Hey there. I've decided. I will no longer be an active participant in Entrecard. At least not full time as before. There have been too many changes to their system that I have been put off by all the system issues and their down time. If you miss a day of dropping, it significantly drops your ranking and now that you're limited to 300 EC a day, it makes it tough to be able to advertise and provide incentives for readers to drop on your page. I would spend over an hour on Entrecard alone. Dropping and purchasing ads. Checking out the market place and making sure I fulfill my orders, but considering what went down the last couple of months, I just don't find it worth it any more. I'm going to leave the widget on my site. This will still bring in credits from those that advertise on my site, but I my dropping will cease and my market place ads will be discontinued.
I've tried to gut it out, but it's just not happening. Maybe sometime in the future, when they get their act together, I'll revisit the site and be a participating member again, but until then, count me out. Later.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Breakfast, Car and the Hospital
Hey there. What a day. I decided last night that I would treat the family to breakfast this morning. Yesterday, while I was at work, my wife was enjoying breakfast at IHOP. I wanted IHOP! lol I think it was more me not wanting to be at work. lol Anyways, we got up this morning having most of our planned out.
We left this morning for breakfast at around 9 to 9:30. We went to Norms for breakfast. We had ourselves a lot of food. We all had pancakes and steak and what not. We didn't finish it but while we sat there we decided that we needed to go to the hospital to register. It helps to register early so that when it's baby time, the hospital will have all your info and you're streamlined into a room. I told my wife that I wanted to get everything done today so that I could watch football tomorrow uninterrupted. We agreed and the next stop was the bank.
We need a bigger vehicle. Our Mazda Protege does not accommodate more than 5 people and once the baby is here, we'll be a family of 6. There is a friend of the family that fixes cars for a living. The guy is straight up with us and tell you exactly how it is. You pretty much tell him the model of car you want, he'll go out and bid on one for you, he'll fix it up, and then you pick it up. My wife's family has bought 3 cars from him, including the one we drive now so we have the utmost confidence that he will be able to get us a reliable vehicle.
So after getting the money we were off to drop off our deposit. Then we realize... Our registration papers are at my mother in laws house so we have to go and pick them up. So off we go to go and get them. Naturally, it was out of our way. lol Once we pick them up, we get some directions from my brother in law and off we go to drop off our deposit. The ride over there sucked. Living in LA, I'm used to being able to reach my destination via freeway. Well, we couldn't reach him via freeway so we driving through the streets for most of the way. Stop and go traffic is frustrating. So we finally get there and I tell the guy what we're interested. We'll looking for a Mazda MPV. Mazda's are reliable. I have not had one person say that they are not happy with their Mazda. So once we give him the scoop, I get my receipt and off we go to the hospital.
Just my luck, my boy decided to tell me about some cool thing he read in his Game Informer magazine and I ended up taking the wrong exit and drove a few miles in the wrong direction. After getting off the freeway and going back towards downtown Los Angeles, we finally make it to the hospital. We grab our forms and into the hospital we go. We tell the security that we're here to register and guess what he says. Guess....
"Sorry. Admissions is closed today."
UGH!!!! All that driving and we can't even register?! My wife showed the security that the admission form that she filled out clearly state that admissions is closed at 8:30 PM. The guy says that admissions is closed at 12:30 PM on Saturdays and it being close to 3:00 PM, then points to the admission desk and shows that there's no one there. My wife and I were upset. We walked out in disgust and head towards to the car.
We jump back on the freeway and head towards Babies R Us. I promised my wife that we would purchase the crib bedding. Once at the store, we browse around and end up with more than the bedding. We got a sheet and a mobile as well at this really cool emergency kit with medicine. Afterwards, we finally headed for home. We must have gotten there at around 4:30 ish. That is approx. 7 hours away from home and a good chunk of that was spent driving. Needless to say, we are tired.
My mother sent me a text saying that she MAY stop by tomorrow with a crib so that we can have it set up. Baby may coming soon and that's the last piece of furniture that we need. Hopefully, she'll show up tomorrow and get that set up. Until then, later.
We left this morning for breakfast at around 9 to 9:30. We went to Norms for breakfast. We had ourselves a lot of food. We all had pancakes and steak and what not. We didn't finish it but while we sat there we decided that we needed to go to the hospital to register. It helps to register early so that when it's baby time, the hospital will have all your info and you're streamlined into a room. I told my wife that I wanted to get everything done today so that I could watch football tomorrow uninterrupted. We agreed and the next stop was the bank.
We need a bigger vehicle. Our Mazda Protege does not accommodate more than 5 people and once the baby is here, we'll be a family of 6. There is a friend of the family that fixes cars for a living. The guy is straight up with us and tell you exactly how it is. You pretty much tell him the model of car you want, he'll go out and bid on one for you, he'll fix it up, and then you pick it up. My wife's family has bought 3 cars from him, including the one we drive now so we have the utmost confidence that he will be able to get us a reliable vehicle.
