I love my Blogspot...but

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a safe long weekend....sun FINALLY comes out.....go figure.

Over the next few days, this blog and all of my blogs will be going through a transformation and rebuilding process so please stay with me while we sort all of this out.

I will be digging and stumbling as often as I can.

Best

Garret

President Barack Obama waded into a passionate cry of campaigns against abortion, just before he was to speak at one of the most prestigious Catholic universities in the United States. Nore Dame.

Obama was to choose the language of students and graduates and will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Notre Dame, pitting him head to the nation with an issue he has struggled hard to work around. No easy task, especially this topic.

Hours before Obama's speech was scheduled, the activists were at the ready, signs and attitudes waiting for his arrival at Notre Dame. He is not to popular with this group of activist's.

At least 10 college kids were arrested by police and said disturbing images of aborted fetuses were paraded around South Bend in a van. That's nice for the kids to see now isn't it.

Father Richard McBrien, professor of theology of the 167 year old university, said that the invitation does not imply endorsement of the Democratic president positions to abortion or stem cell research.

Quotes from several news sources:

"There are also other positions that he has, whether in immigration or poverty or whatever, which is fully in line with Catholic social teaching," he said on Fox News Sunday.

"If they agree 100 percent with the official teaching of the Catholic Church all the speakers, or an honorary doctorate from a Catholic university, which no politician of either party."

Priests, but for the life of Frank Pavone National Director, of an alternative for students graduating from Notre Dame Obama boycott, said the university and Obama were "trivializing abortion."

"We are tired of the abortion on an equal footing with other issues. No," said Father Pavone Fox program finds that Obama an honorary doctorate in law.

"Law for the protection of human rights. The President acknowledged that the campaign does not know when the baby (fetus) gets human rights. How can we defend human rights if you do not know who has them?" He said.

Pavone said, a new Gallup poll says that for the first time since the organization began the question in 1995, most Americans themselves as "pro-life" instead of "pro-choice."

In the poll published on Friday 51 percent of respondents said they were against abortion, while 42 percent say that women have the right to choose.

The dispute comes as Obama prepares to name his first nominee to the Supreme Court.

Obama has tried to defuse the issue, arguing that abortion should remain legal, the government should do everything it can to stop unwanted pregnancies. It certainly would solve a lot of problems.

28 percent of Catholics surveyed in the recent Pew Center poll thought Notre Dame was wrong to invite Obama, while half said it was the right thing.

What is your stance on this?

Should abortion be legal or not?

The government has enough to worry about right now that it should not be worrying about this issue.

My opinion is my own.

Happy Long Weekend - NEW BRIDGE HELD UP BY RED TAPE

Catchy Headline Huh ;)

For us in Canada this is what is commonly known as the May 24 or the May Long Run.....whatever you call it, it is really called the Victoria Day Weekend.

So instead of starting the day with a bunch of news. I have compiled a list of 150 sayings, phrases etc to make you L.O.L. all found online, not my own work ;)

Remember to be safe this weekend, play by the rules, and don't wind up dead or behind bars. Enjoy it.

Okay here is the list:

If you smacked a kid in the face with a bottle of Johnson's No More Tears, would it create beautiful irony?

God: An invisible friend for adults

You shouldn't say anything mean about people who can't read. You should write it instead.

Imagine there were no hypothetical situations.

Give a man a match and he'll be warm for a minute; set him on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

Children in the dark cause accidents, accidents in the dark cause children

Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't

The Internet: All the piracy, none of the scurvy.

Solution to two of the world's problems: Feed the homeless to the hungry.

A religious war is like children fighting over who has the strongest imaginary friend

He didn't know if it was a gun in her pocket or she was just pleased to see him, but neither option looked good.

Depression is just anger without enthusiasm.

I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code.

If your name was homework, i'd be doing you on my desk right now

Anyone can quit smoking, it takes a real man to fight cancer

if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN

putting the laughter back into manslaughter

Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.

He's so far in the closet he's in Narnia

Who's General Failure & why is he reading my disk?

The reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.

The last time someone listened to a Bush, a bunch of people wandered in the desert for 40 years

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.

Your mum is so fat, she walked past the TV and i missed the first season of Lost.

I dream of a better tomorrow... where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives

Jesus says to John come forth i'll give you eternal life. John came fifth he won a toaster

Tennis is a fickle sport. No matter how good you are at it, a wall will always be better.

"Practise makes perfect"...but no one's perfect, so why practise?

I cry during sex.... fracking Mace

Sometimes I wake up moody; other times I let her sleep

When I said 'death' before 'dishonor,' I meant alphabetically.

The noblest of dogs is the hot dog, it feeds the hand that bites it.

Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, where the heck is the ceiling.

Life is like an analogy.

Before you insult a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you insult him, you'll be a mile away, and have his shoes.

Girls are like paladins, they get mounts for free :(

What do you call a black man flying a plane? A pilot you racist. (ROFLMAO)

You're like a slinky - completely useless, but fun to push down stairs.

Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Girls are like square numbers, if they're under 13 just do them in your head.

I still miss my ex-girlfriend... but my aim is improving

Hurricanes are like women: when they come, they're wet and wild, but when they leave they take your house and car.

Bulimia: twice the taste, none of the calories

Without me, it's just aweso

In a world full of women, you're the man!

I enjoy using the comedy technique of self-deprecation - but I'm not very good at it.

If we're all God's children, what makes Jesus so special?

I put the sexy in dyslexic.

When shooting a mime, don't use a silencer or his friends will hear you.

Screw me if I'm wrong, but have we met before?

This girl rang me up one time, she says "come over, nobody is home", I went over, no one was home...

Why do we call them buildings when they're finished? Shouldn't they be called Builts?

I wish my lawn was emo so it would cut itself.

The axiom of Paris Hilton: "I must go down on what comes up."

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it

When life gives you lemons, cut them in half and squirt life in the eye!

If my hand could get pregnant, today I would be the father and founder of the third global superpower.

A man went to a zoo. The only animal was a dog. It was a shitzu.

I'd like to meet the person who invented sex, and see what they're working on now.

My god carries a hammer. Your god died nailed to a tree. Any questions?

My greatest fear is that there is no PMS and this is my personality....

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

The internet... where women are men and 12 year old boys are FBI agents

If I was ever playing hide-and-go-seek I would want Anne Frank on my team.

I am going to call my kids Ctrl, Alt and Delete. Then if they muck up I will just hit them all at once.

Coffee just isn't my cup of tea

You're as innocent as a nun doing press-ups in a cucumber field

My love is so great that a thousand men could not keep me from stalking you.

So a baby seal walks into a club..

That Jesus Christ guy is getting some terrible lag... it took him 3 days to respawn!

Duct tape is like ‘the force, it has a dark side, a light side and it holds the universe together

I miss you like a retard misses the point

For Sale: Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica. Never read because wife already knows everything

What if the Hokey Pokey really is what it's all about?

Being dyslexic has drawbacks.I once went to a toga party dressed as a goat

That's about as much fun as a game of Marco Polo with Helen Keller.

For Xmas I want Santa's list of naughty girls.

brb has lost all meaning... since when did brb mean "be back in 4 hours after lunch"

He who laughs last probably does not get the joke

I was standing in the park wondering why frisbees got bigger as they get closer. Then it hit me.

In retrospect, I suppose "supercalafragalisticexpialadocious" wasn't a great "safe word..."

I USE CAPS LOCK BECAUSE I WILL BECOME NOTICED, POPULAR, AND GOOD IN BED

I'm putting the "Sensual" in "Non-Consensual"

A little necrophelia never killed anyone

You're special. Like, wear-a-helmet-all-the-time special.

Shakespeare says: "Prose before hos."

You're about as useful as a one-legged man in an arse kicking contest.
The preacher said "You always have the lord by your side" - I was so pleased to be informed of this I ran 20 red lights home!

Cancel my subscription cause I'm over your issues!

I like my women the way I like my coffee; Ground up and in the freezer

I was going to procrastinate. But I decided to leave it till later.

Dyslexics Of The World Untie

I feel bad for people who die on Valentine's Day. How much would flowers cost then, ten grand?

TORNADO RIPS THROUGH CEMETARY, HUNDREDS DEAD

SARS: the "Mambo Number Five" of global epidemics.

Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin - it's the triumphant twang of a bedspring.

Gonna buy 400 sheets of A4 and unleash my ORIGARMY! FLY YOU CRAZY SWANS FLY!

Faith may move mountains but it was the whip that built the pyramids.

Don't drink water - fish have sex in it

It appears the location of my fist and your head are not mutually exclusive! It is a probability miracle!

The only person to invite you on a round-the-world trip would be the Flat Earth Society.

If you are what you eat, then I'm fast, cheap and easy

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

Baseball is wrong. A man with 4 balls cannot walk.

This is almost as enthralling as a tennis match between Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder

Definition of Innocence: Nun working in condom factory thinking she's making sleeping bags for mice

If you are what you eat then you were what you excrete

Five seconds later, I'm getting the upside of 15Kv across the nipples. (These ambulance guys sure know how to party).

I couldn't afford to buy cotton so I decided to be abrasive, and steel wool.

I used to think I was indecisive but now I'm not so sure.

I beat up a white guy - got charged with GBH. I beat up a black guy - got charged with impersonating a police officer!

When vultures fly, are they allowed a carrion bag?

You know you have a small apartment when Coco Pops echo

Two hats on a rack, one says to another, "You stay here, I'll go on ahead.

Jesus died for your sins, but rose for your brains.

NEW BRIDGE HELD UP BY RED TAPE

"The 7 Habits of Highly Gullible People" -
#1. Buying books to tell you to work better and waste less time.

I'm pisexual. I am attracted to 3.142 different sexes.

I got cold hard cash for Christmas. Five bucks frozen in a block of ice.

ISRAEL PULLS OUT OF GAZA, GAZA NOT PREGNANT

Womens faults are many, while men have only two. Everything they say and everything they do.

The most effective copyright protection known to man: a scratched CD.

My testicles just dropped.....WITH A VENGEANCE

Never trust anything that bleeds for 7 days and doesn't die.

If vegetarians eat only vegetables, what about humanitarians?

I'm so confused I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope

The Vending Machine Theory: "Stuff tastes better when it falls."

Roses are red, Bullets are lead, you better love me, or i'll shoot you in the head

You can't have "manslaughter" without "laughter"

If a man argues in the woods and he is alone- is his wife STILL right ?

Flatulence : An emergency vehicle that transports patients to the hospital after being squashed by a steamroller

Champagne for my real friends, and real pain for my sham friends.

If a wolf can take down a deer from either flank, does that make him bambidextrous?

If a man makes a statement in a forest, and there's no woman there to hear it, is he still wrong?

What do you tell a woman with two black eyes? Nothing. You already told that bitch twice!

I didn't lose my virginity... I stalked it and then silently destroyed it.

A jump-leads walks into a bar, acting aggressively. The barman says "All right, I'll serve you... but don't start anything."

I am a part of DNA... the National Dyslexic Association

A lot of folks say I'm not the brightest bulb in the knife drawer.

If you dress as a goth for Halloween, do you WANT razor blades in your candy?

Wayman Tisdale 1964-2009

Wayman Tisdale has sadly passed away at the young age of 44. He was the 2nd pick in the 1985 NBA draft,an impressive accomplishment, he played for the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and the Phoenix Suns. His first love; music, retiring in 1997 to focus on a successful career as a jazz bassist. He released eight albums and was well sought.

He discovered he had osteosarcoma after a fall down some stairs uncovered a cyst, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of his leg, and eventually his life.

Heaven now has another Basketball Player....go get em ;)

This IS Coolest Photo Taken in the History of EVER

Roaming around the internet today I came across my favorite site out there.

TMZ and I know, I know it's all crazy but hey I love the site, I love the show and I have nothing but respect for Harvey Levin.

The show actually brought me and my family closer together....seriously at the end of the show you don't even here the prompt you here all of us in sync saying

"I'm a Lawyer...lol" any way here is the photo I found there

Oh by the way this is from the TMZ website but the original is on this site here

19 Things That It Took Me 50 Years To Learn
myLot User Profile

What a great email to receive. It was written by a man named Dave Barry, no website was given. Kudo's Dave wherever you are.

1. Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be “meetings”.


3. There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.”

4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

5. And when God, who created the entire universe with all of its glories, decides to deliver a message to humanity, He WILL NOT use, as His messenger, a person on cable TV with a bad hairstyle.

6. You should not confuse your career with your life.

7. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.

8. When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy.

9. Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

10. Never lick a steak knife.

11. Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie.

12. The most powerful force in the universe is gossip.

13. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.

14. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she’s pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

15. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age 11.

16. “The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.

17. The main accomplishment of almost all organized protests is to annoy people who are not in them.

18. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.

19. Your friends love you anyway.

Intentionally Train Your Mind - 5 Steps to Being More Focused and Productive in Everything You Do

A friend asked me to re post this...took awhile to find it. I originally posted this May 24, 2007...here you go Martha....next time you get an email ;) (inside joke)

On to the article.

I was introduced to something this week that after only 6 days has had a major impact on my life. It is called “segment intending”. It is a practice described by Abraham-Hicks that involves breaking your day up into segments and then creating a particular intention for that segment. So, whether I was heading off for a hike with my daughter or digging my heels in at work, I set an intention. In both of these cases I set an intention to enjoy each moment, to give thanks for the time I was able to devote to each activity, and to be creative and as productive as possible.


It was a quick exercise that took only a few moments but I quickly discovered how powerful this practice could be. I found myself committed to the here and now and armed with a mechanism to draw me back to the present if I got off track, I was able to experience and accomplish more than I ever would have without it. For instance, one morning when I was hiking with my daughter, I found my mind drifting to all of the stuff I thought I should have been doing and worrying that I was being unproductive by taking a long hike in the mountains. But, I quickly brought myself back to the moment and remembered my intention. I focused on my intention and had one of the most enjoyable hikes all week. This positive experience naturally led to a more positive day and ultimately more positive outcomes.

Following are 5 ways you can train your mind with intention:

1. Choose a length of time for your segment. If you have never done this before, I would recommend a segment of about 15-20 minutes. As you practice, you can begin increasing your time. Choose your exact start and end time and stick to it.

2. Attempt to plan your segment during a time when you will not be interrupted. This is easier said than done with kids to take care of, bosses coming in and out of your office and the constant noise of life happening all around you; but, do the best you can. A minor interruption may have no impact on your ability to focus and stay in the moment in which case you may decide to continue with your segment. However, if a more pressing interruption finds you, it may be better to end your segment and set an intention for another time later in the day. The important thing to remember when this happens is to reschedule your segment.

3. Determine your goal for that time period. You could do any number of things during this segment. For instance, you could be completing tasks around the house, organizing client files, returning phone calls, writing an article, etc. Just set your intention for that activity and remain focused.

4. When your time for the segment begins, allow yourself to focus solely on that. If at any time you find your mind wandering to something else, redirect it back to your intention. This is probably one of the biggest challenges when you begin this practice. Our minds are programmed to handle multiple things at one time and we have to learn to train our minds to focus. This takes practice.

5. When your time is up, complete your segment. Reflect on what you were able to do during this segment, how it felt, and what, if anything, changed for you. Some people find that this practice allows them to accomplish more in less time. Some people make a practice of doing it multiple times throughout the day. Only you can determine how it will work for you, but the more you do it, the more you will discover your mind becoming much more responsive to what you need and how you feel. It is in many ways of a form of meditation and you will soon find yourself opening up to this power of the mind and accomplishing more than you ever thought possible and more importantly enjoying every glorious minute of it.

Melani Ward is a career coach and the founder of Career Fitness. She helps people create balance in their body, mind, and work. She works with yoga practitioners and athletes on career discovery and development, resume and interviewing strategies, setting and achieving goals, and uniting who they are with what they do.

To find out if your career is aligned with your body and mind go to www.coachmelani.typepad.com

Google Down.

Earlier today, Google users experienced a massive fail. Gmail was down, search was slow, Google Reader, YouTube and image search were all sporadic at best. Almost all of googles services were down.

Read the google update


Update!: From Google: "The issue affecting some Google services has been resolved. We?re sorry for the inconvenience, and we'll share more details soon." Again, thanks, but we know that already, seeing as how Gmail is back up and everything.

