Spitzer? I Hardly Even Know Her!

I was tagged by StyleSwag with the facts about myself meme. About four months ago. What can you do. This time, it's suitable that I do only embarrassing facts. I call it The Spitzer Meme.

1. I'll never put ads on this blog because money is the root of all evil, but I constantly think of ways of making money online. And I can't think of anything. I want to start a blog or a website that will make people come over and click on ads and buy shit they don't need, and I don't know how. A man can't even give away his soul nowadays?
2. About fifteen years ago, what song was I rocking out to while sliding a 360 on a highway? "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)." Wait, it gets worse.
3. Danced in a cage in Heaven Club in London. I wasn't even paid to do that. I just saw a cage and got in. Who can resist an open cage?
4. Fainted during a Sinead O'Connor concert. Told you it would get worse.
5. Very, very excited about the return of Beauty and the Geek.
6. I don't know much about much, but two things others don't know I do know, which gives me an enormous advantage: I'm good at catching stuff with my mouth. Kind of like a dolphin, but not as smart. I don't smile as much either. I don't trust dolphins. And the second thing I know? The formula for calculating 1+2+3+4+... Here's how you do it: You add 1 to the last number (if it's 100, then we get 101), then multiply it by half of the last number (making the result 101*50=5050). I lost my advantage over you.
7. Sometimes I'm really happy.

Now, if anyone else wants to do the Spitzer, you're welcome, and you'll make me happy and your country proud. I'm tempted to tag you but I'm not ready for the rejection. It's fun, though. You should do it.

A Blogging Community

Merely three months after Bobby tagged me, I'm finally ready.

So what is this thing? Well, Bobby got sick of the profit-oriented direction the blog-world was taking, the ease with which anonymous enemies were created, and the whole John Chow-ism of our society. These are not the eighties, after all, and as much as we create a blog as a platform for our unique thoughts and dreams, none of us would still be here without the feeling there's a community of readers and writers around us.

And while some of us write posts about the intricacies of ear-hair, others actively try to make this whole blogging-thing, this Lord of the Flies experiment in human interaction a meaningful one.

Which brings me to Dan, who asks for our support. He wants to walk 78 miles--who am I to stop him? Please read his post and see what you can do. And if all you can do is wish him luck on his journey, well, that's plenty.

A Long-Lost Meme

Which can only mean one thing: He's not here yet.

So, I was tagged by Dan from Cafe Leone about a month ago, to put up a picture of my desktop. It's a pretty cool thing, because my desktop does say some things about me.

• I'm a neat freak. Everything has its place. One folder for me, one for Honey, a Firefox shortcut, and a recycle Bin.
• On the top right is Buddy. I have this Yahoo picture frame widget that changes a picture every twenty minutes and makes me happy.
• The background is a picture of the moon taken from my deck with my cellphone camera. I usually change this picture about once a month or two, but I've had this one up there for a bit longer. Because it's awesome and it's the moon. I can also see the Northern Star from my deck, which is another reason to be happy. And we have the most beautiful tree in the world. I used the tree picture on this post, and it was the desktop background before I put the moon up there. It has to be inspiring, right?
  

Now, next time, either a picture of a baby or something else. I wanted to write a Veterans Day post. Maybe I'll do that. Or maybe I'll put a picture of a baby. Or maybe I'll write a post about something mundane like all these movies coming out now that I'd like to see, but won't. Or maybe I'll write about--Honey just called me upstairs. She thinks she might be having contractions. She's going to try and sleep it off because it might be these Starsky-Hutch contractions they talked about in the classes. But I'm going to go upstairs now and scratch her back and watch the midget channel with her.

I didn't tag anyone, I know. I haven't had much luck there lately... But if you want to do this meme, consider yourself tagged.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

My New Job V + Inspirational Blog

Some more quotes from work:

“My boyfriend doesn’t want to stay at my mother’s house because she won’t let us sleep in the same room. I don’t know what’s wrong with him. Maybe he’s got ADHD or something.”

“He said he was going to stay at a hotel. I told him, ‘You can sleep in the car, I don’t care. You can sleep at my uncle house; he’s a faggy.’”

Answering the question, “Are you going to try to lower it?” she answers, “Hell, no. I’m gonna higher it.”

A printed sign next to the fridge: “Please reframe from placing any lunch bags in the refrigerator.”

For bonus points, what did he mean? I’m asking a guy if he has any source of income and he says, “A lead suitcase.”

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In other news, A while ago Jill gave me this fun award thingy. Sorry it took me such a long time to do it, Jill, and thank you.

