Featured Post
Posted by Lizzie on Sep-5-2008
There’s a lot of talk about women’s issues this election cycle. Thanks to Hillary Clinton, and now Sarah Palin, we’re back in the spotlight. In that vein, Congress is pressing for a revote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which failed to pass previously. McCain has come out again it:
“I am all in favor of pay equity for women, but this kind of legislation, as is typical of what’s being proposed by my friends on the other side of the aisle, opens us up to lawsuits for all kinds of problems,” the expected GOP presidential nominee told reporters. “This is government playing a much, much greater role in the business of a private enterprise system.”
I’ve recently engaged in a half-hearted IT job search - in anticipation of my eventual graduation from the Tech program. There seems to be a little available, but I’ve heard that women are not treated favorably in the IT industry. It would please me, and thousands of other women, tremendously if this actually became law. Would I know that my male counterparts were making more than me? Probably not. But this act would give me recourse should I find out about a pay discrepancy after the fact. As a woman hoping to work in a male-dominated field, I would feel just a little better knowing I had a safety net.
There was some talk that this law isn’t necessary. I beg to differ. I worked with a company (unrelated to the tech field) that cut me a mystery check. When I inquired to what the purpose of the check was, I was told that it was to make up for a pay difference between me and my male counterparts. I had no idea that the men were making that much more per hour than I was, but there was a lawsuit and the settlement agreement was that this company would pay the hourly difference to each female for whatever period of time they agreed to (I think it was 3 months, even though I’d been there for over a year at that point). I left that company not long afterward, but my eyes had been opened. The reasoning for the lower pay was that women are mothers and so are prone to miss work because of their sick children. Men, on the other hand, are more reliable and should be rewarded. Really?
At a time when a major political party has nominated a self-proclaimed “hockey mom” to be vice president, there should be no more “she should get less because she’s a mom”. This woman is seeking a job while parenting 5 children (and potentially helping parent a grandchild) so the reason listed above would apply to her and her pay should be cut significantly. Right? No. Wrong. Her husband will be able to tend to the children while she runs for office and he can tend to the children while she continues to govern Alaska (except that he’s got a full-time job plus an extra job on the side in the summer, but that’s not this issue). It’s only fair that the rest of American women enjoy the same equality in pay as the women who govern them.
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Archive for the ‘SEO’ Category
May
22
Posted by Lizzie
I have been trying to lose some pounds for a while now. I’ve been doing yoga, dancercise and even considered top diet pills. All to no avail (of course, just considering the diet pills doesn’t help, buy you get my gist). I have been steadily gaining the pounds. I was having a difficult time understanding it, but then realized something.
My medication for the FM is probably making this happen.
One of the methods of treating Fibromyalgia is anti-depressants. I can’t take the usual kind- such as Lexapro - because I’m allergic to SSRIs. So I’m taking Elavil in small doses. Still, one of the side effects is, sadly, weight gain. And it’s working a little too well in that area, I think. Yikes!
Another thing that could be working against my efforts to slim down is my reproductive ills. I have a 3.3 cm (1.15… inch) cystic mass on my left ovary. My Gyn says that it’s nothing to be worried about, but that it could be messing with my hormones. That can cause a whole range of issues, most of which I’m certain affect me right now. The solution? Medication, of course. Birth control pills. I think we all know what one of the side effects of those is. That’s right, folks. Weight gain.
I should be thinking about my self in a more positive manner, but I am absolutely convinced that some of my medical issues are stemming from my weight. For instance, my lack of energy. Were I a few pounds lighter I would no doubt have more energy. Also, my hip and ankle issues. Hello? I’m 5 foot 1 inch tall and my poor ankles and hips aren’t designed to carry this much weight. I think if I dropped down to a more healthy weight these issues would resolve themselves. Ya know?
Of course, it doesn’t help that my beautiful daughter weighed in at 161 lbs when she gave birth and almost two weeks later is a svelt 120 lbs. She’s lost 40 pounds and that makes me green, green, GREEN with envy. Seriously, I want to do that. LOL! I would like to mention, though, that I’m happy for her because she’s gotten past the danger of the pre-eclampsia and my jealously is purely selfish wishing. She still looks much better than that cheeky friend of hers that I can’t stand.
Today we go for a long walk and HOPEFULLY I’ll be able to manage my pain afterward.
Keep your fingers crossed.
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Feb
21
Posted by Lizzie
I have been not-so secretly reading some EntreCard blogs (blogs that are listed in EC, in case you didn’t know). I don’t have this blog over there, because, well, I’ve already got one (or two) and I just don’t feel like dropping for one more blog. Recently there have been quite a few ads featuring women in fine lingerie or tacky lingerie, as the case may be. Most of these ads pointed to blogs about making money blogging. HUH? What does making money blogging at home in your dirty underwear have to do with sexy women in sexy underwear?
Well, Graham took action and banned to offending ads from EC. I think this was a wise move. It’s one thing to show a scantily clad lady on your card if your site is all about lingerie (with which I have no problem, owning a few pieces myself), but it’s quite another to try to trick some horny internet surfers to click your boring site.
At any rate, it caused a slight stir with some internet marketers. These are the ones who have no qualms about doing whatever it takes. They didn’t think that their ads should have been censored. The problem was, though, that as soon as one guy put up a sexy woman then 10 more did the same (a bunch of independent thinkers there). I imagine that they did get some clicks, but nothing that would ever cause visitors to come back.
Imagine if you’re looking for something nice to wear on Valentine’s Day and thought “Wow! That site looks like it might be the ticket!” and then you end up reading about how to optimize your page for StumbeUpon users. *Yawn* I imagine that would really increase someone’s “bounce rate” and I really can’t imagine that the visitors looking for the sexy women are going to click on the ads on the make money online blog. Really?
I think I’m becoming burnt out on surfing anyway. I spend too much time reading (and rolling my eyes) than being productive. I think I do much better without online social interaction. I get a lot more done.
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Nov
19
Posted by Lizzie
Google got you looking for other ways to earn some money? How about opening your own shop? There are people all over the world willing to buy just about anything, so coming up with a product line is the easy part. The hard part is getting what you want to sell online and in the hands of customers worldwide.
MonsterCommerce is used online by thousands of well-known companies. It was launched to help everyday people run e-commerce stores, negating the need for an expensive web developer and manager. It’s an easy-to-use solution to running an online store, from customer service, to sales, to inventory. It’s all there.
Now, Network Solutions® has acquired MonsterCommerce and added their own flair to an already popular system. They’ve launced the Network Solutions E-Commerce Website, with everything you need to have your own homebased business, starting with their fully customizable Shopping Cart Software. For $4995 a month, you get the shopping cart software, a pre-formatted storefront design template, payment options that include credit card processing, Google Checkout, and/or PayPal, $50 AdWord credit per month and 24 hour/7 days a week “real person” support. There’s a lot of other stuff offered for their basic package, which you can see (and compare against their Pro service) here.
This is the best time to start trying new ways to make money online. Google’s making that very clear. Why not try your hand at e-commerce?
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