Why is your blog called Anali’s First Amendment?
My “real” name is Lisa Johnson. I started this blog in 2006, but wasn’t sure if I wanted anyone to know who I was or what would happen with this blogging thing. I didn’t know many bloggers and for all I knew, this could all go terribly wrong. Luckily, not so much! Blogging is probably one of the best things that I’ve ever done.
My email name was already Anali, so I decided to use it for blogging. I thought that I made up the name, but later found out that Anali is a Hindi name meaning fiery.
When I first started blogging, I wasn’t sure what I’d write about or whether there would be a certain focus or niche. I really had no idea, but I did not want to feel restrained or tied to one particular topic. I’m very curious by nature and interested in all sorts of things.
I wanted freedom to write about anything that I wanted. To have my own personal forum. I thought about what allows us Americans to say what we want. To have the freedom to speak and express ourselves. Freedom of Speech. The First Amendment. And the name of my blog was born.
How do you pronounce Anali?
Anali is pronounced Ah Nah Lee. However, I was born in Boston and have lived in Massachusetts my whole life. I have a slight accent. Read here about Boston accents.
When I say aunt, it does not sound like ant. When I say party it might sound like potty to other people. If I’m tired or feeling really comfortable around you, I might start dropping my R's. But I never add them in place of A's.
I’ve heard this question more often recently since I’ve been meeting bloggers off-blog. I prefer Lisa, since it is my actual name, but Anali is fine too. If you yell either from across a crowded room, I'll look. But please don’t call me Liser! : )
What is your favorite food? You seem to only eat dessert.
I don't have one favorite. There are so many foods that I love, but I do adore Italian. Pasta, bread, and cheese make me weak at the knees!
My favorite fruits are berries, bananas, melons, raisins, and dried fruits in general. I love oatmeal and granola. I don’t eat most meats --only poultry, eggs, and seafood.
I love creamy vegetable soups, Brussels sprouts, fresh raw green beans, onions, garlic, sweet peppers, cucumbers, squash. This list is making me want to cook!
My mom is an awesome cook, so just about anything that she makes is a favorite too. Especially her macaroni and cheese! Until you’ve had hers, you really haven’t eaten macaroni and cheese. Sorry, but it’s the truth!
It’s not only desserts that I eat, but when it comes to feeling inspired to blog, photograph and wax poetic, it’s the sweets that encourage and whisper in my ear.
In your recipes, why do you use rice milk instead of regular milk and Smart Balance instead of butter?
Check out my posts Got Rice Milk and Baking Without Dairy; it will give you a better idea. I'm not against dairy. I eat cheese and yogurt on a regular basis. I love eggnog during the holidays. I eat ice cream too. I've just tried to limit dairy.
Will you add my link to your blog?
Generally, I don’t participate in link exchanges. The links on my sidebars are blogs or websites that I read on a regular basis. I change the categories every once in a while and sometimes add new links. Other links I take down if I stop reading the blog or if the blog is not kept current.
If you are a company or small business, I do accept advertisements. Pease email me for more information about advertising.
How do you feel about advertising and promotion on blogs?
I think that people should do what works for them and their particular circumstances. In this economy, if you need money, it makes sense to earn some money for doing what you love. In my current circumstances, ahem, I can appreciate more than just one kind of dough.
Do you like comments? What are your commenting guidelines?
I love comments! They really can make my day. And often do. You can disagree with me. Feel free. But I don't like mean comments. If the comments are mean or disrespectful, they will be deleted. If you really don't like this blog, you don't have to read it. Luckily, that doesn't happen very often at all. I have some very nice readers!
Spam comments are not allowed. No commercial links here! Don't leave a comment, so that you can link to a business. If you want a link to your business on my blog, contact me about an advertisement or sponsorship. I may delete the spam comment, if it's gibberish. If it's a nice comment, but linked to a business, I most likely will delete the link and keep the comment.
Can I place an ad on your blog or sponsor it?
Maybe. New advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available now. We can work together to find out what will work for you and your business. Please email me for more information.
Do you review products and services?
Yes, I do! I write a teaser on my main blog, linking to the actual review, which is written on a separate review blog called Anali Says.
Before you ask me to review a product or service, please take a look around my blog and take note of the types of things that I write about.
I state my honest opinions in each review. If I don't feel that a particular product is the right fit, then I will decline the review. I do not take or try all of the products that are offered to me. The ones that are reviewed tend to be from companies that I trust and products that I like.
On each post, I disclose whether I have been paid and/or given free products. I seek to provide full disclosure and honesty in blogging in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission.
I was reading your blog and clicked on a link that brought me to Amazon.com. Why?
I am part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. If you click on a link to something like a cookbook, kitchen utensil, or DVD for example, it may bring you to an Amazon purchase page. As an Affiliate, if you purchase the product, I will receive a small percentage (between 4% and 8.5%) of the purchase price. Any purchases would be much appreciated. Thank you to those of you who do!
Are you an attorney? What is your area of practice?
Yes. I’m an attorney licensed to practice in Massachusetts. My area of practice is not a cut and dry answer. I’ve done mostly non-traditional legal work and my career is in transition. If that sounds rather vague, look at my resume to get a better idea of the work that I've done.
I’m not in private practice and not seeking to take on clients to represent. However, if you are an attorney or law firm looking to outsource some legal research and writing, please let me know!
Can I hire you?
Sounds good to me! I'm available for work. Please take a look at my LinkedIn Profile and Resume. I’m always looking for more freelance writing work and I’m seeking other opportunities as well.
I’d like to combine my legal skills (research, writing, and analysis) with my love for social media. In a perfect world, adding food to the mix would be a dream. If you have work opportunities, please email me.
From looking at your blog, it seems like you have a lot of experience in social media. I want to figure out how to use this for my business. Could you help me learn about all this blogging, twitter, and facebook stuff?
Sure! In order to meet with you, it would work out best if you're located in the Greater Boston area. If you're not close by, we still may be able to work something out. Send me an email and we can set up a social media consultation.
Do you have any samples of your freelance writing?
Yes. Take a look here and here.
Does your blog have a motto?
Funny you should ask! Yes! It's a quote by Rumi. "Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.”
My blog is this quote in action. For more of my favorite quotes and inspirations, take a look at my Tumblr blog.
Thank you for reading! Return to Anali's First Amendment.
