Hasta La Gadget!

Over one third of the U.S. workforce are now freelancers, according to a recent survey. Think about that–34 percent of people working in America right now are freelancing, working contract positions for one or more clients. What we used to think of as typical freelance jobs are still in the mix–writing, graphic design, business consulting–but it turns out there is a huge variety of freelance work to be had. My team recently dug into the data to find some pretty interesting facts about freelance jobs.

After analyzing freelance job postings over the last year on FlexJobs.com, we determined which companies are offering the most freelance jobs, the industries freelance jobs come from, and who’s working them. Based on our research, here are five surprising facts about freelance jobs today.

1. There’s a lot of variety in the top industries for freelance jobs.

The top industries for freelance jobs are education, writing, translation, graphic design, consulting, computer and IT, accounting and finance, web development, entertainment, healthcare, and sales and marketing. Of course, this list includes long-time freelance favorites like writing and graphic design, but industries with less history in freelancing like education and healthcare also also dominating the job market.

2. Lesser-known companies offer the most freelance jobs.

The final list we developed of the 55 top companies hiring for freelance jobs included some well-known names, such as GoPro, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Expedia, Nintendo, and Ancestry.com. But the most surprising thing we found was that the vast majority of companies hiring freelancers are less well-known businesses and organizations. The 10 companies that hired the most freelancers over the last year are: US-Reports, About.com, K12, Razorfish, Overland Solutions, LanguageLine Solutions, CompuCom Systems, Carolinas HealthCare System, Appen, and Judge Group.

3. Many of today’s freelance jobs didn’t exist 10 years ago.

What’s a Web Search Evaluator? It’s a freelance job we see offered quite a lot now, where people are hired to conduct extensive internet searches to determine if the company’s search results are useful and accurate, but it didn’t exist a decade ago. Online Community Managers are often freelancers hired to help online gaming and social communities thrive by moderating commentary, engaging with customers, and troubleshooting issues. Virtual Teachers can now teach a huge variety of courses online–math, science, languages, psychology, history, even physical education. The rise in opportunities, largely thanks to technology, make it a very exciting time to be a freelancer.

4. Most freelancers earn the same or more than they did in a regular job.

According to the most recent large survey of freelancers, “Nearly eight in ten (77 percent) freelancers said they make the same or more money than they did before they started freelancing–indicating that freelancing can be an even more lucrative career path than traditional jobs.” For people thinking of starting a freelance career of their own, this is very good news.

5. Almost half of freelancers also hold “traditional” jobs.

More good news if you’ve been nervous about making the leap into freelancing–there’s no need to jump in full-time because testing the waters is the norm! Out of the 53 million freelancers in the U.S., 14.3 million of them are classified as “Moonlighters” because they have a traditional full-time job and do freelance projects on the side. And 9.3 million are classified as “Diversified Workers” because they juggle a mix of freelance and part-time traditional jobs.

Freelance jobs and the number of people freelancing is expected to continue growing. Freelancing is a very different career opportunity than it used to be, and for anyone who’s starting to freelance or even thinking about it, we’re hosting a free campaign over the next few months called 100 Days on Freelance Jobs. Be sure to check it out for more on the latest freelance jobs, companies hiring, and how to set yourself up to be a successful freelancer.

When it comes to the people of North Texas, the phrase “go big or go home” certainly applies, and especially when it comes to their pocketbooks. Last week, the sixth annual North Texas Giving Day (NTGD) took place – a day for donors in North Texas to give to local nonprofit organizations that they may not have been previously aware of – and the giving was good. North Texas Giving Day, powered by the Communities Foundation of Texas, raised a total of $26.3 million for local area non-profits, surpassing the previous year’s total by more than $1 million.