As usual, if you're tagged, feel free to ignore this. In fact, don't think of this as a tag, but as a thank you, and just know you can do the same to thank others. That's all.

So, who inspired me recently?

• Ajooja's writing is always honest. Add to that the beautiful, simple design and you get a blog you can't help admiring.
• Shelli loves the world of blogging. She relies on her blogging friends when she's depressed and she's happiest when she gets to share moments of happiness. Again, an inspiration to anyone who treats a sidebar link as a living person and a friend.
  
• Mr. Fab gives two reasons for inspiration. Actually, three: 1. No matter how popular his blog is, he keeps looking for more blogs to visit and comment on. 2. He shows that you can't just write about your favorite toothpaste and hope for the best--each of his post has something new and original. Having a good, successful blog requires effort. Damn. 3. Yes, he's a very funny man. Let me quote: "Number of fire ants I can insert into the hole in my penis before I realize I have made a horrible mistake? One."--Don't know about you, but I'm a better person for knowing that.

A Tag--Two Months Late

Because I'm a douche, it takes me two months to do a tag, and when I do it, the tagger is on a break. Never mind. It's the thought that counts. And anyway, it's always good to send some love to some of my latest links.

—— START COPYING HERE ——

Geek Train - All Aboard!
Write a short paragraph at the beginning of your post and linkback to the blog(s) that put you on the list in the paragraph. You MUST do this. No-one plans on getting slapped for duplicate content any time soon, do they?

Next, copy the list of originals below COMPLETELY and add it to your own blog. If you’d like a different keyword for your blog then change it, when you do your post, and it should pass to most blogs with that keyword, provided the train keeps on spreading.

Take the adds from the blog that added you and place them in the “Originals” list.
Add at least three new favourite blogs of yours to keep the train going, e-mail the blog owners (or comment on one of their posts) and insist that they post.

The Originals:

(The kick-ass) Nate Whitehill

(The original) 13-Year Old Blogger

(The money-making) Affiliate Marketing guide

(The crafty two at) TechRave

(The AdSense ‘dude’) Michael Cheney

(The overclocker) Shawn Knight

(The incredible) Chris Hooley

(The rhetorical) Michael Kwan

(The talented) Leo Chiang

(The root of all evil) John Chow

(The business dude) Josh Mullineaux

(The brilliant) Shoemoney

(The absurdly loud) Ed Lau

(The mastermind) Jon Waraas

(The yaketty) Stephen Fung

(The wickedly cool) Everton Blair

(The uber blogger) Ms Danielle

(The enterprising) Matt Coddington

(The career minded) Jane May

(The legendary) Gary Lee

(The nifty) Dosh Dosh

(The ambitious) Jeff Kee

(The Down Low) Shawn Low

(The Reviewer) Thomas De Maesschalk

(The Post Whore) Derrich

(The Bitchy Mogul) Bob Buskirk

(The Anti-Social) Matt Propst

(The Hawk) Gregg Hawkins

(The Carpenter) HMTKSteve

(The Mysterious aka “Q”) Ms. Q

(The Rebel) Cedric Ang

(The Oreo) Urban Thought

(The Peogles Guy) Christian

(The Optimist) The Junkys Wife

(The Writer) UNLOADED

(The Eclectic One) Mixed Episodes

(The Pontificating One) My Travels, Travails and Thoughts

(The Crazy Israeli) People in the Sun

My adds (I hope you do this but feel free to ignore it. I know some people feel tags are fun while others think it's the worst thing since The Bionic Woman remake):

(The Teacher We All Wish We Had) Twipply Skwood

(The Family Man) All That Comes With It

(The Real Christian) Let Me Go On and On!

-----

This link train is the brainchild of David Wilkinson, hyper, money-making kid, and kick-ass blog designer Nate Whitehill.

—— END COPYING HERE ——

Blogging Tips

I've been tagged by the ever-so-helpful Revellian, Mr. Nice Guy himself, Bobby Revell. This one is about blogging tips. I'm relatively new at this (or is 10 months a long time in blogging?), but I did notice one thing: I get people coming here from Google searches (no, there are no naked pictures of Glenn Beck here), and I get Stumble Upon surfers here, but the people who read the posts and comment are mainly the people whose blogs I visit and comment on. Now, I wouldn't leave a comment if I didn't have anything to say, so how do I find the blogs I'd be interested in following? That's pretty simple and straightforward, and it beats anything else I've tried on my quest for great, honest writing.

