Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Journal.

Ten-Stitch Peacock Blanket
When I was a teenager I use to go visit my grandmother for two weeks during the summer and she taught me how to paint with acrylics. I loved doing that but also she used to make knitted hats. She had a knitting machine. Boy this thing was huge. It took up most of the living room. I wanted to learn how to do that and so she gave me knitting needles. She showed me how to do two stitches and those were knit and purl. I was trying to make a blanket but it turned out to be a pot holder. I also thought it took too long to do that so I gave it up.
By Crystal Greer9 years ago in Journal
What It's Like to Be a Ballerina
To be a ballerina, is in fact, a real job... "What?! You mean you get paid to wear tutus and dance around? Sign me up!!" Oh, if it were only that simple. Funny, but during my shower last night, where I think my most pensive thoughts, I realized that there are three different reactions that I receive when I tell people that I am a ballerina.
By Madison Ewing9 years ago in Journal
Seven Things You Should Know About Sales-From The Fat Guy
I am a well known fat guy. You're probably thinking "How is that relevant?" or "Why does that matter?" Well in a perfect world, it wouldn't, but it is human nature to judge, to make assumptions based on a snap impression. So no matter how distasteful, no matter how proud you are of your enlightened and modern mentality, it's a good bet that, at least on a subconscious level, you let things like someone's body shape impact how you treat them.
By Dan Utt9 years ago in Journal
Do You Have Commence-a-Phobia?
Do you have commence-a-phobia? . No not arachnophobia (fear of spiders), not apiphobia (fear of bees) But “Commence-a-phobia”. It's, well, a fear yes. It's my catchy term for fear of starting something.
By gilli .9 years ago in Journal
Writing a Great Synopsis
I AM A REBEL BY NATURE, in school, at home, in relationships, at work; my default is usually to find my own modus operandi to success. When I achieve, as I often do (85% of the time) life is lovely, but when I miss, it's a bitterly-hard pill to swallow, but never bitter enough to start overdosing on the unhealthy prescriptions of others. I still Do It My Way; just with a more learned approach. And in some ways, I guess the process of writing my first book has succumbed to the same (de)fault.
By Marcus "Paradise" Dawes9 years ago in Journal
Up Your Confidence Game
We all have a measure of confidence, whether tiny or over grown. How you use it however, is the key. Whether you're facing a job interview, a business pitch, or going on a first date you need to be confident in yourself, and know how to express your confidence appropriately. Why? Because confidence opens doors, and compels people to positively respond to you. It's infectious. Confidence attracts people, resources, opportunities and good fortune your way. So why do some of us display less confidence than others, and what should you do to improve your own self confidence levels?
By Precious Ofoegbu9 years ago in Journal
The Journey Back To Work
There is a remark I once heard years ago. I was nearly twenty years old. I had been unemployed for just over six months. Almost a year before that I had been working in a care home as a Care Assistant and I loved it but an accident led to having to take six weeks off of work and I was let go. I was also in the early stages of pregnancy and despite looking for work caught between recovering and being pregnant no one wanted to hire me so I was enrolled in a six-week course to give me extra help in finding work. Upon finding out I was pregnant one of the trainers informed me that I would find it the hardest of everyone there to find work and that it would never be easy for me. At that point in time, I did wonder if this was purely down to the fact I was pregnant at such a young age or due to my appearance at the time combined with such.
By Rhiannon Watcher9 years ago in Journal
Are You a Fiddling Grasshopper?
It’s been 546 days since I last posted a Grasshopperism and the first time I’ve posted one on Vocal. I stopped posting them because I felt it important to live what I was writing about. To not actually live what I believed seemed wrong, so I wanted to test my thoughts. When I began writing about The Fiddling Grasshopper, I very much felt as though I had recognized something in myself and in other people that was a very unique and wonderful state we could all be in. Each of the 21 Grasshopperisms I wrote and posted described what being a Fiddling Grasshopper meant and is. But I still had a lot of questions, and so I felt it very important to go out and live what I believed.
By Gentry Bronson9 years ago in Journal
The Era of Self-Employment Has Dawned
There were more than a few cataclysmic events that almost wiped out every living thing on the planet. Have you ever watched movies like Jurassic Park and wondered to yourself, How could mankind ever make this far if the dinosaurs hadn't been erased from the earth?
By Andrea Dawson9 years ago in Journal
Let's Talk Passion and If You Have Any
Know that you are unique... We all have been endowed with incredible talents, gifts, and abilities from birth. Our gifts mean that each of us carries on the inside a solution to a particular problem. How amazing is that? You may not think you're something special but you actually are. You have a unique DNA makeup and fingerprint; even the pattern of your iris (the coloured part of your pupil) is not the same as anyone else's. I hope that you're inspired enough after reading this to discover (or rediscover) your passion, and to do something positive about it. So let me start by asking you this: are you doing currently spending the best part of your day doing what you absolutely love? If your answer is yes, well done. From the sounds of it you're already walking in your passion so I don't need to encourage you about that ;) However, if your answer is a no then we should talk...
By Precious Ofoegbu9 years ago in Journal
Employment Outlook for Teachers
Teachers play a vital role in shaping students' lives. They are responsible for imparting basic knowledge to kids and instilling a desire for learning in children. These educators teach different subjects such as academic, occupational, and life skills to help children make the right career choice. These educational professionals give lessons that are useful not only during school but also beyond the classroom. If you have a dream to inspire young minds and want to play a contributing role in shaping their lives, you can consider teaching as your profession. With rapid advancements in teaching methods and the need for good and qualified teachers being substantially high, this is an ideal profession for individuals who get delight in guiding others. Following list displays what different job opportunities a teacher can have and shows the roles he/she can play in the lives of students.
By Carol Wilson9 years ago in Journal
Is Your Boss Psycho or Supportive?
Most people don't work a job just for the money. We try to be the very best we can whether we're a doctor treating sick children or a cashier ringing up bananas at the supermarket. That said, very few of us have the luxury of not working, so despite our best efforts, we need those jobs to pay the bills and get by. But when do the scales tip? Stress at work is common, and let's face it, lots of people dislike their bosses, but when does it become a situation that forces your hand? After a two year stint at a job I really loved and believed in, after multiple HR complaints and many near implosions, after multiple trips to the ER with stress related cardiac issues and after a weight gain of more than a hundred pounds, I found myself asking these questions. My boss didn't like me from day one, but every so often, just enough to keep me moving forward and not jumping ship, she would say something kind or nice. These didn't make up for the utter nastiness and manipulation that came from her other times, but it gave that glimmer of hope that we all cling to, that maybe, one day, it will get better. Have you ever had that experience? I think we all have at some point. As a boss and business owner now, I understand that bosses can't always be your best friend, but as human beings, we have a choice as to how we treat other people. It's hard to determine whether your boss is psycho or supportive, because often they lace one with the other. Here's how to sort it all out (and how to figure out when to get the hell out)!
By Dan Utt9 years ago in Journal