tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180643002024-03-13T01:22:51.003-04:00... from the basementEric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.comBlogger731125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-6737237177573935622018-01-20T12:01:00.021-05:002018-01-20T12:01:44.501-05:00It's three years and counting working for myself, and that's amazing<p>Now entering four years.</p><br/><p>Should have posted something about this in October, but forgot to. In mid-October 2014, I quit my <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-san-juan-0a50481a/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3Beg2me4g%2FS%2FujSy8LhIgFDw%3D%3D&licu=urn%3Ali%3Acontrol%3Ad_flagship3_feed-identity_welcome_message">full-time job in marketing</a> to start working for myself. It was a decision I had long pondered. A few years prior, my work situation has changed drastically and suddenly after 13 years with the same company, and while at the time I was blindsided, it was a good thing. Kicked me out of a rut. I had been deeply unhappy and seeking change, and suddenly change was forced on me. It was a blessing.</p><br/><p>Almost got caught in a new rut, but talked a lot with the Mrs., about goals, about ideas, about different ways to live.</p><br/><p>I remember the day I decided I was really going to do it. We were at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, surrounded by dogs because we decided to go during Yappy Hour. This isn’t code. They let dogs roam the place on Saturday Yappy Hour!</p><br/><p>It was a gorgeous autumn day. Sun was amazing. The ocean was crashing nearby. We were talking through this stupid idea I had, this notion of not working for The Man anymore and instead carving out my own path. It was a terrible idea. An idea no mature adult considers. But I considered it, and she supported it, and we went round and round until I realized I wasn’t trying to sell her, I was trying to sell <em>myself</em>, and before long I said to her, “Holy shit, I guess I’m really going to do this, aren’t I?”</p><br/><p>And I did. Went into work on Monday, talked to the right people, made arrangements, “quit” and instead became a part-time contractor for them, and started working for myself.</p><br/><p>I was, of course, a little uneasy about the whole idea. I had been brought up on the notion that you got up, went to work, came home, and rise/repeat the rest of your life until you died. It’s what Real Men did, so it’s what I did.</p><br/><p>But holy shit, what a miserable existence.</p><br/><p>Won’t say it’s been easy or smooth or anything of the sort. Money is up and down. Clients come and go. Sometimes the work is great and sometimes it’s soul-crushingly mundane. Sometimes I have to fight to get paid by the people who hire me. That sucks. Sometimes I have crunches where I work non-stop, every single day, long days for weeks and have to turn down social engagements, and other times I have a week where I twiddle my thumbs and practice balancing spoons on my thumbs and wish someone interesting would text me.</p><br/><p>It’s MY time, though. Any success is mine. Any failure is mine. I feel like that’s how it should be.</p><br/><p>It didn’t all turn out the way I thought it would. Thought I’d feel freer and more refreshed to pursue creative projects, but instead I’m creatively burnt from being focused on work all day, especially since I work in the same place I create. No separation, therefore no escape. I make this post from the same place I write about the <a href="http://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/notable-deaths/article/len-wein-1948-2017-co-creator-of-wolverine-and-the-all">loss of great people for Legacy</a> or <a href="http://thewirelessexperience.com/leadership-team/">pen website copy</a> or surf Reddit for threads to get annoyed at or <a href="http://www.nerdoutwithme.com/category/podcasts">upload my podcast</a> or whatever. Had a lot of bullshit money-making writing projects I didn’t pursue (including writing erotica under an assumed name!) and I’m mostly glad I didn’t. Still managed to independently publish two books of television criticism during that time (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1519163835/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1519163835&linkCode=as2&tag=ericsanjuan-20&linkId=ZWDYNUHMOPHLYHBL">The Walking Dead</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1512301655/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1512301655&linkCode=as2&tag=ericsanjuan-20&linkId=4ZW2AKCKVGB3F5SL">Mad Men</a>), so that’s good. And finding new work? It’s a struggle. I can’t sell myself. I’m bad at it. I actively <em>hate</em> it. All my work comes through word of mouth (so I guess I’m blessed for that). And while good times are good, bad times are thin, thin, <em>thin</em>.</p><br/><p>And yet, whatever. Whatever! Those may be real things I need to tackle, but the fact remains that I have been doing it myself for three full years now. THREE YEARS. Holy shit!</p><br/><p>How did this happen? How on Earth did a broke ass dude who most certainly did not win the lottery and whose main skill involved being a sarcastic asshole manage to just toss aside the idea of working like normal people do and make his own way? I have no idea.</p><br/><p>I mean, I have some. A supportive wife is a huge part of it. <em>Huge</em>. Couldn’t do it without her (but don’t tell her I said that). Having a plan and a more importantly a <em>fallback</em> plan was a big deal. And having an amazing butt helps. I can sit with the best of them.</p><br/><p>But mostly, I couldn’t write a guide. I’m still mostly baffled by it. And if I’m honest, entering my fourth full year, I wonder if I’ll be starting year five working for someone else. Depends on the money. There is, after all, a roof over our heads that needs to be kept there, and for budget reasons I’ve lost a few clients along the way. They’ve generally been replaced with other clients, but it’s been a holding pattern rather than a gain, and I’d like to gain.</p><br/><p>All the same, I’m here. I’m where I need to be. I did it (sort of). I maybe haven’t written the novels I’d hoped to and all that — was invited to a writers’ retreat last summer and realized just how far behind I am in that regard — but if you’d have asked me 20 years ago if I thought I’d be determining my own course I’d have thought you crazy. Still going to try, though.</p><br/><p>I’m only 45. Keeping this shit up for another 20 (or 30!) years is a total pipe dream.</p><br/><p>But I’m going to focus on the “pipe” part instead of the “dream” part.</p><br/><p>Because pipes are real.</p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/its-three-years-and-counting-working-for-myself-and-thats-amazing/">It's three years and counting working for myself, and that's amazing</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-74403168290802849262018-01-20T12:01:00.019-05:002018-01-20T12:01:36.425-05:00Planning A Backyard You Can Enjoy All Year Round<p><em>Contributed Post</em></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your garden can often become a little neglected during the colder months, and you might only pull out the BBQ when the sun is shining, and it’s warm enough to put a T-shirt on. However, your backyard space is effectively another room to your house that you could be utilizing more often. If you’re paying your mortgage; you might be wasting a significant portion of what you paid for, which just doesn’t make sense. Therefore, it could be time to step outside and put some plans in place to create a garden that you, your friends, and family can use whatever the season is. There’s nothing like fresh air and a bit of nature to keep your life in balance, so give the outdoor room some love and invest in making it as appealing as possible.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just like any of the other rooms in your home; </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/make-the-most-of-leaf-mould-in-your-garden/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your garden</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can provide somewhere to chill out, eat, or entertainment and recreation. It all depends on how green-fingered you are, and what you want to get out of the space. The sooner you start the planning process, and contacting the right people to help; the quicker you can get outside into an inviting and even exciting space. The following are some tips, ideas, and inspiration for those who feel that their backyard needs some attention because they want to spend more time outside. </span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4560 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden-300x200.jpeg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden-320x213.jpeg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image source: </span><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-planting-plant-169523/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-planting-plant-169523/</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>Add Water</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An outside space is the perfect area for a pool, so start looking into companies like </span><a href="https://www.ecopools.com.au/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eco Pools custom pool builders</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> who can design you something that fits well within the environment and is sustainable. An outdoor pool can be enjoyed by everyone, and a heated option will mean that you can have a swim even on the coldest of days. If you have a smaller space, but still want to enjoy water in the garden; a hot tub can provide a relaxing area for you sit in the warmth. Just like a bath; it’ll soak your muscles, and you can breathe in the fresh air during all weather conditions as you relax in the bubbles.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Add Food</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are into the process of growing and tending your garden; you can create a kitchen garden, full of fresh ingredients that you can pick or harvest at various times of the year. Fruit, vegetables, and herbs that have been homegrown will mean that you’re always able to </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=grow%20seasonal%20veg&rs=typed&term_meta%5B%5D=grow%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=seasonal%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=veg%7Ctyped"><span style="font-weight: 400;">eat seasonally</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and have food to hand literally outside your back door. If you’re more into cooking up some meat and food on the BBQ; create a heated and covered patio or decking area so that you can enjoy chargrilled delights all year round. A BBQ is the perfect excuse to invite people over, come rain or shine; just make sure that you have a table and seating set up, and those heaters are working during the winter months. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Investing in your garden space will add a new dimension to your lifestyle and ensure that you g=have more room to relax and enjoy life in your home. </span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/planning-a-backyard-you-can-enjoy-all-year-round/">Planning A Backyard You Can Enjoy All Year Round</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-68110421625427158582018-01-20T12:01:00.017-05:002018-01-20T12:01:33.371-05:00It's three years and counting working for myself, and that's amazing<p>Now entering four years.</p><br/><p>Should have posted something about this in October, but forgot to. In mid-October 2014, I quit my <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-san-juan-0a50481a/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3Beg2me4g%2FS%2FujSy8LhIgFDw%3D%3D&licu=urn%3Ali%3Acontrol%3Ad_flagship3_feed-identity_welcome_message">full-time job in marketing</a> to start working for myself. It was a decision I had long pondered. A few years prior, my work situation has changed drastically and suddenly after 13 years with the same company, and while at the time I was blindsided, it was a good thing. Kicked me out of a rut. I had been deeply unhappy and seeking change, and suddenly change was forced on me. It was a blessing.</p><br/><p>Almost got caught in a new rut, but talked a lot with the Mrs., about goals, about ideas, about different ways to live.</p><br/><p>I remember the day I decided I was really going to do it. We were at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, surrounded by dogs because we decided to go during Yappy Hour. This isn’t code. They let dogs roam the place on Saturday Yappy Hour!</p><br/><p>It was a gorgeous autumn day. Sun was amazing. The ocean was crashing nearby. We were talking through this stupid idea I had, this notion of not working for The Man anymore and instead carving out my own path. It was a terrible idea. An idea no mature adult considers. But I considered it, and she supported it, and we went round and round until I realized I wasn’t trying to sell her, I was trying to sell <em>myself</em>, and before long I said to her, “Holy shit, I guess I’m really going to do this, aren’t I?”</p><br/><p>And I did. Went into work on Monday, talked to the right people, made arrangements, “quit” and instead became a part-time contractor for them, and started working for myself.</p><br/><p>I was, of course, a little uneasy about the whole idea. I had been brought up on the notion that you got up, went to work, came home, and rise/repeat the rest of your life until you died. It’s what Real Men did, so it’s what I did.</p><br/><p>But holy shit, what a miserable existence.</p><br/><p>Won’t say it’s been easy or smooth or anything of the sort. Money is up and down. Clients come and go. Sometimes the work is great and sometimes it’s soul-crushingly mundane. Sometimes I have to fight to get paid by the people who hire me. That sucks. Sometimes I have crunches where I work non-stop, every single day, long days for weeks and have to turn down social engagements, and other times I have a week where I twiddle my thumbs and practice balancing spoons on my thumbs and wish someone interesting would text me.</p><br/><p>It’s MY time, though. Any success is mine. Any failure is mine. I feel like that’s how it should be.</p><br/><p>It didn’t all turn out the way I thought it would. Thought I’d feel freer and more refreshed to pursue creative projects, but instead I’m creatively burnt from being focused on work all day, especially since I work in the same place I create. No separation, therefore no escape. I make this post from the same place I write about the <a href="http://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/notable-deaths/article/len-wein-1948-2017-co-creator-of-wolverine-and-the-all">loss of great people for Legacy</a> or <a href="http://thewirelessexperience.com/leadership-team/">pen website copy</a> or surf Reddit for threads to get annoyed at or <a href="http://www.nerdoutwithme.com/category/podcasts">upload my podcast</a> or whatever. Had a lot of bullshit money-making writing projects I didn’t pursue (including writing erotica under an assumed name!) and I’m mostly glad I didn’t. Still managed to independently publish two books of television criticism during that time (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1519163835/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1519163835&linkCode=as2&tag=ericsanjuan-20&linkId=ZWDYNUHMOPHLYHBL">The Walking Dead</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1512301655/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1512301655&linkCode=as2&tag=ericsanjuan-20&linkId=4ZW2AKCKVGB3F5SL">Mad Men</a>), so that’s good. And finding new work? It’s a struggle. I can’t sell myself. I’m bad at it. I actively <em>hate</em> it. All my work comes through word of mouth (so I guess I’m blessed for that). And while good times are good, bad times are thin, thin, <em>thin</em>.</p><br/><p>And yet, whatever. Whatever! Those may be real things I need to tackle, but the fact remains that I have been doing it myself for three full years now. THREE YEARS. Holy shit!</p><br/><p>How did this happen? How on Earth did a broke ass dude who most certainly did not win the lottery and whose main skill involved being a sarcastic asshole manage to just toss aside the idea of working like normal people do and make his own way? I have no idea.</p><br/><p>I mean, I have some. A supportive wife is a huge part of it. <em>Huge</em>. Couldn’t do it without her (but don’t tell her I said that). Having a plan and a more importantly a <em>fallback</em> plan was a big deal. And having an amazing butt helps. I can sit with the best of them.</p><br/><p>But mostly, I couldn’t write a guide. I’m still mostly baffled by it. And if I’m honest, entering my fourth full year, I wonder if I’ll be starting year five working for someone else. Depends on the money. There is, after all, a roof over our heads that needs to be kept there, and for budget reasons I’ve lost a few clients along the way. They’ve generally been replaced with other clients, but it’s been a holding pattern rather than a gain, and I’d like to gain.</p><br/><p>All the same, I’m here. I’m where I need to be. I did it (sort of). I maybe haven’t written the novels I’d hoped to and all that — was invited to a writers’ retreat last summer and realized just how far behind I am in that regard — but if you’d have asked me 20 years ago if I thought I’d be determining my own course I’d have thought you crazy. Still going to try, though.</p><br/><p>I’m only 45. Keeping this shit up for another 20 (or 30!) years is a total pipe dream.</p><br/><p>But I’m going to focus on the “pipe” part instead of the “dream” part.</p><br/><p>Because pipes are real.</p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/its-three-years-and-counting-working-for-myself-and-thats-amazing/">It's three years and counting working for myself, and that's amazing</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-11006375992581540892018-01-20T12:01:00.015-05:002018-01-20T12:01:30.409-05:00Software Solutions That Make Running Your Business A Breeze<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374074-computer-laptop-desk-work.