You go to one blog you like, leave a comment, and then you follow the links until you find another great blog, and you leave a comment there. The next day you can start from that second blog. Leave comments, make links on your own blog, and surf through other people's links. Page Rank and Technorati standing and all that stuff may be important but in the end each link, each blog, is a person, and an honest comment on an honest post creates a human connection. Get-rich-quick scams come and go, and blogs created for the sole purpose of making money don't bother me at all, but in the end it's the honest writing that makes the virtual blogging community more real and close and tangible than many physical communities.

So thanks Bobby, and thanks to everyone who's ever left a comment. Now here's some cut-and-paste:

-Start Copy-

It’s very simple. When this is passed on to you, copy the whole thing, skim the list and put a * star beside those that you like. (Check out especially the * starred ones.)

Add the next number (1. 2. 3. 4. 5., etc.) and write your own blogging tip for other bloggers.

Try to make your tip general.

After that, tag 10 other people. Link love some friends!

Just think– if 10 people start this, the 10 people pass it onto another 10 people, you have 100 links already!

When this is passed on to you, copy the whole thing, check out the blogs on the list and put a * star beside those that you like. Add the next number (1. 2. 3. 4. 5., etc.) and write your own blogging tip for other bloggers. Try to make your tip general. After that, tag 10 other people. Link love some friends! Just think– if 10 people start this, the 10 people pass it onto another 10 people, you have 100 links already! Here are the tips:

1. Look, read, and learn. ***
http://www.neonscent.com

2. Be, EXCELLENT to each other. ***
http://www.bushmackel.com/

3. Don’t let money change ya! ***
http://www.therandomforest.info

4. Always reply to your comments. ****
http://chattiekat.com

5. Spell check is your friend. **
http://thingsbymike.com

6. Be the blog. ***
http://www.meandmydrum.com/

7. Your readers are your treasure.
http://www.brownbaron.com/blog/***

8. Blog about what you know & love.
http://sugar-queens-dream.blogspot.com/*****

9. Don’t use filthy language-buy a dictionary.
http://shinade.blogspot.com/*

10. Whenever possible, spread some positive thoughts and love. The world needs more of them.
http://ailema4ever.blogspot.com/*****

11. Write down from your heart or head. Either way asks yourself why you ever get started.
http://chocmintgirl.blogspot.com/**

12. Try to make your template something unique and easy to look. Your template gives the blogger identity as much as the post content.
http://psychosomaticwit.blogspot.com/***

13. Take risks creatively with your writing. You’d be surprised how little it takes to bring out the poet or novelist in you.
http://remedialrumination.blogspot.com/***

14. Find your own voice! Your writing should reflect your unique personality. Don’t ever try to be something you’re really not just because you think you have to in order to get people to read your blog.
http://gazing-into-the-abyss.blogspot.com/**

15. When you’re trying to think of a new great post, or deep in thought on how to make it better, just remember - trying is crap. Trying to think is worthless. Thinking is the greatest single hindrance to a writer. Relax, don’t try to think. Let go of your thought and ego. Only then is real thought able to naturally flow on it’s own, without being consciously driven. Just a little something not to think about:)
http://revellian.com/**

16. If you like a blog, follow the links. You're most likely to find your next favorite blog waiting for you on another blog's sidebar.
http://www.peopleinthesun.com/*

–End Copy–

Tagged:

http://allthatcomeswithit.com/

http://jenfreedom.blogspot.com/

http://www.cafeleone.net/

http://midlife-journey.blogspot.com/

http://jsridhar.blogspot.com/

http://shellis-sentiments.com/

http://www.un-loaded.com/

http://wonderlandornot.net/

http://blogtalkingpoints.blogspot.com/

http://whohijackedourcountry.blogspot.com/

I've Been Double-Schmoozed

In one week, two people got the impression I'm a schmoozer. True, I involve myself in the blogging community but that's only because it's either that or doing the laundry. And I hate doing the laundry. I hate folding more than anything. That guy in the schmooze picture, my arm looks a lot like that, only my tattoo doesn't say schmooze but revenge.

Anyway, before we all move on to the next post, which I promise will include a picture of a penis, I'd like to thank Shelli and MoonDanzer for their much appreciated support. I do believe in commenting and in blogging in general (although I've always had a problem with the word blog), and I'm always grateful when someone comes here and leaves a comment, so to have two people show their support with this schmooze award feels good.

And thanks, Larry from Let's Talk About It, for offering another tag that I can't do because I did a similar one recently.

