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The Mic Is on in New York City!

June 13, 2006 by Liz Leave a Comment

It’s Like Open Mike Only Different

Here’s how it works.

The rules are simple — be nice.

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.

Here’s what we might talk about:

Open Comments at 6:30 Chicago Time

New York City

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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By Popular Demand The Mike Is On

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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pm The Mike Is in Chicago!
By Popular Demand The Mike Is On
Comment Night Again at 6 Chicago Time

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Filed Under: Blog Comments, Community, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, blog_promotion, discussion, letting_off_steam, Open_Comment_Night

Comments

  1. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 6:34 PM

    Well, I managed to tear myself away from conquering the world in time today – yay me 🙂

    Reply
  2. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 6:35 PM

    Hi AdLib!!!

    Great to see you!

    Which game are you playing?

    Reply
  3. Scot Herrick says

    June 13, 2006 at 6:35 PM

    Just to let you know, SO and I are heading off to vacation (in Wisconsin!) next week. The house we’re staying at doesn’t have Internet and I won’t be able to join in on Tuesday night Mike night. If you could post a comment that I would love to be there, but can’t because of vacation, I’d appreciate it. The scoop is here:

    http://www.scotherrick.com/writeblog/2006/6/8/goals-and-vacation-time.html

    In any case, I’ve had fun joining in the last 2-3 weeks and I think it has been good for you too (though tiring – us west coast and Australian dudes keep you up late…).

    And a nice interview series with you too going on.

    I’ll be back June 19th.

    Reply
  4. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 6:41 PM

    Hi, I’m the Advice Librarian, and I’m still hooked on Civilization 4. There’s just something so compelling about trying to manage the entire course of human history and balancing all the various stratecical political, economical and military considerations so that you have the right tools available at the right time – desicions you make in the year 3800 BC have ramifications for what happens in 1950.

    ‘course, I got hooked on the Civilization series of games way back when there was no numerals… so my jones was well established. I really shouldn’t have bought this incarnation, but sometimes I’m really terrible at managing myself.

    Reply
  5. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 6:44 PM

    I can see where that would really take me over too. I’m having a hard time not wanting to get involved in it.

    The writer in me is really enjoying this bit taken out of context . . .

    I got hooked on the Civilization . . . way back when there were no numerals

    Reply
  6. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 6:48 PM

    Heh, I got roped in before there was general Interent access for the population in the Offline World too – and one of the technologies you have to develop in the course of the game is mathematics. Along with the absolutely crucial alphabet and parchment/writing so you can construct libraries… 🙂

    Any game where you get bonus points for constructing more libraries naturally gets my approval…

    Reply
  7. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 6:50 PM

    You are after all the Librarian of the Ages. Do you advise the troops too?

    Reply
  8. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 6:57 PM

    In the game, you control your entire civilization, of course – I’m not sure I should be extolling the virtues of the game any more though. The last thing the world needs is more Civilization Zombies 🙂

    CivZombies is what we were called back in the day when the game first appeared – walking around with the slightly glazed and sleep-deprived expression of having pulled another all-nighter staring at a 14″ monitor until dawn.

    To sort of bring this back on topic – I’ve invaded New York a number of times recently; sometimes to get it back from the foreign invaders, sometimes because it looked like a nice city to add to my own civilization 😛

    Reply
  9. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:02 PM

    I’m going to New York City tomorrow. But I like talking about your game. It sounds like fun. Can you name a character after me? Or aren’t there individual characters?

    Reply
  10. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:02 PM

    It’s been a long time since I even played any reindeer games…
    How do you win, keep the buildings up against the enemy from afar?

    Reply
  11. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:03 PM

    Say hello to the Big Apple for me… funny how you can miss something you never thought you’d miss.

    Reply
  12. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:05 PM

    HI Joe!
    I didn’t know that’s what reindeer games were.

    Reply
  13. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:05 PM

    Hey Mark!
    Did you live in New York City?

    Reply
  14. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:06 PM

    I lived out on the Island all my life almost

    Reply
  15. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:07 PM

    Ah a LonG Gisland boy.
    So, do you talk that with a slight southern accent?

    Reply
  16. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:09 PM

    Which Island? Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Long Island?

    Reply
  17. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:10 PM

    Like Liz said – LonGGGGIsland! Nope, no southern accent heeyah…

    Reply
  18. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    So Joe’s got a reindeer to go with the moose and the donkey!

    Liz, you’re getting quite a hoofstock collection here!

    Reply
  19. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    Sorry for the misspelling on my part. I’m from the Midwest. I have a spelling accent.

    Reply
  20. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:13 PM

    Ah Ha – a fellow tropical storm survivor – Hey Chris.

    Reply
  21. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:13 PM

    Scot, Where in Cheezeland are you headed?

    Reply
  22. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:13 PM

    You don’t really play characters at all, you play an entire civilization at once – though the civilization is represented by a “leader” character – Roosevelt and Gearoge Washintgton for the US for example – and you can win by 4-5 different means. Being the first civilization to send out colony ships to establish offplanet colonies, building the UN and getting elected world leader, having three cities grow so culturally dominant that the rest of the world is swayed to your side or just outright conquering the world… the diplomatic victory is generally the most difficult one.

    Civilization is published by Firaxis Games – and it’s only second to the Sims in terms of games sold. That’s an interesting point, by the way…

    Reply
  23. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:13 PM

    Now, I have to find a way to incorporate a reindeer into my blog???

    Reply
  24. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:14 PM

    Mark, You call that a storm?! 🙄

    Reply
  25. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:14 PM

    Hey, Chris,
    Congratulations on your new home!
    Scots not here. He just asked me to post that so you guys would know why he couldn’t come. Isn’t that the coolest thing?

    Reply
  26. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:15 PM

    You were right on Liz – it is LonGGGGIsland. One word, emphasis on the Big G as in GGGGHHHH ya’ know?

    Reply
  27. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:15 PM

    Nahhh, that was nuthin!!!!! Not even a big breeze…

    Thankful for the rain tho’

    Reply
  28. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:16 PM

    Chris
    That storm didn’t get your new blog wet during the move did it?