Chrysler Dealerships Closing: 789 Of 3,200 Dealers To Be Eliminated

Being Canadian this seriously bother's me. It seems our American friends are headed for troubled times indeed. Not only are Chrysler dealerships closing down, I read earlier that one dealership for Chrysler in Kenosha has shut down and may be sending the work to Mexico.

Granted I am not fully aware of the situation there, but in the bail-out didn't they make sure there was no way the money given would leave the USA?

Chrysler LLC wants to eliminate almost a quarter of its 3,200 U.S. dealerships by early next month, June 9 is the date I have been given, don't quote me on that though.

Reason's being it has too many stores competing with each other.

Dealers were told Thursday morning through United Parcel Service letters if they would remain or be eliminated. The move, which the dealers can appeal, is likely to cause devastating effects in cities and towns across the country as thousands of jobs are lost and taxes are not paid.

Chrysler spokeswoman Kathy Graham would not comment, surprisingly other than to say the company will notify dealers first. That's nice....

Don Burk, co-owner of Heritage Chrysler Jeep in Ozark, Mo., said he found out that Chrysler plans to get rid of his dealership when he opened his UPS letter Thursday morning.

"Right now I'm processing the information," he said shortly after reading the letter. "I'm sure I'm going to get with my partner and we'll decide what to do from here."


The news throughout the day is going to get worse methinks.

For my American friends affected by this....I truly hope things get better for you soon.

Best

Garret

Sprint Scam Saved Customers Cash, Bilked Company of $100K

Both myself and my fiancee used to work customer care for Sprint many moons ago here in Timmins, Ontario before Tele-Tech moved out of the building a few months back.

This is going back to 2002 when Nextel was the first client and then became Sprint together With Nextel and now just Sprint. Cell's for cash.

Having had countless dealings with store front managers and other customer service agents especially in the billing department this story is not all that surprising.

Watch the video and read the rest after that.



You can get it all here

So here it is in a nutshell, during a two year period two men erased more than $133,000 in cell phone charges. In exchange, Sprint customers paid the two men cash.

Prosecutors charged 44-year-old Gary Morrow with felony theft. Sheriff deputies say he worked with 39-year-old Timothy Flowers, of Overland Park, to clear cell phone bills in exchange for cash.

Flowers already had a rap sheet for theft and computer crimes.

It was pretty basic, Morrow would make the deals with Sprint customers, get their account information and forward it to Flowers, who worked in Sprint's billing department.

Flowers then in turn would reduce the customer's bill to zero.

"Sprint phones are a very popular phone, especially in Kansas and Missouri. It would be really easy to walk up to anybody, even just ask what kind of phone you carry. I carry a Sprint phone. Really, how much is your bill? My bill is $200. Give me $50, I guarantee your bill will be zero. It's very simple," said Deputy Tom Erickson.

Sprint spokesman Melinda Tiemeyer declined to comment on camera, but said Sprint's security team uncovered the fraud.

She said no customers had unwarranted charges added to their bills.

Aries is my sign. Needed some fun today.

What makes you unique? Me it's being an Aries. I might so a few more of these this week, let me know.

Aries children have energy in abundance, are usually strong, active, and enthusiastic. You better be physically in great shape to keep up with the little Ram. They seem to never get tired and after a day full of physical activity, the Aries child keeps going while you might gasp for air.


Being curious and adventurous, little Arians want to know everything, explore, and investigate. Without fear they venture into new territory all the time, be it a high tree, a playground, or a year abroad. They love challenges, so offering them opportunities to compete either in sports or at play or in school keeps them from being bored too quickly.

Aries children need a lot of watching, especially when they are very young, as they can also be quite stubborn and won't accept a "No" easily. Resisting control, they need to know who is in charge, as they are very determined to do everything their very own way.

Although young Arians can be quite sweet and affectionate one minute, they can be challenging and angry the next. They need a lot of reassurance, attention, and need to know they are loved. Being ruled by Mars, it is no wonder that they can display a hot temper but they can forget it as quickly as it came.

As natural born leaders, Aries children will take the lead in their group, be it at school, or college, or in their circle of friends. However, it can be difficult for them to lose and as difficult to learn how to share and that they cannot win every game.

Young Arians are a delight to be around, and they will certainly never bore you! Your favorite moments will be when you can jump into their fantasyland with them and get swept away by their courageous lead into the unknown. They have an untamed spirit that is always ready for adventure!

One last burrito — suspect nabbed in Taco Bell

I love the humor of this story.

Indiana Police report a 36-year-old charged with drug dealing ‘knew he was going to jail’ so what caused him to stop at Taco Bell?


Fort Wayne police Sgt. Mark Walters says Jermaine Askia Cooper told officers he "knew he was going to jail for a while" and wanted to get one last burrito.

Cooper was held without bail on four counts of dealing cocaine, one count of resisting arrest by fleeing and other charges.

His voicemail was full oddly enough. Let's just thank God and Taco Bell no one was hurt.

Who won the Biggest Loser 2009

Congratulations go to Helen Phillips who has won the biggest loser 2009 Finale!

With an amazing weight loss of 54.47%. Helen Phillips had that extra edge to beat out all the other contestants and grab the title of biggest loser with a tidy sum of $250,000 to take home. The season premiered on January 6, 2009, with eleven overweight couples.


This was highest percentage of weight loss in Biggest Loser history, 54.47%. She also became the third consecutive winner to originate from the Pink Team. Mike came in a close second, and Tara was third.

Jerry won the $100,000 at-home prize with a total percentage of weight loss of 47.97% .

The Biggest Loser is an American reality television show that began broadcasting on the NBC network on October 19, 2004. The seventh season began on January 6, 2009. As of May 2009, NBC is casting for an ninth season.

Is Lindsay Lohan Pregnant

WOW!!!!

According to sources close to the young and troubled star and gossip blogs all over the world, Lindsay Lohan is purportedly 7 weeks pregnant. The 22 year-old Lohan has yet to confirm or deny any of these claims nor issued any type of official statement.

Other sources also reported that Lohan is unsure of who the father is.

It is very sad indeed if she is, especially considering how freely she enjoys casual sex, by her own admission.

Sex and the City, the television show apparently changed everything for her.....sad....the world doesn't need another child born in this type of situation, an innocent child will be in a bad situation before being born if this is actually true.

Trump says Miss California USA can retain crown

It has been an interesting story since the beginning. With young Carrie Prejean being at the center of attention regarding the nude photo's taken of her and then sadly leaked to the internet. Some wanted her to lose the crown but ultimately it was up to Donald Trump who said:

"We reviewed the pictures very carefully," he said, according to USA Today. "We are in the 21st century ... Carrie's a model, she's very successful. ... Some were beautiful, some were risqué ... We've determined the pictures taken were acceptable, fine, and in many cases they were very lovely pictures."


It all started because she didn't mention she posed in her underwear when she was younger. She has been praised and attacked for her answer on gay marriage as well after Perez Hilton asked about it. She responded to attacks by saying Perez Hilton had asked her a "politically charged question with a hidden personal agenda."

Whatever your stance on gay marriage, you have to love her for her honesty and integrity. She also gave the same answer that the president of the U.S. gave and many others have given.

She thanked God for giving her strength to do her job. She is a strong woman and personally she is entitled to wear her crown.

U.S. Military Identifies Sergeant Charged in Baghdad Shooting

I must admit the quickness of this information release actually surprises me. I truly thought the name would be buried in some kind of NCIS type coverup.

Kudo's to the United States Military for fast information on what is certainly a sensitive issue.

The U.S. military announced on Tuesday that Sgt. John M. Russell, of the 54th Engineer Battalion, has been charged in the shooting that killed five service members at a combat stress clinic here on Monday.


Russell, 44, is from Sherman, Texas and is serving his third mission in Iraq, according to US military sources. He has now ruined his honor by being charged with five counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault.

Two of the slain service members were officers who worked at the combat stress clinic at Camp Liberty. Confirmed dead are a Navy officer and the other was in the Army. The three other victims were enlisted.

He had been asked to seek counseling and actually had taken away his weapon away. That measure is typically taken when soldiers exhibit violent or suicidal behavior.

