• Data magnifying glass

    A parliament of Jades

    September 9, 2018 / 1 Comment

    As a journalist and obituary writer, I am huge fan of searching. I can search a database like nobody’s business and do so, without exaggeration, about a hundred times a day.

    Google is often a first stop, but rarely is it my last. No, if there’s a search box on a website, I’ll likely use it to learn more about a wide variety of subjects. I search for recipes, books, articles, facts, quizzes, definitions, obits, ideas, photos, synonyms, art, jobs, poetry and more.

    Recently, I searched for my own name on the HowManyOfMe website, and this is what I learned:

    HowManyOfMe.com
    Logo There are
    24
    people with my name in the U.S.A.

    How many have your name?

    Of these two-dozen Jade Walkers, here are a few of note:

    Jade Walker is an Austin artist who uses textiles, fabric, fake fur and ordinary crafting materials to make her creations. She’s also the gallery director of the University of Texas’ Visual Arts Center.

    Jade Walker is a professional basketball player who signed a contract last year with Faros Keratsiniou in Greece. The Maplewood, N.J., native landed on both the All-BIG EAST and All-Met first teams and was the 23rd player in St. John’s history to score 1,000 points.

    Jade Walker, her husband Dan and two friends recently purchased their local ice cream shop in Littleton, N.H. Bishop’s Homemade Ice Cream, which has been in business for 43 years, was Jade’s first job. She still lives within walking distance of the place and hopes it will become a family business for her young children to join one day.

    Dr. Jade Walker is the chief optometrist at the Greenville VA Health Care Center in Greenville, N.C., and a specialist in ocular disease and low vision rehabilitation. For the past two years, she’s conducted clinics for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.

    Google’s news alert system also let me know that the world lost a Jade Walker last month. Jade was driving through Houston when someone fired 40 bullets into her car. One struck her in the head and claimed her life. Jade was just 25 years old and she had a 4-year-old daughter. So far, her killer is still on the loose. If you have any information about this case, please call the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

  • Upcoming event in Keene, NH

    September 15, 2014 / No Comments

    If you’re free on Wednesday night (Sept. 17) and interested in discussing any and all things related to writing/publishing/journalism, I’ll be speaking to the Among the Elms writers group at the Toadstool Bookshop (222 West St., Keene, N.H.). The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

  • 2013: The Year In Review

    December 18, 2013 / 2 Comments

    At the end of the year, I always take a moment to examine the ups and downs I experienced, both personally and professionally. What follows is my accounting of 2013:

    * Produced hundreds of breaking news stories, including the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the intensive manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers and countless mass shootings.

    * Blogged for The Obituary Forum, The Blog of Death, Hooked From The First Page and Afterthoughts.

    * Passed the 29,000th tweet mark on my personal Twitter account (@jadewalker) and received the “I’m real” checkmark of verification.

    * Penned 60 journal entries.

    * Worked on my novel.

    * Purchased a Fitbit, increased my daily steps/stairs and cut back on my sleep debt. Also started using FitBolt to decrease time spent sitting.

    * Subscribed to the HelloFresh and Plated food services, then cooked a ton of delicious dishes.

    * Read 38 books and countless magazines.

    * Watched more than 30 films.

    * Took classes in archaeology, disaster preparedness, health/nutrition, literature and photography.

    * Launched The 10th Muse, a mailing list of writing prompts.

    * Updated The Written Word.

    * Participated in the New York City Writers Group, the South Florida Freelancers Group and the Journalism & Women Symposium.

    * Attended The Society of Professional Obituary Writers (SPOW) conference in Canada and launched the group’s private Facebook page.

    * Created a YouTube video about the future of obituaries.

    * Featured in a CNN article about obituaries.

    * Profiled on JobShadow.

    * Built websites for my husband and grandfather.

    * Redesigned The SPOW website as well as my own.

    * Went house-hunting in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

    * Dyed my hair red.

    * Traveled to Burlington Vt., New York City, Toronto and Scotland.

    * Visited the monument to Phineas Gage.

    * Tended a garden of basil, oregano, catnip, romaine lettuce, mint, thyme and flowers.

    * Dealt with the libelous rantings of a couple of cyber-trolls (yes, lawyers were involved).

    * Saw Stephen King, Sting and Stuart McLean in person.

    * Leased a new car.

    * Perfected my versions of fudge, chocolate drop cookies, carrot cake, chicken pilaf and lasagna.

    * Celebrated my 4th wedding anniversary.

    * Turned 40.

    * * *

    End of the yearPlans/goals for 2014

    * Save up enough money for a down payment on a house.

    * Write more snail mail letters.

    * Work on my books.

    * Write more obits.

    * Write more poetry/short stories.

    * Experience fewer migraines.

    * Eat more fruits and vegetables.

    * Exercise.

    * Win the lottery.