    Reply
  29. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:17 PM

    The number one game is about doing household chores, taking out the trash, balancing your checkbook, and inerior design. The number two game is about recreating the political and economic history of humanity, and how technology, politics and economics relate and are completely dependent on each other. The media narrative on games is all about Doom and other shooting games, but the Sims and civilization sell as many copies as the rest combined….

    Reply
  30. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:17 PM

    AdLib
    Have you ever moved off planet?

    Reply
  31. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:18 PM

    Mark, We sure neede the rain, though.

    And it helps if you say “LonGiland” through your nose.

    Then follow it up with a “Youse Guys!”

    Reply
  32. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:19 PM

    Nah, the blog didn’t get wet. But just about everything else did today!

    Reply
  33. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:19 PM

    I think he move ON planet… 😉

    Reply
  34. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:19 PM

    AdLib
    You should do a post on the best selling games in the world.

    Yeah Chris I went to school with a bunch of LonGIanders.

    Reply
  35. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:20 PM

    Exactly Chris lol…

    Wassup witch youse guys anywayzzzzz.

    Reply
  36. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:20 PM

    Oh, I’ve won the game in every way possible – I’ve even played the followup game called Alpha Centauri set on a colony planet; which was also great fun 🙂

    I think I’m beginning to come out of the heaviest phase of my addiction now though – it’s always a bit cyclical; sort of like a binge drinker.

    At least I admit I have a problem with control 🙂

    Reply
  37. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:21 PM

    I went to school right across the East River from “the Island.” Half the student body was from there.

    Reply
  38. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:22 PM

    AdLib
    Perhaps you should start a 12-step program for gamers. 😉

    Reply
  39. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:22 PM

    K, Philly,
    Sup wit uz guys anywayz

    Reply
  40. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:23 PM

    Oh my, oh my, I’m just a poor little girl from the midwest out here along with these eastern boys.

    Reply
  41. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:25 PM

    So does that mean Ad Lib is from the Far East, or the Mid East? 😆

    Reply
  42. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:25 PM

    Not to worry, m’Lady, we’ll protect you…

    Reply
  43. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:26 PM

    I think that AdLib is from Civilization

    Reply
  44. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:26 PM

    the closest I’ve been to New York is watching the ball drop on Times Square on TV; though I’ve lived out Liz’ way once. in High Scool I was an exchange student in Ontario, just off Lake Huron. Horseshoe Falls down Niagara way was pretty impressive, I must say…

    Reply
  45. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:28 PM

    You’d still have to drive quite a ways to get to me, AdLIb. I think that might be closer to Joe.

    Reply
  46. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:29 PM

    Technically speaking, I’m from the Extremely Near East, we’re one longitude east of Greenwich. Which would make you all from the Far West, wouldn’t it?

    Reply
  47. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:30 PM

    Somehow I knew you’d get technical, Ad Lib!

    Reply
  48. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:30 PM

    Yeah, I can drive to Niagra Falls (slowly I turn. step by step)
    in about an hour and a half.

    Reply
  49. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:31 PM

    Direction is all relative, as one of my friends from OZ once told me. What we call the Far East. Australians call the Near North.

    Reply
  50. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:32 PM

    BHut it’s turning Winter there and it is 80 degrees here right now…

    Reply
  51. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:33 PM

    Huh, then you might know the place I went to school – Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton, Huron. ‘Twas a four-hour drive to both Niagara and Toronto from there….

    Reply
  52. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:33 PM

    The Three Stooges!! Now them I know.

    NI A GRA FALLS . . . Slowly I turned . . .step by step, inch by inch . . .

    Reply
  53. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:34 PM

    There ya go

    Reply
  54. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:35 PM

    Now Liz & Joe, That was before my time!

    Reply
  55. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:35 PM

    “The Three Stooges!!”

    Hey – no politics… 🙂

    Reply
  56. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:36 PM

    Not by much… even I watched re-runs

    Reply
  57. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:36 PM

    A guy who doesn’t know THE THREE STOOGES?

    I thought all guys had to know THE THREE STOOGES to be in the guy club.

    Reply
  58. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:37 PM

    5 Stooges… Moe Larry Curley Shemp and… who?

    Reply
  59. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:38 PM

    I saw his picture, he’s not THAT young 😉

    Reply
  60. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:38 PM

    I suppose that means I’m going to get kicked out of the club? I mean, I know OF them, but I’ve never really watched. I’m more of a Monty Python kind of guy….

    Reply
  61. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:39 PM

    It’s…..
    Dah, da,da,da,da,da,da,da,da,da,da,dah…

    Reply
  62. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:39 PM

    I’m with Ad Lib, Monty Python & the Marx Bros.

    Reply
  63. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:40 PM

    Now, I have that sone in my stupid little head…

    Reply
  64. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:41 PM

    SONG!!!

    Reply
  65. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:42 PM

    See one of the stooges had lost his girl friend on his honeymoon I think it was. She ran away with another guy. I think that’s how the story was. In any case it doesn’t matter because the only thing that counted was it happened at NAGARA FALLS. And since that day he couldn’t stand to hear those words. Because it all came back to him . . . So whenever anyone said Niagara Falls

    And of course the other STOOGES in sympathy had the same reaction at the same time.

    NI A GRA FALLS . . . Slowly I turned . . .step by step, inch by inch . . .

    Reply
  66. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:43 PM

    Just put on some “Macarena” and that nasty little act of musical vandalism will take over your brain….

    Reply
  67. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:43 PM

    Dontcha hate it when you’ve gotta explain a joke?!

    Reply
  68. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:43 PM

    The fifth STOOGE was Joe

    Reply
  69. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:44 PM

    Yeah, that was from their original Vaudville act…
    I was transformed and put on film with the girl and car.
    Onstage, there was only the three stooges.

    Reply
  70. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:45 PM

    ha ha

    Reply
  71. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:46 PM

    Youse Guys remeber Vaudville??!!!

    I am the puppy of the bunch!