No one is sure where he got the weapon used or what type of weapon, this information has not been released.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and President Obama vowed to conduct a thorough investigation.

"I would like to express my horror and deep regret for today's shooting incident," Gates said at a briefing at the Pentagon. "Such a tragic loss of life at the hands of our own forces is a cause for great and urgent concern."

Something must be done her President Obama...maybe, just maybe it's time to end this war and bring all of Nato's brave son's and daughter's home.

TWO NASA SPACE SHUTTLES ON TWO LAUNCH PADS FOR FINAL TIME

This is an incredible moment in history.

It is in a sense scary as it is being done due to a possible rescue mission.




For more information check out NASA's website

Report: U.S. Soldier In Iraq Kills 4 Troops, Self

The war in Iraq is taking on a whole new life. Statistics show that more soldiers are committing suicide than ever before.

A U.S. soldier stationed Baghdad started shooting at fellow soldiers Monday, killing four of his own troop members before killing himself, a senior defense official said.

Three others were hurt at Camp Liberty, in Baghdad, according to officials.

The U.S. military has issued a news release saying only that five coalition soldiers were killed Monday in a shooting at Camp Liberty.

The military did not give the soldiers' nationalities or provide further details.




It's a crazy war folks, it will be Obama's Vietnam.

Sad story.

Gary Dell'Abate blows Mets first pitch

This is funny.

Howard Stern's long time producer Gary Dell'Abate is infamously known as Baba Booey. The history of the nickname comes from a mistake Dell'Abate made in the studio many years ago.

Saturday, Baba Booey messed up again. Big time. Watch it.



In other news. Both space shuttles will be in space getting ready for a possible rescue mission. According to the Associated Press.



Rescue shuttle at launch pad for Hubble trip
By MARCIA DUNN
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — In what's expected to be the last time ever, both of NASA's shuttle launch pads are occupied. Atlantis is on one, primed for a flight this coming week to the Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour sits on the other a mile away for a mission no one wants.

Endeavour is on unprecedented standby in case the seven astronauts who go up on Atlantis need to be rescued.

Atlantis and its crew are headed into space for one last repair job on the 19-year-old Hubble Space Telescope. It's a venture that was canceled five years ago because it was considered too dangerous. After a more recent delay, the launch finally is scheduled for Monday.

The risk is this: If Atlantis suffers serious damage during launch or in flight, the astronauts will not be at the international space station, where they could take refuge for weeks while awaiting a ride home. They would be stranded on their spacecraft at the Hubble, where NASA estimates they could stay alive for 25 days before running out of air.

Endeavour and four more astronauts would need to blast off on a rescue flight after NASA determined Atlantis was too damaged to fly home.

The Atlantis astronauts say there's a slim chance any rescue will be needed, and they say they would fly to Hubble even if there were no such backup plan.

Scott Altman, Atlantis' commander, said it may seem like overkill, but having a rescue ship on the pad is the right thing to do.

"It's kind of a belt-and-suspenders approach. But if you need the belt after your suspenders fail, you would be glad you had it," said Altman, a retired Navy captain and former fighter pilot.

On top of the usual launch and landing dangers, the Atlantis crew faces an estimated 1-in-229 chance that a piece of space junk or a micrometeoroid will cause catastrophic damage to their ship. Those are greater odds than for a typical shuttle flight because of Hubble's extremely high and debris-littered orbit 350 miles up.

To better their odds, Atlantis astronauts will fly to a lower, cleaner altitude as soon as they complete work on Hubble.

In addition, the astronauts will inspect their spacecraft for signs of damage before reaching Hubble and again after leaving it, just as shuttle crews always do in orbit.

NASA has had a rescue plan in case of irreparable damage ever since space shuttles resumed flying following the 2003 Columbia tragedy. Columbia was hit by fuel-tank foam during liftoff, and its left wing melted from the inside out during re-entry. The shuttle broke apart, and all seven astronauts were killed.

But there has never been a need to have the rescue ship at the launch pad, all primed and ready to go. That's because all the missions since then have been to the space station, where astronauts could camp out for two months. And all shuttle voyages after this one will go there as well.

The Hubble mission offers no such safe haven. The telescope and space station are in different orbits, and Atlantis could never get to the space station from Hubble. That's why the Hubble repair mission was canceled in 2004; NASA's boss at the time deemed it too dangerous.

A new NASA regime reversed that decision, once space shuttles were flying safely again and repair methods were developed for spacewalking astronauts. The caveat was that another shuttle be on the launch pad, all prepped and ready to fly — something never before attempted.

NASA took similar steps in 1973 during its first space station program, Skylab. But a rescue was never needed.

Once Atlantis is aloft, "if it even begins to smell" like a rescue might be needed, final preparations for Endeavour will begin, said launch director Mike Leinbach. Endeavour will be seven days from flying at the time of Atlantis' launch. Even if there is no immediate indication of launch damage, preparations will continue until Endeavour reaches the three-days-from-lifting-off mark. NASA will keep it at that three-day point until Atlantis is back on Earth.

NASA assigned a new, fresher four-man crew to the rescue mission, after the Hubble mission suffered a seven-month delay last fall. A telescope breakdown caused the postponement.

If Atlantis suffered damage too severe for repairs, the rescue craft would fly up and use a 50-foot robot arm to grab the crippled shuttle. The Atlantis astronauts would put on spacesuits and float, a few at a time, to Endeavour. Endeavour would return home with all 11 astronauts.

The toughest call, officials say, would be deciding that Atlantis indeed had serious enough damage that a rescue should be tried.

"This will be an emotional thing," Leinbach said.

Such a rescue would put four more astronauts at risk and would mean the end of Atlantis, and undoubtedly the space shuttle program, which is set to be phased out in 2010. Atlantis would be sent into the Pacific once its astronauts were aboard Endeavour.

It would rank right up there with the drama of Apollo 13, according to some NASA managers. For Leinbach, it would be the most important thing NASA has ever done, period.

Altman realizes that if pressed into service, Endeavour might not get off in time. Storms or a last-second engine shutdown could keep it grounded.

"There's no guarantee it would get there," Altman said in an interview with The Associated Press. "On the other hand, you look at how many things would have to go wrong to make it not possible to pull off. ...

"There's a scenario out there that doesn't have a happy ending, and I think we all have to come to grips with that before launch."

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's out there. In keeping with the theme today's post will be a question and answer for child and mom.

Conversation starters to help you better understand the woman who kept you in clean underwear (among many other things), daughter, and author of a book on motherhood.

Here are 10 Questions to Ask Your Mother Now



1. What's the one thing you would have done differently as a mom?

2. Why did you choose to be with my father?

3. In what ways do you think I'm like you? And not like you?

4. Which one of us kids did you like the best?

5. Is there anything you have always wanted to tell me but never have?

6. Do you think it's easier or harder to be a mother now than when you were raising our family?

7. Is there anything you regret not having asked your parents?

8. What's the best thing I can do for you right now?

9. Is there anything that you wish had been different between us―or that you would still like to change?

10. When did you realize you were no longer a child?

Enjoy the time you spend as you go over the answers ;)

How do I get a Canadian government grant?

Free Government Money - click here.

Whether you agree with it or not, Canadian governments, be it Provincial or Federal are actively involved in your business community. Each year hundreds of millions of dollars are given to small, medium and large businesses to help stimulate the economy and creating employment.

If you chose not to take advantage of the literally hundreds of millions of dollars made available by governments, to the business community, each year you are missing out on improving your new or existing business and your future.

There are so many options that it's hard to know where to start.

Here is a great list.


Types of Grants or Assistance

Grants & Subsidies : One-time & renewable grants and subsidies when you receive this money, you don't have to pay it back. It's yours to use under the terms of the grant. The Government provides billions a year to aid Canadian product innovation. They also realize that some areas are more in need of economic development support than other areas. In order to support business expansion they allot billions a year to aid businesses to build & expand in areas all over Canada that need economic support. The greatest thing about these programs rests in the fact that once you are granted the money it is not uncommon to be able to get more grants from the same agency because you meet their program requirements.

Loans : Low- or no- interest loans are available to small businesses, & you may also be eligible for no-interest loans. These are repayable over a set period of time, but you pay back only the original principal. The government provides many options for financial assistance through financial agencies.