So after getting the money we were off to drop off our deposit. Then we realize... Our registration papers are at my mother in laws house so we have to go and pick them up. So off we go to go and get them. Naturally, it was out of our way. lol Once we pick them up, we get some directions from my brother in law and off we go to drop off our deposit. The ride over there sucked. Living in LA, I'm used to being able to reach my destination via freeway. Well, we couldn't reach him via freeway so we driving through the streets for most of the way. Stop and go traffic is frustrating. So we finally get there and I tell the guy what we're interested. We'll looking for a Mazda MPV. Mazda's are reliable. I have not had one person say that they are not happy with their Mazda. So once we give him the scoop, I get my receipt and off we go to the hospital.
Just my luck, my boy decided to tell me about some cool thing he read in his Game Informer magazine and I ended up taking the wrong exit and drove a few miles in the wrong direction. After getting off the freeway and going back towards downtown Los Angeles, we finally make it to the hospital. We grab our forms and into the hospital we go. We tell the security that we're here to register and guess what he says. Guess....
"Sorry. Admissions is closed today."
UGH!!!! All that driving and we can't even register?! My wife showed the security that the admission form that she filled out clearly state that admissions is closed at 8:30 PM. The guy says that admissions is closed at 12:30 PM on Saturdays and it being close to 3:00 PM, then points to the admission desk and shows that there's no one there. My wife and I were upset. We walked out in disgust and head towards to the car.
We jump back on the freeway and head towards Babies R Us. I promised my wife that we would purchase the crib bedding. Once at the store, we browse around and end up with more than the bedding. We got a sheet and a mobile as well at this really cool emergency kit with medicine. Afterwards, we finally headed for home. We must have gotten there at around 4:30 ish. That is approx. 7 hours away from home and a good chunk of that was spent driving. Needless to say, we are tired.
My mother sent me a text saying that she MAY stop by tomorrow with a crib so that we can have it set up. Baby may coming soon and that's the last piece of furniture that we need. Hopefully, she'll show up tomorrow and get that set up. Until then, later.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Use of Foul Language at Work
Hey there. We spend most of our lives at work. There is no doubt about it. Sometimes, our best judgment eludes us when we are pushed to our breaking point. Here are some pointers, from Human Resources of course, of how to go about those trying times. lol Enjoy.
Dear Employees:
It has been brought to management's attention that some individuals throughout the company have been using foul language during the course of normal conversation with their co-workers.
Due to complaints received from some employees who may be easily offended, this type of language will no longer be tolerated.
We do, however, realize the critical importance of being able to accurately express your feelings when communicating with co-workers.
Therefore,a list of 18 New and Innovative 'TRY SAYING' phrases have been provided so that proper exchange of ideas and information can continue in an effective manner.
Number 1
TRY SAYING: I think you could use more training.
INSTEAD OF: You don't know what the f*** you're doing.
Number 2
TRY SAYING: She's an aggressive go-getter.
INSTEAD OF: She's a f***ing b****.
Number 3
TRY SAYING: Perhaps I can work late.
INSTEAD OF: And when the f*** do you expect me to do this?
Number 4
TRY SAYING: I'm certain that isn't feasible.
INSTEAD OF: No f***ing way.
Number 5
TRY SAYING: Really?
INSTEAD OF: You've got to be sh***ing me!
Number 6
TRY SAYING: Perhaps you should check with...
INSTEAD OF: Tell someone who gives a sh**.
Number 7
TRY SAYING: I wasn't involved in the project.
INSTEAD OF: It's not my f***ing problem.
Number 8
TRY SAYING: That's interesting.
INSTEAD OF: What the f***?
Number 9
TRY SAYING: I'm not sure this can be implemented.
INSTEAD OF: This sh** won't work.
Number 10
TRY SAYING: I'll try to schedule that.
INSTEAD OF: Why the f*** didn't you tell me sooner?
Number 11
TRY SAYING: He's not familiar with the issues...
INSTEAD OF: He's got his head up his ass.
Number 12
TRY SAYING: Excuse me, sir?
INSTEAD OF: Eat sh** and die.
Number 13
TRY SAYING: So you weren't happy with it?
INSTEAD OF: Kiss my ass.
Number 14
TRY SAYING: I'm a bit overloaded at the moment.
INSTEAD OF: F*** it, I'm on salary.
Number 15
TRY SAYING: I don't think you understand.
INSTEAD OF: Shove it up your ass.
Number 16
TRY SAYING: I love a challenge.
INSTEAD OF: This f***ing job sucks.
Number 17
TRY SAYING: You want me to take care of that?
INSTEAD OF: Who the f*** died and made you boss?
Number 18
TRY SAYING: He's somewhat insensitive.
INSTEAD OF: He's a d***.