    Reply
  72. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:46 PM

    NOW, name all Five Liz

    Reply
  73. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:46 PM

    Hmmm, just checked it out and believe it or not there actually was 6 Stooges! Three Shemps! The Original actual Shemp, then Joe Palma (a stand in) and lastly Joe Besser who replaced Shemp after Shemp passed away.

    Reply
  74. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:47 PM

    Mark,
    I was a little quick on the enter button, you are right about Shemp Howard.
    Moe and Curley’s Brother…

    Reply
  75. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:49 PM

    Doctor Howard, Doctor Fine, Doctor Howard…

    Reply
  76. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:49 PM

    See Joe, I wasn’t pickin’ on you. There really was a guy named Joe. I didn’t know there were two of them!

    Reply
  77. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:51 PM

    I did, but I can take a joke, after all a baby kangaroo is called a joey…
    🙂

    Reply
  78. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:51 PM

    We got Joes coming out our ears!

    Reply
  79. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:53 PM

    Hey Joe, what ya doin with that gun in your hand?

    Reply
  80. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:53 PM

    How about this – try 7 yep, seven! When Joe Besser’s wife got sick Joe Derita joined them. He was otherwise known as Curly-Joe.

    Feeling kinda dumb I am LOL…

    Reply
  81. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:54 PM

    Chris, OH NO!! Not your ears!!

    Reply
  82. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:54 PM

    Joe,
    No weapons on this blog

    Reply
  83. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:55 PM

    What did you do, look it up???

    Reply
  84. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:56 PM

    IT’S A SONG… JIMMIE HENDRIX…

    Reply
  85. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:56 PM

    Joe, you gotta be careful. This is a highly skilled technical bunch. Some are even trained professionals… Internet savy and all that.

    Reply
  86. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:56 PM

    Yep! Right in the Wikipedia.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Stooges

    Reply
  87. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:57 PM

    I’m getting a wikipedia vibe here – anyone else harboring a deep suspicion that Mark has the Wikipedia entry on the three stooges open?

    Reply
  88. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:57 PM

    OH NO! OH MY! He said that W word. I’m shaking!!!!!!!

    Reply
  89. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:58 PM

    Oh My Lord!!! Someone mentioned Jimmie!!! You’ll have to pardon me while I go meditate hehe

    Reply
  90. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 7:58 PM

    AdLib, I thought you of all people would have had the answer…

    Reply
  91. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:00 PM

    Wikipedia!
    Wikipedia!
    Wikipedia!
    Wikipedia!
    Wikipedia!

    Yeah – I’m just naturally contradictory 🙂

    Reply
  92. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:00 PM

    The THREE STOOGES ARE Bad American Humor. Give AdLib a little credit.

    Reply
  93. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:01 PM

    Mark,
    I’m having apoplexy.

    I’m coloring all over my computer screen of Wikipedia.

    Reply
  94. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    Ok, what about Fawlty Towers?

    Reply
  95. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    Laurel and Hardy!!!!!

    Reply
  96. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:02 PM

    I’m a Wikipedia fan.
    I like the Wiktionary too.
    And Wikispecies…

    Reply
  97. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:03 PM

    Fred Wynn?

    Reply
  98. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:06 PM

    See, Somebody used the Wiki word and everybody disappeared…

    Reply
  99. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:08 PM

    Not to worry, I have had more than one conversation with myself…
    😉

    Reply
  100. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:08 PM

    Have we developed superstitions on Open Mike Night?

    Reply
  101. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:10 PM

    Nah, Joe’s just in a hurry to converse.

    I’m propagating ads through my blog in the other tab.

    Reply
  102. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:10 PM

    No superstitions yet that I know of.

    Reply
  103. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:10 PM

    This is the 13th… do-do-do-do

    Reply
  104. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:10 PM

    Hey folks … how’s everyone doing this evening?

    Reply
  105. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:11 PM

    Heh, I don’t know everything – it’s why I run the Library. I rely on collecting the wisdom of everyone who has some advice to share, trusting that if what they’re saying makes sense to me it’ll help people who’re looking for advice on specific topics. Facts are in abundant supply – between the CIA world fact book, endless reams of academic research, Wikipedia, and all the other sources it’s easy to look the basics on anything. It’s harder to transform the “fact of what is” into “what this means to you” – it’s the difference between knowing who’s been a Stooge and evaluating their performance in terms of skill.

    Since I read everything I’m sendt before approving it, well – I’m getting an education on topics I wouldn’t get into on my own. I still wouldn’t touch MLM with a 10-foot pole, but I know a lot more about it now, for example…

    Reply
  106. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    “and I feel so alone… every body must get stoned”
    Ok, who sang this song?

    Reply
  107. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    BEN!!

    Did you bring Jack tonight? 😆

    Reply
  108. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:12 PM

    Here’s a little controversy for y’all.

    “GAO Probe Finds U.S. Doled Out As Much As $1.4 Billion in Bogus Assistance to Hurricane (Katrina and Rita) Victims.”

    Yep – including this gem –

    “FEMA made about $5.3 million in payments to registrants who provided a post office box as their damaged residence, including one who got $2,748 for listing an Alabama post office box as the damaged property.”

    Reply
  109. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:13 PM

    Propagating ads, Chris. That sounds evil.

    Reply
  110. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:13 PM

    Joe — Bob Dylan sang that. I think.

    Jack’s on vacation. Sorry Chris.

    Reply
  111. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:14 PM

    Joe – in those days I was too stoned to pay attention to who the singer was…

    Reply
  112. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:14 PM

    Nah, Liz.

    They’re AdSense. Google says they aren’t evil.

    (and you know I believe everything I read…)

    Reply
  113. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:14 PM

    Hey Ben!!!
    Don’t let Chris start that Jack stuff again. Mark will probably join him.

    Reply
  114. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:16 PM

    So, Ben.

    Are you saying your donkey’s…. off tonight?

    😆

    Reply
  115. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:16 PM

    Ben, right.
    Mark… way to serious.
    AdLib… I always knew there was a reason you hung around the library.
    😉

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

    June 13, 2006 at 8:17 PM

    ~waves to everybody.

