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The Mic Is on at the Neighborhood Hangout

August 8, 2006 by Liz Leave a Comment

It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

Here’s how it works.

open mike night

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.

The rules are simple — be nice.

Tonight we’re hanging out!

Saloon Opening Day

We might also talk about

  • The people we meet
  • The places we where we used to hang out
  • The weirdest hangouts
  • The crazy people in them

AND THE EVER POPULAR,

Basil the code-writing donkey.

–Me “Liz” Strauss

Related article
The Mic is on and We’re in OZ!

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Filed Under: Blog Comments, Community, Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, blog_promotion, discussion, letting_off_steam, living-social-media, Open_Comment_Night

Comments

  1. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:05 PM

    Uh Oh,
    Don’t tell me I’m the first again…
    Hey All,
    “where everybody knows… your name…”

    Reply
  2. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:05 PM

    Is this the kind of joint where we can get drinks while we hang, Liz?

    Reply
  3. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:06 PM

    Hi Joe,
    We have some folks back stage. They’ll be over in a minute.

    Reply
  4. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:06 PM

    Joe’s got the kind of place you can hang out in his new forum, right Joe?

    Reply
  5. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:07 PM

    Hey Susan,
    Thanks for joining… you know…
    I can use all the help I can get.
    BTW you have a PM on the forum.

    Reply
  6. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:07 PM

    Hi Susan,
    Welcome, Here some cold ones for both of you. Snacks and beverages from the sidebar are always available.

    Reply
  7. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:09 PM

    Yeah Susan, and Liz said I could put the URL in the comments http://workingathomeinternet.com/forum
    I promise I won’t overdo it, really I won’t 😉

    Reply
  8. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:10 PM

    Joe,
    I’m not worried about you overdoing it. I’ll have my ways of keeping an eye on you.

    Reply
  9. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:10 PM

    No worries – I’m here! Just multi-tasking like a good ADD mom should! 😉

    Reply
  10. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:11 PM

    By the way, Liz, you have a great blog here. I usually check it once a day. Keep up the good the work.

    Reply
  11. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    Yeah, Wendy, meet Joe and Susan.

    Joe has a new forum. He works at home too.

    Susan is a spectacula artist.

    Reply
  12. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    Liz,
    Susan, Jessie Skinner, HART have already joined. I’m hoping to tap some more experts to help disseminate (?) helpful information.

    Reply
  13. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    Get rockin with the song “Hang Out” for the theme @ http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/ss/16/ss16797.mp3 Lloyd Arnold McCollough. Born 1935 in Memphis

    Reply
  14. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    Susan, I believe we have met on the LinkedIn Bloggers group – correct?

    Reply
  15. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:13 PM

    Hi Scorpio.
    Thanks! What do you do when you’re not reading writing books?

    Reply
  16. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:13 PM

    Hey Wendy, and Scorpia

    Reply
  17. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:14 PM

    We have, Wendy! Nice to see you here.

    Reply
  18. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:15 PM

    🙂 Thanks for the comment on my Boostday!

    Hi to Joe and Scorpia too!

    Reply
  19. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:15 PM

    Books? Hah! No, I’ve never written a book. I do, however, write reviews and other articles on PC gaming. Been doing that a long time.

    Reply
  20. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:16 PM

    Where’s HART???
    He was just over at my place, I thought he took a short cut to get here…

    Reply
  21. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:16 PM

    Liz, this comment night thing is sheer brilliance. Easton was right about you!

    Reply
  22. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:16 PM

    Sorry, Scorpia,
    about misspelling your name there.
    You’ll find out quickly that we have a rule here. The comments get going so fast and furious that we don’t worry too much about spelling and punctuation for this open comment sesstion stuff.

    Reply
  23. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:17 PM

    Scorpia that is very cool . . . I think my husband will fall in love with you as soon as he finds out.

    Reply
  24. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:18 PM

    Not a problem, Liz. You should see my typoing in chat 😉

    Reply
  25. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:18 PM

    Wendy,
    Thanks, Comment night is BIG fun, but it takes a lot of time too.

    Easton is a special guy. Kind of like Joe there.

    Reply
  26. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:19 PM

    Ah, will he? Always glad to add to my harem 😉 What games does he like? I specialize in adventure and role-playing.

    Reply
  27. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:19 PM

    Joe,
    I’m not coming into your forum. I’m afraid I’ll never get out. Those places are an addiction.

    Reply
  28. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:20 PM

    Hey Wendy,
    With 14 writers, maybe you should do individual About’s.
    Maybe you did and I just didn’t read far enough yet.

    Reply
  29. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:20 PM

    Wendy,
    My son is in town. I wish you were coming up further north. I’m by Belmont Harbor. I’d meet you for coffee.

    Reply
  30. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:20 PM

    Hi Liz, Joe, Susan, Wendy, Scorpia!

    Reply
  31. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:21 PM

    And by the way, hi to everyone out there!

    Reply
  32. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:22 PM

    Hey, Rick,
    Thanks for coming. We’re hanging out and talking. Susan already left a link of hanging out music.

    Reply
  33. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:22 PM

    Joe – you lost me on that one – perhaps it’s because the morning coffee is long worn off…

    Reply
  34. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:22 PM

    Hey Rick,
    Welcome to the mayhem…
    @ Liz,
    Addiction is a good thing when it helps others, right?

    Reply
  35. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:23 PM

    Scorpia,
    My son thinks Deus X is the best game ever. My husband is a simulator person . . . His best game ever is Shattered Steel.

    Reply
  36. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:23 PM

    Scorpia, I’ll make sure to point my son and the daughter who’s into that stuff in your direction. They’ll be excited.

    Reply
  37. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:24 PM

    Hey! Anyone want a Klondike Bar? Whitehouse Cherry? MMmmmm….

    There’s some new faces here I see…

    Reply
  38. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:24 PM

    Yeah, Joe,
    What was that comment about . . . 14 writers?

    Reply
  39. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:25 PM

    Wendy,
    Blogjolt? I was just there and there are a few writers, unless I went to the wrong place ;-0

    Reply
  40. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:26 PM

    Hey Chris!
    Scorpia reviews PC gaming. Wendy writes for emoms at home.

    Reply
  41. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:26 PM

    Ah, those are a little out of my field. Alas. But they are welcome to come by for a look anyway.

    Reply
  42. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:27 PM

    Belmont Harbor, huh? Hey Ya’ll – Liz lives in the ritzy part of town.. 😉

    We’ll get our coffee in. I have some business development ideas brewing and I could use some help. I’m meeting with FeedBurner tomorrow 🙂

    Reply
  43. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:27 PM

    I listened to the song. It made me wish I still a vinyl record player so I could pull out some Chuck Berry. Hanging out with friends listening to music has always been one of my favorite passtimes.

    Reply
  44. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:27 PM

    No worries, Scorpia, maybe AdLib will show up he is a fiend for Civilization.

    Reply
  45. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:27 PM

    Joe, I have to be really strict with myself not to do forums either but I’m glad to add a few things to yours for the sake of good will :^) – Besides, I’m too nosy to have you to build a forum without me admiring it.

    Reply
  46. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:28 PM

    Games I understand.

    But emoms? Wendy do they have in home virtual mommies now? I don’t have kids, but I could see how that might be a good thing to have! 😉

    Reply
  47. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:29 PM

    Chris I love what you and Basil are up to down there in the steamy south!

    Reply
  48. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:29 PM

    Ah, the BlogJolt isn’t really a group of writers in that respect. We band together and flood a weekly target blog with inbound links, del.icio.us tags, and traffic. We work together to totally boost each other – one blog at a time.

    Reply
  49. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:29 PM

    Heh, Civ is a strategy game, and I’ve always found them boring myself. Nothing is as dull to me as resource management. Well, okay, maybe watching paint dry would be worse 😉

    Reply
  50. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:30 PM

    Virtual in-home mommies?! Where can I get one of those! I need one! 😉

    Reply
  51. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:30 PM

    Wnedy,
    Not so ritzy. I live a little north of ritzy. Shoot me an email. I love business strategy.
    I’ve been down to Feedburner. They’re really great there.

    Reply
  52. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:31 PM

    Wendy is that working better than the LinkedIn blog boosts did?

    Reply
  53. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:31 PM

    Thanks Susan,
    Anything you add will be appreciated, not only by me, but anyone looking for direction in being self employed.

    Reply
  54. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:32 PM

    So far we’ve only done one – and it went really well. I wanted to target the members a little more than LIB’s because it was always such a big complaint. Would love to have you!

    Reply
  55. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:33 PM

    Rick,
    I know exactly what you mean. When my big brothers when to college they left me all of their 45s and then I started my own collection. Music is like a time machine.

    Reply
  56. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:34 PM

    Joe, I signed up for your forum. But I haven’t thought of anything worth contributing. You know I don’t really work from home. I’m a blogger with a day job. Besides the $8 and change that AdSense has earned me hardly counts as a working wage!

    Reply
  57. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:35 PM

    Sing along with that piano player! http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/ss/03/ss3501.mp3

    Reply
  58. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:35 PM

    Chris,
    You made 8 Dollars! Gosh I wish I knew that when you were in Chicago. I would have made you take me out to dinner.

    Reply
  59. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:36 PM

    Keep that music coming, Susan.
    Maybe Starbucker will show up and we’ll be dancing again.

    Reply
  60. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:37 PM

    AdSense is a pretty crappy revenue generator for a WAHM site. Nobody trusts home business ads on the internet! I’m seeking alternatives. Suggestions anyone?

    Reply
  61. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:37 PM

    Chris,
    You always have good insight on your blog, if there isn’t a subject you feel comfortable with, create your own topic.
    You don’t have to work at home to have insight into how it is… you have 2 cats and a wife that I know of, not to say anything about a visiting code-writing donkey.

    Reply
  62. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:37 PM

    Scorpia,
    AdLib has to take it off his computer. He’s THAT addicted to it.

    Reply
  63. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:38 PM

    By the way, Liz, I’ve been wondering: why the “ME”?

    Reply
  64. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:38 PM

    Howdy everyone! Looks like some new faces tonight – great to see ya!

    Reply
  65. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:39 PM

    Speaking of the visiting code-writing donkey . . . How is he?

    Can’t say as I miss him. But maybe we should tell folks about him.

    Reply
  66. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:40 PM

    Liz, I’m not surprised. But he should keep it on. Then he’ll play until burnout, after which, he’ll never look at it again. Have a friend who burned out on the first Civ. He hasn’t touched it since. Overload has its uses.