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4482" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374074-computer-laptop-desk-work.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374074-computer-laptop-desk-work.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374074-computer-laptop-desk-work-300x200.jpeg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374074-computer-laptop-desk-work-320x213.jpeg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/computer-desk-electronics-indoors-374074/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.pexels.com/photo/computer-desk-electronics-indoors-374074/</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Running a </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/?s=business&searchsubmit=U"><span style="font-weight: 400;">business</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can come with its fair share of hardships. When you first start out on your own, you can be excited to get started. But you’ll soon realize that things can get real tough, real quick. Because as you start to do well, and you start to earn more, you can get a lot busier. And being busier can put a strain on your time and your resources. So, it’s at times like these that you can realize you need a little more help to get things done. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to hire some staff. Instead, you could find that some simple software solutions are all you need to stay on track.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Finance</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First up, finance can often feel like a drag. When you’re busy working on away on everything you have to do, you don’t always want to think about the financial side of things too. So this is where a great accounting software will come in. You don’t necessarily have to invest in the most expensive or complex software around; you could even use one of the free online services available. But you will find that if you’re able to use a software package, that you can keep track of everything in a more streamlined way – and you’ll save a lot of time too.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Marketing</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can also look to do the same with marketing too. Because when you have a lot of different kinds of marketing to take care of, you can feel as if you’re forever trying to keep on top of everything. At the same time, you may also benefit from easier processes and hassle-free analytics. And it’s for this main reason that you should consider trialing some </span><a href="https://www.softwareadvice.com/uk/marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marketing software</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to see which works out best for you.</span></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-69432-computer-laptop-desk.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4483" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-69432-computer-laptop-desk.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-69432-computer-laptop-desk.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-69432-computer-laptop-desk-300x200.jpeg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-69432-computer-laptop-desk-320x213.jpeg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/desk-laptop-macbook-pro-working-69432/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.pexels.com/photo/desk-laptop-macbook-pro-working-69432/</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>HR</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From here, you’re also going to want to think about the kinds of packages that will make the ins and outs of your HR much easier to manage too. With the right </span><a href="https://www.brighthr.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">human resources management software</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in place, you’ll be able to streamline the paperwork and policies you have to work on, and keep all of your information secure. You’ll also be able to access it easily too.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Sales</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may also want to think of the ways you can improve your sales process too. If you sell online, then you’re definitely going to want an </span><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7707-best-ecommerce-software.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ecommerce software</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> solution that makes this easier. Some of the better packages can come at a better price, but if they make your sales management easier, they’ll be entirely worth it.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Customer Service</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, you’ve also got your customer service to consider too. Because when you have lots of queries coming in via email or even live chat, it can quickly get hard to manage. With a good customer service software package, all of your queries can be collated in one place, and tracked, making them so much easier to manage. Then, you’ll find you’re able to keep your customers much happier too.</span></p><br/><p> </p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/software-solutions-that-make-running-your-business-a-breeze/">Software Solutions That Make Running Your Business A Breeze</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-3918815320584541042018-01-20T12:01:00.013-05:002018-01-20T12:01:27.136-05:00Why The Land Of The Free Isn't Bulletproof: An Insight Into Gun Crime In The US<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On October 1st news headlines emerging from the US rocked the world. Despite the fact that America has gained the lamentable reputation for being synonymous with mass shootings, news of the Las Vegas massacre left audiences all over the globe stunned. This was America’s deadliest shooting. Sadly, this tragic incident provides just a glimpse of the current situation in the US. The land of the free, a place of opportunity and a platform for progression has become a crime scene, and people are increasingly worried for their safety. </span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gun crime: the situation in the US</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re not American, you probably come across reports of shootings in the US when they grab the attention of major news outlets. We all know about Las Vegas, and most of us can remember where we were when news of the Sandy Hook massacre broke, but what about the hundreds of incidents you never really hear about? If you take the time to delve deeper and look at the statistics, it’s increasingly evident that the USA is not bulletproof. </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/american-politics-is-foreign-terrorism-really-a-threat/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Extremism and terrorists</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> from abroad may be a threat, but it’s impossible to ignore problems closer to home.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Americans own more than half of the world’s civilian guns and </span><a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/22/key-takeaways-on-americans-views-of-guns-and-gun-ownership/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">gun ownership</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> per capita is the highest in the world. According to the PEW Center, around 40 percent of people own a gun or live in a house where there is a gun on-site. The US is also home to more than 30 percent of the world’s mass shooters, despite the fact that its population makes up less than 5% of the global population. Gun-related murders are 30 times higher than in the UK. </span></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/colt-revolver-pistol-hand-gun-39030.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4479" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/colt-revolver-pistol-hand-gun-39030.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="480" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/colt-revolver-pistol-hand-gun-39030.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/colt-revolver-pistol-hand-gun-39030-300x225.jpeg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image from </span><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/weapon-gun-ammunition-pistol-39030/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.pexels.com/photo/weapon-gun-ammunition-pistol-39030/</span></a></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">A double-edged sword</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mass shootings like the Las Vegas tragedy prompt calls for more stringent </span><a href="http://katu.com/news/local/a-look-at-local-gun-laws-in-the-wake-of-the-mass-shooting-in-las-vegas"><span style="font-weight: 400;">firearm laws</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, but there’s also a tendency for more people to want to get hold of guns in the aftermath of shootings. There has been an outcry for tighter regulation, and many have called for legislation similar to that imposed by Australian ministers in 1996 after a mass shooting in Port Arthur. Less than two weeks after that incident, tougher measures were imposed across the country, and there hasn’t been a mass shooting since. The situation is more complex in the US. Australia’s government reacted after four incidents between 1987 and 1996 while in the US, there were 372 mass shootings in 2015 alone. </span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">What happens next?</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many experts and politicians, including President Obama, have pointed to Australia as an example to follow, but it’s not as straightforward as </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-35048251"><span style="font-weight: 400;">following a template</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In the US, it’s legal to have a gun for self-protection purposes, and this is not the case in Australia. The National Rifle Association also has a powerful influence, and despite the prevalence of shootings, many people still support the notion that they have a basic human right to own a gun. In spite of tragedies, more than a third of people said the country would be safer if more people had guns. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">America is often considered a land of opportunity, but tragically, it seems to hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. As the issue of gun crime rises to the surface once again, it remains to be seen what the future holds. Many fear that calls for tighter controls will once again fall on deaf ears and the world is braced for more bad news. </span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/why-the-land-of-the-free-isnt-bulletproof-an-insight-into-gun-crime-in-the-us/">Why The Land Of The Free Isn't Bulletproof: An Insight Into Gun Crime In The US</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-41394866940623101702018-01-20T12:01:00.011-05:002018-01-20T12:01:25.790-05:00Planning A Backyard You Can Enjoy All Year Round<p><em>Contributed Post</em></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your garden can often become a little neglected during the colder months, and you might only pull out the BBQ when the sun is shining, and it’s warm enough to put a T-shirt on. However, your backyard space is effectively another room to your house that you could be utilizing more often. If you’re paying your mortgage; you might be wasting a significant portion of what you paid for, which just doesn’t make sense. Therefore, it could be time to step outside and put some plans in place to create a garden that you, your friends, and family can use whatever the season is. There’s nothing like fresh air and a bit of nature to keep your life in balance, so give the outdoor room some love and invest in making it as appealing as possible.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just like any of the other rooms in your home; </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/make-the-most-of-leaf-mould-in-your-garden/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your garden</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can provide somewhere to chill out, eat, or entertainment and recreation. It all depends on how green-fingered you are, and what you want to get out of the space. The sooner you start the planning process, and contacting the right people to help; the quicker you can get outside into an inviting and even exciting space. The following are some tips, ideas, and inspiration for those who feel that their backyard needs some attention because they want to spend more time outside. </span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4560 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden-300x200.jpeg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-169523-soil-dirt-yard-garden-320x213.jpeg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image source: </span><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-planting-plant-169523/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-planting-plant-169523/</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>Add Water</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An outside space is the perfect area for a pool, so start looking into companies like </span><a href="https://www.ecopools.com.au/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eco Pools custom pool builders</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> who can design you something that fits well within the environment and is sustainable. An outdoor pool can be enjoyed by everyone, and a heated option will mean that you can have a swim even on the coldest of days. If you have a smaller space, but still want to enjoy water in the garden; a hot tub can provide a relaxing area for you sit in the warmth. Just like a bath; it’ll soak your muscles, and you can breathe in the fresh air during all weather conditions as you relax in the bubbles.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Add Food</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are into the process of growing and tending your garden; you can create a kitchen garden, full of fresh ingredients that you can pick or harvest at various times of the year. Fruit, vegetables, and herbs that have been homegrown will mean that you’re always able to </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=grow%20seasonal%20veg&rs=typed&term_meta%5B%5D=grow%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=seasonal%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=veg%7Ctyped"><span style="font-weight: 400;">eat seasonally</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and have food to hand literally outside your back door. If you’re more into cooking up some meat and food on the BBQ; create a heated and covered patio or decking area so that you can enjoy chargrilled delights all year round. A BBQ is the perfect excuse to invite people over, come rain or shine; just make sure that you have a table and seating set up, and those heaters are working during the winter months. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Investing in your garden space will add a new dimension to your lifestyle and ensure that you g=have more room to relax and enjoy life in your home. </span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/planning-a-backyard-you-can-enjoy-all-year-round/">Planning A Backyard You Can Enjoy All Year Round</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-7125479647583974242018-01-20T12:01:00.009-05:002018-01-20T12:01:23.776-05:00Don't Give Up On A Lopsided Garden<p><em>Contributed Post</em></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A sloping garden can be a real pain to deal with. Trying to build a shed or anything on there is out of the question and it can even be dangerous out there if the slope is particularly steep. Most people with a sloping garden just end up letting it go to waste. You can’t sit out there because it’s not level and trying to plant anything is frustrating when you’re on that hill. It often leaves people</span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/do-you-resent-your-garden-heres-how-to-embrace-your-green-fingers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> resenting their garden</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult. A sloping garden isn’t a lost cause, you just need to make some adjustments and learn how to deal with it. Here’s how you can make the most of a mountainous garden. </span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Gite-self-catering-Cala-mandia-Mariposa_10.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4475 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Gite-self-catering-Cala-mandia-Mariposa_10.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="600" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Gite-self-catering-Cala-mandia-Mariposa_10.jpeg 800w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Gite-self-catering-Cala-mandia-Mariposa_10-300x225.jpeg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Gite-self-catering-Cala-mandia-Mariposa_10-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s.iha.com/6979500010604/Gite-self-catering-Cala-mandia-Mariposa_10.jpeg"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Source</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>Get A Ride On Lawnmower</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mowing the lawn in a sloping garden is probably the worst thing about it. Lugging the lawnmower up and down the hill is enough to put anybody off the gardening. But if you get a ride on lawnmower you can take all of the stress out of it. You need to be careful though because some of them aren’t very well suited to hills. Visit </span><a href="https://toolsaroundthehouse.com/garden/best-riding-mower-for-hills/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">toolsaroundthehouse</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for some great tips on finding the best ride on lawnmower for getting up that slope. In more extreme cases, you might not be able to find any ride on lawnmowers that will work if the slope is too steep. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Put A Patio In</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an ideal world, you would want to level out the entire garden but that’s a massive job if it’s even possible at all. What you can do though, is level out a small portion of the garden at the bottom of the slope and </span><a href="https://www.doityourself.com/stry/preparations-for-building-a-patio-on-a-slope"><span style="font-weight: 400;">put a patio in</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You’ll need to dig out a lot of the garden so be prepared for some hard work. Once you’ve got it level you can put a containing wall and a patio in. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Proper drainage is absolutely vital when you’re levelling off a section of the garden. If you don’t take the necessary measures then you’ll end up with a small, unwanted swimming pool in the garden instead of a patio. It’s probably a good idea to consult a professional before you put it in so you can make sure that it’s in a suitable place. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Level A Grassed Area</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A patio is enough for some people but if you’ve got a family, you’ll probably want a grassed area for the kids to play on. You can achieve that if you dig out a level area and the put in a stabilizing wall, you can essentially split the garden into two sections, an upper and a lower section, that are both flat. You need to remember that when you’ve created this raised area, your garden might overlook the neighbors garden so it’s probably a good idea to raise the fences a bit, otherwise, you might get a few complaints. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Use The Slope </b></h3><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/7712882294_12634e03f5_b-garden-pond-waterfall.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-4476 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/7712882294_12634e03f5_b-garden-pond-waterfall-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="490" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/7712882294_12634e03f5_b-garden-pond-waterfall.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/7712882294_12634e03f5_b-garden-pond-waterfall-300x200.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/7712882294_12634e03f5_b-garden-pond-waterfall-768x512.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/7712882294_12634e03f5_b-garden-pond-waterfall-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7274/7712882294_12634e03f5_b.jpg"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Source</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A slope in the garden isn’t always a bad thing and there are some circumstances where you can use it to your advantage. The best way to use a natural slope is to </span><a href="https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-build-outdoor-waterfalls-inexpensively-2132910"><span style="font-weight: 400;">create a water feature</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that takes advantage of the natural gravity to work. Separating the garden by leveling it out also means you can do different things with each separate section. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A lopsided garden is a bit of a pain but it can be a blessing in disguise if you use it right.  </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">  </span></p><br/><p> </p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/dont-give-up-on-a-lopsided-garden/">Don't Give Up On A Lopsided Garden</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-84881025770071652122018-01-20T12:01:00.007-05:002018-01-20T12:01:22.419-05:00A Beginners Guide To The Stock Market<p><em>Contributed Post</em></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thought about earning some extra cash? You’ve most likely heard of the stock market but felt that it’s way too complicated for you to get into. This guide breaks down some of the baffling terms used in the world of the stock market into more understandable concepts.</span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-iphone-business-mobile-38629.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4552 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-iphone-business-mobile-38629.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="425" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-iphone-business-mobile-38629.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-iphone-business-mobile-38629-300x199.jpeg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-iphone-business-mobile-38629-320x213.jpeg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-iphone-6-plus-and-macbook-air-on-wooden-table-38629/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Picture link</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>So, what exactly is the stock market?</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s important for you to grasp the meaning first. The stock market is a marketplace where stocks (goods and merchandise) or shares are traded. It may seem confusing at first glance, but all you need to do is know what certain abbreviations and </span><a href="https://www.thebalance.com/what-market-indexes-tell-us-3141365"><span style="font-weight: 400;">indices are used for</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. On the financial news, you’ve likely heard of the market being ‘up’ or ‘down’. This is referring to the stock market indices rising and falling. The major world indices of the USA are Dow 30, S&P 500, Nasdaq, SmallCap 2000 and S&P 500 VIX. These represent the biggest companies in the nation and a list of all shares. A market index gives you a good indication of business movements and is a useful tool for investors to describe the market and to compare share values against one another.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Understanding what a ‘share’ is</b></h3><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-market-pexels-photo-534216.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4553 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-market-pexels-photo-534216.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="350" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-market-pexels-photo-534216.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-market-pexels-photo-534216-300x164.jpeg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/airport-bank-board-business-534216/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Photo source</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve browsed the web, you’ve probably heard of the terms ‘share’ or ‘equities’. This refers to part-ownership of a company, meaning when you buy a ‘share’, you literally claim part of the business. Typically, the business needs to be a Public Limited Company (PLC) to be listed on the stock market, and anyone can buy or sell them. So, what does becoming a shareholder mean? It provides a range of rights and benefits such as potentially receiving dividend payments (a sum of money paid regularly). After all this, why do we want to buy shares? Simply put, to make money! If the company in which you own shares with pays dividends, you’ll receive payments. This amount increases if the company grows more successful and accumulates profits. If the value of the actual share rises and you hold onto this, it will continue to rise if the business gains more popularity. Once it gets to a stable value, you can sell this for a profit. This is a fantastic way of making money, especially if you’re </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/self-employed-protect-your-financial-future-with-these-tips/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">self-employed</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. However, for this to work you need to know your stuff and not take any unnecessary risks.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Knowing the businesses and investing properly</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, this is what requires your uttermost attention. It is essential to understand </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0asQOYockjY"><span style="font-weight: 400;">how to invest in the stock market</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> before making any decisions. If you’re stuck in a muddle with your investments and need more organisation, use platforms like </span><a href="https://investormint.com/investing/thinkorswim-vs-tastyworks"><span style="font-weight: 400;">investormint.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you in managing your finances better. The biggest rule for beginners and the key to avoiding big losses in the future is this: invest conservatively. One way to do this is by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of low-cost exchange traded funds and index funds. By doing this, you have a higher chance of receiving higher returns over a longer period.</span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/a-beginners-guide-to-the-stock-market/">A Beginners Guide To The Stock Market</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-74221514097109843352018-01-20T12:01:00.005-05:002018-01-20T12:01:16.798-05:00Make the Most of Leaf Mould in Your Garden<p><em>Contributed Post</em></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/autumn_fallen_leaves_fall_seasons_leaves_leafy_patterns_orange-1123320.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-4549 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/autumn_fallen_leaves_fall_seasons_leaves_leafy_patterns_orange-1123320-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="551" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/autumn_fallen_leaves_fall_seasons_leaves_leafy_patterns_orange-1123320-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/autumn_fallen_leaves_fall_seasons_leaves_leafy_patterns_orange-1123320-300x225.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/autumn_fallen_leaves_fall_seasons_leaves_leafy_patterns_orange-1123320-768x576.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/autumn_fallen_leaves_fall_seasons_leaves_leafy_patterns_orange-1123320-1170x878.jpg 1170w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/autumn_fallen_leaves_fall_seasons_leaves_leafy_patterns_orange-1123320-800x600.jpg 800w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/autumn_fallen_leaves_fall_seasons_leaves_leafy_patterns_orange-1123320.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image Credit: </span><a href="https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1123320"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pxhere</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many gardeners would go to great lengths to make their plants as healthy and beautiful as possible. They might consider buying top of the range mulch or using insulation to wrap their plants up warm during the winter months. But all of these things are expensive and not really a great way to spend your gardening budget. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Especially when you consider that all the ingredients you need to </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/how-does-your-garden-grow/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">keep your garden happy</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are right there in front of you!</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Leaf mould is the perfect solution to many gardener’s problems. If you were wondering </span><a href="https://growingorganic.com/organic-gardening"><span style="font-weight: 400;">how to</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> create a perfectly organic garden with little effort? Leaf mould. If you wanted to keep your plants warm? Leaf mould. If you wanted a better use for fallen leaves than the trash? You got it – leaf mould! </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, leaf mould is so good, it’s incredible that so many gardener simply chuck their fallen leaves out. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s how to make the good stuff. </span></p><br/><h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How to Make Leaf Mould </span></h2><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Step One</span></h3><br/><p><a href="http://time.com/money/3502242/leaf-tools-blower-mower-clean-up-cost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gather up all the fallen leaves in your garden</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> taking care to pick them out of foliage where they may have landed. You might want to wear some gardening gloves, particularly if you have thorned plants or conifer trees that will make your skin itchy. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have neighbors who aren’t particularly interested in garden but also have a yard full of leaves, offer you neighborly services. Everyone’s a winner! </span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Step Two</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rake all the fallen leaves into a pile on your lawn and then, using a lawn mower, go over the leaves again again until they are in tiny shredded pieces. This process is vital for speeding up the decomposition of your leaves. </span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Step Three</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bag up the shredded leaves allowing just a little bit of airflow and moisture to get in. This will assist the decomposition process and will result in a lovely fresh bag of leaf mould. You can even </span><a href="https://sciencing.com/compost-leaves-plastic-bag-4213.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">add your fresh lawn trimmings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> too. </span></p><br/><h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Can You Use Leaf Mould For?</span></h2><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Leaf mould is ideal for giving your plants vital nutrients over the winter months. Simply spread a thin layer on top of the soil around the base of your plants and </span><a href="https://www.thespruce.com/making-and-using-leaf-mold-2539475"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rake it in</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. you could also use leaf mould to keep your plants warm by piling it up around the roots and base. This is a more organic way of keeping your plants warm and comes with the added bonus of plenty of nitrogen for your plants to grow. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You could also use leaf mould as a layer in your own homemade compost. Simply fork it into the heap and leave it to do it’s thing. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve never made leaf mould before, it is really easy to store. All you need to do is leave the bags in a cold dark space, like a shed or garage, and ignore until you want to use them. As there are no chemicals involved at all and you know exactly where the leaves have come from, you can be confident that what you are spreading on your garden will do it good.  </span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/make-the-most-of-leaf-mould-in-your-garden/">Make the Most of Leaf Mould in Your Garden</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-76124193916955253652018-01-20T12:01:00.003-05:002018-01-20T12:01:12.214-05:00I could talk music with friends for hours. In this case, it's U2<p>A year or so ago, Tig over at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/SneakersAndSoul">Nerd Out With Me</a> and I brought <a href="https://bootsyspankinspi.bandcamp.com/">Bootsy Spankins P.I.</a> into the attic to talk music. The idea was to do a monthly show where we’d reach into the bins holding my CDs, pull something out at random, and take it from there. We recorded a few segments but ended up dropping the idea. Too much hassle dancing around copyright issues on Youtube in order to use the music. They never saw the light of day.</p><br/><p>I really liked the idea. I could sit down and yammer about music with someone for hours (especially if there’s beer). I’ve been doing it most of my life! Thankfully, the <a href="http://www.nerdoutwithme.com/category/podcasts">’90s podcast</a> I now do with Tig lets me do some of that music discussion I wanted to do, though I do miss the idea of doing these “Music Night With Bootsy” shows we planned on doing.</p><br/><p>All that is a lengthy way to introduce this video, which is one of those lost segments. It’s completely devoted to U2, who are a longtime favorite. If you like the band, or enjoy my beautiful head, take a look:</p><br/><p><iframe width="734" height="413" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cb4mszwq9Kk?feature=oembed" frame gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/i-could-talk-music-with-friends-for-hours-in-this-case-its-u2/">I could talk music with friends for hours. In this case, it's U2</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-19623147451944142102018-01-20T12:01:00.001-05:002018-01-20T12:01:06.851-05:00There was a Mork & Mindy board game for some damn reason, and I have one<p>The early ’80s were a weird time for board games. You either had hardcore war simulations, lightweight family games, or lousy games based on pop culture stuff.</p><br/><p>The Mork & Mindy game is obviously the latter. Mork & Mindy was, of course, the “zany” television sitcom that brought Robin Williams and giant alien eggs into all our homes. Robin Williams played an alien who talked in nonsense words. He lived with some woman, Mindy. My family watched this when I was a kid. It was goofy. For some damn reason, they made a <em>board game</em> out of this show.