    So .. what’s with wikipedia anyway? Are we allowed to quote stuff from wikipedia .. without referencing back to it? I always do, but after I use stuff – I always wonder …

    and.. while I’m wondering

    Personally, I’ve stopped using margarine on my toast and just use Peanut butter – because it gives basically the same effect = plus, you don’t need any topping on your toast because – well, you’ve got peanut butter on it already.

    Reply
  117. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:17 PM

    Chris,
    Lay down a link to your new blog . . . so everyone can go see it and so that I can put it in the post in the morning.

    Reply
  118. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:17 PM

    Hey Liz…I know, with Chris it’s “donkey this and donkey that…” Crazy!

    So what’s the mood like today? We kvetching? Cheering? Laughing? Crying?

    Reply
  119. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    I don’t know Joe. I find $2,748 for an Alabama post office box as the damaged property pretty hilarious.

    Reply
  120. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:19 PM

    EVERYBODY: HART !
    Love your toast story. Thanks for reminding me . Here’s the snacks and beverages you guyszz.

    Reply
  121. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:20 PM

    Liz, I’d be happy to oblige (even if I can’t spell it).

    You may check out my humble new home at the following address:

    http://www.ChrisCree.net

    Reply
  122. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:20 PM

    Ben,
    Everything is normal round here…
    Pick a subject (not Jack) and let em fly

    Reply
  123. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:20 PM

    Mark,
    Who’s got all of that money and the infamous $2billion?

    Reply
  124. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:21 PM

    “I saw a horse fly. I even seen a house fly…”

    Reply
  125. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:21 PM

    Ben,
    What going on with your contest and where the heck is Steve. You’ve been officially appointed as his keeper.

    Reply
  126. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:21 PM

    Peanut Butter on toast! A Man after my own heart! Wow, PB and Toast, Jimmie, Bob Dylan, stoned, this is a great Open Mike Night! LMAO

    Reply
  127. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:23 PM

    Two subjects (not really) — just two “things”:

    1. Has anyone ever used reddit? I’ve boosted my blog traffic significantly with it versus digg and del.icio.us.

    2. If you’re interested in advertising your blog or business, check out http://www.text-link-ads.com. I’m not affiliated, but they have a special $100 off, so you can spend only $25. So far I’ve been getting a lot of traffic from one of my text ads (although no purchases: so maybe it’s NOT good *chuckle*).

    Reply
  128. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:23 PM

    Yeah, only cool and incredibly intelligent people hang out here.

    Reply
  129. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:23 PM

    Mark, I think the wind outside is getting to you!

    Reply
  130. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:24 PM

    Liz,

    Matt from The Only Republican came by today to let us know that “You can’t find that $200b because it’s an entirely fictional number. Excess profits? What’s that? Also, one does not “collect” a tax break. Those aren’t real $$, they are imagined dollars which never changed hands.”

    Reply
  131. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:24 PM

    Liz — contest is plugging along.

    I got a new prize recently: Limerick book from a guy on MySpace. Pretty cool.

    We still need more submissions, not sure how many we’ve had, but the prizes are pretty cool, although mixed between business stuff, t-shirts, blog stuff, etc.

    I wish there were more ways of PROMOTING the contest, but I haven’t found that many except for a few writing websites.

    Reply
  132. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:24 PM

    By the way, I prefered Hendrix over Dylan.

    Reply
  133. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:25 PM

    Heh, Wikipedia is licenced under the GNU free documentation licence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Free_Documentation_License – in essence, you can do whatever you want with it as long as you provide the source code when you distribute it….

    Reply
  134. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:25 PM

    I prefer Pink Floyd myself…actually, not sure I prefer them over Hendrix and Dylan, but I’m a fan…

    Reply
  135. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:26 PM

    “Tax Break” is a tax you don’t have to pay leaving cash in hand.

    Reply
  136. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:26 PM

    Aaaah Chris – there was another life. As long as I don’t romance it too much I’ll be okay 🙂

    Reply
  137. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:27 PM

    Oh and Steve’s busy I think – he announced recently he’s having another kid and will be blogging just a bit less. He’s looking for volunteer bloggers for his site http://www.whymyblogstinks.com in case anyone’s interested.

    If I see him online though I’ll drag him and Milton over…

    Reply
  138. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:27 PM

    I think Hendrix and Dylan should have done a
    inna-gada-da-RainyDayWomen

    Reply
  139. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:27 PM

    “Hendrix over Dylan”

    Absolutely! Definitely! No Doubt!

    Purple Haze!!!

    Reply
  140. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:29 PM

    Ooooh – wadda sacreligious – ooooh – I could just – ooooh…

    In A Gada Da Vida!

    Reply
  141. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    I always liked CTA… I know some of you don’t remember, but that was the original name of a group from around Liz’s way…

    Reply
  142. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    Ben’
    Thanks for mentioning Steve’s need.
    That just reminded me.
    I know of a paying gig. A man who’s looking for a business blogger. New blog. Anyone interested should email me. lizsun2@gmail.com

    Ben,
    Feel free to post the rules of your contest here.

    Reply
  143. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:30 PM

    Inna-gada-davida wasn’t Hendrix, was it? I seem to remember something about a buterfly, but it’s fuzzy.

    Reply
  144. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:31 PM

    Hendrix WAS Iron Butterfly.

    Reply
  145. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:33 PM

    Sorry. Didn’t know… 😳

    Reply
  146. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:33 PM

    IGotNewsForYou Writing Contest Rules — http://www.igotnewsforyou.com/contest.asp

    The rules are pretty simple:

    1. Write a short, funny fake news story. Short = 100-150 words.
    2. Style of humor: any (raunchy, high brow, play on words)
    3. Send as many submissions as you like to byosko@gmail.com

    NOTE: Please read the samples available on the contest page. The reason this is important is because the stories we need end up getting personalized by our system. So when writing them you need to make sure that at least 1 character in the stories could be anyone. For example: a satirical news story about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is fine, but there has to be a way of getting you, me, Liz, HART or anyone else into the stories. If that sounds confusing just check out the contest page or go directly to the home page: http://www.igotnewsforyou.com to see how it works.

    There are quite a few prizes, so there’s something for everyone. Ok, maybe not everyone, but there’s a lot of neat prizes.