    Reply
  67. cat says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:40 PM

    Morning everyone.

    Joe, I checked out your forum and will get to it later on. Seems a grand idea. Like Liz, I’m a bit leary of getting stuck in there for hours. Forums can be so addictive.

    Susan, I see you are a designer who blogs. As soon as I get the database fixed on DWB, I’ll come to you for some bits if you are game.

    Drat database problems. And the WordPress help is no help in this situation. Neither is posting to get help but a solution may be at hand …

    [[ let’s see if Liz’s blog likes me this morning. This is my week of computer/internet problems ]]

    cat

    Reply
  68. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:40 PM

    Did somebody mention dancing? Oh Liz, how can we top the last time?

    Reply
  69. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:41 PM

    Hey Starbucker…
    You were the First to host the (I hear) code-writing donkey, how was he as a guest???

    Reply
  70. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:41 PM

    Yeah, music can take us to any time of our lives. It’s one of the best time machines we have.

    http://www.streetplay.com/stories/hangingout/ is pretty much what being a kid was when I was growing up (except a more suburban area). There are some neat stories there.

    Reply
  71. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:42 PM

    Liz, back then it was only $6 and change. 😆

    Wendy, I have different problem with AdSense that gives the same results. I ramble all over the place and it can’t figure out what kind of ads are relevant. I’m game for other ideas.

    Joe, I think Ben would be better to speak of the donkey…

    Reply
  72. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:42 PM

    Hi Starbucker,
    Not up for dancing tonight. That’s okay. We’re just hanging out anyway.

    Reply
  73. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:43 PM

    Hi Joe – well, Basil was a handfull. I took him to Boston with me and I lost him; turned out he ran into “Donkey” from Shrek and they had quite the weekend before Basil managed to get back to Connecticut

    Reply
  74. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:44 PM

    Scorpia,
    Mari Elizabeth Monterastelli –ME

    AdLib plays for months and doesn’t burn out. I don’t think the burn out overdose thing works on him. He’s really intelligent and capable of hyper focus

    Reply
  75. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:44 PM

    Hi Cat, Starbucker. Susan has been bringing some good dancing music.

    Reply
  76. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:45 PM

    Hey Cat, Starbucker!

    Reply
  77. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:45 PM

    Cat,
    I think you’re safe on Akismet. I was getting caught too for a day there. I put in a complaint to customer service. I think I scared. it.

    Reply
  78. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:46 PM

    Liz, neat how that worked out! You can say ME and get away with it. I like that.

    Hmm, yeah, AdLib sounds like one of those rare ones. In that case, yes, taking the game off is the only thing to do.

    Reply
  79. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:47 PM

    Hi Chris!

    Reply
  80. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:47 PM

    I’m listening to it right now – that’s a rockin’ !! Where did you find that Susan?

    Reply
  81. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:47 PM

    Starbucker,
    These folks don’t know who the donkey is,

    Reply
  82. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:48 PM

    Hey Cat,
    It’s only addictive if you let it be… besides, I know you have a lot of smarts in that brain of yours that could help someone, somewhere.

    Reply
  83. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:48 PM

    Evening y’all. What’s shaking?

    Reply
  84. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:48 PM

    Hi Chris – great Savannah pictures on the Basil blog, by the way. I’ve never been there – looks like I need to go.

    Reply
  85. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:48 PM

    Susan is just one surprise after another.

    Reply
  86. cat says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:49 PM

    Hi Chris. Hi Rick!

    Liz, Akismet must have known the week I’m having and just wanted to rub salt into these poor wounds.

    Off I go to fiddle with the wp-config.php … wish me luck …

    Reply
  87. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:50 PM

    Good luck, Cat.
    Darn, darn wordpress config file.

    Reply
  88. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:50 PM

    BEN…
    Basil the Code-Writing Donkey’s Owner…
    How much have you had to suppliment this week???

    Reply
  89. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:51 PM

    Good luck, Cat.

    Ben, that’s a cool map you fixed for Basil. He’s going to be quite the world traveler.

    Reply
  90. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:51 PM

    Hey Rick, Ben!

    Savannah’s a great southern city. One of the few with older buildings still standing. I guess Sherman got tired of burning by the time he got here…

    Reply
  91. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:51 PM

    Hey Ben,
    Someone needs to tell Wendy and Scorpia the story of Basil the donkey. We elected you!

    Reply
  92. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:52 PM

    Joe — Basil’s costing me a fortune, if that’s what you mean…how he managed to nab my credit card on the way out the door, I’ll never know. Donkeys aren’t known for their stealth.

    Rick — Thanks. It was a ton of fun doing it, I can’t wait to see it filled with little markers!

    Reply
  93. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:53 PM

    Ben’s here now LIz – he can tell us all about Basil the code writing donkey. And what stories I’m sure he has! (Hi Ben)

    Reply
  94. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:54 PM

    I’m always interested in traffic generation Wendy – the real issue for me is that I am dependant to some extent on the art income and I rely on the blog to drive some of that. So readership numbers for their own sake are less important than a certain kind of “interested” reader. I may need to start designing some mom-centric things, some work-at-home things, and stuff like that huh?

    Reply
  95. Scorpia says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:54 PM

    Wow, I just realized how much time I’ve spent here already. Have to go, there are dungeons to delve, critters to kill, and goodies to grab!

    All, take care!

    **poof**

    Reply
  96. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:54 PM

    Wendy, Scorpia,
    Say hello to Ben so he’ll tell you the story.

    Reply
  97. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:55 PM

    Hello everyone…I’m one of the new guys.

    Reply
  98. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:55 PM

    Thanks for coming, Scorpia.
    It was fun having you. Hope that you come back again.

    Reply
  99. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:55 PM

    Hi Wendy and Scorpia. Well it’s a bit of a rambling tale, so let me see.

    Basil is a donkey. He writes code for me on another one of my little businesses. (IGotNewsForYou.com)

    We named him Basil here at open mic some time ago.

    During another open mic session we got on the topic of Fawlty Towers. I ran a contest saying that I’d send the winner the Fawlty Towers DVD Collection. The winner was Cat; but she asked me to send the DVDs to Starbucker.

    Instead of just sending the DVDs, I sent Basil. And now, anyone can have Basil visit their house with the DVDs.

    You get the DVDs for 1 week before you ship them to the next person on the list. You send a postcard and anything else you want — and you can guest blog on the site (www.whereisbasil.com).

    The result is a hysterical community building project surrounding a donkey and Fawlty Towers.

    That about right? *grin*

    Reply
  100. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:55 PM

    G’night Scorpia. It was good to meet you.

    Reply
  101. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:55 PM

    Ben, How much traffic did IGNFY get from your Real Estate Rant? I saw you were on the front page of Reddit for about 24 hours! Whoah!

    Reply
  102. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:55 PM

    Not really Susan – you’re expertise in making a living from art is enough!

    Reply
  103. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:56 PM

    Hey Big Roy!
    Thanks for coming! 🙂

    Reply
  104. cat says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:56 PM

    Thanks for your confidence in me Joe. All I know about for sure is my ability to whitter on 🙂

    Reply
  105. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:57 PM

    See ya Scorpia…
    @ Susan, Darren wrote a post not long ago about targeting readers (or maybe it was Brian at CopyBlogger guest writing). I’ll see if I can find the post.

    Reply
  106. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:58 PM

    Ben. Also brilliant! Sounds like a blast. But I haven’t watched one second of Fawlty Towers. Hate TV. Is there a workaround?

    Reply
  107. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 7:59 PM

    Chris — approximately 3,500 hits and counting. Was pretty hysterical. I had no idea that would generate so much traffic.

    Feedburner went from around 50 to 328.

    It won’t last 🙂

    Joe and Susan are talking about exactly the problem with my real estate post — not targeted really; although IGotNewsForYou is a consumer product, but since it’s not linked with real estate it didn’t equate to any real business.

    Still fun though!

    Reply
  108. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:00 PM

    Hi Wendy!

    Well you don’t have to watch the DVDs I guess…*chuckle*…they are worth it though. Even if you hate TV. Fawlty Towers is too classic to ignore.

    And hi Big Roy — can you tell me what your blog is about, maybe I’m a bit out of it this evening, but I don’t quite get it right from looking at it.

    Reply
  109. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:00 PM

    Hey Big Roy!
    Ben, that’s JUST about right 🙂

    Reply
  110. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    Hi Big Roy!

    Reply
  111. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    And Wendy — I think my wife would like your blog. She’s just dipped her toe into the whole sordid affair of blogging but I think she’s getting hooked. Being an actual writer (unlike myself) her stuff is well-written; she just has to take the time to network, and figure it all out.

    Reply
  112. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    Ok.
    Susan here is the link…
    http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/08/03/grow-your-blogs-readership-by-targeting-readers/
    I hope it helps a little.

    Reply
  113. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    It’s a niche blog for sure…about the Imus in the Morning Show…he has millions of listeners on the radio and tv (MSNBC) so there is a potentially large audience.

    Reply
  114. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    Wow Ben, how awesome – 3,500 hits! I must say you did hit the nail on the head with that post. I’m new to this Reddit thing – who put the post there?

    Reply
  115. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    Hey everyone.

    Ben, what caused traffic to jump?

    Reply
  116. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    You know the exact same thing happened with my “3 free Web Tools” post last week. Just about as many page views too. And still counting.

    But like you said, no real traffic increase because it was off topic. For me it was more an exercise in Headline writing after last week here.

    Reply
  117. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    Ben,
    You have a wife? If Chris’ wife is Gorgeous. Your’s must be Beautiful?

    Reply
  118. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:04 PM

    Ah thanks, Roy. I’m in Canada so don’t watch MSNBC which is why it went right over my head.

    I do like the design – very clean. And the pictures are great.

    Reply
  119. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:04 PM

    It’s just a hobby, but I want to do it right.

    I’m certainly not a professional blogger like many.

    Reply
  120. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:05 PM

    Send her over Ben. I didn’t really intend to be a blogger. I had “bigger ambitions” to make my millions as an affiliate marketer. But blogging has me hooked now. Working from home is a beast in and of itself. I let two businesses crash and burn (before this one) because I made so many mistakes – so I have lots to blog about 😉

    Reply
  121. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:05 PM

    Ben, those Savannah pictures look so familiar. I was there not too long ago and I went up those steps actually. 😛 I guess it is a very small town.

    Reply
  122. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:05 PM

    Hi, everyone! I’m a bit new at this!

    Reply
  123. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:06 PM

    Doug — traffic boost was due to reddit.

    Chris — I put it there.