Thank You,
Human Resources
Dear Employees:
It has been brought to management's attention that some individuals throughout the company have been using foul language during the course of normal conversation with their co-workers.
Due to complaints received from some employees who may be easily offended, this type of language will no longer be tolerated.
We do, however, realize the critical importance of being able to accurately express your feelings when communicating with co-workers.
Therefore,a list of 18 New and Innovative 'TRY SAYING' phrases have been provided so that proper exchange of ideas and information can continue in an effective manner.
Number 1
TRY SAYING: I think you could use more training.
INSTEAD OF: You don't know what the f*** you're doing.
Number 2
TRY SAYING: She's an aggressive go-getter.
INSTEAD OF: She's a f***ing b****.
Number 3
TRY SAYING: Perhaps I can work late.
INSTEAD OF: And when the f*** do you expect me to do this?
Number 4
TRY SAYING: I'm certain that isn't feasible.
INSTEAD OF: No f***ing way.
Number 5
TRY SAYING: Really?
INSTEAD OF: You've got to be sh***ing me!
Number 6
TRY SAYING: Perhaps you should check with...
INSTEAD OF: Tell someone who gives a sh**.
Number 7
TRY SAYING: I wasn't involved in the project.
INSTEAD OF: It's not my f***ing problem.
Number 8
TRY SAYING: That's interesting.
INSTEAD OF: What the f***?
Number 9
TRY SAYING: I'm not sure this can be implemented.
INSTEAD OF: This sh** won't work.
Number 10
TRY SAYING: I'll try to schedule that.
INSTEAD OF: Why the f*** didn't you tell me sooner?
Number 11
TRY SAYING: He's not familiar with the issues...
INSTEAD OF: He's got his head up his ass.
Number 12
TRY SAYING: Excuse me, sir?
INSTEAD OF: Eat sh** and die.
Number 13
TRY SAYING: So you weren't happy with it?
INSTEAD OF: Kiss my ass.
Number 14
TRY SAYING: I'm a bit overloaded at the moment.
INSTEAD OF: F*** it, I'm on salary.
Number 15
TRY SAYING: I don't think you understand.
INSTEAD OF: Shove it up your ass.
Number 16
TRY SAYING: I love a challenge.
INSTEAD OF: This f***ing job sucks.
Number 17
TRY SAYING: You want me to take care of that?
INSTEAD OF: Who the f*** died and made you boss?
Number 18
TRY SAYING: He's somewhat insensitive.
INSTEAD OF: He's a d***.
Thank You,
Human Resources
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Rebranding Metallman?
Hey there. I was thinking... should I make a change as to how I am presenting myself? I have been going around the blogging world and notice that many bloggers, like myself, created a symbol or image to represent their blog. My symbol is that which you see in this paragraph. The name Metallman sprawled across a red dragon. I like it. I think it suits me well. However, I've noticed that many decide to place an image of themselves as the image to represent their blogs, and or websites. This intrigues me. Would it be better to project an image of yourself to personify your blog? Or would a character or symbol be better suited to represent your brand? I understand that to each their own, but would you be more inclined to read a blog if you know the face behind it? 
If you don't mind, I want to use a blogging friend of mine as an example. Here is his mark on the world. I'll be the first to admit that I was drawn to the image. Being a dragon lover, I thought that the dragon displayed is simply bad ass. I knew nothing of the man behind it and already I was drawn to the site. This, my friends, is the power of a great image. Now, after several months of getting to know the man behind the image, I no longer see the dragon as the representative of the site, but I see the man behind the words. The site doesn't seem as anonymous to me anymore once I've seen the face that runs it all. It's almost as if I can connect to the blogger on a more personal level because of that. So I wonder, would it be wise to display your face as the image of your site? Would you check out a blog if a person where to greet you instead of an image? If the Dragon Blogger had his face to represent him in the blogging community, would I or anyone else, initially, still be drawn to his site? This is where I stand.Mind you, the Dragon Blogger has other sites and uses an image of himself in one. I am curious to know how well that site is doing compared to the others. Considering that he is on both sides of the spectrum, his success behind his sites would tell the tale of the more successful image. I would like to be considered "successful". I would like to be in that mid-level tier of bloggers. I'm a realist, I'm no Perez Hilton and I doubt that I would ever reach hundreds of thousands of readers a day. It's just not going to happen. But I have slowly set goals and achieved them. When I first started, my goal was to reach 100 visitors a day. It took awhile, but I got there. Now, I try to reach the next century mark each time around. Yesterday marked the first time ever that I reached 600 visitors. A nice accomplishment. Should I thank the Metallman logo for the recognition?
OR MAYBE... I can be going about this all wrong and the image means nothing and "content is king." I don't know. I'll ponder on the thought of it a little while longer, just to see what else comes to mind. Image? Or Person? Until then, later.
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