    Thanks Liz.

    Reply
  147. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:34 PM

    Only 1/4

    Reply
  148. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:35 PM

    Tax breaks, tax credits and tax refunds/rebates are fictious? Does that mean that the roughly 1000 nKr I’ll be getting back on my taxes this year doesn’t exist? Funny that….

    Telcos are infrastructure/public utility providers – and any profits over what the average public utility makes is excess profits, neh? As long as the public are subsidising them by not charging for land use, they’re getting cash breaks – compared to, say, what the cable companies are paying for their land use, neh?

    Reply
  149. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:36 PM

    Must… Say… No… to Politics…

    Resist…

    Reply
  150. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:37 PM

    Nobody like the CTA question???
    🙁

    Reply
  151. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:38 PM

    “Hendrix WAS Iron Butterfly”

    ?????

    Reply
  152. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:39 PM

    Sorry, Chris, didn’t mean to sound like that. 🙁

    Hendrix was a member of the band, Iron Butterfly.

    Will you be so kind as you put a link to your blog in the comments now that I’ve been mean to you? 🙂

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

    June 13, 2006 at 8:40 PM

    thanks Adv.Lib. (133) for that reminder 🙂

    The first 45 I ever listened to, which – by the way was in one of those yellow little portable 45 players you carried around, with batteries in them .. was “I am the God of Hell Fire” by Arthur Brown .. but, my older brother’s Van and 8-track player in the year that released Queen (I) and Supertramp (Crime of the Century)

    BTW – I’m just rambing here – I’m watching Last Comic Standing now too

    Reply
  154. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:43 PM

    Ok, I guess I’m talking to myself again, I’m used to it… ;-(
    Chicago Transit Authority… aka Chicago.
    Liz, I’m supprised you didn’t answer that one… 😉

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

    June 13, 2006 at 8:43 PM

    um .. I’m with Mark Wade on that one ..
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Butterfly

    Reply
  156. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:43 PM

    Liz, I don’t think you are capable of being mean. We’d have to check with your husband to be certain of that though…

    From comment #121

    You may check out my humble new home at the following address:

    http://www.ChrisCree.net

    Reply
  157. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:45 PM

    Sorry Liz, but they only appeared on stage with Jimi (I knew that spelling was JImi).

    Here:
    http://www.ironbutterfly.com/biography.php

    I don’t know about Chris but there’s a chance I’m about to lose power here in good ole Savannah! A whole troop of power trucks just passed the house and the other side of Sav lost power Chris!

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

    June 13, 2006 at 8:46 PM

    off-topic … // on one of my blogs – i put a new design last week, one with 1000px width … my traffic hasn’t changed much but it was crappy in the first place. My stats only showed that 6% of browsers/visitors had screen monitor less than 1024 wide .. personally, mine’s on 1152 x 864

    Reply
  159. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    Yeah, Mark. The lights just flickered a touch. Ours tends to be a little more stable out here than where you are. Newer subdivision and all.

    Tropical Storms…

    Reply
  160. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:47 PM

    Oh No! More Wikipedia!

    Reply
  161. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:48 PM

    hmm – CTA? Doesn’t ring any bells – I know of the band “Chicago”, and I’ve got this vague notion that Jefferson Ariplane/starship was from out that way – but then, I’m the baby in this group, I think. There’s a bunch of Dixie Chicks I’m really enjoying at the moment, but mostly my musical tastes run to Iron Maiden, Rammstein, Metallica, Korn, and similar hard rock fare… with the occacional Lizard King song thrown in…

    Reply
  162. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:49 PM

    I hang my head in Jimi shame. God–Mean to Chris and wrong at the same time. I’m condemned to nice one hell.

    I did like Chicago CTA a little.
    I’m a MAJOR Supertramp fan. Crime of the Century. YES!!

    Reply
  163. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:49 PM

    Hey HART – going to 1000px is fine. Your stats are probably pretty accurate in terms of averages for screen resolutions.

    1024×768 is the most common now I’d say.

    I would have gone with that width for my site but didn’t really need the space, and the paper (i.e. the product) fits neatly at just under 800 — that’s why I stuck with that, although it definitely has limitations.

    Reply
  164. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:51 PM

    Heart, My template’s 900px wide. I was going to stretch it to 1024, but I haven’t figured out how yet.

    Reply
  165. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:54 PM

    Forty lashes with a wet noodle for Liz!

    Chicago Transit Authority and 8-track players??? – boy are we goin’ down memory lane for me tonight!

    Reply
  166. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:54 PM

    HART,
    Visitors at my site that are on the lower end of screen res is only around 4%
    You shouldn’t have any problems with1000x if yours is at 6%

    Reply
  167. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:55 PM

    Joe – I wanted to ask you – what were the results traffic-wise from your interview with Darren @ problogger?

    Open up other interesting opportunities / ideas?

    Reply
  168. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:55 PM

    8-track players!
    Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older and we didn’t have to wait so long?

    Reply
  169. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 8:59 PM

    Ben,
    I was going to give stats in a post but it makes every other day look like I don’t have anyone visiting. 😉
    I’ll probably post something on it tomorrow or Thrusday. If you look at % it looks good, but actual numbers were lower than I thought.

    Reply
  170. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:00 PM

    Older? Nice if we were older? Okay Liz Strauss, apparently there’s some Jack here we don’t know about eh?

    I’m old enough! Laffin’

    Wait? Wait? For what? An 8 track? I couldn’t get them to stop jigglin’ the darn music!

    Reply
  171. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:02 PM

    Mark, I was just singing an 8-track Beach Boys song.

    Reply
  172. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:03 PM

    Hey Ben,
    Are you still around here?

    How do I get this crayon off my flat screen.

    Reply
  173. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:05 PM

    Oh – blushing and somberly – I suppose you want an apology now huh? Well – darn it – I’m sorry. 😉

    Wow – Beach Boys too!

    Reply
  174. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:06 PM

    Aw heck, Mark. I was being 8-track romantic. Next thing you know I would have mentioned the Association. Ew

    Reply
  175. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:07 PM

    I’m still here Liz.