    I didn’t think it would take off like that, but I was curious. I think the last time I checked it had 70+ boosts on it and nearly 20 comments.

    I think I hit a nerve with it somehow.

    I considered it my “Monday Morning Musing” where I go a bit off topic to talk about something funny, nagging, etc.

    Liz – I do have a wife. Beautiful seems like an appropriate name. Just passed our 5 year anniversary. And a 23-month old son.

    Reply
  124. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:06 PM

    Thanks Ben….it’s a WordPress theme of course but I did do some tweaking.

    Reply
  125. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:07 PM

    Ben, say two years! It’ll make him sound older.

    Reply
  126. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:07 PM

    Hey Big Roy! Haven’t heard Imus since I left NY.

    Reply
  127. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:08 PM

    That probably is where his base audience is…but I’m in NC

    Reply
  128. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:08 PM

    Truth be told, Starbucker, I googled something like “hangout” music and wound up at a music repository website provided by the Law Library of Emory University. Cool. Check out http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/index.htm

    Reply
  129. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:09 PM

    *note to self*
    *Find out what the heck Reddit is before the next comment night so I can sound like I know what I am talking about*

    Very Cool Ben! 😉

    Reply
  130. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:09 PM

    Hey Douglas!

    Big Roy – It’s amazing what you can do with basic tweaks to themes. Mine started life as the WordPress default.

    Reply
  131. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:09 PM

    Very interesting way to get traffic – but I guess the trick is to get it while still being consistent with the “theme” of the blog, so the traffic comes back. Always a catch I guess.

    Reply
  132. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:09 PM

    Hey Sasha!
    Everyone Say Hi to Sasha!

    Reply
  133. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:09 PM

    Doug – Chris took those pictures. Did a mighty fine job too. Basil’s in a few of them but I shrank the pictures a bit too much so he’s hard to see. I’ll be doing a better photo montage of some sort later on when we have more.

    Big Roy – Still a good looking site over all, theme or not. There’s lots of good themes, still have to be implemented well. So kudos there.

    Wendy – I will send her over. I think she’d make a great blogger; great writing style and a good sense of humor. So we’ll see…

    Reply
  134. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:10 PM

    Hello Sasha!

    Reply
  135. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:10 PM

    We’re talking about traffic spikes from posts off topic.

    Here’s some cold ones from the sidebar.

    Hey you guys mind your manners. Say hello to the new guys.

    Reply
  136. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:11 PM

    That site IS cool Susan – probably lots of great stuff in there. Thanks!

    Reply
  137. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:11 PM

    Hi Sasha! Welcome aboard! It’s great to see a handful of new faces already this evening…

    Reddit is a social bookmarking site like del.icio.us or digg (and others). It’s the only one that’s generated any real traffic for me.

    Reply
  138. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:11 PM

    Rick..very nice site..I like that clean look and the white background.

    Reply
  139. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:11 PM

    Hi Sasha! I have to say I’m very sad that skinny jeans are back. My butt looks much better in low-riding flares.

    Reply
  140. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    Oooh…on Sasha’s blog she mentions a skinny jean giveaway.

    Do you guys know how GOOD I look in skinny jeans? Wow.

    Basil can’t really find a pair of jeans that fit…

    Reply
  141. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    Perhaps this is a good place to ask how to make a great traffic-generating headline, huh?

    Excuse me if you’ve already answered this bit but the 100+ comments is difficult to keep track of. Hahaha.

    HI LIZ!!

    Reply
  142. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    Wendy, Don’t feel bad. None of us really know what we are talking about, except perhaps our esteemed hostess. I’ve found this bunch to be a very forgiving lot.

    Reply
  143. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    Sasha,
    Roy and Wendy are first timers too.

    Reply
  144. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    Good point Liz – a big Shout Out and hello to everyone!

    Reply
  145. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:13 PM

    I haven’t had much luck with any of the digg-type sites. I get some traffic, but not too much.

    Reply
  146. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:13 PM

    Read CopyBlogger a lot for good headlines!

    Reply
  147. Starbucker says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:13 PM

    Well, now I have to take a break – hope I can come back, but if not – y’all take good care!

    Reply
  148. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:13 PM

    WOW really nice site Ben…You have the white with Red post titles..I like that it looks good.

    I’ll have all kinds of blogs to check out now.

    Reply
  149. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:14 PM

    Thanks, Big Roy. I basically do it as a hobby, too.

    Reddit seems like it isn’t as oriented toward the tech crowd as del.icio.us or digg.

    Reply
  150. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:14 PM

    Hey Sasha! Like your blog. Clothes. Everyone needs ’em.

    Reply
  151. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:14 PM

    Ask Ben, Chris, and Doug about the headlines . . . They wrote one with Brian last week. It actually became a post.

    How did the post do Doug?

    Reply
  152. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:15 PM

    Rick, Reddit may not be oriented towards tech. But the folks there definitely have their likes and their dislikes.

    Reply
  153. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:15 PM

    Sasha — best I can recommend is copyblogger.com. Brian over there is the master headline writer.

    My few bits of advice (in no particular order):

    1. Use numbers: 5 Ways to Wear Skinny Jeans and SNot Look Ridiclous

    2. Make Bold Statements: Guaranteed Skinny Jean Secrets

    3. How-to’s: How to Find the Best Fall Fashions Cheap!

    4. Be Funny / Shocking / Attention-Grabbing

    Reply
  154. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:16 PM

    I figured Chris… I study this stuff all day every day and still can’t keep up with it all!

    Reply
  155. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:16 PM

    I have tried to get some Diggs…never gotten more than about 10…but I hope to get something that clicks when the election gets closer.

    Reply
  156. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:17 PM

    Rick, if you want tech-orientated, you have to read slashdot. They are too techy for me.

    Reply
  157. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:17 PM

    Big Roy — glad you like it. My blog is entirely custom designed really, using Blogger (ssh…don’t tell anyone). It was designed off of my website though, which is why it’s fairly custom looking, although it’s not exactly some radical website design. Phew, I’ve confused myself.

    Reply
  158. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:18 PM

    Impressive for

    Reply
  159. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:18 PM

    I found a good traffic builder in StumbleUpon a while back. The good thing about that is you can develop community with folks who have similar interests. Then you are referring your stuff to folks who are much more inclined to actually read it. And because they share your interest, you don’t have to feel bad about a self referral.

    My traffic has gone up considerably since I started with it.

    Reply
  160. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:18 PM

    Hi to Rick, Wendy and Ben!

    Wendy: I do love low-rise jeans. But skinnies are sexier. Hehehe. Either kind doesn’t do wonders on my arse, though. Sadly.

    Ben: I don’t. =P How good do you look? Anyway, who’s Basil? =)

    Reply
  161. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    Hey – where’d my comment go?! 😕

    Reply
  162. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    Hey Big Roy, I usually watch Imus while I’m reading my E-mail.
    Hey Sasha, You can’t be too new, you found open mic night…
    @ Cat, I’ve seen some of your work, you got it.
    @ Chris & Ben, you wrote the posts, reap the glory.
    I’m tired of playing catch-up to the comments…

    Reply
  163. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    Reddit is definitely less tech-oriented than digg and del.icio.us. So it might work for the non-tech blogs out there at generating good traffic, and hopefully sustainable traffic.

    I’d say my traffic has generally increased using Reddit from some of my topic-focused posts — like the one about being an entrepreneur for 10 years. That did nicely and I think some of that traffic stuck around at least.

    Overall, I’d say most of those social bookmarking sites cause the same phenomenon when you hit it: big spikes and then zzz…

    Still fun to watch 3,500 people visit your site in a couple days. But in the end that’s not what it’s all about.

    Reply
  164. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    This was the first headline for a post on my blog:

    Is Tom Cruise’s Baby Ugly?

    Reply
  165. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:20 PM

    ROFL Big Roy

    Reply
  166. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:20 PM

    StumbleUpon looks interesting. I’m going to check it out.

    Liz, that post did okay. It got some extra traffic to Service Untitled – not a ton, but some. 🙂

    Reply
  167. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:21 PM

    Sasha – Ok the truth is out there, I’d look terrible in skinny jeans. *sigh*

    Basil is a code-writing donkey that’s traveling the globe with the Fawlty Towers DVDs visiting people. Anyone can sign up and join the community. Just click my name to visit the site or click here: Where Is Basil?

    Chris — it’s interesting you mention StumbleUpon. I’ve gotten traffic from there but not because of my doing. I’ll look at it more tomorrow.

    Reply
  168. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:22 PM

    I am SO out of sync in this conversation!

    – So, welcome to all the new folks
    – Thanks for the link Joe – you are on top of it
    – And I apologize to everyone who’s comments I missed
    – Liz, you throw quite a soiree’

    Reply
  169. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:22 PM

    I bet that got a lot of traffic, Big Roy.

    Reply
  170. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:23 PM

    Doug,
    I guess that trafffic on that post might be because we all know that there are too many morons in customer service. You’re an oxymoron. 🙂

    Reply
  171. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:23 PM

    Susan, Don’t feel bad. El Dorado is on AMC and I keep running back and forth. Fortunately TIVO is catching Eureka for me for later. I wouldn’t want to try to watch that and this. I’d end up disappearing from here completely until it was over.

    Reply
  172. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:24 PM

    Susan,
    You should call a Time Warp, That’s the official response.

    Reply
  173. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:24 PM

    Interesting…somehow Where Is Basil? must be on StumbleUpon…traffic has gone up 5 fold today without me noticing. Is that your doing Chris? *smile*

    Reply
  174. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:25 PM

    Chris,
    How many comments do you think that ElDorado would be?

    Reply
  175. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:25 PM

    It was my first post on my blog ever. I do try to write interesting ones. Another good one was:

    Kofi Annan is an Idiot

    Reply
  176. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:25 PM

    When I was playing with Linux I went to Slashdot quite a bit. I still check out http://www.newsforge.com for Linux news.

    Susan, I think it was Susan, talked about http://www.gather.com as a place to check out, too.

    Reply
  177. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:26 PM

    Big Roy – going controversial can’t be a bad thing for blog traffic, if you can back it up with quality points that create conversation around the “in your face” blog titles…

    I tend not to be too controversial in my blog, although my real estate post stirred some debate.

    It’s a valid approach and I hope it works out for you!

    Reply
  178. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:26 PM

    BY the way Ben, where have you been? Basil was getting some spammy trackbacks. Are those his Shrek friends looking for him?