Tax refunds or tax credits: These programs offer a break at tax time which can free up your business cash flow. An area that is largely over looked by small business and the general public.

Awards: A presentation of an item of monetary value to a person or group persons for recognition of somebody's merit or an achievement in their field.

Apprenticeship/Mentor programs: Students earn an income while learning their trade. Skilled trades offer apprenticeship programs. Mentor Programs are offered by professionals in media, business, and education.

Bursary: Is an award of any monetary value given to a student on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Additional selection criteria may also be used.

Scholarships: Funds used to pay for higher education that do not have to be repaid. Scholarships are often awarded on criteria such as academics, achievements, hobbies, talents, group affiliations, or career aspirations.

Rebate: Rebate programs offer a percent of money back after the upgrade has been completed or the equipment has been purchased.

Government Insurance against business risks: With the backing of government insurance (available for low premiums or even no premiums), you may borrow money from a bank much more easily. Guaranteed government purchases of your product or service: An order of this sort guarantees cash flow, builds customer confidence in your business, & improves your chances of private financing.

Government Information & Services: These programs can offer many things that have monetary value & can help you build & grow your business. Some are training programs others let you use government consultants to build vision like a business plan. These are very worthwhile programs & are generally offered to anyone who is registering a business. These services are especially useful to start-up ventures.

Access to Resources: Sometimes equipment & facilities need to develop or research a product are far beyond your businesses capabilities to access through the government you may gain access to expertise, resources & facilities that are state of the art.

Conditionally Repayable Contribution: It's like a venture capitalist investing in your company but only wanting return on investment if your project is successful & makes you profit.

Grants in-lieu of Property Taxes: In many areas the government offers a break on property taxes to encourage investment. It is like getting the money as a grant since you would have had to pay it back otherwise.

Equity Financing: It's the government investing in your company but they are less anxious about the return on the investment so there is less pressure on you to deliver profits to them. Relocation Grants: In some areas there are special funds made available for relocating your business.


Examples of Types of Grants and Assistance

Small Business
Home Owners
Transportation

For more information check out the grant option below.

Free Government Money - click here.

Internet and the savy, a Star Trek view

Are you a trekkie fan? Are you or have you already scene the new Star Trek film?

Two reviews are:

Village Voice: Robert Wilonsky
Not only does this Star Trek proffer smart thrills and slick kicks, but it builds upon the original's history–from its very first pilot episode to Robert Wise's 1979 "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and beyond–while creating an entirely new future.




The second review is mine. I love trekkie movies but it seems to me that Start Trek is losing it's life and becoming as bad as Jason Movies.

Enough already!!!

Controversial doctor unveils corpse sex exhibition

This is quite the interesting article and it is xcausing quite the stir all over the place.

Basically a German doctor has created an exhibition, "The Cycle of Life," which is showing at Berlin's Postbahnhof and features 200 human bodies at various life stages -- from conception to old age, including embryos and fetuses taken from historic anatomical collections.


There is a more in depth look at this here.

10 Creative Ways to Earn Extra Money

We all see the economy nose diving and we all want a way out of it. This is even affecting the rich to an extent.

So let's get creative and think up some crazy ways to make some extra cash shall we?

You might even enjoy a few and they might, just might put some extra cash in your pocket. Pretty simple stuff....


1. Become a freelancer
With the internet this one is easy. Go to today.com or associated content etc. Google the term, there is a lot of ways to earn with this one. Quick tip; anyone asking for money up front is a SCAM.

2. Sell your books
Do you have college books? Do you really need to hold on to them?

Do you have a library in your basement with books so old the dust is old? Get rid of them for quick cash. You might have a collector's edition you can charge a high price for.

3. Look for rare coins.
It's not a gold mine (pardon the pun) but hey, extra money is extra money. Some coins are worth a pretty penny...ggrrr..sorry ;)

4. Start a "business"
The couch is not your friend! Turn your passion into something lucrative. Money is not the root of all evil people, boredom is...you can only watch the Food Network so much ;) Sites like Jobvana.com can help you with this by providing free tools to market your business and get you started.

5. Enter local and online sweepstakes
You don't win if you don't try. You can win cash, t.v's etc. Personally I won a television once and sold it in three hours for a nice 1800.00 bucks.

6. Give your opinion -- and get paid
Be careful on this one, again same rule, if they are asking for upfront money check them out thru the BBB online or scam fraud reporting agencies. You shouldn't have to pay up front here is a great way with no start up got to this link

For focus groups go here http://findfocusgroups.com.

7. Sell your junk
Yes you can make $2,000 to $3,000 per month just by selling junk. On eBay there is a gold mine, get creative go to dollar stores or other junk thrift stores and buy low then sell high.

8. Join a direct selling company
Avon...enough said.

9. Be a secret shopper
I have actually done this one. All I can say is "Good times, good times"

Google it for your local area and do not pay to join. There are legit ones out there but they cost nothing.

10. Sell your photos to stock agencies
Most people don't even know about this one lol. Each time someone downloads your photos, you get 25 cents. Go to Shutter Stock

David Ogden Stiers Comes Out

Not much shocks me. Seriously...not much.

This however totally threw me for a loop. Don't get me wrong I have no issue with who people spend their lives with. Who the hell am I to judge. But come on...coming out at 66 years old!!

It seems that our beloved Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester on M*A*S*H has


opened up about his sexuality.

He acted in alot of televison roles but he did not gain incredible fame until the late '70's as Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester on M*A*S*H for the latter part of the series.

He may be best known to younger folks and Disney Movie Lover's as the voice of Cogsworth in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and the villainous Ratcliffe in "Pocahontas."

According to imdb.com, the actor just revealed his true sexuality for the first time. He was warned against telling audiences he was gay throughout his acting career, but now wants to search for a life partner.

He tells the Gossip Boy blog: "I could claim noble reasons as coming out in order to move gay rights forward, but I must admit it is for far more selfish reasons. Now is the time I wish to find someone and I do not desire to force any potential partner to live a life of extreme discretion for me."

Personally, I have always loved gay men because it meant more women for me ;)

Company recalls 11 Hydroxycut dietary supplement products in Canada

According to the Canadian Press, Canadian-based company Iovate Health Sciences Inc. is voluntarily recalling 11 products, and an additional three not sold in Canada, which were the subject of a public warning in the United States late last week after reports linking some of them to cases of serious liver damage and at least one death.

Company recalls 11 Hydroxycut dietary supplement products in Canada


The following have been recalled:

-Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets

-Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets

-Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Capsules

-Hydroxycut Max Liquid Capsules

-Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets

-Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets

-Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)

-Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets

-Hydroxycut Liquid Shots

-Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed Capsules

-Hydroxycut 24 Caplets

An additional three products were mentioned in an advisory from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday, but they are not sold in Canada by Iovate: Hydroxycut Carb Control Caplets, Hydroxycut Natural Caplets and Hydroxycut Hardcore RTD (Ready to Drink).

The Hydroxycut products are natural health products promoted for weight-loss, fat burning, and energy-enhancement.

LAPD Robert MacFarland = Pathetic Cop

I am a Law and Security graduate. I have served in the military. My opinion of this video is that Sargeant...yes I said Sargeant Robert MacFarland needs to apologize to this young girl and her father and then he should do the Honorable thing:

Resign - Oh wait he has union protection. DAMN.

Well if he has any honor HE WILL QUIT! What a P.O.S.

You tell me. Watch the video. This is my opinion and I know I would not feel safe with this kind of cop answering my distress call.

Check out the video.

Connie Culp: Face Transplant (Video) Google Hot Topic

Connie Culp is the first person to under go full face transplant



Surgery Below

Rest In Peace Dom DeLuise

August 1, 1933 - May 4, 2009

A history of such a great and funny man.

Date of Birth 1 August 1933 Brooklyn, New York

I'm actually a thin serious person but I play fat and funny, but only for the movies.


So here is some movie and fun trivia.