</p><br/><p>And I got my hands on one. Let’s take a look at it:</p><br/><p><iframe width="734" height="413" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fzxJUDUBnE8?feature=oembed" frame gesture="media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><br/><p>I’m not sure who thought this would be a good idea.</p><br/><p>I <em>do</em> know, however, that one of these days I’m going to get a six-pack of beer and play this for real.</p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/there-was-a-mork-mindy-board-game-for-some-damn-reason-and-i-have-one/">There was a Mork & Mindy board game for some damn reason, and I have one</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-87698671968715938352018-01-20T12:00:00.015-05:002018-01-20T12:00:56.904-05:00Self-Employed? Protect Your Financial Future with These Tips!<p><em>Contributed Post</em></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chart-2785864_640-coffee.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4537 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chart-2785864_640-coffee.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="423" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chart-2785864_640-coffee.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chart-2785864_640-coffee-300x198.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chart-2785864_640-coffee-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/p-2785864/?no_redirect"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image Source</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Life can be a bit more stressful if you are self-employed. After all, it can often feel like you are opening yourself up to more risk. You don’t have the security of a long-term employment contract, nor do you have any corporate benefits. However, there are plenty of pros associated with being self-employed, as you are no doubt aware of. Plus, there are numerous ways for you to protect your financial future too. So, let’s take a look…</span></p><br/><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Look for second streams of income </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">– One of the best ways to protect your financial future is to look for other ways to make money. There are a number of ways you can do this. You can look for second income streams in the form of selling things online, taking surveys, and such like. Alternatively, and often more favourably, you can start investing your money. Investing in stocks and shares is something that a lot of self-employed people do. When doing this, you need to determine whether to opt for stocks and shares in big companies or small businesses. The likes of</span><a href="https://financhill.com/search/stock-score/BAC"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Bank of America stock</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can be tempting because such a business is reliable and sturdy, but if you want something a bit riskier that could yield bigger results, it can often pay to go for a small company. Of course, it all comes down to your attitude to risk.</span></li><br/><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Get smart about tax </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">– The next step is to ensure you are tax savvy. A lot of people are paying</span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/you-can-make-money-out-of-selling-money/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">more money</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to the taxman than they need to simply because they haven’t educated themselves in tax-related matters. This does not mean that you should start using underhanded means to avert tax. Make sure everything is above board. Simply look for any tax breaks that you may be entitled to; for example, could you claim for the office you have in your house? Also, make sure you save for tax effectively. There are a number of tools and calculators online that can help you to budget.</span></li><br/><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Consider protection for yourself and your loved ones</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – Your self-employed status will mean that you do not have access to some of the protections that come as a standard when working for a business. For example, you may not have access to sick pay and benefits like this. This is why it is a good idea to consider taking out</span><a href="https://www.thebalance.com/save-money-health-care-insurance-4124456"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">insurance plans</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that will provide you and your family with the protection that is needed to fill this gap.</span></li><br/><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Have a savings buffer </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">– Last but not least, it is so important to have a savings buffer. You are probably well aware of the fact that your incomings can change from month to month. This is why you need to have a good amount of savings in place to cover your bills or your mortgage if work slows down or a client is late at paying a significant bill. This can often happen when you are self-employed, and so being prepared will ensure that such a situation does not end up being a disaster.</span></li><br/></ul><p> </p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/self-employed-protect-your-financial-future-with-these-tips/">Self-Employed? Protect Your Financial Future with These Tips!</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-63709556435472001972018-01-20T12:00:00.013-05:002018-01-20T12:00:52.642-05:00How Does Your Garden Grow?<p><em>Contributed Post</em></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ve all heard of the </span><a href="https://kidsongs.com/lyrics/how-does-your-garden-grow.html/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">famous nursery rhyme</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, so how does your garden grow? Are you someone who loves to make it as bright and colourful as possible? Or are you one that has a garden so big you feel it’s pointless trying to do anything with it? Or does gardening just not interest you? Well whichever one you fall under, you need to try and make as much effort with your garden as possible. It is one of the first things any guest notices about your home, and gardening can be so fun if you make it. It also comes in handy when it comes to selling your home. A big attractive garden is a selling point for a lot of people. Here’s a few additions you can make to make your garden beautiful again.</span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/white-cabbage-2521700_640.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4534 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/white-cabbage-2521700_640.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/white-cabbage-2521700_640.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/white-cabbage-2521700_640-300x200.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/white-cabbage-2521700_640-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/photos/vegetable%20garden/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image Source</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>Activities</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve got a lot of space, you need to find a way to fill it. Fortunately for you, you can make your garden a haven of activities to keep it interesting. Sometimes it isn’t all about the decoration that makes a garden good. It’s about what you can do in your garden that makes it appealing. If you’ve got a tonne of space, a fun addition could be a stable with a horse. If you have a daughter, this is an even better idea for you. It’s such a good way to bond by looking after and raising a horse together. It is an excellent form of fitness and will teach your daughter the importance of patience and caring for an animal. If you have a son it could also be fun to get them involved. </span><a href="http://www.valestables.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bespoke stables</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> really aren’t that expensive either. The buying of the horse is a tad on the expensive side, but once you have all the gear raising a horse on your own isn’t that hard. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Grow Your Own Veg</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is one of the most resourceful things you can do with your garden. It’s also one of the most fun and rewarding tasks to do. All you need to do is dig out part of your garden. Create a sort of pen with some wooden planks, fill it with soil, and you’re ready to grow. This is something great to get the kids involved with too. You can plant any vegetable you like, you just need to make sure you tend to it often to ensure the </span><a href="https://www.thompson-morgan.com/top-10-easy-to-grow-vegetables"><span style="font-weight: 400;">proper growth of the veggies</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Plant All Around</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s one of the easiest ways to transform your home into a beautiful sanctuary of life. If you do have a large garden, this will take some time, but after a few months of growing you’ll have an amazing garden to look at. Pick some of the brightest biggest flowers, and spend a few days creating a flower bed that goes all round the garden. Bring in some outside help from professionals if you need to. Plant as many as you can, but don’t overcrowd, and make sure you tend to the flowers to ensure they don’t die. This is especially important now the </span><a href="https://livingwithaboy.co.uk/2017/10/25/you-can-still-enjoy-your-garden-in-winter/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">weather is colder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/how-does-your-garden-grow/">How Does Your Garden Grow?</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-70017506813739626752018-01-20T12:00:00.011-05:002018-01-20T12:00:49.348-05:005 Ways to Make Your Songs More Interesting<p><em>Contributed Post</em></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If the songs we made sounded as good to an audience as they did in our head, then we’d </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/turn-your-dream-of-starting-a-band-into-a-reality/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">all be superstars</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Alas, that’s a message that often fails to get through to the listeners of our music. If you’re finding that people aren’t engaged in your music, then it might be time to take your songs to strange new places. All the greatest bands in history pushed the boat out, and if it was good enough for them, it’s good enough for you! Below, we take a look at how you make your existing and future songs more noteworthy. </span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374703-headphones-music-window.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4531 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374703-headphones-music-window.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374703-headphones-music-window.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374703-headphones-music-window-300x200.jpeg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-374703-headphones-music-window-320x213.jpeg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-beautiful-blur-casual-374703/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pexels.com</span></a></p><br/><h2><b>Mix up the Tempo</b></h2><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There have been a great song made (and a few lost) just because the songwriter finally stumbled upon the right tempo for a track. Indeed, you can listen to some demo versions of famous songs that have a much slower/faster tempo; you’ll soon see just how important it is. If your song isn’t getting as much love as you’d like, consider speeding the track up or down. It’s easy enough to test out, and when you have the right tempo, you can lay the track down again.</span></p><br/><h2><b>Switch out Your Instruments</b></h2><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re in a band, then you probably rely pretty heavily on guitars, bass, and drums. And there’s nothing wrong with them: practically every great rock song has been used on this awesome foursome! However, if that’s all you’re using, then your music could end up a bit boring. So why not switch out one of the instruments for something else? Add some strings or another instrument that would normally be considered offbeat for your music. Remember, The Beatles turned to George for a few sitar openings, and </span><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/sgt-pepper-at-50-inside-within-you-without-you-w483668"><span style="font-weight: 400;">those songs sound fresh</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – even for The Beatles!</span></p><br/><h2><b>Take it to New Places</b></h2><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You might have stumbled upon a killer guitar piece for your song, but as the adage says, sometimes you have to kill your darlings. No matter how good it sounds, by the end of a four-minute track, the sound will have become repetitive and boring. Add a dominant seventh chord, or applied dominant chord; they </span><a href="https://boldmusiclessons.com/applied-dominant-chords/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">serve a similar function</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. It’ll cause a modulation, which will give the song variety and a bit of color. </span></p><br/><h2><b>Work on the Lyrics </b></h2><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Listen, we know that lyrics can be difficult. They don’t just come from thin air. However, many songwriters try to let their music do all the talking, and instead blurt out words that have value, but not to the songwriter in particular; they’re too generic. Even if they don’t catch them the first time around, your song will have greater long-term appeal if the lyrics have some depth. If they’re worthy of a second listen, effectively.</span></p><br/><h2><b>Listen to the Audience!</b></h2><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, remember that if you want your audience to like your music, it might be worth listening to what they say about your songs. If they’re saying they’re too long, or not interesting enough; then you have something to work with. Make the people happy! </span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/5-ways-to-make-your-songs-more-interesting/">5 Ways to Make Your Songs More Interesting</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-41405379107285900482018-01-20T12:00:00.009-05:002018-01-20T12:00:43.834-05:00Writer who laments the lack of smart sci-fi like Blade Runner 2049 doesn't understand smart sci-fi<p>I’m not keen on attacking other writers, and indeed, this should not be construed as an attach. Still, I can’t help but vent a little frustration at this piece from the Guardian, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/14/blade-runner-2049-killed-the-smart-sci-fi-blockbuster-denis-villeneuve">Has Blade Runner 2049’s failure killed off the smart sci-fi blockbuster</a>?</p><br/><p>The writer (who I’m sure is a terrific guy) has great praise for Denis Villeneuve’s unexpectedly astonishing sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 science fiction cult classic, <em>Blade Runner</em>. I agree with him wholeheartedly about that. This was a visually stunning, thematically rich modern masterpiece of the genre, one that had me talking about it and chewing it on for days after, exactly as great speculative fiction/science fiction should. I expected nothing from it, in fact openly said they shouldn’t even <em>make</em> it when it was first announced, and I was wrong, wrong, <em>wrong</em>. The film was fantastic.</p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-02.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-4514 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-02-1024x427.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="306" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-02-1024x427.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-02-300x125.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-02-768x320.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-02-1170x488.jpg 1170w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p>I’m also on board with the idea of lamenting anything that will do damage to getting good SF into theaters.I make it a point to support these films with my money because for me, the heart of the genre is in questions about the human condition, not spaceships and lasers. I love space adventure as much as the next geek — I’m a lifelong Star Wars fan, natch — but my real love is for films like <em>Gattaca</em>, <em>Children of Men</em>, <em>Arrival</em>, and other works that pose questions about humanity and our place in the world. If <em>Blade Runner 2049’s</em> box office failure means fewer films like this, that would be a great loss.</p><br/><p>So why do I have a problem with this piece?</p><br/><p>Because it poses a series of questions that undermine all the things that make <em>Blade Runner 2049</em> and other “smart” science fiction films “smart” in the first place.</p><br/><p>The writer says that “the Canadian film-maker chose to plunge so far down the futuristic rabbit hole without revealing enough of this mesmerising sci-fi wonderland’s darkest secrets.” There could have been sequels, he says, that dealt with those secrets. He then offers a series of questions to illustrate what such sequels would explore.