    Reply
  179. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:27 PM

    re #161, Wendy – Basil ate your comment

    Reply
  180. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:27 PM

    Liz,

    I have been in an oxymoron stage lately. For something related to blogging, I suggested doing a press release stating that something new was happening. I was quickly reminding that was an oxymoron.

    I’ve had a few others as well.

    Reply
  181. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:28 PM

    Liz — what do you mean, where have I been? Tonight? Was putting the kid to bed.

    In terms of the spammy trackbacks you mean the ones on the Where Is Basil site?

    I took care of those I think, by setting up Askimet yesterday.

    Reply
  182. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:28 PM

    Dude! Would I be involved with any level of shameless self promotion? *he asks with mock indignation* 😉

    Reply
  183. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:29 PM

    Thanks, Chris. Yes — clothes are important! So, excuse your wives when they go out shopping alright? =)

    And you do have a point, Joe. But it was because of Liz! Who doesn’t know uber-nice Liz anyway? Hehehe.

    Ben: Thanks. I’ll definitely check that one out. Your suggestions aren’t bad. I particularly like number 1. Hahaha.

    Reply
  184. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:29 PM

    Web press releases are still a good idea. I’m think you should get a second opinuion on your press release idea. Some folks are too Web2.0 They’re throwing away the good stuff that still working.

    Reply
  185. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:29 PM

    Susan! Funny!!

    Reply
  186. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    Askimet is a gift from the blogging god(s). It catches a majority of the spam my blog sees. I think it has caught something like 300 spam comments since I started using it.

    Reply
  187. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    Howdy, Ben!
    Hi, LIz and everybody!

    Hellow from Oklahoma

    Reply
  188. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    Well with me you are either an Imus fan or you hate him…I may get some traffic that stops in from a google search but in the long run it’s going to be fans of the Imus Show….if you’re not a fan the site doesn’t make a lot of sense..though it does deal with a lot of political stuff. I hope to increase the political stuff more as time goes on.

    Reply
  189. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    Woohoo! Shameless self-promotion! Rock on!

    Chris — I do plan on doing more for the participants on Where Is Basil; the map was just one thing.

    I’m thinking of photo albums online, more lists going to your blogs, etc. Have to come up with some creative ideas.

    Starbucker told me to design a Where Is Basil badge, which I’ve done. It’s in “beta” right now (cause being in beta is cool.)

    I’ll show you all soon once I tweak it a wee bit.

    Reply
  190. cat says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    I use StumbleUpon for research. I’m responsible for Creative Latitude’s resources so I set it to Gdesign and surrounding subjects then stumble until I’ve gone through what’s available.

    The findings are much better than google most times as they are not swamped with those who are good at SEO and not much else.

    Reply
  191. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:31 PM

    Hi Becky! Another time zone heard from!

    Reply
  192. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:31 PM

    Hey, Liz, I was going to call Time Warp!!!
    I’m a SLOOOOOW reader… 😉

    Reply
  193. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:31 PM

    Wendy you have to watch Basil. He really does like to eat comments and then when he burps OHMYGOD!!!!

    Reply
  194. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:31 PM

    Hi Becky. Glad to see you. I always meet the best people here.

    Reply
  195. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:32 PM

    My last post was meant for Ben..or anyone else.

    I am still new at this real time blogging.

    Reply
  196. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:32 PM

    Sasha, Clothes are more important for some folks than for others, I think.

    Me, I look my best fully clothed. That’s probably why I didn’t last very long at 25 Peeps.com! Too much clothing.

    Reply
  197. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:33 PM

    Liz, I don’t know. The guy who said no is quite knowledgeable about all related to blogging. His name begins with a J and we both know him. 😛

    Reply
  198. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:33 PM

    Hey Becky! Welcome aboard!

    I’m still a fan of press releases online. We use them for my company. Just recently got a client because of that press release getting picked up by another source. They’re relatively easy and inexpensive to do.

    Web 2.0 can be a lot of gobbly-gook like anything tech-oriented. It’s a good principle/concept misused and massacred by people who are jumping on a bandwagon.

    Plus, I know of a company that just started (name escapes me at the moment) that’s doing press releases JUST to bloggers. Go figure.

    Reply
  199. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:33 PM

    Becky are you really a liquor store owner, rancher and blogger?! Too cool!

    Reply
  200. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:33 PM

    I am astounded the mileage that Ben has gotten out of ol’ Basil.

    Reply
  201. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:34 PM

    Hi Becky!!
    Thanks for coming,
    What’s happening in OK-LA-HO-MA?

    Reply
  202. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:34 PM

    Wendy, you are quick on that research!

    Reply
  203. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:34 PM

    Big Roy – the conversations here usually get pretty darn hectic.

    I would think you’d get some “Imus-haters” on your blog, if such a thing exists trying to stir the pot…no?

    Reply
  204. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:35 PM

    I have to write a press release for my BlogJolt project this week. Any tips on how to get it out and about in front of the right eyes?

    Reply
  205. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:35 PM

    Why does everyone burst into song when they say Oklahoma?

    Reply
  206. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:35 PM

    Big Roy, this is insane, isn’t it?

    Reply
  207. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:36 PM

    Becky – what ELSE comes to mind besides the cheesy song?? 😉

    Reply
  208. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:36 PM

    Wendy — what’s BlogJolt? (Asking without looking, I know!)

    The business I mentioned is from Noah Kagan at okdork.com — http://theweblogwire.com.

    It’s about putting press releases out to bloggers directly.

    I haven’t used it, but Noah’s a cool/interesting guy.

    Reply
  209. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:37 PM

    Given the theme tonight, I guess I should share something from my liquor inventory. What does everyone want? Mojitos?

    Reply
  210. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:38 PM

    Yes Susan it is.

    Ben I don’t mind Imus haters. I can be critical sometimes my self.

    Reply
  211. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:38 PM

    Becky — Basil is getting some nice mileage, he’s going to be traveling far and wide. If you mean mileage in terms of riches for me, well…not yet…*chuckle*…that Donkey is one expensive donkey to send traveling. 1st class everything.

    Fun as heck though.

    Meanwhile, no one new has signed up this evening. Ahem. Hello?

    Reply
  212. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:38 PM

    Big Roy,
    If you think this is real time, you must be in the proverbial TIME WARP!!!

    Reply
  213. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:38 PM

    Becky
    Folks burst into song because almost every high school does a performance of the musical.

    I love that you’re a liquor store owner, always a friend to a saloonkeeper’s daughter.

    Reply
  214. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:39 PM

    I started a project in which a group of mom bloggers ‘gang up’ on one blog a week, flood it with inbound links, traffic and social bookmarks. Then when that person get’s their “jolt” we move on to the next blog and jolt up her. Works quite well to raise visibility on Technorati and Google.

    Reply
  215. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:39 PM

    Becky, (First I like your blog, Welcome to our little corner of craziness.) Ben just had a run of the mill good idea. His genius is that he’s running with it. I’m glad he’s let me be a part of it.

    It is fun to brag about your city. Or at least the city you live in. Hmmmm…..

    Reply
  216. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:39 PM

    Ok I just read about BlogJolt.

    It seems like press releases to bloggers makes perfect sense. If you try the service Wendy, tell Noah I sent you.

    Reply
  217. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:39 PM

    Oklahoma–also known for oil, cattle, James Garner, Reba McEntyre, Garth Brooks, Indians/Native Americans, wheat, the Chisholm Trail, the Trail of Tears, (I could go on all night)

    Reply
  218. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:40 PM

    Ben,
    A badge? really . . . everyone seems to have that idea lately. Are you going to shape it like Basil?

    Reply
  219. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:40 PM

    I still believe in press releases too. All of this blogging stuff is good, but press releases are great. 😛

    Reply
  220. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:40 PM

    I’ll take a Pinot Grigio with some brie, thank you very much 🙂

    Reply
  221. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:41 PM

    I can vouch for Becky too. Great blog. I’ve been reading it regularly for awhile now. And I even commented a few times (I’m far from shy when it comes to comments.)

    Is owning a liquor store fun?

    Here they’re government run so it’s a different story, although you can buy beer + wine in any grocery store or convenience store (what they call “depanneurs” in French.)

    Reply
  222. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:41 PM

    I went to Susan’s site and saw a picture if an attractive sophisticated lady. I read the first sentence in her latest post and she is talking about Naked Art, surprise.

    Reply
  223. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:42 PM

    Ah, we have an excellent Pinot Grigio in stock….Let me see….Cavit, from Italy! Most excellent. Just stay away from their Pinot Noir. It’s not so good.

    Reply
  224. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:42 PM

    Uh, hi, sorry I’m late- I had to get a batch of bread out of the oven and then my computer decided now would be a good time to run 9 different MS updates…

    Reply
  225. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:42 PM

    Hi, Becky. =)

    Reply
  226. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:42 PM

    The government runs Canadian liquor stores? I didn’t know that.

    Reply
  227. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:42 PM

    Ben, Don’t let Liz dissuade you. I’d wear a Basil Badge with honor. (Of course I might have to put Jack in the alt text.) 😆

    Reply
  228. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:43 PM

    Does it say “Department of Drunkenness” on the door?

    Reply
  229. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:43 PM

    Liz — ya, badges aren’t terribly original at this point are they? Still I think it could be kind of cute if the people who sign up at Where Is Basil? will use it.

    And no, it’s not in the shape of Basil, although that might be pretty funny. Hard to pull off graphically when you want to keep the badge fairly small though.

    Reply
  230. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:43 PM

    Just give me a beer… (hic)

    Reply
  231. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:43 PM

    Is it next door to the “Ministry of Silly Walks”?

    Reply
  232. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:44 PM

    Hi, Sasha. Anything I can get for you from the liquor store tonight? This is the only way I can be so generous.

    And yes, Ben, the store is all kinds of fun!

    Reply
  233. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:44 PM

    Hey AdLib!

    It could be worse, Ben. Here in Pennsylvania the state government hasn’t given up control of liquor since prohibition. You have to go to a state store for anything but beer. Beer you have to get at a special dealer. Nothing alcoholic in grocery stores. Period.

    Reply
  234. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:44 PM

    Doug — it’s true.

    In some provinces, like Ontario, they also run what are called Beer Stores.

    At least in Quebec you can buy wine and beer pretty much anywhere. In Ontario you have to go to government-run operations.

    Reply
  235. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:45 PM

    Hear! Hear! Beeeer!

    But I do love a good glass or two of red wine.

    Reply
  236. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:45 PM

    Chris, that’s Monty Python, NOT Fawltey Towers.