First, some cut-and-paste:

1. If, and only if, you get the Thinking Blogger Award or The Power of Schmooze Award, write a post with links that make you think, or have schmoozed you into submission.
2. Link to this post and Mike so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the “Thinking Blogger Award” or the “Power of Schmooze Award” with a link to the post that you wrote (here is alternative silver version if gold doesn’t fit your blog.

Now, let me look for my next victims:

• Dan at Cafe Leone - I know I've tagged you before but if anyone deserves a schmooze award it's you, for continually supporting other blogs on your site.
• Dave at Wandering the Ether - I know you're taking the time off, but since you take time off yet still find time to comment on others' blogs you're helping the blogging community and deserve to have this little blue rectangle on your site.

And spreading the love to my three new links:

• Kali at Out of Focus
• ajooja at ajooja
• and Leisel at Dead Man's Honda.

As usual, all of you are free to ignore this tag and move on with your lives as if nothing happened. But someday, somehow, you will regret it. And then you will cry. And guess who will not be there to offer a sturdy shoulder? Me.

Seriously. I know some people have their blog schedule organized and then someone comes and gives them a tag and they wish they could simply ignore it--so feel free to ignore it. Luckily for me, though, the only thing I had planned for my next post is a picture of a penis, and that can wait.

Until next time--don't forget, a picture of a penis!

Ten

Got tagged by Wandering the Ether to list 10 random facts. Here goes:

1. They thought I was border-line autistic when I was a kid. I used to read the phone book for hours. Then my mom got me a football for my 5th birthday and I started making friends.

2. I was an average football (soccer) player, and I grew up to be an average student, an average bass player, an average backgammon player, an average writer, and an average looking guy. I got me an above-average lady, though. I guess I have an above-average luck.

3. Honey complains I misrepresented myself when she met me because I had hair and I was in a band. I say she misrepresented herself because she was holding a pint and she doesn’t drink. Objection sustained.

4. I’m afraid one day I’ll start snoring and Honey will make me sleep on the couch. Then my transformation into my dad will be complete.

5. My dad was an officer, a real army man, but he wanted me to join the IT department in the Israeli military. He said he knew people. But I wanted to be a fighter just like him (or better, to be honest).

6. I heard the explosion that killed my friend in Lebanon and thought it was fireworks. Then I saw the helicopters and realized something bad happened.

7. I never cried like I did the next day, and I never will.

8. Then, at other times, I’m cold and distanced in the face of others’ pain, and when I wake up from my daydreams I think maybe I’m still borderline autistic.

9. I can’t help closing my eyes when I hear Leftfield’s “Storm 3000.” Thank God, there’s still some hippy in me.

10. Won some money at the Borgata last week. I was on a slot machine bonus round and I stayed there for a while. A small crowd surrounded me, and with Honey by my side... I don’t think she’s ever been so proud.


Now, I'll tag my three latest links:

1. Cafe Leone
2. East Med Sea Peace
3. The Other Side of My Head

As usual, feel free to ignore this tag. That is, if you're EVIL!

Thinkers of the World, Unite!

I've been tagged for the first time (thanks, Bill Blunt). It's nice to be recognized for writing. One step at a time. So here I am, using my powers for good and spreading the wealth, tagging five thinkers for the Thinking Blogger Award.

And as for those five bloggers, if any of you decides NOT to do this, you have every right to ignore it. However, my Statcounter knows where you live.

Chronically Sick, But Still Thinking I Think - You don't get forty comments on each post in a relatively new blog just for drawing cute pictures. Some of us pretend we're thinkers by philosophizing for hours but eventually leading our readers in circles. But Sebastien can draw a picture, show a video, and talk about a favorite 15th century painter without pretentious aspirations, yet a whole unifying picture begins to make sense.

durante vita - With topics as varied as modern living is, durante vita treats it all with respect (although when it comes to The View, maybe with too much respect).

Is it Raining? - For those who fear this award will continue to go in circles for What-is-Life-All-About-ers, I give you Spooky. Not many words, but the guy is a genius.

U N L O A D E D - It's as cool and intelligent as a Robert Rodriguez-Quentin Tarantino double-feature. (Now, I know you're busy with the grand re-opening, so I won't be offended if you take your time).

The Peace Tree - The quest for peace. A poetic, inspiring blog.

And apologies to all of you on my link list on the right. If you're there it means I appreciate your writing and believe in you. Cheers. Now, here are the rules. Cut-and-Paste:


The participation rules are simple:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).