Behind the Citizen Journalist: Occupations

We here at DJ work together every day bringing the news to the masses, but what do Citizen Journalists do for a living? As usual Behind The CJ spotlights several Citizen Journalists, peeling away the layers of our reporters like juicy onions made of newsprint. As usual, some of the information gathered may surprise you. So, let's jump right in and get to know a handful of our Ace reporters a little better. This week I asked 13 CJ's about their career/job in the real world. #13 aarontrippedout I have often wondered if he is really tripped out or just faking it. One thing is certain, he is our resident video game guru and informant. I think he might even own every video game console ever made. My job is living my life. At the moment, I have no real occupation since I am just entering college. But I do go from job to job like a scavenger would, just earning enough so I can pay for my education and drivers insurance and so on. So yeah, I sort of consider my current occupation as a young person, it sounds way better than being a scavenger working to please the government.

But other than that, I balance a hard day of work with a kick-about game of soccer and a few rounds on my Xbox (if I am not neck deep in todays standard amount of homework). Ahhh to be young again. The lad reminds me of myself. Except it was an Atari 2600, not an Xbox. Aaron is proof that we have every age group and interest represented here at DJ. Keep up the good work on Video game news. #12 momentsintime I clean a very limited number of houses, mostly for friends and I take care of our blended family. But in the past I have done some crazy things.

I was a carny my 18th Summer because I had always wanted to live with a carnival when I was little and I had an opportunity to do so. It was very fun and an experience I treasure now.

I was the first female bar back for TJ Applebys in Atlanta.

I have sold cosmetics/beauty products for salons and wedding gowns. A Carny who also has sold cosmetics and wedding gowns? Truly an interesting life like my own. I can only imagine the fascinating stories she could tell. #11 Planetjanet Hi muse,

Okay, for the last five years I have been lucky enough to work freelance as a writer. I tend to do local publications and music album/band reviews, on a wider scale, for music fanzines and other studio websites. I also run a promotional business for up and coming bands in my area in the South of the UK. It all keeps me afloat and out of the eye of the bank manager. DJ allows me to earn a top up to my own income and also gives me a lot of practice for writing shorter articles. (I enjoy the race for the scoop and also the people here are very nice - it makes a change from the cut throat business I am used to!) My day job projects tend to be drawn out and very long so I like to write something more compact here. I'm actually looking for a permanent job to get me out of freelancing as an editorial assistant or something in media sales or even broadcasting. I have been known to bang out the odd play or two, so I'm up for grabs if anyone wants to employ me! Well, seems PJ not only gave me a new British term,(a "top up") but she has also wowed me with her ability to keep all of those many projects afloat. Proof that there is always more then meets the eye when it comes to the lives of Citizen Journalists. #10 Geozone Penetrating the deepest mysteries of the cosmos and life in an integrative approach that dissolves the artificially created barriers of diverse fields of knowledge.

Cheers! Don't I feel dumb now. There is definitely more going on with Geozone then I would have thought. Very mysterious, this one. I'll have to keep my eye on them. (That's kind of how I might describe my pursuits as well, actually.) #9 MDee Hi Muse- I write; that's the problem. That IS what I do for a living. I used to teach school and have often worked at other jobs, but not now. That's why things are often a bit tight. The freelance life is not for everyone, you know.

MDee You don't need to tell me. I hear ya. She has actually told me a bit more about her writing then she relays here and I have to say I was impressed. It is not easy for creative people to make a living, but MDeee has managed to accomplish more then I have. One thing about her that I have noticed. She will often answer every single comment in her stories and she is always polite and considerate. #8 cruiseroo What do I do besides DJ? So much and too much!!

1) Unpaid manager, promoter and booking agent for my entertainer daughter

Indeed, we have all heard about the multi-talented snugglebear.

2) Creator & webmistress of over 15 information-based website and 5 business-related sites

3) Buyer and seller on Ebay and doing too much of the former in hopes of making money with the latter

4) Unpaid baby-sitter for my 4-year-old grand-daughter

5) Incessant worrier about how to make ends meet and somehow always finding ways to make those ends further apart.

The list goes on and on but can be summed up quickly: lots of exhausting non-profit work!

Now aren't you sorry you asked :)) Not at all. Another very busy bee. (Or should I say Giraffe?) With some people's schedules, I am amazed that they fit it all in. We have alot in common. We both have our hands in alot of various projects. :) #7 Catlover I'm an author, editor, and professional student. Occasionally I perform "favours" but that don't pay the mortgage if ya know what I mean! hmmm...Didn't expect that....Am I taking that wrong?...Very nice girl...I'm helping her with her mortgage. #6 kylalynn Hi muse, hope all is well.

