Odd Jobs by Abigail R. Gehring

Odd Jobs; 101 ways to make an extra buck by Abigail R. Gehring is another one of those list books. I guess I am attracted by easy reads or lists, or both. This must be my engineer's spirit talking and demanding a bit of structure. Maybe I have a bit of O.C.D. Anyway, back to the book: I got this one because I am in a bit of a rut money-wise, so I figured I should find a solution to supplement my income. It does give you some good pointers, especially if you live in the U.S.A.

While reading this book I couldn't stop noticing that I had already tried some of those proposed jobs. So I am going to tell you about what worked and what didn't work for me. I wanted to try bike messenger, but my bike is too expensive to leave it tied to a pole or fence, I'd probably lose the wheels or the entire bike very fast. Rent out a room - I rented my entire apartment and live with my parents, this worked out but I still have to chip in and there is no privacy; but at least the mortgage gets paid.  Marketing affiliate - I am doing this on my blog with Amazon.com, nobody ever bought a book from this blog. I did take surveys and I get coupons with discounts for online shops (ivox.ro is what I use). Virtual assistant - I did use odesk.com but those people made me work for almost nothing and never paid. I do have my own virtual assistant website, but I never got any offers. I did enroll as a mystery shopper at helionresearch.com, but I never managed to have time for that; I do have a friend who did make some decent money once, even though their offers are a bit rare. I haven't tried substitute teaching, because we don't have that here, but I did make some money from tutoring kids. 

What I am trying to say is that, depending on your location and, respectively, your culture and customs, you might manage to make some money on the side if you have a paying job already. I honestly doubt that you can survive by doing any of the things the author tips you about. The only one that might be lucrative, but it would actually make you a whore is escort. Ms Gehring, what were you thinking? Oh and if you live in a block of flats in a big city, the farming ideas are not suitable. Sperm donor and egg donor are things that require some thought, because you will always think that out there someone is raising your kid. These aren't the same as donating blood, so this is my word of caution. 

All in all the book is good, especially during these crazy economic times. Come on, let's face it, 5 years ago things were great, but now this "economic crisis" kicked us hard where it hurts the most - in our wallet. Read the book and maybe you'll find a way to make ends meet. Good luck with that.

Haiku: An Anthology of Japanese Poems by Stephen Addiss

Haiku: An Anthology of Japanese Poems by Stephen Addiss seems more than a book of Japanese poems. I found it to be more of a window to an alternate universe. Most books do that in a way, but this time it brought me to an ancient time where nature was respected and cherished, and Japanese monks and samurai roamed Japan. The poems, though translated, still evoke a certain purity of nature in various stages. I must say that I was a bit disappointed that the translation didn't use the teikei haiku 5-7-5 pattern, but used the irregular jiyuritsu haiku style. Maybe the poems were like this, or maybe the translation would have been harder or even less polished. Since I am by no means an expert in haiku, I do take what I am given. 

This book, in a way is like its poems, seems cut somehow. It is polished, but still seems not a finished product. I dare to compare it with a piece of glass that was polished by the sea. Because the entire book appears strictly sectioned somehow. The introduction gives you some basic knowledge about the history of the haiku and how it became what it is today. Then, you get the 3 chapters of poems with beautiful Japanese drawings. 

One chapter is about contemplation of nature from spring to winter.

"Highlighting the blossoms,

clouded by blossoms—

the moon" —CHORA

The second chapter has poems about people doing regular things but so wondrous from a detached point of view.

"Spring rains—

a child teaches the cat

a dance"—ISSA

The third part has more abstract poems, called "Resonance and reverberation".

"Sharing the same blood

but we’re not related—

the hateful mosquito!" —JŌSŌ

After the poems you get a chapter describing the Poets, one about the Artists,  and a final chapter with the name of each illustration in the book. If you were remotely interested in Japanese culture, I would say this book is a start and, apparently Stephen Addiss is an expert in Japanese culture. I did like reading it while in bed while listening to Japanese chill-out music. It was truly relaxing.