In addition to donations, some nonprofits received special grants and prizes by local area foundations for reaching certain goals throughout the day. One of those organizations was Living Hope Ministries, which received two grants for a total of $10,000 from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation (ATF). ATF gave these grants to the nonprofit with the most unique donors during the 2014 North Texas Giving Day between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and between 6 p.m. to midnight. However, some supporters of the Foundation and NTGD may be surprised to find that Living Hope Ministries is an ex-gay ministry whose sole purpose is to help people “leave homosexuality” and “stop the suffering of same sex attraction.”

Additionally, Living Hope Ministries received bonus funds for all donations over $25 based on a pro-rated dollar match awarded by Communities Foundation of Texas.

While not a physical church, the organization’s sole purpose is to counsel men, women and children who are conflicted with homosexual feelings and a Christian identity. LHM does not claim to be an ex-gay ministry, but a Christian organization that teaches men and women how to “overcome homosexual feelings by leaning on Christ.”

One participant in NTGD, who also works for the City of Dallas, was shocked when she found out that this organization was eligible to participate. Although she preferred to remain anonymous, she had this to say:

“I don’t feel like this is for the betterment of our communities and takes away from other legitimate nonprofits actually making significant contributions.”

LHM was actively promoting their supporters to give on NTGD on the organization’s website so that they could qualify for these additional prizes and awards. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization raised a total of $60,035 for its anti-gay congregation, beating organizations like Alliance for Children, $57,125, a nonprofit that helps protect North Texas children from child abuse, and The Resource Center, $14,480, a comprehensive HIV resource nonprofit.

When Carolyn Mentesana, the Executive Director of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, found out the nature of what LHM does, she was shocked and concerned. She said that ATF gave the grant money to Communities Foundation of Texas to gift to an organization with the understanding that it was for a nonprofit that engaged in community outreach and support, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

On Wednesday, September 24th, Communities of Texas Foundation and Arlington Tomorrow Foundation came to an agreement that LHM would not receive ATF’s grant, but would instead by issued the prize money directly from CTF. Since NTGD did not recognize LHM as a physical place of worship during the application process, the organization says that it will still honor the grant for LHM, despite now knowing about the organization and its functions.

“We verify 501(c)3 status, but we do not make a judgment as to what their causes are,” said Carol Goglia, Director of Marketing and Communications at Communities Foundation of Texas. “Our committee verified that [Living Hope Ministries] was in good nonprofit standing and that they didn’t appear to be a physical church.”

A representative from LHM said that the grant money would not be used towards one specific program, but for the overall operation of its services. Many other religious-based nonprofit organizations received donations and prizes from NTGD, but these organizations have clear, tangible programming. The Presbyterian Night Shelter is a housing program for adults, the elderly, families, those with mental or emotional disorders and veterans. The Union Gospel Mission provides the homeless population of Dallas with meals, clothing, shelter, emergency medical services, as well as daycare for children. The Stewpot, a First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, offers a safe haven for homeless and at-risk individuals of Dallas, providing resources for basic survival needs as well as opportunities to start a new life.

“I am disappointed that NTGD is a way to support this organization. This is a program based on bad science and bad religion,” said Jim Mitulski, Interim Senior Pastor at the Cathedral of Hope, a congregation of the United States Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas. “It is preying on people’s weaknesses and exploits them. To me, this is similar to funding a hate group, because this organization goes against people’s normal and natural sense of self. This is prejudice in a religious cloak.”

The Cathedral of Hope, the largest LGBT Christian congregation in Dallas, did not participate in NTGD because of religious exemptions.

Ricky Chellete, the Executive Director of LHM, couldn’t be reached for comment, but wrote this letter in the LHM magazine about the nonprofit organization.

“Each week, over 100 people gather in three locations for our in-person support groups for young adults, men, women, friends and family and wives of men who struggle with same-sex attraction. Our staff spends thousands of hours each year in personal, pastoral counseling and mentoring with individuals seeking help for their unwanted same-sex attractions. Our young adult and adult retreats draw over 120 people from states across the U.S. and countries across the globe for a weekend of bible study, discipleship and worship.”