When not on DJ, I am usually painting, or doing something else creative. I love to paint, and what I paint depends on the mood I'm in, but I am a lover of art. Lately, I seem to go from one thing to another. I turned 51 to-day, so can I blame menopause for this? lol What is it with you gals? I have also been tracing our family tree, which, although took about 2 years, I thoroughly enjoyed, and am looking forward to compiling it in an "antique scrapbook form". While I enjoy being at home, doing my own thing, I also like to be out and around people, hence my love of DJ. I am also an insomniac, so now you know why I am here sometimes in the middle of the night. Interesting. Another highly creative person and art lover. And like alot of DJ gals, I had no idea she was 51. Like the others, she seemed to be younger then me. Keep up the good work babe. #5 patxxoo Code name:The cat Currently I am on a leave from a WA Wal-Mart where I was an electronics sales associate, had to make a run to Fl for a family emergency, right now I am taking it day by day in Florida working at a convenience store and am debating what I wanna be when I grow up and weather or not to return to WA. Trying hard not to make any smart ass Walmart remarks here. It's tough. Very tough. One thing though... Do you know this man? I am also a cert. CNA in FL. Some jobs I have done in the past include monitor tech (watching patients heart rhythms) ER unit coordinator, taxi driver, coal shoveler (a dirty job but someone had to do it...lol) fruit picker, vegetable grader. And many odd jobs such as remodeling rooms. I like variety and have had fun jumping in and learning new things such as how to take a motor apart (and put it back together) and just how a belt goes on a washing machine. If something comes up and needs fixed I'm more than likely to do it myself rather than waiting for someone else to. lol How do you go from ER coordinator to coal shoveler? Wait you can fix things and you enjoy taking an engine apart? Wanna shag? I am seeing an interesting pattern as I question more CJ's. It seems that not only are many of us are on the creative fringe, but we are also free thinkers eager to learn and embrace life in a way different from most of the world. #4 permafrog I am a permaculture designer and my work lately is connected with Africa54. On the local scene I am greening a small plot of neglected land near my home. First off. This is a noble profession. Secondly, this man of few words didn't bother to go into any detail and made this journalist work for it. Thanks. Wikipedia says of of Permaculture: The word "permaculture," coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a Portmanteau-style contraction of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture. Through a series of publications, Mollison, Holmgren and their associates documented an approach to designing human settlements, in particular the development of perennial agricultural systems that mimic the structure and interrelationship found in natural ecologies. Find out more here. So when you see permafrog commenting on your stories, realize that this is a guy who cares about the environment and has a deep regard for life. He is walking the walk. #3 Gotthescoop I was a successful (well pretty successful) Realtor for 27 years until the economy went to hell. Too much mortgage fraud has the banks freaking out. It is almost impossible to get a mortgage these days unless you have a credit rating that is solid gold and money in the bank. I hear favors can be granted... No one saves anymore, interest rates are climbing and even though prices are falling - no one is buying. Not good going's on in my little world these days........

Oh well, I'm considering meeter/greeter at Walmart! LOL!! Walmart again. Please Scoop, no! Being 51 with no work history whatsoever other than self employment - what now? I established a lifestyle that needs some pretty solid upper range income to sustain. I have no college degrees, heck, I don't even have a resume. What would it say?

Mystery to me what the future holds. I just have to take it one day at a time.......God willing, I will survive. You would be surprised at how many of us are in the same boat. Just know that if I am ever stuck in an elevator, I would want it to be with you. :) #2 Bocephalus

Hi Muse, I'm a part time university student living in Montreal.

I survive by hustling here and there for some dollars.

Here's an actual picture of me doing just that, feel free to post it ;)

(Picture of Crackhead hooker deleted on the basis that it was just plain nasty.) Well, I had a look at the pic and I think it would scare people. By the way, you look familiar. Have we met? And now for the featured Citizen Journalist of the week. #1 Lightning Hi Muse....

Well that's a great question. Making money is not something I seem to be doing much of lately!

I sell real estate and I model. The real estate market is terrible and I basically have no income at this point.... although I do have some income from modeling.

I model fashion and cosmetics regularly for a National TV Shopping network. Sometimes I do pre-recorded promo's for them too...like running on a treadmill, or taking pictures with a camera....commercials for various products they're selling. Its fun to do the live shows on air (which is what I do most often). I really enjoy the work...it is like getting paid to have fun. I consider it a real blessing. The pay is good but I am not booked enough hours to support myself. Would we recognize her if we saw her? I had no idea. There must be a real vixen under that religious DJ exterior. Think about this. Selling real estate, she could model a home(Much like a Price Is Right model) and sell it. Then once the new owners move in, she sells them stuff from the TV. No wonder her name is lightning. She strikes more then once! Her customers end up looking something like this: I am looking for a job in the financial industry ... I have a background in lending and I was the Home Equity Operations Manager for a major corporation at one point. The entire industry is in trouble though, many 1,000's of layoffs....so we are all competing for very few jobs locally. I am on the verge of selling my home as I will not be able to make the payments.

In short....I am in a financial crisis. And I am not married so I have no one to help me.

But you know me Muse... It is my Christian faith that keeps me strong. I know that God always has a plan, and this too shall pass. Everything happens for a reason. It will all work out one way or another. Yes it will. And I should know. You have the support of all your DJ friends here. And I may require your services to model some new metal robo-undies. I'm very professional, so no worries. Don't tell anyone ok.... Please don't say my real name on DJ...okay? Ok I won't tell them your name is actually lightening. No one would believe it.