    Crayon on your flat screen?

    There’s crayon on my TV…I haven’t bothered removing it, the kid will just put more there when I’m not looking.

    Some water might do it? Windex?

    Reply
  176. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:08 PM

    OhMiGawd! You have absolutely just got to see/hear this!!!

    http://www.savetheinternet.com/broadband.html

    Reply
  177. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:09 PM

    I’m not sure if I’m in the twilight zone or the “5th Dimention”

    Reply
  178. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:09 PM

    I scribbled on my flat screen when Mark said the W word out loud.

    Reply
  179. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:09 PM

    I think WordPress must have a crayon plugin somewhere. Maybe we could find out on Wikipedia!

    Reply
  180. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:09 PM

    Microfiber soft abrasion cloth with some specialized screen cleaning fluid should do the trick – no water on flat screens if you can help it, I’ve been told.

    Reply
  181. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:11 PM

    Hhmm…I just noticed that my exit rate on the home page of my site is 59% — higher since I changed it…damn statistical analysis. What are you telling me!?!?!

    Scribbled on your own flat screen eh? What’s the W-word?

    Reply
  182. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:12 PM

    There’s that W word again! I can barely see what you guys are saying!!!

    Thanks AdLib. You’re a true friend.

    Reply
  183. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:12 PM

    Ben, just don’t say it…. Oh, Noooooooo
    More crayon on the flat screen…

    Reply
  184. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:12 PM

    Seriously, though.

    I need to scram off to sleep. Been waaay too many late nights this week already. I’ll take a peek in the AM to see what hijinx I missed.

    Enjoy! 😎

    Reply
  185. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:13 PM

    Wikipedia!

    Reply
  186. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:13 PM

    Nite Chris…

    Reply
  187. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:15 PM

    Good night, Chris. Love your new digs!

    Reply
  188. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:17 PM

    That IS so Cool.

    http://www.savetheinternet.com/broadband.html

    Reply
  189. Chris Cree says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:18 PM

    Thanks, all! Good Night! *waves*

    {Am I doing this right, Heart?}

    Reply
  190. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:19 PM

    Your exit rate is 59% – what’s your bounce rate? Is that up or down since you changed the design?

    Reply
  191. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:21 PM

    Bounce rate before: 44%

    Bounce rate now: 65%

    Not sure I can really get much from that though…still interesting, somehow, somewhere…

    Reply
  192. Mark Wade says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:22 PM

    Taking a break to watch some of the NBA finals… later guys

    Reply
  193. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:23 PM

    Check in later Mark!

    Enjoy the game!

    Reply
  194. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:27 PM

    Hmm – bounce rate going up is mostly a sign that people aren’t liking the new design. Though that can be deceptive in a way – is your overall traffic similar? If the absolute numbers/conversion numbers are up or stay the same while the bounce rate goes up, that’s a sign of having an unproductive traffic source in the system. The thing then is to look at where your visitors are coming from.

    Reply
  195. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:28 PM

    *nods* Thanks AdLib. Traffic has gone up, so I suspect it’s more an issue with where traffic is coming from versus the site itself.

    I still think the home page might be a bit overwhelming for people – I gotta crack that nut!

    Reply
  196. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:28 PM

    AdLib
    Keep talking you’re really good at this.

    Reply
  197. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:34 PM

    Gosh Ben,
    Selling a concept is a tough thing.
    I guess you know that.

    Much easier to sell something tangible.

    Reply
  198. Ben says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:36 PM

    Selling a concept is hard, that’s very true. I guess I perceive it as more tangible than others do, but that’s probably cause I’m *in it* all the time…

    I do appreciate the feedback though, as always…

    For now though I have to call it a day, a bit early, but I need to rest it was a long night and early morning!

    Reply
  199. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:37 PM

    No worries, Ben,
    I have an airplane to catch in the morning.

    Tell the donkey hello!

    Reply
  200. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:39 PM

    Yeah, with traffic up and bounce rate up, what you wanna do for traffic analysis is look at your sources of traffic. What’s the sources of productive and unproductive traffic? What is it that the visitors from unproductive sources aren’t seeing that they expect when they click through to your site? Can you change the adverts that are bringing you the unproductive traffic? Can you find more sources like the ones that are currently producing for you?

    It’s a little bit intrusive, but you might think about adding an exit poll tied to the back button on the browser, asking politely what they didn’t like – offer them a free fake newspaper for an answer, for example. Though that might be a bit over the top for a first step – I’d be looking at the traffic sources first and thinking of polls second.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 9:40 PM

    *back* // ~waves goodbye to those leaving and hello to newbies .. // I am now back full time, on computer (no TV) ..

    Ben .. 59% ? is that good? I used to watch all my statscounters but, I have over 30 projects and was taking too long – and you have to login. I then moved to sitemeter so I can just see a graph without looking in. I have a network sitemeter code in the network code, because I’m even lazier than that – and just want to see the bigger picture.

    K.. last time posted was on Page 6 .. reading pages 6 & 7 now.
    Right now – I’m having fun with a new statscounter.. ClustrMaps .. you can see it in the footer of http://PetLvr.com/blog/ (trying to see if the all the earthlings in the world reads my blog) and http://1800HART.com/blog/ (seeing if general people read my blog, or canadians, americans, etc – which could affect type of content I use)

    Reply
  202. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:42 PM

    My worry with Ben’s site is that I don’t think they get what the fake newspaper is.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 9:45 PM

    I dunno, the title and the front page for Ben’s site is pretty obvious. Personally, if I were to recommend something to Ben – It would be to convert his format into a suitable and workable WORDPRESS theme – because it’s pretty cool looking template, if I could imagine it as a template. Then, it could be widespread use to give it away for free ..etc etc

    Reply
  204. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:47 PM

    You’d make the format a template, but not the stories, HART?

    You should tell Ben that.

    Reply
  205. Brian Clark says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:48 PM

    How can this be going on during a Mavericks Finals game? Log off, and turn on ABC.

    How’s that for contrarian? 🙂

    Reply
  206. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:49 PM

    Hey Brian,
    Come on back when it’s over!