    Reply
  237. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:45 PM

    I’m used to Florida and New Jersey where the government has nothing to do with liquor stores. So weird.

    Reply
  238. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:46 PM

    My Wifes Grandmother owned a liquor store during a part of her life. She has many fond memories of it. I love to listen to her stories.

    Reply
  239. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:46 PM

    Sounds a bit like Norway – anything beyond the alcohol content of beer you have to go to the government liquor store to get.

    Legacy of centuries of Puritan disapproval of alcohol, mostly.

    Reply
  240. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    Becky, me want Stella Artois! =)

    Reply
  241. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    Muhaha…someone here just signed up for Where Is Basil after I attacked you all with hot pokers. No one can resist my hot…wait a second…nevermind.

    Thanks!

    Oh another tidbit about booze — in Quebec the liquor stores are called SAQs. And the price of wine in Quebec is significantly higher than in Ontario (the province right next door.) Why? Because of the taxes. So they have all sorts of issues with people crossing the border to buy wine. It’s plain stupid.

    And Becky – I’ll have…hmmm…don’t feel like anything sweet at this point…gin & tonic might be nice.

    Reply
  242. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    Rick,
    Where in PA? Basil is coming here, so maybe I can just drive him to your house. 😉

    Reply
  243. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    Big Roy – I have diverse interests :^)

    Reply
  244. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    C’mon Joe, “Drunkenness” –> “Silly Walks”. It was a little funny!

    Reply
  245. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    Ronco Cucco. Ronco Cucco.

    I love that wine.

    Reply
  246. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:48 PM

    Ben – I didn’t miss your hint. I’m on the List now…

    What have I gotten myself into?! 🙂

    Reply
  247. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:48 PM

    I know, Chris! It just went over everyone’s head.

    Reply
  248. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:48 PM

    Every state is different on liquor laws, and in Texas, every county is different!

    We have some new beers….let’s see…..Joe, You sound like a Lost Lake man! Sasha, sorry no Stella Artois, I’ll special order it for you.

    And a fine whisky for Big Roy! Maybe Woodford Reserve

    Reply
  249. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:48 PM

    Hey AdLib! I missed you sneaking in. Didn’t realize you had one in the oven.

    Reply
  250. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:49 PM

    Same in North Carolina…you can buy beer anywhere but liquor you have to get from an ABC store..Alcohol Beverage Control…They make it sound very important.

    Reply
  251. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:49 PM

    Sasha — I’ve been drinking Stella Artois lately too. I swear while I was in Vancouver on vacation and over-eating, I had a couple of Stellas that settled my stomach.

    Beer…that settles your stomach…go figure.

    Usually I prefer something a bit dark — Newcastle, Sleemans Honey Brown…

    Reply
  252. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:50 PM

    Ad Lib,
    Great to see you.
    You missed Scorpia. She reviews games for PC gaming. We were talking about you earlier in the evening. 🙂

    Reply
  253. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:50 PM

    Monaca, just north of Pittsburgh. I don’t get out of town much and thought he would be pretty bored here, unless he likes movies. Maybe I could put him to work at the concession counter!

    Reply
  254. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:50 PM

    Susan you seem to. I will be exploring your site later looking for naked art.

    Reply
  255. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:50 PM

    Becky,
    Coors Extra Golden Lager…

    Reply
  256. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:50 PM

    Aw, man… :'(

    Reply
  257. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:50 PM

    The best was moving down south and finding out they had drive through windows at some of the liquor stores. Hello?

    Reply
  258. Wendy Piersall says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:50 PM

    Holy cow, I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for almost two hours! I have to get to work! 🙁

    Thanks everyone – BBS!

    Reply
  259. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:51 PM

    Good ones, Ben!

    Reply
  260. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:51 PM

    How can the acronym ABC sound important? When you spell it out, it does, but not ABC by itself.

    Reply
  261. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:52 PM

    Good night, Wendy!
    Thanks for coming. It’s been great getting to know you. I hope to have that cup of coffee. Email me and I’ll give you my phone number.

    Reply
  262. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:52 PM

    Mmm, every now and then I run off a batch of bread – it’s a bit more work than buying from the store, but fresh bread hot from the oven is one of life’s great pleasures. Even if it takes hours to make.

    Reply
  263. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:53 PM

    Drive throughs at the liquor store. Yup. ‘Nuff said.

    Good night Wendy…addictive ain’t it? *smile*

    Rick — Basil won’t be bored, put him to work so he can pay off his huge travel costs!

    Reply
  264. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:53 PM

    Ooooh Wendy, by the time Basil comes to visit you he’ll be bringing along “Flat Basil” (You know the Flat Stanley books?) Basil claims that he needs a flat alter ego for posing at the sites his hosts drag him around to.

    Reply
  265. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:53 PM

    Good night, Wendy. It does draw you in. Addictive, you could say, in a good way.

    Reply
  266. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:53 PM

    What do you mean, Doug? When you spell it out? ABC?

    Reply
  267. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:53 PM

    Nite Wendy

    Reply
  268. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:53 PM

    Ben, I’ve had no problems with Stellas. I miss it real bad since we don’t have it here in my country. /sighs

    I like a good German beer, too! I had the opportunity to taste the Hofbrau Original at last year’s Oktoberfest in Australia.

    Reply
  269. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:54 PM

    Susan’s going to work her magic on Basil…turn him into a piece of art. Naked art? Stay tuned!

    Reply
  270. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:54 PM

    Rick,
    That was me… Live right outside Philly

    Reply
  271. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:54 PM

    Where are you located Sasha?

    Reply
  272. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:56 PM

    G’night, Wendy!

    Ben: Manila, Philippines! Ever been to this part of the world? Or Basil perhaps?

    Reply
  273. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:57 PM

    Sasha — I’ve been to Bali, Indonesia — a few years back for my wife’s brother’s wedding. Beautiful place.

    Basil’s going to Australia, but that’s the closest so far. Feel free to invite him over if you want to sign up. I’m sure he’d love the Philippines!

    Reply
  274. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:58 PM

    Susan,
    You are too good, to all of us. What a wonderful person you are. Basil doesn’t deserve you. He misbehaves too much. 🙂

    Reply
  275. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:58 PM

    Liz,
    I don’t think you ever listed the Countries represented here. That sounds like an International Post to me.

    Reply
  276. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:58 PM

    Sorry to drink and run!

    Enjoy the beer, everyone!

    Reply
  277. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 8:59 PM

    Well, Indonesia’s close enough. Never been there though. Hahaha.

    I’ll definitely look into getting Basil to visit this beautiful country. *aherm* I can be biased about that, though. Hahaha.

    Reply
  278. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:00 PM

    Bye Becky! Good to see you around! We’ll talk soon I’m sure.

    Reply
  279. Becky McCray says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:01 PM

    Look forward to it, Ben.
    Bye, all!

    Reply
  280. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:01 PM

    Liz, I don’t know why y’all had so much trouble with him. He’s been the model of behavior with us. Of course it could be partly a result from Gorgeous overdosing on the The Dog Whisperer while she was under the weather. That guy does some amazing things with those dogs!

    Basil seems to respond well too. It’s all about expectations and being in the moment…

    Reply
  281. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:01 PM

    I’m sure it is beautiful. We have friends that recently moved to Manila, so who knows maybe we’ll be visiting there in the near future!

    An international post sounds like a great idea too…

    Reply
  282. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:02 PM

    I’m heading out. I’ll see everyone next week. 🙂

    Reply
  283. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:02 PM

    Okay, Joe! I signed up, Ben. My wife says never turn down free labor (assuming he doesn’t eat all the popcorn).

    Reply
  284. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:02 PM

    Nite Becky

    Reply
  285. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:02 PM

    Guinnes, Newcastle, a few local brands you lot have never heard of – mostly dark and nutritious ones 😛

    Oh, I’ve been browsing the earlier comments – sorry I missed Scorpia – and Oklahoma is famous for a couple more things. It’s also the home of C.J. Cherryh and Mercedes Lackey…

    Reply
  286. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:02 PM

    Bye, Becky! =)

    Reply
  287. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:03 PM

    Goodnight Becky, Douglas. Enjoy!

    Reply
  288. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:04 PM

    Rick, I think you can distract Basil from the popcorn if you get him thinking about waffles. I’ve never seen anyone eat waffles the way he does.

    Reply
  289. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:04 PM

    Good night Doug
    Thanks for coming!
    It’s nice having you around.

    Reply
  290. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:04 PM

    AdLib — what are the local ones?

    Joe — what’s the URL to your forums again? I don’t work from home all the time, but I sure do spend a lot of time at home working…maybe I can pitch in somehow…

    Reply
  291. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:04 PM

    Thanks Rick…

    Reply
  292. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:05 PM

    Bye, Doug!

    AdLib: I’ve been meaning to try Guinness. You are referring to the Irish beverage, right?

    Reply
  293. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:05 PM

    See ya Doug…stay in touch!

    Thanks for signing up Rick, you won’t regret it!

    Reply
  294. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:05 PM

    Sasha I just looked at your site for a few minutes. Are you a designer? Do you make a lot from the Google ads you have? If these questions are inappropriate to ask other bloggers tell me.

    Reply
  295. Service Untitled - Douglas says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:05 PM

    Night everyone. 🙂

    Liz, thanks! I’m glad to be here.

    See everyone next week.

    Reply
  296. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:05 PM

    Whohoo! Lamont is kicking Lieberman’s ..behind. Senator Censorship might actually lose 🙂

    Reply
  297. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:06 PM

    Nite Doug

    Reply
  298. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:07 PM

    Rick,
    Keep Basil away from IHOP. He knows that they have waffles. Once he knows there’s an IHOP around, he’ll start hanging out there and making a scene to get them to make him extra waffles. It can get really embarrassing.

    Reply
  299. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:07 PM

    Liz – Awww shucks; stop.
    I’m also thinking of taking Basil to Wolf Trap to see ballet when he’s here in northern VA but I’m afraid he might get taken with tights and tutus and want to take lessons. Where would Ben find toe shoes for the big galoot?

    Reply
  300. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:08 PM

    I didn’t know that about Cherryh and Lackey! Cherryh is one of my favorite fantasy writers.

    Hmm, not to many places for good waffles around here. Wait! Bob Evans has some good blueberry waffles.

    Reply
  301. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:08 PM

    Big Roy: I’m not a designer. Just a stylist and a fashion writer. I can’t say I’m making a lot from AdSense but I reckon I do earn something relatively decent monthly. I don’t think it’s inappropriate. Just don’t ask for exact figures. Hahaha. Kidding.

