#IntroduceYourself: Independent journalist, aspiring homesteader, mom of boys, proud Texan ... and so much more.

Hello! I'm Angela Morris.

Work Life

I'm an independent freelance journalist based in Austin, Texas. I've been in the news biz since 2006, and for the past seven years, I've covered the legal industry, law and the justice system. Some of the topics within my work that stir my passion and curiosity include: gender equity for working women; racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion in high-powered careers; problems with wrongful convictions in the criminal justice system; problems with poor and middle-income people accessing the civil courts. I went freelance about a year and a half ago, and now, I've also begun writing about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology and critiques of the mainstream media. I'm currently very excited about a story I'm doing for a journalism magazine about how the media needs to change its coverage of mass shootings and school shootings, in the light of research over the past three years showing that the media is granting these killers the infamy that they're seeking, and potentially spurring copycat killers to commit similar crimes.

As they say, I started going "down the rabbit hole" of the crypto and blockchain world last October when I wrote a profile story about a law professor who has launched conversations in the crypto world by suggesting that core developers and major miners might owe users a fiduciary duty, because unlike common claims to the contrary, it's become clear that they can yield enough power and influence to impact users' finances in a big way. That was my first time aiming all my curiosity and passion for information-gathering to the crypto world. Since then, I've been searching out crypto stories and pitching them whenever I can.

That focus brought me to Steemit. I was writing a post for one of my Wordpress blogs about various blockchain projects that aim to disrupt the media/journalism industry. I started researching Steemit more, and I like what I see. I've got a long history with blogging. Back in 2008, I gathered a good-size following to my blog, News Videographer, which covered the emerging online news video industry. Despite attempts to use advertising and associate-link programs, that blog never brought any income. I've started various blogs since then to cover my personal hobbies, including blogs about sustainable living, our hill in the Texas Hill Country (more on this later), and crypto/blockchain. Now I'm seriously considering moving all my blogging to Steemit!

Family Life

The reason why I quit my fulltime journalism job and went out on my own as a freelance journalist is that my husband and I had our second son in 2016, and I wanted to slow down my life and be there with my boys. They're now 5 1/2 and nearly 2 years old, and the most precious and important aspect of my life right now. I fully support both parents in careers, but for me, I just needed a break from work for a while (I felt pretty burned out at that point) and I couldn't stand the thought of having my full-time career, and a second full-time job being Mommy at home. I needed more space and time for my own personal sanity. When the baby was so small, that meant not working many hours. I'd like to share a family photo, however, my husband and I have agreed not to post our boys on any social media.

Now, life is beginning to get sane again, and I feel a strong urge to work more and more hours. But I'm not interested in going back to being an employee in a big journalism. The freelance life is great--Not only do I get to make my own schedule, but I also get to choose my own topics and audience. I can follow my interests and passion and turn it into a well-paying job.

Life on Morris Hill

The biggest project we've got going at the moment, outside of work and family life, is that we bought a hilltop in the Texas Hill Country last October. I've been blogging about it here, but I'm thinking of moving this to Steemit.

We still live in our home in Austin, and we go visit our hill about once a month and camp there for two nights. At first, we stayed in a tent, but the Texas weather stepped in and ended that humble abode. Now we've got a travel trailer up there--A major upgrade!

We're in the process of getting our electricity hooked up, which will be completely indispensable during our Texas spring and summer. We do not have a well because our hill is straight caliche soil and limestone. You can't go more than 6 inches with a shovel before you hit rock. Our neighbors spent $20,000 on a well that had to go down 600 feet. So, minus the $20,000, we've just been hauling up water in 55 gal. barrels and using a water pump to transfer it to the RV. However, our longterm dream is that one day we get that well and build a cabin!

Other Beliefs and Hobbies

Here are a couple of other small things to know about me:

• For a really long time now I've tried to live my life as sustainably, naturally and chemically free as possible. For example:
  -- Both boys were born at a birthing center with a midwife; no drugs/epidural. This is one of the most powerful things I've ever done in my life.
  -- I chose to use cloth diapers on both boys rather than disposables.
  -- I use vinegar and baking soda to clean my house, because the cleaners from the store have some chemicals that have always irritated my upper respiratory system.
  -- I'm a bit kooky about the pots/pans, dishes and utensils I use for cooking. I don't want any teflon or nonstick coatings, I've thrown out nearly everything that's plastic, because I don't want chemicals leaching into my family's food.
  -- We buy a lot of our food organic (not all though--budget reasons). I'm really into healthy eating and exercising (running, weights, Barre Fit, Yoga).

• I agree with a lot of the ideals of nonconsumer advocates. Basically, I think our society and economy is set up to benefit only the few people and corporations at the top, and the rest of us are getting duped. We're brainwashed to thinking that if we buy, buy, buy, that we'll attain happiness. Debt is no thing. I reject this thought wholeheartedly.
  -- Aside from having adequate shelter, food, etc., plus a little extra for comfort, excessive outside possessions or status symbols can't make a person happy. Happiness comes from within.
  -- Going into debt will only put you into a prison, so that you have to trade your life's energy for money to pay your bills.
  -- For this reason, we've chosen to live below our means. We approach buying anything with thriftiness and frugality. This is one of the main reasons it was possible for me to quit my job and raise my boys the way that we wanted.

• If I wasn't putting all my time and energy into raising my boys, then I would be spending a lot more time on arts and crafts. I'm not trying to complain; it's a good trade-off of time for now. But when they're grown up and don't need me as much day to day, I'll begin my hobbies again.
  -- I love to sew and I used to take old, used clothes, cut them up, and sew them into something new. My favorite things to sew were grocery shopping bags, nice tote bags, aprons, and dog clothes (more on this later).
  -- I also went through a knitting phase where I made my family nice scarves as Christmas gifts. Knitting is a great way to keep the hands busy, but free the mind.

• I love dogs. Back when I was sewing dog clothes, I had three precious small dogs: a Jack Russell Terrier, Rat Terrier and Cairn Terrier. We called them our Terrorists.
  -- They would get cold, and they actually got excited about wearing a sweater. Plus they looked so darn cute!
  -- Now we have Trudy, a Blue Heeler (aka Australian Cattle Dog) and she's long-haired and large, so no clothes for her (also, see above: with two boys, I have no more time for sewing). She's a good dog!

• I'm a proud Texan. I do not ride a horse or wear cowboy boots. However, I do say "ya'll" constantly. I could probably eat Mexican food for all three meals, for an indefinite period. I'd take some breaks to eat barbeque though.

Questions for Steemians

I've been reading other #introduceyourself posts. I notice that the comments often include really helpful information and links for new users. I've got some specific questions and I hope someone might be able to help me.

1. I have so many professional and personal interests, which I like blogging about. However, is it better to choose just one topic for my Steemit blog? For example, people interested in reading about crypto/blockchain might not want to hear about me bitching about the news media, or hilltop homesteading projects, and vice versa. How have you all handled this question of crafting the topics for your blogs?
2. I was reading something about not using all your bandwidth at one time on Steemit. I don't get this. Can anybody explain?
3. I'd like to start following other people who are blogging about my interests, so if you are, please tell me in your comment so I can come take a look at your blog.
4. I'm feeling overwhelmed at some of the other stuff about the Steemit community. What's this stuff about voting on witnesses? Delegations of Steem Power? Minnows/whales? Buying v. earning? I figure I'll learn as I go--but can you tell me, what is the stuff that's really key for me? What is safe for me to ignore for now?
5. If I did decide to move my other blogs to Steemit, could I publish my posts here and continue cross-posting to my own domains, or is this frowned upon?