Enough!

 Over the weekend, there were two shooting incidents in the United States which resulted in 11 deaths and multiple injuries. Gun violence happens so often in our country that we've become desensitized to it. It's a problem that can't be ignored any longer.

As of May 15th, 2022, there have been 198 mass shootings (where four or more people were injured and/or killed, except for the shooter) in the U.S. That's more than 10 shootings per week and more than one per day. There were 693 mass shootings in the United States in 2021 and 611 mass shootings in our nation in 2020.

Some people have been blaming television, movies and video games for the rise in violence. I had Star Wars and G.I. Joe action figures and vehicles when I was a kid. I also had toy guns and played video games such as Doom, Duke Nukem and the Grand Theft Auto titles. None of that ever made me want to shoot another person or even own a gun, for that matter. Of course, back then, I could go to the video arcade, attend school, roller skate and hang out with my friends without worrying about mass shootings, either, 

Mental health has also been brought up. Mental health is obviously important. People who shouldn't have guns or other weapons shouldn't have access to them. It's also time to consider background checks, safety training and ensuring that all firearms are unloaded and stored safely when not in use. 

Several Second Amendment and National Rifle Association (NRA) proponents have suggested that people who are opposed to gun violence want to take their guns away. No one wants your weapons. People want responsible gun ownership so that mass shootings will become a thing of the past. 

Every time a tragedy like this occurs, we see people extend thoughts and prayers to the victims. That's fine, but thoughts and prayers won't bring back people who were killed by a gun. They also won't prevent such acts from happening again. No one wants mass shootings. No more innocent lives need to be lost. It's beyond time to start taking gun violence seriously. If you're as concerned about this subject as I am, feel free to contact your state senator or representative. Start a conversation. It can't hurt to try.

Well, that's all that I have to say for now. Thanks for reading. Until next time, have a great day, everyone!

Bucky's Favorite Super Hero

My favorite cartoon hero has always been Popeye the Sailor. I grew up watching his cartoons religiously. I liked that he was the underdog and stood up against bullies. I started drawing him and his cast of characters, which I can still draw to this day.

The first comic book hero that I grew to admire was the Incredible Hulk. I loved the live-action show that starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. The Hulk also stood up for underdogs, and made sure that the villains in each episode got what they deserved. I always felt bad for Dr. Banner, because he never knew where he would wake up next or what the Hulk had done. The sad outro piano theme by Joseph Harnell symbolized the kind nature and misfortunes of this misunderstood gentle giant.

I had a few Hulk toys, coloring books and games. My mom even made me a homemade Hulk costume for Halloween one year. All she had to buy was a plastic Hulk mask. The rest she created with items that were already at home. 

I didn't start reading super hero comics until I was about nine years old. My first non-kiddie or science fiction comic book was Marvel Two-In-One #76. That issue featured the Thing with guests Giant Man and Iceman who went up against the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime. From there, I started reading more of Marvel's popular titles, including the Incredible Hulk. As I started reading more issues and growing my collection, I got to understand Bruce Banner and his emerald alter ego.

My favorite story line was written by Bill Mantlo and illustrated by the amazing Sal Buscema in the early 1980's. Banner finally gained mental control over the Hulk and was able to control the change. It was a good premise, one which led to an eventual pardon by the U.S. government. Unfortunately, the good days didn't last long. Banner was soon tormented in his dreams by the Dr. Strange villain Nightmare, and he eventually gave up the fight, allowing the Hulk to become a brainless, savage behemoth. 

The Hulk became such a danger to the world around him that his former Defender teammate Strange had no choice but to exile him to another dimension. The rise and fall of such a powerful character came out about the same time as Mantlo and Buscema's Skrull/Dire Wraith war in another Marvel mag, ROM: Spaceknight. 

As much as I like Spider-Man's origin, I've grown to appreciate the Hulk's beginning more. To me, the Hulk has been the physical manifestation of a person's anger and rage. I know all too well what it's like to have those types of feelings and emotions bottled up until they can't be contained any longer. 

