Sunday, October 28, 2007

I am re-writing my Last Will and looking for beneficiaries

Now, I don't mean to be morbid and I don't plan to shuffle off this mortal coil any time soon, but should it happen suddenly, I want my legal instructions to be complete and in writing. Being single and having no children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews or cousins I'm finding it difficult to find people to inherit my estate. Most of my friends are older and have no interest in my things.

Two items that have me stumped are COPYRIGHTS and WEB SITES. I'm thinking I would like to appoint a publisher to produce how-to books from my documents and create a foundation from my share of the revenues. If you're a publisher and are interested, I'd like to hear from you. If you are interested in inheriting any of my 4 web sites (including domain names) I would like you to tell me why I should bequeath them to you. Those domains and sites are:

HandyAnde.info
HandyAnde.com www.AndreaReynolds.com/handyande
CrisisBrainstorm.com
AndreaReynolds.com
CommissionFreeSpeakers.com
CommissionFreeSpeakers.org

If you have any ideas for disposal and distribution of my assets, send me a message.

Andrea (who is healthy and optimistic)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

How can I get Episode 83 of sitcom "What I Like About You"?

The compatibility test mentioned below in the final season was my booklet, No Surprises: 365 Critical Questions You Need to Ask Each Other Before Yo Marry, held by Val (Jenny Garth). Click on the blog title above for more info about my booklet.

I'd love to get a copy - it wasn't released on DVD. Anybody know who to contact to get one for my portfolio?

It's only co-incidental that the writer also has the last name Reynolds.

Andrea

Here's the data:

83. Garden State
First aired: 3/3/2006 Production Code: 177989
Val panics when she learns that she and Vic were not legally married. Required to wait 24 hours by City Hall before they are allowed to have a civil ceremony, they decide to take a compatibility test, resulting in a fight about how many kids each of them want to eventually have. Meanwhile, Holly is worried she broke up with Vince too quickly, but having spent time at Vic's family reunion, she realizes she did the right thing.

Writer: Jim Reynolds
Director: Shelley Jensen
Guest star: Dan Cortese (Vic)

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

The view from my office


This is the foliage I see as I work, and the winner of my condo may see from his/her future master bedroom. Why haven't you entered the contest? (Or made it possible for someone else to enter?)

Andrea

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Thank you for your support!

The number of book orders that have come in so far this month is gratifying. One order was for 50 books! And more of you are booking 15 and 30 minute phone consults with me, and a few of you have even sent me substantial retainers for future services. I appreciate book orders of any size, not matter how small and I have books to offer that are under $5 if you cant afford much.

And if you want me to help you generate paying speaking engagements let me post your speaker profile on CommissionFreeSpeakers.com. Two more speakers have been added: Dr. Maria Todd and Ramont L. Williams.

Every little bit puts me closer to raising $170,000. It's the cost of my freedom. (And yes, I think of the Crosby Still Nash song, Find the Cost of Freedom, which was an anthem for the Kent State shooting.)

Your support in my fight against the condo association board who required me to stop publishing both books and web site is so appreciated. In the US this would be a First Amendment issue. In Canada it is a denial of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press. They have also violated my rights under the Ontario Condominium Act.

I'm still working on an invoice for $3 million accompanied by 22-23 pages that will put them on notice of my pending lawsuit. It's what I will deliver to the court. And I have spoken to one of the newly elected directors and told him to expect a long letter from me by the end of the month.

This is a lonely fight.... I am doing this alone, and as tongues wag in the building more neighbors are showing their contempt for me by not acknowledging me any more. The urgency to move out is increasing. But I won't waiver. I'm as determined as ever to fight this.

An interesting aside: Men in the community outside of my building are behind me. Women, with the exception of one friend in Toronto, are not behind me. I love you men!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

What's happening with the condo?

DISTRACTIONS
I haven't started promoting the condo essay contest and the book (Your Wisdom is Worth a Million) to the press and media because I haven't been able to finish painting the condo and finish writing the book. I've had so many interruptions and distractions from people asking me for estimates on work I can do for them - and then I don't hear from them again - or requests from people I like to "send this email to 12 people you know." I'm spending 8 AM to 4 PM at the computer just taking care of other people's needs and then too achey and too exhausted to then get up on a ladder or start writing for me.