    Reply
  207. Brian Clark says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:50 PM

    OK, but I’ll either be drunk and happy or drunk and mad.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 9:51 PM

    No .. if they want the stories – they have to subscribe .. Ben shouldn’t give that away .. I like the template. Can it be converted or modified into a useable blog template? I have no idea, but like I said – I like the layout 🙂

    And, speaking of tips .. Liz .. I’ve got another “Great Find” for you or some others … it’s a script that I’ve added on all my blogs, in the same subfolder .. here is one in action .. http://PetLvr.com/refer/ This is in continuation of my laziness for looking at statistics – I look at this everyday to see where people are coming (change week =7 to =60) and the keywords (queries)

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

    June 13, 2006 at 9:52 PM

    sorry – wrong URL … http://PetLvr.com/blog/refer/

    Reply
  210. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:53 PM

    Can I point you New Yorkers over to New Orleans for a moment? Hurricane season has already started and – well, the damage from the last one still isn’t cleaned up. The levees are repaired in the nick of time, but… they’re not remotely ready for another Category 5 – and this year looks to be as warm or warmer than last year…

    Reply
  211. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:53 PM

    Everyone is leaving early tonight,
    there must have been a terrible freight.
    Wiki, Wiki one has said,
    Drove a stake right through the head.
    Never again must that word be said,
    lest we all shall lose our head.

    Berma Shave

    Nite, Nite
    Joe

    Reply
  212. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:54 PM

    Sweet Dreams,
    Joe

    PS. I’m going to see Seth Godin

    Reply
  213. Joe says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:56 PM

    K.
    Best to ya,
    Let me get an exclusive… Just kidding, knock ’em dead.

    Reply
  214. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:57 PM

    Oh HART,
    Now that IS very cool.

    You should write up a little post on that and I’ll GREAT FIND you.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 9:58 PM

    Great! So I just figured out why the N.Y. reference – you are hopping a plane tomorrow to see Seth? What time is your flight? How long you going? Seeing any shows?

    Reply
  216. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 9:58 PM

    Thanks, Joe, it’s a small room seminar. You’ll hear all about it. 🙂

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

    June 13, 2006 at 9:59 PM

    Liz .. good idea for a post 🙂 more work for me, but ok!

    Reply
  218. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:00 PM

    Huh, did WordPress just eat my last comment?

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

    June 13, 2006 at 10:02 PM

    Advice .. wordpress gets hungry after hours. Maybe it did. maybe it did. lest we all worry about our posts.

    Damn You WordPress (in his Charleton Heston voice he said) Damn You WordPress!

    Reply
  220. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:05 PM

    Hmm – I don’t suppose it would like some of my pepper-stuffed olives with lettuce instead of my comments? They’re way healthier than the junk food diet some wordpress blogs are on.

    Reply
  221. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:07 PM

    I rescued it Charleton. Damn Askimet. It’s up at 210.

    Reply
  222. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:08 PM

    That New Orleans thing doesn’t look very good at all. Does it?

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

    June 13, 2006 at 10:09 PM

    D’oh! I just noticed … Adv.Lib … how long have you had your template up? I was meaning to thank someone where I found that .. I’m using the “wide” version on my picks blog … http://1800HART.com/picks/ That’s the one over 1000px I was talking about earlier – same version as yours, except wider.

    Reply
  224. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:09 PM

    Ah, there it is, back up the page at 210 🙂

    Maybe it didn’t like the link? It’s probably a less chatty subject than we’ve been talking about here usually, but the New Orleans people could use some positive attention, I think.

    Reply
  225. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:11 PM

    Yes. It was Askimet that was hungry. But I tossed Askimet those olives you mentioned.

    Reply
  226. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:12 PM

    I’ve had mine up since the “I’ve been tidying a little” post – that’s when I switched out the templates 🙂

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

    June 13, 2006 at 10:16 PM

    I’ve been getting spammed on all my blogs, by the same people with different IP’s .. and akismet is NOT catching it – I have to end up adding the IP and blacklisting it with the Spam Killer 2 plugin, and then manually delete the comment .. most look like this:

    E-mail : Milano9605@yahoo.com
    URI : some spam search engine site
    Comment:
    luogo interessante e bene-organizzato. Devo avere soltanto buoni contrassegni alla scuola;)

    ~~~
    The WHOIS is all over the map, in the above case .. is from :
    OrgName: Consolidated Communications, Inc.
    OrgID: CONSO-8
    Address: 121 South 17th Street
    City: Mattoon
    StateProv: IL
    PostalCode: 61938
    Country: US

    Reply
  228. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:20 PM

    Mattoon, Illinois!
    There is nothing there, but farmland.

    Reply
  229. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:27 PM

    Did I miss all the fun?

    Reply
  230. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:29 PM

    Hi Tracy!
    I think you brought the fun with you!
    What have you been doing?

    Reply
  231. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:31 PM

    We’ve been talking about music, the Three Stooges, spam and New Orleans.

    Reply
  232. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:31 PM

    Work work work – That’s what I do for fun!

    Reply
  233. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:32 PM

    Hey, you sound just like me.

    Are you guys going to say HI to Tracy or not?

    Want a beverage, Tracy? Here’s a cold one.
    What kind of work do you do? I write mostly.

    Reply
  234. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:33 PM

    Hey, me too! when I’m not out conquering the world, that is….

    Reply
  235. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:34 PM

    I just investigate fraud. Nothing special. *grin*

    Reply
  236. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:35 PM

    I’ll take a coffee, if you don’t mind – straigh black, the way the Lord intended it….

    Reply
  237. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:36 PM

    Ah, forensic accounting I knew that. You didn’t sign in with your URL. So I wasn’t sure that was you.

    My son just started an internship with Navigant in DC.

    Reply
  238. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:36 PM

    AdLIb.
    You are the world. You have no need to conquer it. 🙂

    Reply
  239. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:37 PM

    I drink my coffee straight up as well!

    Reply
  240. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:38 PM

    So how is sonny’s life as an intern?

    Reply
  241. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:38 PM

    Two coffees, served European with dark chocolate on a nice separate saucer.