    Reply
  302. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:08 PM

    And oh yeah, don’t go near a Taco Bell. They have his picture up in all of them, because of the incident in California, when he mistook a burrito for a sandwich made from a small burro. it wasn’t pretty.

    Reply
  303. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:08 PM

    Local brands of beer: Hansa Pilsner, premium Lager, Odin beer, and Ringnes premium dark. There’s only one Guinness – the imported one they serve down at the local irish pubs. There’s some stuff labelled Guiness for sale in the stores, but it doesn’t taste right when it’s not from a tap….

    Reply
  304. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:09 PM

    Susan — I’m sure we can find a blogger somewhere that makes custom shoes and he can toss a pair in for Basil.

    Basil and IHOP do not mix, you’ve been warned.

    Is Wendy still here?

    Reply
  305. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:09 PM

    Ok Ben, Since you asked…
    http://workingathomeinternet.com/forum
    It’s actually pretty easy if you know the “Domain Name” I made such a big fuss about, huh?

    Reply
  306. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:09 PM

    Susan, I’m not so sure. I saw something that looked suspiciously like a donkey sized tutu in Basil’s luggage. Honestly I didn’t even want to ask…

    Reply
  307. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:10 PM

    Joe,
    You got it in there again seamlessly. Well done!

    Reply
  308. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:10 PM

    Right. Basil and Taco Bell do not mix. They’ll just toss him out of there. It’s all tied to Liz bringing him to San Jose, mixing with some feminist bloggers, getting arrested. It was messy, real messy. And I’m not just talking about the cheese fries either.

    Thanks Joe. You’re right, that might have been easy to figure out, but what the heck. *grin*

    Reply
  309. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:11 PM

    AdLib: Yea, I heard that Guinness don’t travel real well and is best served from tap. Bummer. All we have here are in cans! Sheesh.

    Reply
  310. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:12 PM

    Liz,
    You know me, if someone asks for something I try to deliver…

    Reply
  311. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:12 PM

    How was I to know that Basil would start reading the signs over my shoulder. If we hadn’t been with those feminist bloggers. I think I could have talked him out of the protest.

    Reply
  312. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:12 PM

    Chris, your adventures with him have been priceless – and I didn’t think anyone could follow Liz.

    Reply
  313. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:13 PM

    IHOP isn’t a problem. The nearest I’ve seen one is TV commercials.

    Reply
  314. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:14 PM

    I think Basil is a memoir. Not just a book, a memoir.

    Sort of like Afternoons with Morrie.

    Reply
  315. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:14 PM

    Er Tuesdays with Morrie

    Reply
  316. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:14 PM

    Well, Susan, It may get a little interesting. My folks are coming to visit for the weekend. It is going to get a bit crowded around here.

    Reply
  317. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:14 PM

    Joe – quick question – how come there’s no link (or obvious one) from the forums to the blog?

    Reply
  318. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:15 PM

    Ben,
    You’re asking Joe a Joe question.

    Reply
  319. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:15 PM

    Well, Guiness from a can is better than no Guinness, it’s just that when the alternative is available, that’s preferable…

    Reply
  320. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:16 PM

    It’s a really nice site Sasha. Even though I know nothing about the subject I could see myself spending time just looking around.

    Reply
  321. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:16 PM

    So, Travels with Basil, Liz? or more likely: Bailing out Basil

    Reply
  322. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:16 PM

    Hey Ben,
    I have a confession…
    I Don’t even have a DVD Player, how am I going to entertain Basil for a whole week?

    Reply
  323. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:16 PM

    AdLib — you’re right, I haven’t heard of those beers. The Odin one sounds intriguing…

    Reply
  324. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:17 PM

    Rick, the IHOP thing is serious. You better be careful what he sees on TV.

    I passed a block away from one with Basil in the car on the way to church Sunday. The only way I could get him to stop slobbering all over the car was to mention popcorn. Then I distracted him after church with talk of waffles.

    He’s pretty food fixated. Fits in real well around here actually. 🙂

    Reply
  325. Sasha Manuel says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:18 PM

    well, as much as I’d like to stick around.. I think I got to go and get myself some breakfast or, erm, lunch. Whatever.

    Twas great to be here! Thanks Liz for inviting me! had a great time.

    Bye, everyone!

    Reply
  326. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:19 PM

    Joe…no DVD player? Hhhm…I could send you one but that would probably border on the ridiculous.

    A Basil memoir sounds great. I’m sure he’ll get a book deal at some point and leave me out of it!

    Reply
  327. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:20 PM

    Ben, there is a link at the bottom of the page. The whole forum is written in phpbb. I don’t speak that language, I’m just learning.

    Liz, Speaking Joe to Joe??? Was I just insulted, or was that some kind of reference to the way I ask questions?

    Reply
  328. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:22 PM

    Good night, Sasha. It was good to meet you.

    Reply
  329. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:22 PM

    Bye Sasha! Hope we see you next week!

    Reply
  330. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:22 PM

    Joe, I don’t do insults you know that.
    It sounded like the kind of curious question you would ask. It was an interesting juxtaposition.

    (I like that word juxtaposition.)

    Reply
  331. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:22 PM

    Joe, I think she meant a detail question. You are good at spotting details.

    Reply
  332. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:23 PM

    Nite Sasha, or G’day or ‘mornin’ or whatever…
    😉

    Reply
  333. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:23 PM

    Heh, the Odin beer is fairly new and it’s marketed as a discount brand – but I still like it, it’s a nice light beer for hot days.

    Reply
  334. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:23 PM

    Well said, Chris.
    You should be a translator.

    Reply
  335. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:24 PM

    Joe — maybe I can help you out with it. I’m no PHP coder but I’ve worked my way around it a bit.

    I’d say you definitely need a more prominent link cause I think your forum could generate traffic on its own, without people going to the blog first (eventually, as you have more time to market the forum as an entity), so the link back to the blog will be more important…

    Oh and I emailed you something.

    And I hope you can buy a DVD player or borrow one before Basil shows up. It’ll be hard to watch the Fawlty Towers DVDs otherwise!

    Reply
  336. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:25 PM

    I’m surprised you didn’t get him onto chocolate, Chris.

    I went to Hershey, once. I’ve been trying to get back ever since. I could easily live somewhere you can smell chocolate in the air!

    Reply
  337. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:26 PM

    That’s what I thought, you guys are too nice (especially Liz, she’s the nice one) to insult anyone.
    🙂

    Reply
  338. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:26 PM

    Chocolate. I like Belgium chocolate. The darker the better. 73 % is good.

    Reply
  339. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:26 PM

    Joe I recently did a move from Blogger to a hosted WordPress site. It went a lot smoother than I thought it would be.

    Reply
  340. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:27 PM

    Liz, I end up translating between foreign national and Southern quite a bit. It is funny really.

    I can say the same exact thing that a local has said and the person we’re talking to will say, “Ohhhh…” and nod their head as though I had really translated or something.

    It cracks me up every time it happens.

    Reply
  341. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:27 PM

    They just launched a new discount beer in Montreal — Gros Cochon (translation: “fat pig”)

    I prefer the connotation and imagery behind Odin, myself.

    Reply
  342. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:29 PM

    Rik, I think Basil got overwhelmed with the heat and got distracted by the daiquiris. If I had been with him we’da been all over the chocolate!

    Reply
  343. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:29 PM

    Big Roy — you did a smart thing moving, if you ask me.

    IGotNewsForYou is stuck on Blogger still (for a host of reasons) but Where Is Basil uses WordPress. There are a number of good platforms (like MovableType, WordPress) which are better than Blogger.

    Blogger could be great though, if Google put some oomph behind it.

    Reply
  344. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:30 PM

    Chris,
    I can just picture that translation happening. It sounds like fun.

    I love people who speak southern, especially southern boys who say, “Thank you ma’am.”

    Reply
  345. Susan Reynolds says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:31 PM

    Oooh Hershey – I lived fairly nearby for a few years. Gotta love a town where even the street lamps are in the shape of kisses, even if driving down the street makes you drool.

    Reply
  346. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:31 PM

    Daiquiris will distract anyone.

    I’m a known chocolate fan. Especially with peanut butter.

    Reply
  347. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:31 PM

    Yes ma’am!

    Reply
  348. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:31 PM

    Well Google has NO support at all or very little. Getting an email from Google is nearly impossible. I just felt putting as much time and effort into the blog I might as well pay $12.00 a month for a real site, domain name, and real bloggging software.

    Reply
  349. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:33 PM

    I sent an email to the guy at Copyblogger and he recommeneded MidPhase and WordPress and that’s what I did.

    Reply
  350. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:33 PM

    That’s it, Chris.
    That’s it exactly. Atlanta Rhythm Section
    Champagne Jam.

    Reply
  351. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:35 PM

    Blogger is ..a low-threshold entry platform, really – and google buying them is part of what a lot of investors have been complaining about the company lately; namely that they’re losing focus on their core business.

    Though Blogger is also the entry point for a LOT of adsense publishers, including yours truly – so there’s probably a business case for it that’s not related to what Blogger.com actually is…

    Reply
  352. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:35 PM

    All right we’re getting to the shoot-out scene in El Dorado. Gotta check out for a while…

    Reply
  353. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:37 PM

    How many comments is a while? 😉

    Reply
  354. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:39 PM

    Let’s find out, shall we? Didn’t we have a measure for how long it took to empty a dryer – about sic comments?

    Reply
  355. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:40 PM

    Argh, six comments!

    Reply
  356. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:40 PM

    I did a lot of reading about blogs before I ever started and after I started. One thing that was pretty consistent was, most people will move from Blogger if they get serious, or you Should move from Blogger or WordPress.com if you are serious. So I figured I might as well do it while the blog was young instead of waiting 6 months.

    Reply
  357. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:40 PM

    Big Roy,
    You made the right choice if you ask me, but I keep finding small little things that I never expected.
    I write about them all the time, so others will (like Ben and Starbucker) have an idea of what some of the quirks are in changing.

    @ Ben, I got the E-mail and responded, thanks.

    Reply
  358. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:40 PM

    It was a short shoot-out. The good guys won! 🙂

    Reply
  359. Rick says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:41 PM

    Take care, Chris.

    Good luck, Big Roy. I’m calling it a night, too. Thank you, Liz, for inviting us in. I’ll see you all next week.

    Reply
  360. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:41 PM

    Joe what do you mean by small little things?

    Reply
  361. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:42 PM

    AdLib
    You called it in 6!
    Amazing!!