INCOME IS A *GOOD* THING
Don't get me wrong, I love hearing from people and love receiving 1) book orders, 2) paid 30 minute consults, and 3) paid speaker memberships on CommissionFreeSpeakers, but unnecessary demands on my time is stressful when I need to focus on getting the condo ready and getting the book completed. I'm running out of time and feeling very anxious about it.

BIG PROJECTS
Having to answer questions like: "Will you write a book for me and accept a percentage of my sales as payment?" tries my patience. Having to explain that if the person can't sell more than 10 books, my payment for 6 months of research, writing, editing, fact checking, proofreading, formatting will be negligible. If I do all the promotion, selling and distribution as well, then it is virtually my book, and I should receive 100%. Now, if you want to pay me $1 a word (10,000 -75,000 words) plus co-credit I might be coaxed into ghostwriting your book. Send inquiries in confidence to: info@AndreaReynolds.com.

CONTEST ENTRIES
The contest entry influx is down to a trickle for the moment and I have read every one that has come in. I am looking for something specific and, while so many are heartwarming, so far I have not seen the thing I'm hoping to see. That's all I'm going to say; if I say any more I'll influence the outcome. I am NOT abandoning the condo essay contest!

SHOULD I SELL THE CONDO?
In light of the contest entries which haven't been as satisfying as I had hoped - not in number, but in content - I'm posting some ads on the Internet, as a backup plan. I have two on Craig's List (Toronto and St. Catharines) and will put one on HomesByOwner.com this weekend. I met with the owner of my local HomesByOwner.com this week and was impressed with his professionalism and good business thinking. I've got it listed at $146,000. This price will allow me to walk away with nothing.

YOU CAN HELP
Here's how you can make my life easier:

1. Make a donation. Click on heading at top of this post.

2. Book a 30 minute consult with me.

3. Buy some of my books. See "Andrea's E-Books" and "Fundraising Books".

4. Hold off on asking me for an estimate on a big project. All my fees are posted on AndreaReynolds.com

5. Book me to speak on Empathy: The Antidote to School Shootings. (I was a witness to a school shooting.)

6. Find me a buyer for my condo; there's a $500 finder's fee in it for you if your referral results in a satisfactory sale.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

You can buy 10 copies of 365 questions for $15...

But only until Tuesday October 9 (2007).

Click on the heading above for the page where you can accept the offer.

This is the same booklet that appeared on the sitcom What I Like About You starring Jennie Garth and Amanda Bynes. (Jennie was the beautiful actor on Dancing With the Stars who took a tumble this past week and still recovered with grace and charm.) Jennie held my booklet in her hand while reading some of my pre-marriage questions to Dan Cortese on one of the last episodes.

This is my Canadian Thanksgiving gift to you. I'm thankful for many things: that I'm alive, that I have what I need and more, that my work is appreciated and valued.... and more. You can do what you want with them, give them to 5 couples, use them in your classes, give them to clients you counsel if you're a marriage counselor or divorce lawyer, donate them to your church or library, or use them as stocking stuffers. (They do roll up.)

I'll even inscribe them for you.

Yes, I'm liquidating my inventory so I don't have to store the books when I leave.

Today is Saturday. Tuesday 6 PM my offer expires. I accept PayPal, debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo and even first class US postage stamps (37 stamps).

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Now you can read my rants on 2 web sites

Don't be surprised if I sound like a female Dr. Phil of the consulting world; it wouldn't sound like a rant if I weren't a feisty "broad". The humorist I admire the most is Lewis Black, so that explains part of it. But my personality has always been somewhat cutting; I was known in university for having an acerbic wit. My radio commentaries were used for years as teaching tools in journalism classes because the twist at the end of each news segment made my audience laugh, so if you studied Writing for the Media at Kent State University you may have heard my voice. I'll never be Lewis Black... but I can hold my own with the best of them.

And I have to give credit here to an old college pal who bantered with me in Psychology 101 and over coffee and brought out this facet of my personality I didn't know existed. He really kept me on my toes. You may know of John. He moved to LA, got a recurring part on Days of Our Lives, and some years later created the part of Q on Star Trek. We've lost touch but I will always have him to thank for exhorting my retorts and comebacks.

So you are forewarned. There are at the moment two rants each on:

http://www.AndreaReynolds.com/rants.html and
http://www.CommissonFreeSpeakers.com/rants.html

Let these be a lesson to you. Tick me off and I'll write about your behavior! But I'd make a terrific speaker at your next convention or conference.