Any good super hero story also has a key family component. In the Incredible Hulk #312, readers were able to get a glimpse into Banner's family life. Mantlo and artist Mike Mignola introduced us to Banner's parents, and we got to see where his softer and darker sides originated. 

There have been several incarnations of the Hulk since his debut in 1962. There have also been several other gamma-powered heroes and villains, such as the She-Hulk, Skaar (Hulk's son from another planet that we first saw during the Planet Hulk storyline), the Leader, the Abomination and others. The Hulk and Bruce Banner have been through just about everything a fan could imagine, but we keep coming back for more.

Heroes like the Hulk, Spidey, the Avengers, the X-Men and others give us hope. They're fantasies but they usually deal with problems and moral dilemmas that many of us can relate to. Diving into a good comic book series or graphic novel can keep us entertained and take our minds off of the outside for a little while too. Sometimes that break is very necessary.

Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great week, everyone! 

Scam Alert or If It Seems Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is

 Looking for jobs online is easier said than done. There's a lot of clutter to sort through. It can also be difficult at times to determine whether or not a job posting is legitimate.

I've identified several scams over the last several months. Here are a few tell-tale warning signs:

1. Email accounts that are not associated with a particular company. 

If you see an email address that's from Yahoo or Hotmail, for example, odds are that the job posting is a scam. Real job postings originate from actual companies. They should also have a contact form or contact information that you can use to verify if the person that you're receiving messages from actually works there.

2. You have to pay to get a job.

You should never need to pay a company or service anything to work for them. An employer will pay YOU for your time and effort. Sure, there are certain agencies that offer access to opportunities via paid memberships. You can pursue them at your own risk. Some of them may be worthwhile, while others could only be listings for jobs that either aren't available by the time you can get to them or they're just more frustrating than they're really worth. 

3. Interviews are conducted by text apps.

I've encountered a few scams where the interviewers have asked me to communicate via WhatsApp, Telegram and other text-only services. If you can't hear a person's voice or see their face on a Google, MS Teams or Skype interview, they've probably got something to hide.

4. The compensation is above industry average.

Take some time to research the average salaries for the positions that you're applying for in your area. If a job offer comes across offering far more than that amount, it's probably a scam. As I've stated in the title of this article, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

5. You're asked to pay for or provide different equipment.

There are a few phony jobs that require certain programs and accessories. Read the descriptions and pay attention to them carefully. For instance, if an employer mandates a software program from 2009, it's not legit. Modern companies update their software regularly. 

A company may also ask you to pay for certain items for which you'll be reimbursed. The catch is that they want access to your bank account, credit card or other potentially sensitive information. This should be a huge warning sign. No legitimate company will ever ask for that data or have a candidate pay for the tools they need to do the job. Real jobs will provide the necessary training and equipment to employees at no charge to them. 

6. You qualify for multiple positions.

Have you ever applied for one job, and then received a response stating that you're qualified for multiple openings at the same company? I've seen this more than once. The latest scams offer as many as fifteen to twenty different jobs. This can take you by surprise, especially if you've applied to more jobs than you can remember. 

When in doubt, email or call the company that is supposedly sending you this offer. If you don't get a response or if the person that you talk to confirms that it's a scam, delete that email. Better yet, block the contact and report it.

These are just a few things that I've noticed recently. Working from home is challenging. It's hard enough trying to find reputable jobs with all of the scams that exist. In time, you'll know what's real and what isn't. Trust your gut instinct. If something feels or sounds wrong, you probably have very good reasons to question it. 

Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!

Writers' Rights

 I've been writing professionally for 20 years. It's a great creative outlet. I've received a lot of praise for my works, which is very humbling. I love being able to write about topics and causes that I'm passionate about.