In addition to their in-house worships and annual retreats, LHM also offers online support forums with over 7,800 members from 170 different countries.

Living Hope Ministries provides online testimonials on their website from congregants who have been helped by their teachings.

“I struggled in secret with SSA. I tried everything I could to rid myself of these feelings. My Christian family and friends only spoke of the abomination that homosexuality represented. At 53 I was at the end of my hope. Then a friend shared her story and told me about Living Hope. The compassion and unconditional love I receive from everyone opened my heart to deeper truth. They accepted me without ever condoning my sin. Hope has returned to me, but more importantly, I have a deeper relationship with Jesus. LHM didn’t just talk about the sin, but stresses the point that true freedom only comes through an intimate relationship with a loving and righteous God. I look forward to freedom in the light.”

– Susan, 53, NW Arkansas

“The LHM forums have been a vital part of my healing process. This a safe community where I have been able to share, be encouraged and challenged to see things from God’s perspective. Without the support of the LHM community I would have returned to the GLBT community and abandoned my relationship with God.”

– Hope, 52, East TX

In no testimonial does it claim to have “cured” homosexuality, but the homosexual and Christian identities in all testimonies are mutually exclusive. According to the American Psychological Association, homosexuality is not classified as a mental disorder and churches and mental health practitioners should not make efforts to “cure” same-sex attraction.

Living Hope Ministries held their 25th Anniversary Fundraising Celebration Banquet at the Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas the day NTGD was held. Park Cities Baptist is one of LHM’s many partner churches in the North Texas region.

A friend of John Cantlie wants the world to see the real Cantlie — not the one held hostage and forced to wear an orange jumpsuit for the Islamic State group’s propaganda videos.

To that end, the friend, identified as Andrew Campbell, has released a photo of the British journalist that was taken several years ago while the two were in India’s Spiti Valley on a motorcycle trip:

It’s a far cry from the other photos of Cantlie currently circulating in the Western media, which, complete with the orange jumpsuit, are haunting reminders of James Foley and Steven Sotloff, two journalists recently executed by the Islamic State group.

“People see the news, and see a tortured, malnourished, pale, skinny and unhealthy man in an orange jumpsuit,” Campbell wrote in a Reddit post accompanying the photo. “I just wanted to give everyone a healthier reference. A chance to see John as he really is and hopefully relate to him a little more.”

Reached for comment by The Huffington Post, Campbell declined to comment further. “I don’t wish to contribute to John’s story at all other than to provide this photo,” he said. “His closer friends and family are much better suited to talk about him to the press, currently they are not doing so and I will follow their lead.”

Campbell said he hopes the media will publish his photo of Cantlie, which he’s distributed free of charge, instead of those made available via extremist propaganda.

It has been said a million times, but breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. It’s easy to get into a routine of eating the same bland foods every single day, even though you always want to eat something new. If you want something simple, but don’t want your morning to be as dull as the rest of the day promises, why not add a twist onto an old favorite?

Waffles are a very complicated and crunchy version of pancakes (clearly the superior breakfast choice). However, with the Pixel waffle maker, you can add a message to each morning meal that can bring a smile to your face. You can make a heart or write out a message to your significant other, or leave a note to remind yourself about something you have to do during the day. Your past self the night before a big day can remind your future self to fax a document, call your mom, or just to relax and remember to breathe.

This waffle maker has a removable silicone tray on which you can pop up individual squares to make your message. The rest of this waffle maker is made of stainless steel, cast iron, and plastic. The tray can be easily removed and cleaned, but the cast iron element in the top and stainless steel sides may need a little work if you’re bad at pouring batter. This is currently a Quirky concept, but could become a real product if you weigh in your opinion.

More information on Quirky

 
[ Add your own personal pixel message onto your morning waffle copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

 Apple’s iPhone 6 launch maybe be its queueiest yet, according to droves of fans lining up around the world for round two of the new device’s global debut. Today, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus went on sale in over 20 new countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi… Read More