Just Another Writer

My World, My Opinion…

Obamamercial - The Review… October 30, 2008

Filed under: Reviews — News Writer @ 5:27 pm
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obama2How many out there watched the Obamamercial last night? I tuned into our local Tampa Bay channel and there was Obama looking very Presidential. My buddies were betting on whether he’d sit behind a nice mahogany desk with Americans flags, flanking gold drapes, in the background or, would he sit on a desk and be casual. I bet he’d sit his ass on a desk and I won five bucks! Thanks Obama! He’s not even been elected yet and he made me five bucks!

Seriously, this man has run one hell of a race and I hope he wins. If Obama can outwit the Republican party and raise record campaign cash - then I can just imagine what he’ll do when he comes into office in January.

Out with the old (Bush-boy) and in with the new - Obama. Yes, I’m holding onto that picture.

It will be my absolute pleasure to watch Bush get into the Presidential limo for the last time. Remember, when Bush went to his first Inauguration? There were riots (so to speak) and of course, they didn’t show that on television.

A black man in the white house? Yeah, that’s about as progressive as this country has come in the last 100 years. Who would have thought that this was even a possibility? I’m a southern Caucasian boy and I live in a town where they still fly the rebel flag and where the KKK was alive with many members - not too long ago.

This is a white neighborhood (and town) where if you’re black, you keep driving and don’t stop…

Needless to say, I think that people of ALL races will come (and are) coming together to put Obama in charge of the Free World and that’s the people talking. Hopefully, those in control of the Electoral College don’t screw with the will of people. In fact, I think the rest of the world will view us in a more favorable light and view us as a progressive nation of people.

No longer will I have to travel to Europe and pretend to be a Canadian…

Yes, that’s what many Americans do traveling throughout Europe, we don Canadian flag pins on our lapels and will wear a t-shirt (with a small Canadian flag) with the word ”Aye” emblazoned on it just so we’re treated better at the border. Quite frankly, I do want the French to like us. Many may not care what the French (or even the Italians) think of us, but, I do. I want to travel the Free World and feel as though (as an American) I’m welcomed with open arms. In fact, I’d like to see some more ”color” in the town where I live, as it’s sooooo white (with a touch of redneck) that you begin to feel like a racist just for living in a such a town. If I had a choice, I would have lived closer to the city but, got stuck where I am.

On what Obama will do (and can’t do). First, he can’t screw things up anymore then Bush has. We’re in so much debt that a little bit more ain’t gonna hurt us (and if NEW debt is due to putting OUR people to work), I’m all for it. What he can do is improve our lives with more jobs, help seniors, who make under 50K per year and fix our health care system. If he just does ONE out the THREE I just stated, we’re already hitting a home-run.

As for Joe the Plumber, what a joke. Thanks McCain for taking a plumber and making him a celebrity. Joe won the lottery and can now get a book deal. Also, I’m a bit tired of hearing McCain stating “he has the scars to prove it”. Yeah, and there’s plenty of bags with bodies of young men coming home each and every week from Iraq. Oh, and let’s not forget about those losing their limbs, sight and bowels on the streets of Iraq and coming back with MORE than just scars.

McCain is about as bad they come. He’s old, he’s tired and should have retired ten years ago. Palin is about as witty and perky, as the step-ford ladies selling jewelry on QVC. My prediction? She’ll end up on daytime television on “The View”.

You know what? I find myself getting more pissed as I write this blog so, I’m done. Let’s call it a day, everyone vote for Obama, send the Bushes packing back to Texas (never to hear their name again) and move on.

 

Blog Review - Thoughts Fur Paws… October 30, 2008

Filed under: Reviews — News Writer @ 10:27 am
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Probably one of the easiest topics to blog about is kids and pets. I have a cat and don’t have kids, I have focused on one blog, which captures (what I believe) is the perfect mix of pics and text.

Thoughts Fur Paws is a pretty nice blog. It’s broken down into easy to navigate sections and its use of pics is not overwhelming. One thing I don’t like about some blogs is the use of super-sized pics and the insertion of one small paragraph underneath the pic, which attempts to elicit a response on the pic. In this case, a picture is not worth a 1000 words, as it seems as though those who want to be “super-sized” (pic wise), are simply filling a page with a scrolling photo album.

So, what can I find wrong with a blog about pets? Nothing. Thoughts Fur Paws has some great pics (normal sized pics), informative articles and a nice layout. They’re not selling cat food, leashes and litter boxes nor does the author choose one type of pet over another (the author appears to be neutral on this topic). The only thing I would suggest for this blog is a section entitled “Pet Peeves” (as I simply think the title fits the blog).