    Reply
  242. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:39 PM

    Tracy,
    I very much like the new template at your blog. It’s clean and crisp. Looks very professional.

    Reply
  243. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:41 PM

    He’s loving it as an intern. He’s chasing those details . . . feeling very grown up. One more year of school and he’ll be real. 🙂

    Reply
  244. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:42 PM

    Thank you – but it’s not new. 🙂

    Reply
  245. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:43 PM

    Good for him. I was abused as an intern and still have nightmares.

    Reply
  246. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:44 PM

    Ahhh too much standing at the copier?

    Ad Lib were you an intern?

    Reply
  247. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:45 PM

    Internship – that’s that curious american custom of unpaid student slave labour? I’ve never been an intern in that sense – all the jobs I’ve had, I’ve been paid for at industry rates…

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

    June 13, 2006 at 10:46 PM

    ~waves to Tracy .. Howdy.

    Are you really a forensic accountant? I’ve worked with a few. I have many stories.

    Adv.Lib.// Trackback coming!

    Reply
  249. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:47 PM

    No, my son is being paid for his work, quite well actually.

    Reply
  250. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:48 PM

    Tracy,
    I think I just missed your “front” page before when I’ve visited your blog. That’s what it is.

    Reply
  251. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:49 PM

    HART
    Are any of your stories nice or entertaining? We don’t want to be mean to Tracy or tell your sad tales tonight.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 10:50 PM

    haha! Just saw that .. Mattoon .. Farmland! Of course! I wonder where the other spam is? Let me find another in IL .. maybe you know it too 🙂 //

    I believe the SAME spammer sent me the identical comment spam message from this host.. in the Queensland.
    OrgName: Asia Pacific Network Information Centre
    OrgID: APNIC
    Address: PO Box 2131
    City: Milton
    StateProv: QLD
    PostalCode: 4064
    Country: AU

    Reply
  253. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:51 PM

    Ohhhhhh – yes, you didn’t see the front page. That would explain it.

    Hart – I’m either a forensic accountant or a person who spent hours and hours creating a website about forensic accounting. *wink*

    Internship – unpaid and for a government agency. How much worse could it get?

    Reply
  254. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:52 PM

    Heh, what’s your best forensic accountancy story? I’m not real up on the intricacies of accounting beond the basic “how to talk to bean-counters” courses in my engineering curriculum – though I must say I appreciate a scene in the “Komarr” book by Lois McMaser-bujold where her protagonist unleashes his forensic accountants 🙂

    Reply
  255. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:52 PM

    Have to ask Martin about Queensland. I’ve only been to Victoria and New South Wales.

    Reply
  256. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:54 PM

    Well my very first paying client when I started my company Jan 2000, will be heading off to prison in August.

    And the client who left the biggest unpaid bill is currently in prison.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 10:55 PM

    Tracy .. Gotcha 🙂 *winks back*

    Liz .. have I ever told you a story that wasn’t entertaining? WAIT! DON’T ANSWER! ..

    Well .. ok then .. here’s one. I used to work with an ‘auditor’ who was still taking courses to be a Forensic Accountant. He is a C.A. .. he sworn me into secrecy (as if I really give a damn now) .. that his “best” secret audit technique is..

    He looks in your middle desk drawer.

    Yup. You have it. All of you con artists out there committing fraud and trying to hide a secret set of books – seemingly keep all the discriminating evidence in your middle office desk drawer .. presumeably underneith your bagged lunch bag.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 10:56 PM

    Oh, the shame from my peers in my industry they shall give me for revealing that secret technique.

    Reply
  259. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:56 PM

    Sad but true…. many leave the evidence in the desk.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 10:57 PM

    Oh no Brian! 93 to 94? ut-oh

    Reply
  261. Tracy says

    June 13, 2006 at 10:59 PM

    OKay I must go to bed now. Have to be up early. Ick. Until next time….

    Reply
  262. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 11:01 PM

    Thanks for coming by Tracy!
    See you again soon I hope!

    Sweet dreams

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

    June 13, 2006 at 11:02 PM

    G’nite to those leaving .. ~wave
    (I’m watching ABC btw .. even though I am not a fan, nor care much about basketball – but it is a close game!)

    Reply
  264. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 11:03 PM

    You guys I have to pack it in too, i’m afraid.
    I have a flight in the morning. I’m on my way to see Seth Godin for a tiny seminar.

    *tosses blog keys*

    Ad Lib. Stay away from Civilization. We like you as a Wild Man.

    Sweet dreams.

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

    June 13, 2006 at 11:08 PM

    Have a safe journey Liz. G’nite to you and all – I will be off in my own little world too, as it quiets down in here.

    Reply
  266. Advice Librarian says

    June 13, 2006 at 11:09 PM

    Heh, I’ll try, but I have this really interesting setup right now where I’m right next to George Washington – and I was just thinking of taking my army along to visit New York 😛

    I know, I know – normal tourists don’t bring their hordes with them when they come calling, but since I’m still in the Classical Era, it seems like the thing to do 😛

    Reply
  267. ME Strauss says

    June 14, 2006 at 6:01 AM

    Thanks HART for the send off.

    Reply
  268. ME Strauss says

    June 14, 2006 at 6:08 AM

    You, George Washingto, (and ssssh, Ann Michael) and me with Seth Godin in New York City. Now there is one Motley Crew. I think we could take the city by storm. Perhaps one day there would even be a Broadway musical. “Blogging Broadway” HA!

    Reply
  269. Keith Dsouza says

    June 16, 2006 at 1:48 PM

    Wowwwwwwwwww Liz 250 comments in one post ( including mine and like always your sweet one ), I am getting to New York soon just hope you pass the Mike back there.

    Truly one hell of a Successful and Outstanding blog, I hope likewise I hope many would that you sport that logo out here, this place truly deserves one.

    I would be glad to shout out loud.

    Cheers
    Keith

    Reply
  270. ME Strauss says

    June 16, 2006 at 1:50 PM

    So that trip to New York is a reality. That sounds exciting. I’m already in Chicago. Let me know when you’re on American soil.

    Reply

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