</p><br/><p>And that’s when I wanted to print out the article just so I could ball up the paper and toss it in the trash. Let’s look at the questions he writes about one by one. The material in bold are direct quotes from the piece. Oh, and <strong>SPOILER WARNING</strong> for Blade Runner 2049:</p><br/><p><strong>After almost three breathless hours of pulsating dystopian thrills, we are no closer to filling in many of the gaps in Ridley Scott’s original 1982 dystopian masterwork. Is Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard a replicant?</strong></p><br/><p>It doesn’t <em>matter</em>, and more importantly, answering the question would undermine half the <em>point</em>. We’re supposed to question whether there is any fundamental difference between human and replicant; what truly makes us human; what would set us apart from a being that looked, felt, and acted just like us. Questions like this are common in sci-fi, asking us to explore what makes us tick and also serving as analogs for issues like race relations and the class divide. Leaving the question of Deckard open is key to driving that philosophical question. Giving a definitive answer here would be the wrong choice. The whole point is to blur the lines between human and replicant. The real answer doesn’t matter. What matters is the question. That’s why they smartly sent mixed signals. To maintain that blur.</p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-03.png"><img class="size-large wp-image-4515 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-03-1024x428.png" alt="" width="734" height="307" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-03-1024x428.png 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-03-300x126.png 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-03-768x321.png 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-03-1170x490.png 1170w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-03.png 1434w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p><strong>What do the off-world colonies look like?</strong></p><br/><p>It doesn’t <em>matter</em>. In fact, it’s better <strong>not </strong>to know. In the Blade Runner universe, we know Earth is in shambles. People there are crowded and miserable. It’s a poison world filled with poison people. The off-world colonies should serve as an almost mythical place the people on Earth want to escape to. That sort of thing is better left to our imagination. You show them, and suddenly those colonies are just another set of sci-fi cities instead of that alluring, unknown something the characters hope to one day reach. It’d be like showing the Undying Lands in <em>Lord of the Rings</em>, or Heaven in just about any other story. These are things better left as unrealized wishes.</p><br/><p><strong>Are androids the next stage in human evolution, or merely useful gifts for the 21st-century sociopath who has everything?</strong></p><br/><p>This is the fundamental question of the series. <em>You don’t answer that question!</em> You introduce the question to the audience and prompt them to think about it. You present this ambiguous morality play and allow audiences to consider the questions you’re posing. If you just hand them an answer, it’s no longer the smart sci-fi you claim to want!</p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-01.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-4513 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-01-1024x429.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="308" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-01-1024x429.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-01-300x126.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-01-768x322.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-01-1170x490.jpg 1170w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p><strong>What’s more, we suddenly have dozens of new puzzles to solve. Is Carla Juri’s Dr Ana Stelline Deckard’s biological daughter, and can she ever leave that giant glass dome?</strong></p><br/><p>These questions can only have come from not paying attention, because the answer is clear “yes” to both. We know she’s Deckard’s daughter, that’s abundantly clear, and yes, she can leave the dome, she’s simply been placed there to hide and protect her. It essentially puts her off the grid and beyond suspicion. Whether she knows that is an open question — it’s not clear whether or not she knows the truth about herself — but it’s not a question that needs answering.</p><br/><p><strong>Who will win the battle for control over the first naturally born replicant – Jared Leto’s Niander Wallace, or Hiam Abbass’s one-eyed robo-insurgent Freysa?</strong></p><br/><p>It doesn’t matter. <em>Blade Runner</em> is not <em>Star Wars</em>. It’s not a battle between factions, it’s a meditation on humanity, truth, free will, and other higher concepts. I can’t imagine anyone actually cares about seeing this resolved, since it’s so far removed from the point of the film.</p><br/><p><strong>Will Deckard and Ana ever restore their father-daughter bond, given he abandoned her to that awful orphanage as a small child?</strong></p><br/><p>Honestly, who cares? Ending the movie on the note they did was ideal; you don’t need another story to explain that Deckard went to lunch with his daughter and they had a nice chat and then she cried and then they had a nice father/daughter moment. Their relationship doesn’t matter. Those characters are effectively MacGuffins. They exist to help pose the questions the film seeks to pose.</p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-04.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-4516 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-04-1024x396.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="284" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-04-1024x396.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-04-300x116.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-04-768x297.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-04-1170x452.jpg 1170w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blade-Runner-2049-04.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p><strong>Villeneuve and screenwriters Hampton Fancher and Michael Green might well have been hoping to answer all these questions in future instalments.</strong></p><br/><p>Hopefully they’re smarter than that. Based on the film, I’d say they are.</p><br/><p>And thank goodness for that. <em>Blade Runner 2049’s</em> strength comes in no small part through its willingness to trust the audience, and just as importantly, to <em>demand</em> of the audience.</p><br/><p>Because that’s what good science/speculative fiction does. It asks us to think. To question. To ponder. And answering the above questions completely kicks the legs out from that.</p><br/><p><em>(For some good brain fodder, go check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594745277/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1594745277&linkCode=as2&tag=ericsanjuan-20&linkId=IWRPDWNJHHCGBRNQ">Geek Wisdom</a>, a book I was proud to contribute to.)</em></p><br/><div class="postbody"></div><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/writer-who-laments-the-lack-of-smart-sci-fi-like-bladerunner-2049-doesnt-understand-smart-sci-fi/">Writer who laments the lack of smart sci-fi like Blade Runner 2049 doesn't understand smart sci-fi</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-75283777305227341712018-01-20T12:00:00.007-05:002018-01-20T12:00:33.086-05:00I don't want Amazon's Lord of the Rings show<p>Earlier this week, Amazon announced it had <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/13/entertainment/lord-of-the-rings-tv-series-amazon/index.html">struck a $250 million deal</a> to produce a multi-season <em>Lord of the Rings</em> series. As a lifelong fan of all things Tolkien, this is not minor news.</p><br/><p>The name is a little misleading, of course, as this won’t be a television adaptation of the famous book (which had already been adapted to film by Peter Jackson in a wildly successful trilogy). Rather, the plan, according to <a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2316587">their press release</a>, is to “explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring,” along with a potential spinoff series.</p><br/><p>That’s the part that gives me pause, especially in light of the fact that Christopher Tolkien, longtime guardian of his father’s literary legacy, <a href="http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2017/11/15/104426-in-historic-move-christopher-tolkien-resigns-as-director-of-tolkien-estate/">has stepped down</a> from the Tolkien Estate.</p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-01.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4508 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-01.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="368" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-01.jpg 670w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-01-300x165.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px"/></a></p><br/><p>I’ve no problem with adaptations of Tolkien’s work. I’ve watched or listened to <em>The Lord of the Rings</em> in many forms, including multiple radio adaptations, two feature film adaptations (Peter Jackson’s and Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 animated film), and more. I love it all, even the <a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/the-hobbit-battle-of-five-armies/">kind of atrocious</a> final Hobbit movie. Yes, I’ve said many times over the years that Tolkien was and remains extremely important to me, <a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/jrr-tolkien-is-reason-why-i-write/">inspiring me to write</a> in my youth and setting me down this road towards the written, but I’m not one of those fans who demand unerring devotion to every word he wrote, treating the work like religion rather than an amazing life of creativity. Though it often tossed the source material out the window, I adore the initial Peter Jackson trilogy, for example.</p><br/><p>Writing new narratives in Tolkien’s world, though?</p><br/><p>I’m not sure that sits well with me.</p><br/><p>For the most part, the stories of Middle Earth have been Tolkien’s alone. Middle Earth is the life’s work of one man, sprung from the well of his imagination and worked on over many decades. It was a very <em>personal</em> wok for him; it is his legacy; it is what he leaves the world. And thus far, we’ve been quite happy with that. We’ve enjoyed tribute art and adaptations, but spinoffs and the like? No. What non-Tolkien Middle Earth narratives that exist have largely been relegated to the world of video games. They’ve not had much impact, either, and some, such as Lord of the Rings: Online, are deeply steeped in Tolkien lore. Plus, video games are meant to provide a framework for players to create their own stories. That’s far different than presenting a whole, finished, static work that the public will embrace as being part of Tolkien’s world.</p><br/><p>Tolkien adaptations have taken liberties with his work, but ultimately they’ve still told Tolkien’s stories. Even the biggest liberties taken by Peter Jackson were still taken within the confines of a narrative initially told by J.R.R. Tolkien, surrounded by characters he breathed life into, and attempting to capture the spirit of his work. Jackson & Co.’s re-invention of big portions of <em>The Hobbit</em>, for example, involved taking actual elements from the books and rearranging them <em>like so</em>. Fans can debate the merits of those choices, but they still come down to having their roots in Tolkien’s work.</p><br/><p>Amazon’s press release appears to suggest that won’t be the case here, especially when it comes to the idea of spinoff series. There just aren’t that many stories preceding <em>The Lord of the Rings</em> to tell without wholesale invention — and yes, I understand that <em>The Silmarillion</em> is kind of a big giant sprawling thing with loads of stories to tell, but there’s no indication that’s what they mean and historically, it’s appeared as if adaptations of that have been off the table as far as the Tolkien Estate is concerned. The rights have not been sold to them.</p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-02.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-4509 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-02-1024x620.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="444" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-02-1024x620.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-02-300x182.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-02-768x465.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-02-1170x708.jpg 1170w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-02.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p>So what stories do they tell? Are we going to see the adventures of young Aragorn, or Mirkwood elves having adventures, or people from Gondor dealing with the growing threat of orcs from Mordor?</p><br/><p>Perhaps. And I’m not sure I really want to see that.</p><br/><p>At best, we’ll see stories from the appendices of <em>The Lord of the Rings</em> fleshed out and expanded upon. That’s the <a href="http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2017/11/14/104393-contents-of-amazons-lord-of-the-rings-series-not-so-mysterious-after-all/">speculation</a> of The One Ring.net, and it’s probably close to the mark. That means taking summaries, mostly a few paragraphs, at times just a few <em>sentences</em>, and turning them into entire seasons of TV.</p><br/><p>I suspect J.R.R. Tolkien wouldn’t have been keen on that. Christopher Tolkien certainly wouldn’t have been. He stepped down from the Tolkien Estate effective Aug. 31, at the ripe age of 93. I suspect other forces within the Estate had been negotiating with Amazon and others for some time now, knowing they could only finalize the deal after Christopher was out of the picture. He’s been a fierce defender of his father’s literary legacy over the years and would have been unlikely to allow new stories based on his father’s work.</p><br/><p>The timing of all this is kind of stinks in that regard.</p><br/><p>Adapt Tolkien all the live long day. I’d absolutely <em>love</em> a faithful, mature series adapting the myths from <em>The Silmarillion</em>, for example. But I’m not sure that I’m ready to see someone else penning new stories in Tolkien’s world or taking brief summaries and turning them into hours worth of television. That strikes me as elaborate, expensive fan fiction, and I have no interest in seeing that. And frankly, there is no <em>need</em> for more stories built around <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>. All the important bits are already there. The characters, the themes, the people, the places, they are all fleshed out in great detail. Adding more serves little purpose and can only undermine the whole, turning the work into just another Generic Fantasy Story instead of the rich, important work it is.</p><br/><p>There are some positives. Apparently, Amazon is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/nov/13/lord-of-the-rings-amazon-tv-show-confirmed">working with the Tolkien Estate</a>, so that’s <em>kind of</em> good. (Only <em>kind of</em> because the best protector of Tolkien’s literary legacy is now gone.) And New Line Cinema is involved, which suggests that perhaps there will be some design and visual continuity with the films, which would be highly welcome and may mitigate some of my other concerns. At least then I could think of them as part of the film universe, something distinct from the book universe.</p><br/><p>And I can’t lie: I’ll be watching. Day one. No question about it, I’ll at least give it a try (and yes, I’ll go in with as open a mind as I can muster, just as I always have).</p><br/><p>But it still kind of sits a little uneasy with me. With Christopher gone, the danger of Middle Earth become another generic, marketed to all hell wasteland of garbage products churned out year after year, with spinoff books and the like, is quite high indeed.</p><br/><p>And I don’t like the sound of that.</p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/i-dont-want-amazons-lord-of-the-rings-show/">I don't want Amazon's Lord of the Rings show</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-78704072045502366562018-01-20T12:00:00.005-05:002018-01-20T12:00:08.938-05:00The new Godspeed You! Black Emperor disappoints, until it doesn't<p>I can still remember my reaction the first time I heard Godspeed You! Black Emperor (then stylized as Godspeed You Black Emperor!): “Sonofabitch, some bastards did it! Those crazy bastards did it!”</p><br/><p>And it was amazing.</p><br/><p>This was mid 1998. I had pulled some friends together for a semi-improvisational noise band called <a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/music/slumbersigh/">Slumbersigh</a>. We played a few shows early that year, blasted some feedback at the audience, and called it quits before summer. During that stretch, I waxed poetic to the drummer about this sound I heard in my head, this musical <em>thing</em> I wanted to do but had no idea how to accomplish.</p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Gybeinfinity.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4505 alignright" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Gybeinfinity.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Gybeinfinity.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Gybeinfinity-150x150.jpg 150w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Gybeinfinity-60x60.jpg 60w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a>Sprawling, seemingly endless instrumental songs that built slowly towards a raging crescendo, backed by strings and horns, with multiple guitars weaving in and out of one another in squalls of sonic fury. The pieces would bleed into one another, one piece winding down only to shift, evolve, and morph into something else entirely on its way to yet another mighty crescendo. I wanted it to sound like the twisted soundtrack of a film that didn’t exist. Like classical music gone wrong after a meth bender with the Velvet Underground. As if the end of The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” were done as a chugging Zeppelin groove and was played for 15 minutes.