Once appeared with all three of his sons, Peter DeLuise, Michael DeLuise and David DeLuise as their father in "3rd Rock from the Sun" (1996)

Once appeared with all three of his sons--Peter DeLuise, Michael DeLuise and David DeLuise--in the "Vapors" episode of "SeaQuest DSV" (1993)

Appeared with all three of his sons--Peter DeLuise, Michael DeLuise and David DeLuise--and wife Carol Arthur in Hot Stuff (1979).

In Happy (1983) (TV), appeared with his wife Carol Arthur and his three sons: David DeLuise, Michael DeLuise and Peter DeLuise.

He and all three of his sons--Peter DeLuise, Michael DeLuise and David DeLuise--have each appeared on "Stargate SG-1" (1997) in various episodes.

Has spoofed The Godfather (1972) in two movies Cannonball Run II (1984) as Don Canneloni and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) as Don Giovanni.

Frequently co-stars with good friend Burt Reynolds.


He was also an author:

Published two books of his favorite Italian recipes, "Eat This!" and "Eat This, Too!"

He is also the author of two children's books: "Charlie The Caterpillar" and "Goldie Locks & The Three Bears: The Real Story!".

Father-in-law of actress Anne Marie DeLuise.

Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1984

He has three grandchildren. David's daughters Riley DeLuise and Dylan and Peter's son Jake (b. 2004)

His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 1777 Vine Street.

Cinco de Mayo with kids- history, crafts, and lot's more

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated each year on May 5, and it is a fun day for kids and adults alike to enjoy. The holiday is in honor of a military battle in 1862, when Mexico fought against a French invasion. Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza led a force of 4,000 soldiers and was able to defeat a French army twice their size. The French occupation ended in 1866, but it inspired Mexicans and Mexican Americans. In the 1960's and 1970's, Cinco de Mayo became associated with efforts by Mexican Americans to get more respect in their American home. Today, Cinco de Mayo is widely celebrated by non-Mexicans as well as Mexican Americans.

Things for the kids and a great video How To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo on the following page.

Coloring pages inspired by Cinco de Mayo - they are everywhere online.

Make a mini sombrero using a paper plate and cup - Big hit this one.

Make a Mexican Flag- get creative

My kids are hilarious, they want Chicken Tortillas lol

You get the idea. Enjoy the day, everyone else is ;)

It seems the Rihanna situation is bothering many.

Rihanna and Chris Brown, what was to be a Hollywood love affair became as we all know much much different. It became a scandal and it is sad. Rihanna has sent a very wrong message to young women out there. Here is an actual letter written by a survivor of abuse openly published online to Rihanna.

It's quite moving. It was written by Leslie Morgan Steiner. Please take the time to read this and if you have young daughters have them take a read.

An Open Letter to Rihanna

Dear Rihanna,

As I write this,


As I write this, the tabloids and TV news channels are obsessing about your relationship with Chris Brown. They want to know why you two reconciled, how many attacks you may have hidden before the one that made headlines in February, and what you'll do if he's tried and goes to jail. Reporters go on and on about battered women and their maddening tendency to forgive the men who hurt them, not realizing their words blame the victim. I know how that must feel. They could be talking about me.

When I was in my early twenties, I fell in love with a "perfect on paper" guy (Ivy League degree, big Wall Street job) who beat me and degraded me in ways I never could have imagined. I did not leave him the first time. Or the second time. It wasn't until four years after our wedding day that I finally staggered out of our marriage as unrecognizable to myself as you must have found your own bruised, swollen face to be. So I'm not going to tell you or anyone else to leave someone you love and expect that will solve all of your problems. I know from experience that leaving is easy. The tough part is figuring out how to pick up the pieces of yourself and make a new life.

I was 22 when I met my abusive lover. I'd just graduated from Harvard and had landed a great job at Seventeen magazine in New York. He was funny, self-deprecating and scrappy in a way I adored. One night he told me that he'd been abused as a child. I listened and I loved him, confident that I could be the one to help. A few of my friends tried to warn me off dating a man with a temper and a rocky past, but I didn't listen. I thought I could handle it.

Then, on our island honeymoon, he attacked me twice while I was driving the rental car. I had gotten lost looking for a barn where we were supposed to ride horses; his reaction was to punch me so viciously that my head hit the side window. A few days later he threw the cold remains of a Big Mac at me while I drove on the highway. At first I excused each attack. He was stressed, I told myself. But eventually the abuse became routine. He pushed me down the stairs, poured coffee grounds on my head and once pulled the keys out of the ignition as I went careening down the highway at 55 miles per hour.

All the while, I kept his assaults a secret. It never occurred to me that someone outside our relationship would understand; I was sure they would blame me for provoking him or think I'd blurred the line between a heated argument and abuse. I did not know then that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 2 million women are injured by their husbands or boyfriends each year. Three of those women die every day.

It wasn't until my ex-husband almost killed me that I realized we weren't just an ordinary couple with some problems. Six months earlier I'd given him an ultimatum that if he hit me again, I'd leave. To celebrate such a long happy stretch -- and our anniversary -- we planned a trip to Paris. The night before we left, he attacked me. It was as if he'd been saving up six months' worth of anger; his beating was that brutal. My denial broke; for the first time I was scared, terrified actually. Neighbors heard and intervened. The police came. And I left my marriage.

I made a list of all of the people I had to tell. At the top was my mother. I was so scared to disappoint her, but her response was to give me a gift: a gold ring in the shape of a butterfly. I couldn't think of what I had to celebrate, but I got her point immediately: cocoon, butterfly, new life. I knew I was being transformed into something more beautiful in her eyes. And each time I went to the police station or to court to file another restraining order, my mother's present reminded me that while I may have felt like damaged goods, I wasn't.

I left my marriage broke and broken -- physically, emotionally, financially and socially. It took me years to pay off our debts, to enter a room with an easy, confident smile, to fall in love again and trust that the man I loved would not raise a finger to me, ever. But I did. My message to any woman who's been betrayed is this: You have another life waiting for you. You may be isolated, but you're not alone. I hope to welcome you into a very exclusive girls' club. One filled with wise, wise women whose experience with abusive love rests deep in the past.

Looking at my life now -- my quiet, kind husband, our three kids, a satisfying career, a beautiful home -- you'd never guess that I spent my twenties hiding cuts, bruises and a broken heart. At 22, before the beatings started, I thought I was merely lucky -- lucky to have my degree, my job, my cute apartment, my boyfriend. But I don't place my faith in luck anymore. Some of us take our lessons in love straight up. Everything I have now I earned with hard work and hard lessons, plus a stubborn faith that I deserved, despite everything, to live happily ever after. We all do.

With love and support,

Leslie Morgan Steiner
Author of the new book Crazy Love, a memoir of her abusive relationship

A little break from news and sorrow. Here's Megan Fox - A google hot trend

This is a fun video a friend sent me. Enjoy.



More pics:


Megan Fox Pics courtesy of google images and flickr.

My Lazy Way to Generate Traffic For My Blog

I found this on ezine articles and had to share it. This really is an interesting article.

Enjoy.

While I was responding to a post on a forum about generating traffic I thought to myself, "Hey, this will make a great blog entry and maybe even an article"

When I first got started I was overwhelmed with the "do this" and "do that" for generating traffic. Over time I have settled down into what matches my style.

The biggest thing was including a link to my product's website (instead of to my own website) in my signature file in every forum I joined. Also adding the link to my e-mail signatures was a big step.


It may not sound like a big step but I don't use signature files simply because I like typing my name instead of using a signature file. A letter just doesn't seem "finished" if I don't type my name. Yeah I know, the shrink doesn't get me either.

Also, I join forums that interest me, and not just ones in my niche. I have a life outside of internet marketing and I have more interests than internet marketing. Internet marketing is what I do, not who I am. It's not to project that I'm more well rounded (instead of just fat), it's a reflection of the fact that I am more well rounded.

So what if my blog training videos don't match my interests in salt water aquariums? I'm not there to advertise my product, but to participate in the forum and there's nothing wrong with having a link to my unrelated product in my signature file.

If I ever sell a related product, I'll change my signature file to match but until I do, fish keepers do more than just keep fish and they may want to learn how to set up a blog. The point is that it (fish keeping) is an interest of mine and not a sneaky way to advertise.

For article marketing I tried just writing articles but now I write articles when I feel my blog entry is "worthy" of being put into directories. I find that's easier for me than sitting down to write an article and turn it into a blog entry. Must be a reverse psychology thing.