I have a Ragdoll named Dolly. She’s a piece of art (Dali), a Ragdoll (Dolly) and I just might get another one ( a boy) and call him Madison.:-)

 

Review - Blog Catalog… October 27, 2008

Filed under: Blog Reviews — News Writer @ 1:53 pm
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Blogger Scott posted a comment praising Blog Catalog. As Groucho Marx once said “I’d never be part of a club that would have me as a member”, however, Blog Catalog looks to be the exception. It offers a social community of bloggers, tools, widgets and is stuffed with a bunch of other goodies as well.

As a directory, Blog Catalog serves up the content extremely well. The site is easy to navigate and even a novice blogger (a newbie) can learn from more experienced bloggers. Blogger Oktober Five made a point in his comment that most blogs don’t have a point. I beg to differ on that comment, as those who truly have something to say (other than pitching products and Google Adwords on their blogs) DO  and/or try to make a point in their writings to their readers.

What’s cool about Blog Catalog is their ratings system. I came upon a blog entitled Founding Fathers, which has attained a score of five out five. While this blog is packed full of historical figures, it’s devoid of any advertisements (refreshing to see for a change). In fact, I enjoyed reading their quote of the day and then found myself reading more about John Adams.

Blog Catalog does have a few eyesores laying about the place but, for the most part, the ratings system helps one decide (ahead of time), if a blog is worth reading. Thanks Blogger Scott for the referral!

 

Blog Review - Blogging without a Blog… October 26, 2008

Filed under: Blog Reviews — News Writer @ 11:56 am
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I’m trying to figure out what Blogging without a Blog is all about? One of the archived articles is all about how to copy and paste in WordPress -huh? If you’re blogging and have no clue how to copy and paste text then you you’ve been in the dark way too long.

The interesting thing about the post is that it links back to another blog ObservationMountain.com, which is nothing more than an advertisement for Febreze. In fact, there’s an entire list of Febreze products and no doubt, this blog tends to be more about selling Febreze than a “how to” copy and paste guide for WordPress users. The tags in the Febreze article are as follows:

allergen, coupons, ergonomic design, Fabric Refresher, fabrics, Febreze, febreze air effects, febreze candles, hand fatigue, odor eliminator, pet odor, scents, spray bottle..

Besides the fact, that I don’t care much for the fragrance (if one can call it that) of Febreze, I can’t draw the line between Blogging without a Blog’s take on Febreze and it’s relation to how one can learn how to copy and paste into WordPress. If a blog is nothing more than a pitch to sell a product (or products), it’s NOT a blog but, a page in which to sell products. If the purpose of the article is show a new WordPress user how to cut and paste a picture of a Febreze bottle into a post, then something “smells” pretty bad at Blogging without a Blog and its parent blog observationmountain.com.

Those who set up blogs with the sole purpose of an “agenda” (not too well hidden) to sell products, should not clutter up space with advertisements. Of course, the placement of Google Ads, which serves to pitch Febreze products truly makes ObservationMountain.com nothing more than a “sell site” for household goods. In fact, the entire site is one big “pitch” for household products.

I think that just about everyone knows how to use Baking Soda. Did you know that you can brush your teeth with Baking Soda? I did. Were you aware that mixing Baking Soda with Vinegar are a way to go green?  Boy, you can even use Baking Soda to clean your counter tops. The best one is that you can use Baking Soda in your refrigerator to absorb odors. Now, I ask any reader (above the age of eight) did you know Baking Soda could be used for all of the above and so much more?

The tagline for Swafford’s “sell site” is “Easing Your Life with Stories of Importance”. Now, I fail to see the importance of Febreze in my life.  The latest post on Blogging without a Blog is “Who Taught You” Open Mic.

A list questions to elicit a response ranges from ”How did you learn to blog” to ”Was your theme free or did you pay fot it”. Who cares? Blogging is about writing and themes are free at WordPress. However, the blog author does request that you get your blog listed in her Blog Registry. What’s the purpose and/or who gains from being in that Registry? 

The viral approach to marketing blogs is alive and well at Blogging without a Blog and it’s a bit more disturbing than the advertisements for Febreze. What readers could learn from Blogging without a Blog is how to blog by throwing up a few short paragraphs and then hitting the comments trail to drive traffic to observationmountain - to get a whiff of fresh air from a purchase of Febreze. The other thing everyone can learn is that you really don’t need to put up unique content, just take ten minutes a day to throw up a few paragraphs about something that seeks a response. This process will drive traffic to your blog, however, do you really want the type of traffic that is gleamed through selling household products?

It has been my experience that those who blog a few short paragraphs a day and link their blogs to product blogs and offerings, are doing nothing more than pretending to blog - they do not write anything of substance.

Dare to be different and blog about a topic, which has meaning - rather than blogging about the smell of Febreze and/or creating doorway blogs to product blogs. You can gain “audience credibility” by offering up the real deal without a coupon (or come-on) to sell a product.