</p><br/><p>So when I heard <em>F♯ A♯ ∞</em>, the debut record by GY!BE later that summer, I was floored. Someone had done exactly what I was hearing.</p><br/><p>I don’t recall exactly how the record crossed my path. Most likely, I picked it up blind. The vinyl release had been quietly released in 1997 on Constellation Records, but it wasn’t until June of 1998 that it hit the CD format thanks to Kranky, a Chicago label dedicated to ambient and experimental music. At one time, I’d buy just about anything they put out. Labradford, Windy & Carl, Magnog. I knew I couldn’t go wrong if it came from Kranky. It was almost always great stuff.</p><br/><p>That first GY!BE record blew me away. It sounded just like what I heard in my head. Bits of music and song ideas connected together into epic dirges, incidental music joined with what could have been soundtrack music, long jams of blaring guitar and string sections. It was stunning.</p><br/><p>They put out two more fantastic albums and an EP over the next five years, reinventing the post-rock genre while also influencing the film and TV soundtrack work we’d hear for the next 15 to 20 years. That chilling scene of an empty city at the start of <em>28 Days Later</em>? That’s Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The theme song for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1519163835/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1519163835&linkCode=as2&tag=ericsanjuan-20&linkId=ZWDYNUHMOPHLYHBL"><em>The Walking Dead</em></a>? Bear McCeary, the composer for that show, BattleStar Galactica, and others, has clearly been inspired by them. And so on.</p><br/><p>The band took a 10-year hiatus, then came back by surprise with 2012’s<em> ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!</em>, portions of which was made up of music they had initially played live a decade prior. It was strong stuff. Another solid record followed in 2015, and then in September of this year we got <em>Luciferian Towers</em>, their newest effort.</p><br/><p>A new GY!BE record is always an event for me, so I grabbed some earphones and headed out for a walk for my first listen, not really prepared for disappointment.</p><br/><p>Yet the first three tracks, totaling about 30 minutes of music, left me largely unmoved. This sounded like a band going through the motions. Guitarist and band leader Efrim Menuck had a new tone and sound, a shimmering effect on his guitar (some high rate tremolo, I think), that I really liked,  and the growls of the bass sounded like an old engine rattling the garage walls. That was good. The overall <em>sound</em> of the band was great. But the songs didn’t go anywhere interesting; they didn’t have interesting musical hooks; seemed to have no path or message or mood of interest to establish. All the parts were there — droning string section, thundering drums, wailing guitars — but it didn’t add up to much. They sounded like a band that was writing on pure muscle memory.</p><br/><p>Then the fourth and final song hit, the 15-minute “Anthem for No State.”</p><br/><p><iframe width="734" height="413" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/or4TV8WHcEw?feature=oembed" frame allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><br/><p>It started slow, as is typical for them, but like some alien insect it reshaped itself several times over, working its way through a series of stages that were like a Spaghetti Western soundtrack from some alternate universe, one where Ennio Morricone played from the top of a mountain with amps that went all the way up to 11. It shook and shifted, exploring a series of open themes that suggested empty cities in the dessert in the process of being rebuilt.</p><br/><p>And I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a minor chord anywhere in the whole piece, or at least none that came to dominate the track. That was pretty unusual for them — their music has always been bleak, dour, and at times claustrophobic — and yet it still sounded <em>exactly</em> like them. I felt genuine fire there. It hearkened back to that band who did what could have passed for soundtrack music on their first album, but with all the experience that the years have brought them, and a hopeful tone that was new for them. It re-contextualized the whole album for me, but more importantly, it made me excited for where they could go after this.</p><br/><p>Saved on the last track!</p><br/><p>It’s been nearly 20 years since I first heard Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Much like My Bloody Valentine, Bardo Pond, Slowdive, Flying Saucer Attack and others, they’ve had a big influence on <a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/music/m2/">my own ambient music</a>. And after hearing how they reinvented themselves on “Anthem for No State,” I suspect this record is going to grow on me.</p><br/><p>Drone on, guys. Drone on.</p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/the-new-godspeed-you-black-emperor-disappoints-until-it-doesnt/">The new Godspeed You! Black Emperor disappoints, until it doesn't</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-74551086955897471812018-01-20T12:00:00.003-05:002018-01-20T12:00:05.427-05:00Non-Negotiable: Top 5 Qualities Employers Want In The Office<p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/thumb_NPS_Graduates.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4498 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/thumb_NPS_Graduates.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="414" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/thumb_NPS_Graduates.jpg 600w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/thumb_NPS_Graduates-300x207.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=5473"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This image is from Navair</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Changing career or finding a new job is never easy. After dozens of applications, you may only get one or two callbacks. And, the pressure on making an excellent first impression is huge. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce the tension and make the process easier. All you have to do is show an employer you have a selection of the following. </span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Knowledge</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Knowledge seems like a prerequisite for any position, but you’d be surprised. Thanks to the college culture, lots of applicants are book smart yet </span><a href="https://www.earlytorise.com/early-to-rise-lifestyle/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">lack common sense</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This is a massive problem for employers that need people who can think on their feet. Hence, the search for intelligence is one they take seriously. The trick is to show that you have real-world experience as well as being academically inclined. Qualifications are fantastic but they only go so far in the workplace.</span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Experience</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One thing which employers won’t allow is a lack of experience. Again, the college culture doesn’t help modern job seekers because it provides minimal hands-on experience. Businesses need to see this on a resume because it puts their mind at ease. Not only does it show that you can do the job, but it also means spending less money on training and support. If the course doesn’t offer it, try and get out into the working world and </span><a href="https://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers-advice/work-experience/why-is-work-experience-important"><span style="font-weight: 400;">volunteer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You won’t get paid, yet the gamble will pay off in the long-term.</span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-meeting-business.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4499 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-meeting-business.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="424" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-meeting-business.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-meeting-business-300x199.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-meeting-business-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkpublic/2037199287"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This image is from flickr</span></a></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Qualifications</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Firstly, a strong resume gets you past the application stage and into the building. Your qualifications may do nothing once you are inside yet they still play a major role in the process. Also, don’t forget that due to the number of applicants, businesses can take their pick of candidates. Therefore, there are credentials, such as a degree, which are non-negotiable. Secondly, it marks you out as a multifaceted employee. An </span><a href="https://online.kettering.edu/programs/masters/masters-business-administration-online"><span style="font-weight: 400;">online engineering MBA</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> degree may not have a direct link, but bosses love it nonetheless. Why? It’s because the company has a range of skills to tackle unforeseen circumstances.</span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not Afraid To Fail</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the videos of screaming bosses online, you would think management hate failure. And, they do because it costs them money and lowers the firm’s reputation. However, the people who aren’t scared to make mistakes are the ones who add to the office. The reason is two-fold. For starters, risk takers are creative and come up with the original and engaging material. Secondly, a savvy employee </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/4-qualities-of-great-business-leaders/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">learns from his or her mistakes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and becomes a stronger worker.</span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ambitious</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Businesses don’t want to pay people more when they get promoted yet have no choice. Employees are ambitious and will bounce if they don’t get the recognition they deserve. Bosses actually love this trait because it takes the responsibility off their shoulders. People with drive always take on new challenges and roll up their sleeves when the company needs help. Sure, it’s for their gain, but it helps the business when they work at weekends or head multiple projects.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have all of the above, rejection will become a thing of the past.</span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/non-negotiable-top-5-qualities-employers-want-in-the-office/">Non-Negotiable: Top 5 Qualities Employers Want In The Office</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-88833387157531480132018-01-20T12:00:00.001-05:002018-01-20T12:00:01.889-05:00New Life, New Opportunities: Could You Earn A Fortune In Asia?<p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/city-skyline.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4490 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/city-skyline.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/city-skyline.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/city-skyline-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/35374721904/in/photolist-VTWGom-VJeiT4-Wz6RHN-8NwbAY-8aRrsB-WXVSbe-dYRWAD-W1LWgM-21n2QYS-qsLqXK-WzSHYG-XdiC55-aExMz5-UiPmxC-5px8HG-Wz7CLo-SBg9KW-Zai8Qu-BufX7N-dZ9WFa-ohqhcC-SGmyTL-SFo7H2-UNqxYo-PRmyVQ-pZQ6MF-cDgtpw-oaibHC-ZeTAzu-cAzPTY-VYhjWg-aHETKx-ocKAqg-f9PA6H-eW5jvb-2iQ9Dq-YbHDts-RFMX9U-WPodnu-VXDtHh-RCKKjV-S9Giw5-RA9k9U-VTWH4u-iepgQF-n1r6Sh-anumci-SCJrjE-rzz53d-cEshMo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Source</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There has been somewhat of a mass-migration in the business world during the last couple of decades. Lots of company bosses now choose to relocate their operation and run their companies from Asian countries. However, it’s not only the big multinational firms that take that approach. Even small and medium-sized ventures tend to benefit from moving to Asia. With that in mind, this article will draw your attention towards some of the issues you’ll need to consider before taking a leap of faith. While this isn’t a complete guide, it should help readers to learn a little more about the process and discover some of the benefits. So, feel free to share this post with your business owning friends. </span></p><br/><h3><b><i>Reasons people relocate their companies</i></b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are lots of reasons people choose to move their companies to Asia. The first of which relates to the number of funding options available. Countries like Singapore are thriving at the moment, and that means there are lots of opportunities to make it big. Many other folks want to work out of Asia because the people come from a hard-working culture, and so it’s easy to </span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylviavorhausersmith/2014/07/07/fresh-practices-for-talent-acquisition-in-southeast-asia/#754a87bc5d07"><span style="font-weight: 400;">find talented employees</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. However, the most prominent reason for anyone moving their firm to Asia often relates to </span><a href="http://www.business-in-asia.com/asia/taxation_asia.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the tax situation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In many nations in that part of the world, corporation tax is much lower than it is in the West. That means it’s possible to boost profits and avoid paying too much money to the government. </span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-workplace-desks.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4491 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-workplace-desks.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-workplace-desks.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/office-workplace-desks-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/chijs/2994638972/in/photolist-e6Cw1P-qrXXDV-qpRR1d-qaHVR6-8YRb9M-8gN8Un-qhEjaV-q3nBHs-qaA7K9-21rXQap-q3ucux-qrXY1X-GXR32-po9fLW-6fYYHi-5yCiQq-533ofe-5bWVxL-8s8uN3-8YUfB7-fsWPFm-5LwhTo-eveSyy-nyAwhV-aFTUnK-dM3XoY-aoqa4h-hhTtu6-dDLf99-poJZR5-a7yrsY-21bto2o-e4qK5E-nKH9gG-8Nfo7Z-pfdXxx-qk5cqo-4VjF9w-qk3FmF-drKddC-e4BJrJ-5a459U-nD3E7W-gYJE8Q-7QeDSk-qk4yxt-df1aEo-cppHy5-8EVXSH-q2Nm9N"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Source</span></a></p><br/><h3><b><i>Finding accommodation and commercial premises</i></b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to finding accommodation and somewhere to base your business, there are lots of options on the table. Most entrepreneurs decide to visit their chosen country a few times to ensure they’re making the right decision. They will then get in touch with real estate experts to start the ball rolling. It’s sensible to keep abreast of all the latest </span><a href="https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/latest"><span style="font-weight: 400;">property news</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for a few months before you plan to sign any contracts. That way, you will learn more about the market and find it easier to discover the best buildings and premises. Most Asian countries have vibrant capital cities these days, and so there are always lots of rental spaces available. Just be sure to pay a legal representative to check all contracts before you sign on the dotted line. </span></p><br/><h3><b><i>Paying taxes abroad</i></b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depending on the country you select, the process of paying tax and reporting earnings will vary. In most instances, you won’t have to send any money back to your home country, and that’s a bonus. However, you will need to </span><a href="https://www.icaew.com/about-icaew/find-a-chartered-accountant"><span style="font-weight: 400;">employ the services of a local accountant</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> who understands all the ins and outs of the tax system. Thankfully, the governments of countries like China, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia tend to make the process as straightforward as possible. Still, the last thing you want to do is get in trouble when you’re living in a foreign nation. So, make sure your accountant checks, and then double checks every piece of paperwork before you submit the company’s accounts. </span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/desk-worker-office-computer.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4492 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/desk-worker-office-computer.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="427" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/desk-worker-office-computer.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/desk-worker-office-computer-300x200.