I also post comments on other people's blogs only when I have a worthy comment to add instead of just "good entry". This helps others see I have added value as opposed to just commenting for a quick linkback.

- Jeffery <- See, I typed that part all by my little lonesome. Jeffery Wood is owner of Sweaty Shop, an internet marketing company. Give Your Blog Rock Star Status: http://www.bloglikeacelebrity.com Follow Me On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sweatyshop Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_Wood

As a Proud Canadian I am FED UP! Got a problem with Canadian Law then Get OUT

This is the last God Damn straw. Sorry for swearing and being angry but enough is bloody enough. If you are a Proud Canadian read this and pass it on. I am sooo tired with political correctness stupidity. I am all for immigrants but if you are an immigrant and you believe the story in this article then please pack your things and move back to whatever country it is you came from.

Read it and comment if you'd like. Any inappropriate comments will be dealt with harshly.

Here's the story.


Our National Anthem - at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics
Please read and forward to as many Canadians you can think of – thank you

WE ARE PROUD CANADIANS

Bruce Allen is on the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Committee and new Canadians (specifically Hindi's/Indian's) want him fired for his recent comments outlined below:

I am sorry, but after hearing they want to sing the National Anthem in Hindi at the 2010 Olympics- enough is enough. Nowhere or at no other time in our Nation's history, did they sing it in Italian, Japanese, Polish, Irish (Celtic), German, Portuguese, Greek, or any other language because of immigration. It was written in English, adapted into French, and should be sung word for word the way it was written.

The news broadcasts even gave the Hindi version translation - which was not even close to our National Anthem. I am not the least bit sorry if this offends ANYONE, this is MY COUNTRY; My Grand Dad served in the military, other family members also served, as well as my wife & I served a combined total of 56 years between us. We made many sacrifices for our country and do not feel we should feel obligated to allow invited people we've welcomed with open arms to influence & change our society to better resemble the one they chose to leave to come here!!!

- IF YOU AGREE ABOUT THIS GREAT COUNTRY, SPEAK UP BEFORE ITS TOO LATE
-- please pass this along .

I am not against immigration. In fact I believe we need more, my ancestors were immigrants -- just come through like everyone else. Get a sponsor; a place to lay your head; have a job; pay your taxes, live by the Rules AND LEARN THE LANGUAGE as all other immigrants have in the past -- and LONG LIVE CANADA!'

It's time we all get behind Bruce Allen, and scrap this Political Correctness crap. His comments were anything but racist, however, there are far too many overly sensitive 'New Canadians' that are attempting to change everything we hold dear.

ARE you PART OF THE PROBLEM ??? Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, will we still be the Country of Choice and Still be CANADA if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries who have come to live in CANADA because it is the Country of Choice??????

Think about it!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT CANADIAN'S, MUST ADAPT.

It's Time for CANADIANS to speak up.. If you agree ? Pass this along; if you don't agree do hard working Canadians a favor and enjoy one of Canada's greatest freedoms. The freedom to leave.

If You Work Hard, You Might As Well Get Rich

When I was once an employee at Teletech Holdings doing customer care....yes if you had a Nextel phone you may have spoken with me ;), I thought that I was the big shot! I was well liked, well respected and I did my job 110%. But the problem was I never enjoyed my work. Sure I got along great with the staff but let's be honest here. $10.50 an hour is not a livable salary..



I was working hard, my bosses took control over my life! I worked anywhere from 45 to 60 hours a week as a team lead, or a supervisor stand in. It was a very stressful job and the rewards were never that great. Anyone who has worked the phones knows what I am talking about. So why did I keep doing it?

One reason... MONEY! When I was an employee, I was working for money! I was working to barely survive.

After 4 years, 4 years to the day oddly enough I left work on a Friday afternoon and decided that it was time to go. I had had enough. That was May 6 2006. It's been a long three years, but I have never looked back.

You see folks. I didn't start blogging to be another guru, which I am not, nor did I start several websites to rip people off. Believe me, I could. I know all the tricks to make people get ropped in and buy buy buy. I do this to help people. I was raised with ethics and integrity. I have been a victim of spammers, my systems has been hacked, my reputation was destroyed awhile ago by a hacker as well. It happens.

Dust off, learn a lesson and move on. Most people are so close to success online that they quit right when the money was just about to come in. Don't let that happen to you.

I can help. This blog can help. More importantly you CAN succeed.

Look around here and you will find alot of very useful information and if you have a question ask me through here or facebook or twitter etc etc.


Never forget the reason why being rich and owning dream cars and dream houses has just been a pipe dream to the majority of people out there is because of one simple word.

It is FEAR! Yes, F-E-A-R! The FEAR of losing! The FEAR of failing! The FEAR of doing something RISKY! The FEAR of losing money!

Hence, they would rather be secure and not live their dreams, they wait for the lottery numbers to make them rich. They don't push their limits. They are afraid to move ahead. Paralyzed with fear.

Have you ever watched The Worlds Richest People, here are the common words they all say:

1. "Do not be afraid of losing everything, because when you die, you will lose them all"

2. "There is no way that you will make millions and millions and millions without losing first"

3. "For you to be rich, you have to take risks. Calculated risks"

4. "Never give up, no matter how many times you fail"

5. "Failures are just temporary defeats. They only become permanent once you GIVE-UP"


Remember Edison? The guy who created that little thing called the lightbulb?

It took him 10,000 tries before he got it right!! Imagine the ridicule he faced but he kept going and he had a great mindset, when he finally got it to work he said "I never failed, I just found 10,000 ways that did not work". Thomas Edison was a very rich person!

Did you know Donald Trump made millions, then he went bankrupt? True story. He didn't wallow in self pity, he learned what he did wrong and corrected the mistakes he made. Now he is a household name. He didn't give up.

You can be more than you are. You are better than most.

Why?

Simple you read this far. Keep going and make money and when you do I want to hear about it.

Love this and had to share

Courtesy of my man frizinconklin, become his friend here

Check out his awesome page here and sign up.

He will be here permanently on my preferred blog list below, you guys know where to find it.

Watch this video by reading more :)

Jordan Rudess performance - Screaming Head

Chris Brown may walk without a trial!

I CANNOT believe this.

Chris Brown may simply walk away from his trial after the "alleged" beat down he laid on singer and now ex girlfriend Rihanna because of the photo leaked to the internet by TMZ.

WHAT!!!

See the pics


This kid/punk whatever you want to call him goes to court and looks guilty as sin whilst there, scared to death (so much for being a tough guy...then again he did "allegedly" hit a woman...yup real tough guy....anyway. (Looks innocent huh >>)

Now he may walk away from facing the music so to speak because of "outrageous governmental misconduct." No I am not making that up. His lawyer is fighting for this according to online sources, to have the case dismissed.

WOW.

If he doesn't face a judge again....yet another wonderful moment in law and injustice. Women fight for the right to NOT be abused and they should never be hit by a male. I won't say man because as we men know, no real man would ever hit a woman, only little bitch punk's hit women, the male's who are weak and pathetic so to make up for this little issue of being pansies and cowards they beat women. Even inmates in prison have a code of conduct, believe me you do not want to see what happens to a woman beater in jail/prison. Stories I have heard....

Back to the topic at hand. This is just as bad as if the glove doesn't fit...brings back memories of another male celebrity who walked for stupidity.

Rihanna has stated she won't testify unless she is subpoenaed. Too bad, she might make the difference.

At least she is not responding to his calls, which is also all over the internet. If he keeps calling her then she can at least charge him with harassment if he walks away from this.

Pathetic. T.I at least had the guts to admit he was wrong and do something about it before he went to jail. That's a real man.

Chris Brown should be man enough to admit he made a mistake....if he did. This is all "alleged" remember....yup....just like if the glove doesn't fit.

He is innocent until proven guilty as the saying goes....those photo's of Rihanna speak for themselves. Photo's courtesy of TMZ

Unbelievable.

My blog needs to get some traffic

Does Digg actually work? Does social media traffic work?

These are valid questions and in today's article we will look at 9 different ways to get traffic to your site for free.