Choosing to pursue writing as a vocation was challenging. I didn't know where to begin. I found a few freelance sites, and started ghostwriting for others for a while. I'm not particularly proud of everything that I've written but it was a learning experience that I'm thankful for. It got my foot in the door for some good opportunities. 

If you want a career in writing, you have my full support. GO FOR IT! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. With that in mind, here are a few things to consider:

1. Don't write for free. Unless you're writing for fun or volunteering to write for a non-profit, you should be compensated fairly for your work. After all, you're taking time out of your day to work for organizations. It's okay to set your own prices and ask to be paid what you're worth.

This includes writing samples or test assignments for employers. Personally, I think that any work that takes more than an hour to complete should include financial compensation. Otherwise, you're just devaluing yourself. Also, the more that you work for free, the more others will come to expect it. 

2. Don't ghostwrite. If you want to make a name for yourself, don't ghostwrite works for others. Ghostwriting got me started in freelance writing, but it isn't a long-term career path for many (unless it pays really well). I'm thankful for the clients who have insisted that my name be added to any articles that I've written for them. Some companies may even ask you to create a profile which can help you get your name out there. 

3. Know your worth. After you've been writing for a while, you probably know how much your time and effort that was put into writing is worth. You can name a set price for each article or your daily output. Personally, I  prefer to set a price for how much I can write on a daily basis. After all, I've got bills to pay, and prices aren't decreasing.

4. Get credit where credit is due. One of the biggest frustrations that writers face is not being properly credited for their work, I remember a situation years ago where I was asked to rewrite marketing articles for a company that I worked for. I significantly revamped and improved the pieces that had been written by an intern. My colleagues were impressed by the final products You can only imagine my shock and disappointment when I found out that copy contained in the final brochures had the intern's byline on them. I wasn't given proper credit or recognition, which was one reason why I'm glad that I no longer work for that organization. You deserve full credit for any articles or other content that you spend time writing or revising.

Well, that's all for now. Writing can be frustrating, but if you love it, don't give up. There are plenty of customers and companies that reward hard work and like to showcase upcoming talent. Be persistent and work at your craft every day.

Until next time, have a great week, everyone! 

The Trumperor's New Clothes

 I love to read. I've been reading ever since I first learned how at the age of three. I still read just about anything and everything that I can get my hands on today. 

I had a lot of story books when I was younger. One book that stuck with me was The Emperor's New Clothes. It was about a revered leader who hired a couple of con artists to craft new garments for him. The thieves gladly took the money and pretended to work, but never actually created any clothing. They convinced the emperor that they had designed a fabulous set of new clothes that were invisible. Failing to see through their ruse, he gladly paraded around town in what he thought were his new duds. It wasn't until a child in the audience pointed out the fact that the emperor wasn't wearing any clothes that doubt started to set in.

I see some parallels with this story and our former president Donald J. Trump. I can't overlook the fact that he tried to incite an insurrection by continuing to falsely claim that the 2020 U.S presidential election was stolen. Multiple articles that have been released since then seem to suggest that Trump was trying to have himself installed as a dictator. That goes against everything that our democracy stands for. 

Let's face the facts here: Trump legitimately lost the electoral and popular vote in 2020. He isn't going to be reinstated, because that isn't how our elections work. All of his more than 60 challenges were thrown out. The lead counsel for his state challenges has now lost his law license. 

What I don't understand is how or why so many people continue to believe him, even though more than 30,000 of the lies that he told while in office are documented. Some people refuse to believe the truth, for some reason or another. I guess they have their blinders on and want to live in a world that's full of the promises that Trump never fulfilled, like the border wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for and his nonexistent health care plan. 

The people pointing out his fallacies are somewhat similar to the boy in the story. More people have started to doubt Trump's claims as more evidence has been brought forward. I just hope that people start looking at the situation realistically regardless of their political affiliation. It's time to stop all of the political infighting, put aside our difference and start working together to solve problems.

Well that's all for now. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!