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/desk-worker-office-computer-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fossasia/15353557874/in/photolist-poJZR5-nD3E7W-a7yrsY-gYJE8Q-7QeDSk-21bto2o-qk4yxt-df1aEo-cppHy5-8EVXSH-q2Nm9N-qrnTWd-po5oSJ-qkupfB-7Wnmjz-a9ZuGC-e8Ntvb-bJtdJn-po5jgj-nD4w1n-dcAhBB-qXZLJL-89iWZA-6pbeJZ-bqytUo-dddyM4-8YUdZ7-pAyPrz-8NisPJ-gQBynS-exf6zn-5xAyqK-5YmiBf-bw3R9q-qnCwRz-93baEg-q3vL8h-sJ7Kt3-e1BUC9-m2CcqR-iWvDRY-5YmhDG-jQKP5t-cai7ih-aFTUnP-e5qFuB-ahrAoQ-eRRMkF-8Nikfh-aW6KB6"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Source</span></a></p><br/><h3><b><i>Employing a workforce</i></b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As mentioned a moment ago, one of the best things about Asia is the sheer availability of skilled workers and talent. Also, average </span><a href="https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_price_rankings?itemId=105"><span style="font-weight: 400;">salaries are much lower</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in those places when compared to the UK or US. That means employers make higher profits while paying the same number of staff members. Entrepreneurs who </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/the-challenges-of-moving-for-work/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">move to Asia for work</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> should probably think about getting in touch with recruitment specialists. People in that profession can often provide workers without the need for a lengthy interview process. So, that should also help you to save a lot of time and money. Just make sure you become familiar with the rules surrounding disciplines and firing employees when they don’t pull their weight (although that rarely happens in Asian countries.) </span></p><br/><h3><b><i>Dealing with legal matters</i></b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are hundreds of different legal issues that might affect your business when you relocate to Asia. With that in mind, it’s sensible to build a relationship with a respected lawyer as soon as you land. That person will then check all contracts to ensure they are above-board. They will also attend the courtroom if your operation ever gets into trouble. It’s impossible to know when a </span><a href="http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/intellectual-property-in-asia-imitation-over-innovation"><span style="font-weight: 400;">patent infringement</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> case or something of that nature might appear. For that reason, you need an expert waiting in the wings ready to defend your business. There are lots of review sites online you can use to sort the wheat from the chaff in most instances. Other common legal problems might include:</span></p><br/><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Discrimination cases</span></li><br/><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Immigration audits </span></li><br/><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Copyright issues</span></li><br/><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Injury claims </span></li><br/></ul><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/business.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4493 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/business.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/business.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/business-300x200.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/business-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fruitnet/2849078727/in/photolist-5kLgR2-33B4ME-7GHEod-peRjCi-cNwVsA-5iPi6m-dq4wxW-pt18wC-5PskJ-99WDS5-8AGfjw-KCRFY-nmLheP-8wGAqs-4oLjd2-4T6pXM-rmLFsW-frR5o-od51v3-ryfW9W-39ya27-552V6C-UKngxR-TkRWj5-7HiWfp-9897MV-sdEZJj-TosWda-XV5hgf-uST4Hi-UCk34p-oDkNvU-iWUn-dQEbs9-5TfydJ-39hxfS-sdEZDu-oWg1FR-ecoyrW-UC6xdz-puieT1-y3XpL-bF9Vjx-mdRj8-3bM4p2-75tqVh-em73Mn-RajJsC-7fg67w-7gympc"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Source</span></a></p><br/><h3><b><i>Networking </i></b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll want to </span><a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/223491"><span style="font-weight: 400;">network as much as possible</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with other successful business owners if you move your operation to a new country. That is the best way to seek out new opportunities and learn about new methods that could help you to save a fortune. It’s also a fantastic strategy for ensuring you discover lots of new ideas for the future. No matter which country you select, it’s easy to find business groups and other organisations that can facilitate you meeting influential entrepreneurs. At the very least, you might make some social connections that could improve your personal life during your stay in the country. However, at most, you could end up networking with someone who will help to take your operation to the next level. Just use the internet and any contacts in the country to identify the best opportunities. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To answer the question posed in the title of this article; yes, you could earn a fortune in Asia. As with anything else in this world, success lies in your ability to focus on a goal and let nothing stand in your way. Relocating any company is much easier today than it ever was in the past. That is because you now have the internet to research the concept, and lots of articles like this one to point you in the right direction. Moving to Asia isn’t for everyone, but those who test it out tend to experience fantastic results. So, you have nothing to lose. </span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/new-life-new-opportunities-could-you-earn-a-fortune-in-asia/">New Life, New Opportunities: Could You Earn A Fortune In Asia?</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-51095331798329438112018-01-20T11:59:00.019-05:002018-01-20T11:59:58.991-05:00Brilliant budget garden ideas that will boost your outdoor space<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It can be at this time of year when your garden or outside space can start to look a little lacklustre and tired. With fall, leaves can be falling all around, and dropping temperatures can put you off going out there. But there is no time like the present to get working on your garden and making it a space that you’re happy to be in. But the great news? You don’t need a landscape gardener to make changes. Regardless of the size of your garden, or outside space, there are things that you can change. Here are a few ideas that are all budget-friendly to help you to boost your garden.</span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/door_input_house_entrance_old_door_wood_input_range_wooden_door_front_door-717566.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-4486 size-large aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/door_input_house_entrance_old_door_wood_input_range_wooden_door_front_door-717566-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="490" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/door_input_house_entrance_old_door_wood_input_range_wooden_door_front_door-717566-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/door_input_house_entrance_old_door_wood_input_range_wooden_door_front_door-717566-300x200.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/door_input_house_entrance_old_door_wood_input_range_wooden_door_front_door-717566-768x512.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/door_input_house_entrance_old_door_wood_input_range_wooden_door_front_door-717566-320x213.jpg 320w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/door_input_house_entrance_old_door_wood_input_range_wooden_door_front_door-717566-1170x780.jpg 1170w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/door_input_house_entrance_old_door_wood_input_range_wooden_door_front_door-717566.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pxhere.com/en/photo/717566"><span style="font-weight: 400;">image</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>Choose One Focus Color</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have a balcony or small outside space, then focusing on the use of one color is a good way to go about things. It stops making the space look too busy and cluttered; you don’t want to overcomplicate things. You could choose </span><a href="http://www.forestgarden.co.uk/shop_product_recommended.asp?product=Slender%20Planter%20Small"><span style="font-weight: 400;">slender planters</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in colors that match any furniture that you have. Some spray paint can work on metal, as well as perhaps using chalk paint. Keep it simple and it can look really striking.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Create a Vegetable Garden</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you want to make the most of the space that you have, then using a mini herb garden can make your garden look good but also help it to serve a purpose. A small patch can be easier to maintain than a full vegetable garden, so could be just what you’re looking for. If you don’t have much lawn space to dig into, then using raised planters can be a good way to do it. Just make sure you check the growing conditions for each herb, as there will be some that won’t do well out there over winter.</span></p><br/><div id="attachment_4487" style="max-width: 650px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Sawing-Garden-Work-Trim-Spring-Trees-Saw-Garden-1318871.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4487" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Sawing-Garden-Work-Trim-Spring-Trees-Saw-Garden-1318871.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Sawing-Garden-Work-Trim-Spring-Trees-Saw-Garden-1318871.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Sawing-Garden-Work-Trim-Spring-Trees-Saw-Garden-1318871-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Sawing Garden Work Trim Spring Trees Saw Garden</p></div><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Sawing-Garden-Work-Trim-Spring-Trees-Saw-Garden-1318871"><span style="font-weight: 400;">image</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>Prune Your Trees</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that the majority of leaves have fallen off the trees, it can be a good time to shape the bushes and trees that you have in your outside space. It will not only shape them but will help them to get rid of any dead branches, which will ultimately help to strengthen the tree. You could use shears or pruning tools, or even look for the </span><a href="http://theprocutter.com/best-chainsaw-brand/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">best chainsaw brand</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to use if you have much larger trees. If you’re feeling creative, you could even shape them into something. Whatever you do, it is an inexpensive and easy win for your outside space to look groomed and tidy.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Paint Fencing</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new lick of paint or varnish can bring some fencing in the home back to life. So have you got a tired looking fence that you can change the color of or sand down and revarnish? It can make </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/do-you-resent-your-garden-heres-how-to-embrace-your-green-fingers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your outside space</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> look totally different and make it much cozier too. Again, an inexpensive way to make changes that can have a really positive affect. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have you got any plans to make some changes to your outside space over the coming weeks? You might not think that winter is the time to do it, but wrap up warm and it will be quick and easy to get it done.</span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/brilliant-budget-garden-ideas-that-will-boost-your-outdoor-space/">Brilliant budget garden ideas that will boost your outdoor space</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-70192704622304465272018-01-20T11:59:00.017-05:002018-01-20T11:59:29.355-05:005 Tips To Finding The Best Stereo Tube Amplifiers For Your Needs<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We are blessed to live in a world where we have access to wonderful technological devices. However, identifying the perfect devices from the numerous options can prove to be challenging. Since there are many features built into stereo tube amplifiers, selecting the right one for your needs can be difficult, to say the least. However, fret not, as we are here to help you make your decision. You can also read </span><a href="http://toptubeamplifier.com"><span style="font-weight: 400;">stereo tube amp info and reviews</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> online to make an informed purchase. Without beating about the bush any further, here are 4 tips to finding the best stereo tube amplifiers for your needs. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Tip 1: Focus on the THD+N numbers</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">THD+N basically refers to Total Harmonic Distortion+ Noise and it is just a measure of how much effect the amplifier has on the sound output. Basically, it is ideal for you to acquire an amp with a low THD+N figure. The lower the figure, the closer the output of the amplifier will sound to the original recording.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Tip 2: Pay attention to the Signal to Noise Ratio</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is usually always unwanted noise whizzing around inside amplifiers. Therefore, when selecting any stereo tube amplifier, you should always aim to purchase a product that produces as little background noise as possible. Doing so will help you hear more of the music and less of the noise. Basically, the measure of the aforementioned noise level is deemed as the signal to noise ratio. Hence, when looking for a stereo tube amp, you should always favor bigger signal to noise ratio numbers. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Tip 3: Pay attention to the power output</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, what does the power output indicate? Well, it roughly indicates how loud you can pump out music from the amp. Therefore, if you are looking for a stereo tube amplifier that is loud enough to disturb the neighbors, you should opt for an amp that has more power. For average listeners, a stereo tube amplifier with a power output of 10W is loud enough. It is also recommended for you to pay attention to the speaker sensitivity. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Tip 4: What about the inputs and connections?</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, you should aim to acquire a stereo tube amplifier that connects to every device in your household. And, to do that, you must ensure that the amp has enough inputs for everything you intend to plug in. The amp must facilitate different types of connections. For instance, iPods require 3.5mm input, and laptops and home theatre systems require USB ports. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Tip 5: Read online reviews</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can also benefit tenfold by reading unbiased online reviews of stereo tube amplifiers. Doing so will give you a better idea of what product works best for you. There are several dedicated sites and sources that solely exist to help you make an informed purchase. </span></p><br/><p> </p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/5-tips-to-finding-the-best-stereo-tube-amplifiers-for-your-needs/">5 Tips To Finding The Best Stereo Tube Amplifiers For Your Needs</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-22740198605215571592018-01-20T11:59:00.015-05:002018-01-20T11:59:26.407-05:00Facing Your Debts in 2018<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Debt is a big scary word. Because it’s a big scary word, we avoid it. We put it off, we leave the bank statements and letters unopened, and we avoid our money worries. Then, our debts get worse, they grow and develop and suddenly what was once a small, manageable debt is a giant mountain that we can’t see how we’ll ever manage to pay off.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, it’s important that you do. With huge debts, you’ll struggle to improve your </span><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/creditrating.asp"><span style="font-weight: 400;">credit rating</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">; you won’t be able to take out a large loan if ever you need one, perhaps for a mortgage. And, you’ll be paying huge amounts of money out every month, on essentially nothing. Money that you earn won’t really be yours, and you won’t be able to start saving for your retirement.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make this year the year that you face up to your debts, and start doing something about them. It could well change your life.</span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/piggybank-2913293_640.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4694 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/piggybank-2913293_640.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/piggybank-2913293_640.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/piggybank-2913293_640-300x200.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/piggybank-2913293_640-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/piggybank-dollar-savings-banknote-2913293/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image Credit</span></a></p><br/><h3><b>Find Out How Bad It Is</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The thing about avoiding debt is that it can quickly change. Interest rates can be huge, overdraft charges crippling and soon you’ll have no idea what’s going on with </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/tidy-finance-clearing-your-money-clutter/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your finances</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The first step to doing something about it is understanding where you are. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Log into online accounts, visit branches and get all the information you need about what you owe. Look at what you are paying each month, how much interest you are paying and total up how much you owe altogether. It might not be as bad as you think.