    Reply
  362. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:42 PM

    Goodnight Rick, I have too go watch the pundits and see how bad Lieberman lost.

    Reply
  363. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:44 PM

    See ya Rick. Thanks for signing up too!

    Roy – you did make the right move.

    I wish I was able to move the IGotNewsForYou blog to WordPress but it would mean moving domain names at this point and I don’t want to do that.

    Reply
  364. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:44 PM

    Good night, Rick,
    Good night, Roy

    Sleep well, boys.

    Reply
  365. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:44 PM

    Whohoo!

    Lieberman 111,887 48.12
    Lamont 120,616 51.88

    Senator “I don’t like rock and I son’t see why anyone else should either” Lieberman is in trouble 🙂

    Reply
  366. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:44 PM

    See ya Big Roy. Have a good one.

    Reply
  367. Big Roy says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:45 PM

    Thank you Liz…You have a great community and I haven’t found a nicer person in my travels on the Internet.

    Reply
  368. Chris Cree says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:46 PM

    Liz is the best! Let’s make her Senator!

    ‘Night all! 😎

    Reply
  369. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:46 PM

    Thank you, Big Roy,
    I’ve found a great bunch to hang out with. I’m glad you’ve decided to join us.

    Reply
  370. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:47 PM

    Liz,
    The shootout at El Dorado is about 12-18 comments, whereas the Shootout at the OK Corral is between 25-30 comments.

    Reply
  371. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:47 PM

    Good night, Chris,
    Not Senator. Not Mayor of Chicago either.

    Sleepy swell.

    Reply
  372. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:47 PM

    See ya Chris. Take care of Basil, and keep taking those great pictures!

    Reply
  373. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:48 PM

    Ben,
    I didn’t know IGotNews is on Blogger. Basil is some coder.

    Reply
  374. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:49 PM

    How about Queen of Illinois?

    Reply
  375. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:51 PM

    Ya, IGotNewsForYou’s blog is on Blogger. The rest of the site is not of course — it’s a mix of ASP and HTML.

    Sadly the hosting is on Windows, and although you can get PHP with Windows from certain hosting companies, mine doesn’t offer it (GoDaddy). I didn’t make the hosting choice, and I’m not particularly thrilled with it; but moving at this stage is a pain in the rear, so I live with it.

    From a design perspective, I don’t have a problem with Blogger, but from a performance perspective and feature perspective it’s got issues.

    And if anyone’s curious, I’ve changed my link (that appears when you click my name) to the IGotNewsForYou blog.

    Reply
  376. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:51 PM

    Hi AdLib,
    I think I’d rather be a princess. They get to go out and play with the serfs and princes. The Queen has to hang around the castle.

    Reply
  377. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:54 PM

    My Writing blog is on blogger and I understand the issues. I just don’t have the time to do what it takes to move it. Oh so many picture I would have to relink. I can’t even stand to think of it.

    Reply
  378. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:54 PM

    Heh, good point. So, which of us are the Liz serfs and who’re the princes?

    Reply
  379. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:55 PM

    You are all princes. You should know that would be the only answer.

    Reply
  380. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:56 PM

    BTW That picture up there is the opening day of my dad’s saloon.

    Reply
  381. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:58 PM

    Big Roy,
    Sorry, I was answering email from Ben…
    Small little things are the things you don’t think about when you import your Blog from Blogger to WordPress.
    Things like, the pics on old posts don’t show, all of you intralinks stay the to the blogger posts, there is no category list on blogger, so everything defaults to Uncategorized.
    Little things.
    Stop by my blog, I am always writing about the moving experience.

    Reply
  382. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:58 PM

    Heh, I’d rather be a peasant in an anarcho-syndicalist commune – having some watery tart throw a sword at you is no rational basis for a government…

    Reply
  383. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 9:59 PM

    That’s a very cool picture.

    I can see transitioning a long-standing blog from one platform to another as a real pain. In some cases it just ain’t worth it.

    Reply
  384. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:00 PM

    Say what now AdLib? It’s late. And you’re using big words…

    Reply
  385. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:00 PM

    AdLib,
    That’s exactly why I’d rather be the princess. I don’t want any of the tough decisions. I’m done with the tough decisions. heh-heh

    Reply
  386. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:03 PM

    What, you’ve never seen “Monthy Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail”? That’s one of the many, many priceless scenes in the movie where the peasants in the anarcho-syndicalist commune criticize the basis of Arthur’s kingship…

    He gives them the flat of his blade for their insolence of course, at which point you can hear cries of “Help, help, he’s oppressing me!”, and “Come see the violence inherent in the system!” interspersed with liberal amounts of “ouch!” and “Oww!”

    Reply
  387. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:05 PM

    I still like the rabbit with the 3 pointy teeth the best of all.

    Reply
  388. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:06 PM

    Oh, and since I’m still having flashbacks to the music night I missed, here’s a nice new song by Rickie Lee Jones and Squirrel Nut Zippers that they’ve released as a free mp3 download

    Reply
  389. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:07 PM

    ~waves // Hi Everybody … in no particular order .. Liz, Joe, Susan Reynolds, Wendy Piersall, Scorpia, Rick, Chris Cree, cat, Starbucker, Ben Yoskovitz, Big Roy, Service Unlimited – Douglas, Sasha Manuel, Becky McCray, Advice Librarian, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. President, Queen of England (who I hear reads this blog all the time), and of course all the lurkers out there. (did I miss anybody?)

    Reply
  390. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:08 PM

    I’m rather fond of Sir Robin’s Minstrel and the songs he sings about Sir Robin’s bravery…

    “When danger reared it’s ugly head
    he bravely turned his back and fled
    Brave, brave Sir Robin…”

    🙂

    Reply
  391. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:08 PM

    The KILLER Rabbit…

    Reply
  392. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:09 PM

    I’ve see Holy Grail many times, but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen it. I remember the scene you’re referring to, vaguely, but didn’t catch that.

    I was probably…hmm…13-14 if not younger when we watched Holy Grail a hundred times.

    The rabbit was great too. Now THAT was a crazy rabbit.

    I liked the knight that refused to give up fighting even after being chopped to pieces.

    Reply
  393. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:09 PM

    Hey HART! Howdy…

    Reply
  394. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:10 PM

    Which brought us the Holy Handgrenade of St. Atilla among other beauties…

    Reply
  395. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:10 PM

    “I’m not dead yet.”

    Reply
  396. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:11 PM

    Hi HART!
    What a lovely opening comment.

    Reply
  397. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:11 PM

    Oh, Liz? Did WordPress eat my last post, or is it still stuck in moderation?

    Reply
  398. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:12 PM

    The armless and legless knight who still wouldn’t give… the Best.
    The Worst…
    The Life of Brian. UUuugggghhhhh

    Reply
  399. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:13 PM

    It was Askimet. Damn and it was doing so well.

    Reply
  400. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:14 PM

    That was the “f-ree mp three down-load” that triggered Askimet.

    Reply
  401. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:15 PM

    Three questions to cross the bridge.

    Reply
  402. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:15 PM

    Yehaaw! Lieberman has just conceded to Lamont – now it’s just time to see if he’s going to run as an independent on the Connecticut 4 Me platform….

    Reply
  403. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:16 PM

    Hey HART,
    Thanks for stopping by earlier.
    I was asking for you here when it first started. You must have taken a nap in between |-z

    Reply
  404. Ben Yoskovitz says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:18 PM

    Ok folks, it’s time for me to call it quits.

    It was great seeing everyone, including the new people that joined us.

    Is 400+ comments a record here?

    Good night and good luck! (just watched that movie, was pretty good…)

    Reply
  405. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:18 PM

    Ah, yes Akismet – good and bad points to it, of course.

    I dunno if it likes Rickie Lee Jones better?

    Reply
  406. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:19 PM

    I like Rickie Lee Jones a lot!

    Reply
  407. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:20 PM

    Good night Ben,
    I think the record is 436 when I said good night.

    Reply
  408. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:21 PM

    Same song, different link text, and Akismet likes it better, eh?

    Reply
  409. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:22 PM

    I think that I need to toss the keys in too.
    Ad Lib it’s time for me to pack things in.

    Reply
  410. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:23 PM

    Yep, spammers like to use that other text.

    Reply
  411. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:23 PM

    Ok, I’ll stick around and lock up the joint if there’s any customers still left at the bar then 🙂

    Reply
  412. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:23 PM

    Joe .. after posting in your forum, reality TV took over .. Big Brother, Rockstar:Supernova .. etc.

    For the past half hour I’ve been struggling here .. My stupid XP is doing an automatic download (Installing Security Update for Windows XP (KB920683) (update 1 of 8)) // I’ve stopped it 3 times today and decided to just let it go – it’s on update 6 now and slowing my computer down to heck.

    Reply
  413. Ron says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:24 PM

    hello everyone! 🙂

    Reply
  414. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:25 PM

    You guys lock the place up when you’re done.
    Good night!

    Reply
  415. Joe says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:25 PM

    Uh oh, do you see the time?
    This evening was quite sublime.
    But now, even Basil has said…
    “It’s time for me to go to bed”.

    So, I must bid fine adeau
    to each and every one of you.
    If the bedbugs should start to bite,
    scratch it and say GOOD NIGHT.

    Berma Shave

    Nite Liz,
    Nite All

    Reply
  416. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:25 PM

    Yeah, that update jumped me too today – it’s best to just let it go ahead and do whatever it wants to your computer or it’s going to waste a lot of time and effort on nagging you…

    Reply
  417. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:26 PM

    Good night, Joe
    Sleep well.

    Reply
  418. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:28 PM

    Hi Ron,
    This is Hart, AdLib, and I’m Liz

    Reply
  419. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:29 PM

    Hi, Ron!

    Reply
  420. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:29 PM

    oooh that update sounds not fun.

    Reply
  421. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:29 PM

    oh #409 I’ll just say my g’nite to you Liz now – just in case and .. I’m sure the joint will be left in good hands with Ad.Lib. // oh wait a sec .. did I just say “joint”?

    Reply
  422. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:32 PM

    Ron,
    Were you around this afternoon?

    Reply
  423. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:35 PM

    Hey Ron .. how’s the grapple business? 😀

    Reply
  424. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:36 PM

    Nah, it’s not a joint, it’s a Speakeasy, isn’t it? It’s pretty easy to speak around here, after all…

    Reply
  425. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:39 PM

    I think Ron’s gone and I know I’m going.
    Sweet dreams, princes of the realm.