The Book of Boba Fett

 Disney+ is the only streaming service that I currently subscribe to. It was free for a year with my cell phone provider, and then I decided to keep it after that period, mainly because of the Marvel and Lucasfilm content. I'm a big Star Wars fan, and had a lot of merchandise as a kid from the original trilogy. The Mandalorian hooked me and I just finished watching the final chapter of The Book of Boba Fett's first season. Warning: this article contains a few spoilers, so please read it after you've watched the last episode. 

The finale wrapped up several things nicely. I enjoyed the climactic battle and was rooting on my favorite armor clad warriors Boba and Din. I had almost forgotten about the Rancor until he arrived smashing his way through the streets of Mos Espa. 

Even though it was only seven episodes, I'd have to say that the first season gave us some nice insights into one of the original trilogy's most beloved characters. We all knew that he escaped the Sarlaac Pit, but we didn't know how or what happened to him afterwards until this show. It was also nice to see some of the other Mandalorian characters appear in different episodes. Episode 7 made me eager to see more of this show and the third season of The Mandalorian.

I did wonder about a few things afterwards:

1. Did Cobb Vanth die after being shot by Cad Bane?

2. Where are Din and Grogu going in their new ship?

3. Will Grogu return to being trained by Luke Skywalker?

4. What happened to Danny Trejo's character as the new Rancor keeper?

5. Did anyone survive the club bombing from Episode 6?

6. Are we going to see other bounty hunters (IG-88, Bossk, 4-LOM, Zuckuss, Embo, etc.) appear in upcoming shows?

I'm looking forward to the Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi shows. There may be a few connections between these shows, and it's always interesting to see how new and classic characters are portrayed. Dave Filoni, Robert Rodriguez and Bryce Dallas Howard have been great at giving these fictional people real depth. 

That's all for now. Until next time, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Job Hunting: Worse than Real Hunting?

 Ever since I graduated college and started looking for work in my field of study, I've noticed how difficult looking for a job can be. Some positions are very easy to apply for, while others require applicants to jump through hoops and/or require a certain number of years of experience, even for entry level positions. It can be a lot more complicated than hunters looking for game out in the wild.

The Internet has simplified job applications and interviews. People can submit their resumes, cover letters and other pertinent details online. Companies routinely hold interviews via Zoom or other similar services nowadays. However, this ease doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be able to land the job that you want.

Today's job hunters have short attention spans. They want to be able to apply for jobs in a matter of moments. No one enjoys having to fill out personality questionnaires or endure a series of complicated and often unnecessary steps just to express their interest in a particular opening. If one listing takes too much time, they'll gladly move on to the next opening. 

Communication is essential between interviewers and interviewees. I lost count years ago of the jobs that I applied for and heard no response. I understand that some organizations receive countless applications, but that still doesn't mean that a company can't take a few seconds to send a quick email or text message, especially if a person interviewed but was not selected for a particular job. 

I can definitely understand job seekers' frustrations. After all, they just want to be treated with decency, dignity and respect, just like any other human being would. I'm not surprised to see certain applicants "ghost" companies after years of never hearing back from human resources or hiring managers about the jobs that they applied for. 

I'm not saying that ghosting is acceptable in any situation, but a little respect and effort can definitely go a long way. Sometimes, it seems like large corporations have lost their personal touch. I'll never forget the rejection letter that I received by a particular company after an interview years ago. The person who sent the letter signed "Human Resources" instead of their name in the signature line! I joked that I should have sent a response card and signed it "Applicant." 

Life isn't always easy in our Covid world. Workers are deciding that they want more pay, substantial benefits and to be treated fairly. They want a better work-life balance. It's tough to see people working multiple jobs barely getting by while CEOs and other executive level personnel are being paid thousands of times more money than the average employee's salary. The minimum wage in the U.S. hasn't changed in 12 years, while the cost of rent/mortgages/property, food, utilities and many other items have increased exponentially. Some people are having to choose between food or buying their prescriptions, paying for medical care or housing. We can do better, America.

Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!