Generating free website traffic can be approached in much the same way. Your investment may not be monetary, but it will require time, energy, and above all, creativity on your part. You need to learn to think outside of the box! There are several methods that can be utilized in generating sweet equity traffic to your website.


So you made the first step. You have your first eCommerce or Affiliate Website up and running and you're ready to make money online. Now what? How do you drive traffic to your website?

The basic theory of website optimization is quite straight forward. You visit the popular website directories (Google, MSN & Yahoo) and fill in the appropriate information. You enter your URL address, a brief description of your website and the related keywords or keyword phrases and you're done. Piece of Cake! Just kick back and wait for the search engine spiders to crawl your site and "bam," you're on page one.

If it was indeed that simple, the search engine directories wouldn't have the need for a second, third, or 953rdpage for your designated search results. Everyone's website would be on page one. The theory of website optimization and the applied practice thereof are spectrum's apart.

Realizing this, you now have two options at your disposal to drive traffic to your website. These options are paid or organic (free) traffic.

You can start up a PPC (pay per click) campaign on Google AdWords. There are many internet Gurus who swear by the benefits of paid advertising. Admittedly, your website will start getting hits literally within minutes of your campaign going live. But there is absolutely no guarantee that your revenue will exceed your advertising expenditures. If you don't know what you're doing, you could burn through a lot of money very quickly. And you might only recoup of fraction of those expenses in generated income.

What if you are just getting started and don't have or can't risk the money to invest in a paid advertising campaign? If this is the case, then free traffic may be exactly what you need to get your internet business going.

Your first thought might be, "Come on now. Nothing in life is free." And you would be correct in this assumption. Think of generating free traffic to your website like investing sweet equity in a property you've just purchased and are hoping to turn a profit on. You don't have the money to pay professionals to come in and patch the walls, paint, rip up the nasty old carpet and the ever dreaded linoleum. So you roll up your sleeves and go to work. And why would anyone in their right mind want to do all this? Because you know that the property is worth the time and energy you will put into it.

Generating free website traffic can be approached in much the same way. Your investment may not be monetary, but it will require time, energy, and above all, creativity on your part. You need to learn to think outside of the box! There are several methods that can be utilized in generating sweet equity traffic to your website.

The Fundamental Principle of Organic Traffic:

Organic traffic is based on building back links to your website. The more numerous these links are and the more relevant they are to your website's particular niche, the higher your ranking in the search engines. Sounds complicated, right? In reality, it's following a step by step process until you obtain the desired results.

Think of it like building a staircase. The objective of building any staircase is to get to the top of where it is you need to go. You simply build one step at a time until you have reached your destination. The primary difference is that you are building arrows in cyberspace that point back to your website rather than an actual physical staircase.

Nine Foolproof Methods for Organic Link Building;

1. Web Directories

One of the oldest and most established ways to increase free traffic to your site is by submitting your link to website directories. There are hundreds of directories on the internet. Every time you add your link to a directory, you are increasing your chances of generating free website traffic to your site.

2. Article Submission Sites

Submitting ezine articles is an effective way to establish extremely relevant links to your website. In addition to accomplishing the objective, the reader can visit your website directly from the author's box.

Ezine @rticles is by far the most established of the internet ezines. Their readership is not to be ignored. There are, however, may other ezine article websites on the internet. For a comprehensive listing simply Google ezine directories.

3. Social Bookmarking Sites

In recent years, social bookmarking sites such as Reddit, Stumbleupon, Furl, Del.icios.us, and Digg have gained immense popularity on the internet. You can bookmark virtually anything on the internet on these sites (including your own Ezine articles) provided you do not violate the site's terms and conditions. Fellow users of these sites then have the opportunity to link to your bookmarks if they find the subject matter interesting. This, in essence, can escalate into a form of viral marketing.

4. Social Networking Sites

MySpace, Facebook and the up and coming Twitter are incredible resources for establishing links and generating free traffic to your website. Compete.com recently ranked twitter as the third most used social networking site surpassed only by Facebook and MySpace.

Posting bulletins (or tweets) on these sights and inviting fellow members to follow you back to your site can produce phenomenal results.

5. Yahoo Answers

Yahoo Answers is yet another great marketing tool at your disposal. There is a question posted on Yahoo Answers for virtually any topic you can think of. If the asker deems your answer the best, he will vote it best answer. I have seen best answers wind up on Goolge's first page on more than one occasion.

Just pick a question from a topic that is relevant to your website and post the answer. You are not allowed to post promotional links in the answer itself. And Yahoo does not recognize anchor text. You can, however, post your website address in the source(s) box as an expert on the topic.

Please Note: If you are new to Answers, you want to post at least five answers without posting your web address in order to avoid having your account suspended for spamming.

6. Forums

Yet another way to establish relevant links is to utilize forum websites. Forums are, in essence, discussion groups. You can post questions or topics for discussion within the forum. You can also comment on said posts, leaving your signature (a user name with your website address anchored into it).

The perfect forum for people wishing to establish links to their affiliate or eCommerce site is Warriorforum.

Warrioforum is a forum specifically for internet marketers. It is not only one of the best sources for relevant links. It is also a great place to gather creditable information from established internet marketers.

Please Note: Most forums are presided over by a moderator. It is the moderator's job to determine whether or not you are adding content or demonstrating a desire to learn within the forum. If it is determined that you are simply spamming the forum to proliferate links you will be banned. So do yourself a favor. Don't leave comments like, "Great info, Bro" just to get another link.

7. Video Websites

There are many video posting websites on the net. Inarguably, the most popular by far is YouTube. You don't have to be Steven Spielberg to post on YouTube. YouTube postings range from simple commentary format with a handheld camcorder, all the way to full-blown video productions.

How effective is YouTube? April 1st 2009, no one had ever heard of Susan Boyle. On April 11, this rather plain looking woman wearing a dress that looked as if it had been pulled straight off a Salvation Army rack auditioned for a show called Britian's Got Talent. This program isn't even aired in the U.S. Despite the judge's and audience's skepticism, she proceeded to prove her vocalizations as a force to be reckoned with. By April 20, she had received over 100,000,000 hits on Youtube, more than President Obama's Inauguration Speech. This happened in just nine days.

In case you think I went off on a tangent, I did not. Susan Boyle's unprecedented exposure was simply meant as a demonstration of the sheer pulling power of internet video. If you type in phrases such as make money online, online business or work at home jobs you will find videos that have been viewed in excess of 100,000 times.

8. Flickr

Flickr is an image and video hosting website. It also acts as an online community platform. Its primary function is to allow users to share personal photographs with the online community. However, the service is widely used by bloggers as a photo repository. When viewed from a marketing standpoint, Flickr can be an effective promotional tool.

9. Website Linking

Linking with websites compatible you your own is a great way to increase internet traffic. You will find that many sites with similar content to yours will be more than happy to swap links with you. Conduct a Google keyword search. Find sites that are similar in content to your own. Ask the owners if they are willing to swap links.

Many website owners view this as a win, win situation. You provide free content to his site. In exchange, he provides a link back to yours. Both of you will increase your web traffic and boost your website ranking. There are also automated link swapping programs. But you run the risk of less relevant links that may damage rather than aid your long-term ranking objectives.

Killing Two Birds With One Stone.

Virtually every method I have outlined above offers a dual fold benefit for your traffic generating efforts.

1. You have established a relevant link to your website for optimization purposes.

2. You have presented the internet user with the opportunity to go directly to your website via your link, whether from a website directory ad, an ezine article, a bookmarked page, a forum comment, a video posting, etc...

Play by the Rules:

Please remember to play by the rules. Virtually any website you are looking at as a means of internet marketing has its own set of terms and conditions. Failure to abide by the terms could get you permanently banned from the site. The last thing you want is to be perceived as a spammer by the online community.

Conclusion:

The free traffic techniques I have presented may not be "free" in the truest sense of the word. But the sweet equity you invest in promoting your site will pay off for months, even years to come. As an entrepreneur, you may not feel that these methods are worth your time and effort. Think hard. The pay off could be huge!

About the Author
You can make money online without having to set up website or risking a huge monetary investment. Affiliate marketing is a great way to start an Online Business. There is little or no start up money or risk involved. And you can be Making Money Online in a matter of days verses the months it takes to optimize an ecommerce site.