds at point B, but that label seems a bit long...maybe it's better described as a blog about everday...or not so everyday...travel. Yeah, I like that. Over and out.

Lights, camera, ACTION...and stick ninjas

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The BF and I were walking down Ocean Beach on Saturday, looking for a good place to film a part of my Best Job Ever video when we happened upon this...

Man, do I love this city. 75 degrees, sun, beach, January (global warming, much?), and then we happen upon this crowd. I think it's important to note that they were fighting in slow motion with sticks as we walked up, but quickly switched to this geriatric ballet. Maybe they're practicing for Love Fest...or not.

The Best Job in the World

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Since learning about the job on Hamilton Island, I have become somewhat obsessed with the idea of this job. For the entirety of my last two surveys, I can hardly pay attention to the forty-seven pairs of mallards I'm supposed to be recording, or the mating behavior of the buffleheads that I should be observing...because all I can think about is how to convey to the Queensland Tourism Bureau that I am perfect for this job...in only 60 seconds. That's the kicker. 60 seconds is a very short period of time to list all one's qualifications for a job that involves being adventurous, outdoorsy, outgoing, fun, good on camera, entertaining writer, etc, etc, etc. The list just goes on. Do you play it straight and give them a verbal resume? Do you perform some kind of stunt (NOT involving lame, fake tattoos) to get their attention? Is it a + or a - that I'm an American? Is it good or bad that I lived in Oz for 6 months in college? Do I talk about working on a dive boat out of Cairns, or do I talk about being a biology nerd in the Bay Area? Do I mention that I went to an Ivy League school, or do I talk about how many beers I can crush in a night? Do I talk about sailing in the BVIs last year, or do I shamelessly promote my brand new blog? Ahhhh! SEE?!?! It's overwhelming.

Enough with the question marks...I'm going to make some hot chocolate and watch some L&O: SVU. Nothing like some daytime TV to calm a girl down.

One REALLY important thing...and one that's not so important

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1) I am in Fairfield, CA, doing bird surveys all week = not that important.

2) My little bro just sent me this: www.islandreefjob.com = potentially life changing. I have to say that I feel like I'm kinda perfect for this. And by kinda, I mean really. Now to convince the Queensland government of this...more to come.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]