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Make a Plan</b></h3><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/write-593333_640.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4695 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/write-593333_640.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="378" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/write-593333_640.jpg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/write-593333_640-300x177.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/write-plan-business-startup-593333/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image Credit</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next, you want to make a plan. If you can, taking out a loan to consolidate your debts can be the best option. A </span><a href="https://personalloan.co/secured-personal-loans/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">secured personal loan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can have lower interest rates, and you are more likely to get accepted if you have bad credit. Take a look at loan options to find the best deal for the amount that you need. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If for some reason you can’t get a loan, put your debts in order. If you’ve got a credit card that’s charging you 20% interest, and a loan that’s 6%, even with less debt, the credit card is costing you more. So, it’s a good idea to pay it off first. </span></p><br/><h3><b>Start Paying it Off</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’re going to focus on the top of that list first. So, set up a direct debit to pay the minimum on the rest, so that you can’t forget. Then, pay whatever you can afford on the top one. If that’s only the minimum at the moment, set up a direct debit for the amount you paid last month. The minimum will reduce, so you’ll always be paying off more. Increase the amount, or pay extra whenever you can.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, if you’ve only got one debt, that’s all you need to pay. But, it’s still important to reduce it as much as you can as fast as you can.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whatever you do, don’t let your debts get you down. With some careful planning and </span><a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/the-truth-about-budgeting"><span style="font-weight: 400;">budgeting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you can clear them. You just need to face up to things and get on with it. </span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/facing-your-debts-in-2018/">Facing Your Debts in 2018</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-87546551042164945412018-01-20T11:59:00.013-05:002018-01-20T11:59:23.402-05:00SAD? Beat It With These Informative Instructions<p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/depression.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-4691 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/depression-1024x721.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="517" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/depression-1024x721.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/depression-300x211.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/depression-768x541.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/depression-1170x824.jpg 1170w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/depression.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jber.jb.mil/News/Articles/Article/771271/how-to-cope-with-seasonal-affective-disorder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image source</span></a></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression which is believed to affect 4 out of 6 people. As a percentage, it’s 66% or two-thirds of the population. Wow – those are pretty shocking numbers. Yet, a majority of the country put up with the seasonal disorder every year without fighting back. Now that the winter is well and truly here, the feelings of loneliness and hopelessness are only going to intensify with less sunlight. If you are someone who is SAD but wants to be HAPPY, you should know it is possible. Here are the instructions to keep in mind this winter.</span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avoid Daylight Savings </span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every state barring Hawaii and Arizona observe daylight savings time to help farmers. There is a myth that increased sunlight in the summer is a massive help to depression sufferers. The reason it’s not true is due to the changes the body goes through every year. Like all other health problems, the brain is at its best when it can maintain a steady balance for as long as possible. One </span><a href="https://enddaylightsavingtime.org"><span style="font-weight: 400;">petition to end daylight saving time</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> believes studies have found a link between depression and moving the clocks. So, the countries where the process doesn’t exist, such as Nepal, are perfect spots for a winter break.</span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Try A New Hobby</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The brain is a wonderful thing, but when it has too much time it can overstretch. What that means is that your mind can intensify certain feelings when you are relaxing. The boredom forces you think about feelings and emotions, and that leads to depression spiraling out of control. The key is to </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/winter-weeding-and-other-cold-weather-garden-tasks/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">stay busy</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> so that you don’t have to think, and that is where exercise comes in handy. Many medical experts also say working out for 30 mins a day helps keep an even keel as it releases endorphins. The chemicals impact your mood and uplift your spirits to prevent depression getting you down.</span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Use A Lightbox</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Darkness is gloomy and gets people down. The obvious answer is to find more light yet that isn’t easy. Once the sun goes down, what are you supposed to do? The answer is sitting in front of a lightbox. The device is a legitimate way to </span><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298"><span style="font-weight: 400;">mimic sunrise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and expose the body to “natural” UV radiation. Because it’s ten times more powerful than artificial light, it acts as a form of light therapy in the winter.</span></p><br/><h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join A Group</span></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the past, SAD was a disease which people poked fun at because it seemed fake. Now, studies suggest that over 1.6 billion sufferers worldwide have the condition. It’s vital to know that you are not alone and there are others who are going through the same thing. However, reading it on the internet and speaking face to face are two different concepts. While reading is revealing, speaking is therapeutic as you get to share your thoughts and feelings. Plus, there might be valuable information on how to deal with the disorder.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are the tips above helpful? Hopefully, they will help you beat the winter blues.</span></p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/sad-beat-it-with-these-informative-instructions/">SAD? Beat It With These Informative Instructions</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-76115083125268591482018-01-20T11:59:00.011-05:002018-01-20T11:59:20.509-05:00Unplugged 3: Insanely excited about the next two m2 projects, so that's great<p>Sat down for my first purposeful recording session in a long while a few weeks ago. Recorded for four or five hours straight, just a mic in a room (an attic, actually) a few feet in front of my amp.</p><br/><p>Really cold up there. My fingers were numb.</p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-01.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-4686 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-01-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="490" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-01-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-01-300x200.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-01-768x512.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-01-320x213.jpg 320w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-01-1170x780.jpg 1170w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p>Laid down ten tracks of material, lots of layered guitar work weaving in and out of one another rather than the dense sound assault I’ve done in recent years. Tried a new approach to playing and just attempted various iterations on it. The interplay of the guitars excited me.</p><br/><p>Had about an hour and a half of material when it was wrapped up.</p><br/><p>Got super focused on working that material over the other day and started mixing. Then chopping. Then cutting out songs. Then mixing some more. Brought it down to about 45 minutes.</p><br/><p>And I think it’s close to done. Have to do some more tweaking. Looking at the spectrogram, the audio has a big hole in the highs, so I want to fill that in a bit so it sounds fuller and more “complete.”</p><br/><p>Otherwise, I’m <em>really fucking happy</em> with this.</p><br/><p>I had been working on the next m2 project already, and it was (and is) going to be an abrasive downer, probably double album length. The title is a clue as to the mood: <em>Dead Country</em>. It’s probably going to be difficult to listen to at times. And I fucking love the cover.</p><br/><p>But this one will come first.</p><br/><p>It’s a suitable follow-up to the last, was recorded on pure inspiration, and is about as un-messed-with as m2 has been since my first few. Every sound is right out of the amplifier. No further trickery or effects.</p><br/><p>There are even a few moments when the illusion is broken and you can hear that it’s just me in a room — I accidentally bump the mic, that sort of thing — but I decided to leave them in (though if I said I left them in purely for the sake of having an “honest” recording I’d be a liar. Fact is, editing them out would be REALLY hard, if not impossible, due to the nature of the music. I could chop them out and stitch the remaining pieces together, but you’d lose some of the ebb and flow of the pieces as they evolve from one sound to the next, which is a big part of this music).</p><br/><p>Pretty excited about this.</p><br/><p><em>(more below)</em></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-02.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-4687 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-02-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="734" height="490" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-02-300x200.jpg 300w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-02-768x512.jpg 768w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-02-320x213.jpg 320w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/music-home-recording-02-1170x780.jpg 1170w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px"/></a></p><br/><p>Will drop this one Feb. 1, when I check in on social media again after a break. Seeing as it’s a follow-up to <a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/my-first-new-music-for-2018-coming-up-for-air-by-m2/"><em>Coming Up For Air</em></a>, this is called <em>First Breath After</em>, and my headspace while recording it was very much about plunging back into creativity for its own sake and just getting lost in making sounds again.</p><br/><p>As for <em>Dead Country</em>, I’m going to keep recording material for a while and maybe do a symbolic drop on July 4. The cover is too awesome for me not to get this right (though in this case, “right” doesn’t necessarily mean “soothing” or “easy to listen to.”)</p><br/><p>And since it’s been 20 years since I put my first m2 stuff out there, some time this year I’m going to release a two-disc collection of outtakes and material that came <em>this</em> close to being used. It’s stuff I’ve liked but just didn’t fit with any project.</p><br/><p>Oh, and I’m finally bringing m2 to Bandcamp. So that’s fun. More on that later.</p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/unplugged-3-insanely-excited-about-the-next-two-m2-projects-so-thats-great/">Unplugged 3: Insanely excited about the next two m2 projects, so that's great</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18064300.post-23770722050074060002018-01-20T11:59:00.009-05:002018-01-20T11:59:17.387-05:00Don’t Let Debt Be A Struggle For you<h2><b>Don’t Let Debt Be A Struggle For you</b></h2><br/><h3><b>Tight finances</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re not in a secure job with a decent wage, the chances are you’ve had to deal with debt at some point in your life, and that can really make you struggle. Having debt can affect you on a daily basis because you’re constantly having to make cutbacks on your purchases. It might not seem like much if you have to skip out on your morning coffee and maybe miss lunch, but some people have to take it even further. The </span><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/tidy-finance-clearing-your-money-clutter/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">restrictions that debt brings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can be suffocating at times, and you need to find a way through it. It’s not all suffering though, there are solutions you can use to make your financial hardships a bit less of a struggle.</span></p><br/><h3><b>Cutbacks</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to your daily spending, you might find yourself already cutting back on the things you would usually buy, as there’s much less room for indulging yourself. When you’re in debt, the money you have technically isn’t yours, so you need to make sure you’re able to spend it effectively without taking yourself even further into it. When comes to traveling, most people might feel that they need a car to get them everywhere, which might be the case if you’re constantly having to get over long distances, but for those that only have to travel every few days or so, there are much cheaper options for you to take. </span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are services that you can hire to take you where you need to go, and it’s not as expensive as it sounds! If you check over at </span><a href="https://www.rydely.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.rydely.com/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you can learn more about what you can save on travel expenses, and you might even find you have no more use for your own car. If you are one of those people who doesn’t use their car for much, you should consider how much it’s actually costing you just to use it every now and then. Not only do you have to cover the fuel costs, but you’re paying constant insurance too! And depending on how you purchase it, you could still be paying off the loan you used. If this is the case then seeking the other solutions is already a great help to your financial situation.</span></p><br/><p><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pexels-photo-769892.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4667 aligncenter" src="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pexels-photo-769892.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="480" srcset="http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pexels-photo-769892.jpeg 640w, http://ericsanjuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pexels-photo-769892-300x225.jpeg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"/></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Source: </span><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-person-driving-769892/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pexels</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">)</span></p><br/><h3><b>Daily spending</b></h3><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s common to overlook the money that you’re already in the habit of spending, but are you making sure you’re not wasting anything? Like mentioned before, some people can happily spend </span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/american-coffee-habits-spend-coffee/story?id=16923079"><span style="font-weight: 400;">quite a lot on their morning coffee</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and that’s not too much to worry about, but do you consider how much you’re spending on it in the long run? After a week how much have you spent on something like that? We’re often our own worst enemy with small expenses like these, and it’s not something that’s realized until you take the time to add it all up.</span></p><br/><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are struggling with debt, it’s not something you should panic about. It’s time you took a step back and started getting a proper hold on what you’re spending. Look at what you spend every day, look at what automatically comes out of your bank account. Do you need everything that you buy? If not then why do you? If you still need information on dealing with debt, you should check out </span><a href="https://www.thesimpledollar.com/trimming-the-fat-forty-ways-to-reduce-your-monthly-required-spending/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.thesimpledollar.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for some more details. Note that while it is healthy for the mind to treat yourself, but while you’re in debt you’re not going to be able to indulge yourself so much.</span></p><br/><p> </p><br/> <br/><a href="http://ericsanjuan.com/dont-let-debt-be-a-struggle-for-you/">Don’t Let Debt Be A Struggle For you</a>Eric San Juanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450197869602271721noreply@blogger.com0