    Reply
  426. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:44 PM

    Sleep well, Princess Liz 🙂

    Reply
  427. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 10:50 PM

    Sleep well, Prince Ad Lib

    Reply
  428. Dwayne Melancon says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:14 PM

    It’s tough to get here in time when you’re a left-coaster. But, on the off chance anyone is still lurking, one place I used to love to hang out when I was a teenager was on the levee of the Mississippi in Baton Rouge.

    We’d get a group together, go hang out there and drink Strawberry Hill and “P&Q Beer” if anyone knows what that was. Money drove our selections, but we had fun.

    Reply
  429. ME Strauss says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:16 PM

    Hey Dwayne,
    That sounds wonderful.
    It was much the same when I was in college in Illinois. Thanks for reminding me. 🙂

    Reply
  430. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:18 PM

    Baton Rouge? Nice name for a city, that. Did the Baton Rouge levees work better than the New Orleans ones – or are they a different kind?

    (Liz left me the keys to the place, and since I’m sleepless in Norway at the moment, I stick around a lot longer than most…)

    Reply
  431. Dwayne Melancon says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:18 PM

    I used to hang out there with the “drama people” even though I wasn’t really a drama person. They were very entertaining, but some of them cried too much when they got drunk.

    But one good thing was that drama people didn’t fight like the “sports people” in one of the other crowds I hung out with.

    Now it seems I hang out a lot with “Scouters” who are adults involved in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. A different breed of folks (quirky, one might say) but they are some of the best people I’ve encountered.

    Reply
  432. Dwayne Melancon says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:20 PM

    The Baton Rouge levees did a lot better – they are about 50-60 miles west of New Orleans, and held up just fine. 50-60 miles makes a huge difference when you’re moving to the west of the eye of a hurricane.

    Baton Rouge population has about doubled in size since Katrina (but I live in Portland, Oregon now).

    Reply
  433. Dwayne Melancon says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:24 PM

    The story behind “Baton Rouge” is that there was a large tree on the banks of the Mississippi that marked the boundary between two neighboring Indian tribes. To make it more obvious, they stripped the bark off and exposed the red tint under the tree’s bark.

    When the French settled in the area, they used that same tree as a landmark – the baton rouge was the big red stick that people could watch for as they sailed along the river to know they’d arrived. The name stuck.

    Reply
  434. Dwayne Melancon says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:25 PM

    So – is Norwegian wood all it’s cracked up to be ;^)

    Reply
  435. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:27 PM

    Ah, the Red Stick city in other words? Nice one 🙂

    Reply
  436. Advice Librarian says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:45 PM

    Well, the Beatles’ song isn’t used in commercials for wooden furniture around here – but then again, quite a lot of the wood furniture around here is IKEA-made and thus sort of swedish.

    Reply
  437. Dwayne Melancon says

    August 8, 2006 at 11:58 PM

    I love IKEA – especially the meatballs and Lingonberries in the canteen. I discovered them both when I lived in Holland for a couple of years. I had a relocation allowance and IKEA was the best place to go to furnish my apartment (especially when I only needed furniture to last for a couple of years!)

    Now, of course, IKEA has made quite a name for itself in the US – and we have some of their furniture that we bought in Seattle.

    Reply
  438. Dwayne Melancon says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:00 AM

    And how is IKEA supposed to be pronounced anyway? I’ve always said “e-kay-ah” because that’s how the Dutch pronounced it. The US folks say it “eye-key-uh” – both with the emphasis on the middle syllable.

    Reply
  439. Advice Librarian says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:01 AM

    Mmm, they’ve got very reasonable prices for around here as well – my apartment is mostly furnished with Ikea bookcases and some chairs that fit in between the books 🙂

    Reply
  440. Advice Librarian says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:10 AM

    Well, as long as everyone agrees what you’re talking about you can pronounce it any way you like – it’s swedish, and swedes speak Norwegian with a strange accent anyway….

    (See the local bias showing 🙂 )

    ’round here we pronounce it i-kee-ah, mostly stressing the last syllable – anyway, since it’s an acronym the pronounciation isn’t all that important…

    Reply
  441. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:16 AM

    genuinecuriosity.com … that’s a great domain name Dwayne.

    I’ve just spent the last little while registering and setting up 3 new domains and websites .. well, still in the process of copying over the files actually.

    Reply
  442. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:19 AM

    Whenever I see IKEA .. i pronounce it .. “ick-ee-ay” .. just to annoy my wife 🙂 Usually while I’m pronouncing everything I see – as it’s spelled .. for example..

    Alzheimer’s Notes – “ahl-ze-hey-i’m-err-snow-tes” … stuff like that.

    Reply
  443. Dwayne Melancon says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:22 AM

    Excellent, Hart! The graphic on your banner is very unconventional (and way cool).

    Reply
  444. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:28 AM

    IKEA … ahh the memories. When I left the nest all those years ago (’87) I filled out my apartment with IKEA goodies.

    Now have you tried piecing the stuff together from the instructions half tanked with friends popping over at all hours?

    Ay, the memories…

    Reply
  445. Advice Librarian says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:38 AM

    Oh yes – putting together flatpack furniture is fun 🙂

    Though if you’re not careful you can end up like me and a buddy last summer – we had to take his bed back apart and turn a few pieces around before it came together like it was supposed to.

    Reply
  446. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:46 AM

    Oh that’s par for course with most IKEA products – like a coffee table ending up as a chair – back to the instructions.
    🙂

    Shouldn’t our hostess be up at this hour? You guys took all the snacks from the sidebar, especially the nachos Liz made just for me.

    Reply
  447. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:49 AM

    Hart – how many domains do you own now and does the better half know – or are you using your play money in PayPal.
    🙂

    Reply
  448. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:54 AM

    448

    Reply
  449. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:54 AM

    449

    Reply
  450. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:55 AM

    450 ! YAY!!!

    sorry Liz 🙂

    Reply
  451. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:56 AM

    Martin .. I’m up to 33 domains now 🙂 Basically, any text-link-ads,google adsense, and/or chitika has been financing that. I had a little extra this month, so I finally took plunge again and paying OUT for text-links… it’s in experimental stage.. I can’t afford the time to actually post on all these bloody domains hehe

    Reply
  452. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 9, 2006 at 12:59 AM

    Dwayne .. thanks re: logo. It’s funny – before that 1800HART logo/header came about I posted an entry in August 2005 asking anybody if they wanted to contribute a logo for me. Someone forwarded me the picture, and I just ended up plastering my green haired monster on it.

    Reply
  453. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:01 AM

    By The Way .. general question for those using Bloglines .. Have you noticed anything funny? I’ve been “Keep New”‘ing a group of articles that was up to the 900’s count … suddenly in August, I can’t access the old ones that I’ve been keeping. To make matters worse, any new ones that I keep don’t stick.

    Reply
  454. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:04 AM

    Hart – what I do when I get the sudden urge to buy a domain (I’m like a domain junki in that way) and then lose interest in it is build up some PageRank over a few months and sell it.

    Usually goes for around $50-$70 if it’s a PR5 – it’s easy to get a high PR and for some reason PageRank is vitally important to buyers.

    Not a bad ROI on a $10 purchase – helps build the PayPal kitty.

    Reply
  455. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:10 AM

    Sorry Hart – can’t help you with Bloglines. I tried using it but it kept giving me a headache. Ugly interface.

    Although I do recall reading Darren (ProBlogger) having some trouble with it.

    Reply
  456. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:10 AM

    I had a bunch of blogs I was posting every other day, and ended up after the google dance PR=2 and PR=3’s ..

    I’m trying to build up areas for my HART-Empire network .. and probably won’t sell them. I’m not sure if it’s best for me now to attract new members without being able to concentrate on promoting it. So far, I’ve got my “Battling” series, working on my “Lvr” series .. and now I’m trying to create something both in entertainment and business sections of the network.

    Reply
  457. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:14 AM

    And, [NO] my wife probably doesn’t know how many blogs I own .. I wish she would show interest. It’s enough working at home SOHO without co-workers .. it would be nice to share a hobby besides reality TV…

    Reply
  458. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:21 AM

    I have a few blogs and sites with PR6’s so as soon as I buy a domain I link to it from them.

    That’s the only way I figure I get such a high PR for relatively few pages.

    That’s the problem: do too many things at the same time and nothing really makes it big.

    You’d know the saying: jack of all trades, master of none.

    I tend to lose focus if I’m doing more than 2-3 ventures at the same time.

    My wife shows no interest in my blogs and online ventures as well – just show me the money or else get a real job.

    Reply
  459. HART (1-800-HART) says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:31 AM

    I hear you 🙂 Never just .. ‘get a job’ .. it’s “get a REAL job!”

    I should try that trick.. I have one site .. my http://The-Singers.com .. for some reason .. it’s a PR=6 // I think I should text-link-myself and test your theory!

    Reply
  460. Martin says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:32 AM

    And I’m outta here. As a soho Dad I got to pick up the kids from school – cya later. I think it’s McDonald’s night tonight … Yay…

    And Liz, when you wake up I expect nachos for breakfast.
    🙂

    Reply
  461. Ron says

    August 9, 2006 at 1:37 AM

    grapplings fine. still breathing. came across this because of Sasha. Got to get some coffee in my system. 🙂

    Reply
  462. John Richardson says

    August 9, 2006 at 4:27 AM

    Wow Liz… this is pretty cool. I found your link from a couple of SOB’s down the blogway. Over 460 comments in one night… this must be great for inbound links and search engine traffic. Even the best comment spammers have not hit my blog with anything near this volume.

    The other cool thing is the quality of the conversation… I picked up a few tips and found some great blogs. Just one thing… clicking the “notify me of further comments via e-mail” could result in a really full inbox!

    I’ll be checking back for more SOB’s in the near future… John

    Remember… Success Begins Today… but wait… it’s tomorrow already… Oh well… a new day and more success… er uh … today!

    Reply
  463. ME Strauss says

    August 9, 2006 at 5:52 AM

    Martin,
    I’m sorry to hear they ate all of your nachos. You should know where I keep a special stash. I’m like my mother. I never run out of the staples. There’s always more for you around there. (Pssst they’re with the crayones.).

    Reply
  464. ME Strauss says

    August 9, 2006 at 5:57 AM

    Hi John,
    I’ve read your site. I like. I’m delighted that you’ve made it over and even more delighted that you might find your way back here. We’re a good bunch of intelligent folks who know how to communicate. We’d be pleased to have you.

    You’re not a stranger now. You’re a friend.

    Reply
  465. mirc says

    June 14, 2008 at 4:00 AM

    Türkçe mirc

    Reply

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