I lost everything last year when my hard drive crashed -- including a couple of years' worth of email for both my wife and I. Everything was unrecoverable. How I wish I had been in a position to get it all back -- or that I had been able to backup e-mail before I had this catastrophic failure and data loss hit.

Guess what -- there is a product out there that would let me backup my email and other key files easily. I found it at Backup-Email.com. It is relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to use. Frankly, I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want this software, especially business people whose data is their business lifeline.

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Let's look at the financial realities that are presenting themselves to borrowers today. There are clear signs that interest rates are rising and will rise higher still -- so what is a person to do about that, especially if they are currently holding some sort of secured loans that have an adjustable rate, like many mortgages. Frankly, such borrowers need to refinance to lock in a lower fixed-rate now -- or even one that is slightly higher than their current rate, so as to avoid seeing interest rates and payments balloon.

We are seeing more and more debt conscious homeowners facing bankruptcy because of such issues. It is therefore important that people don't delay in tackling debt issues while they can. You will also find some interesting articles here.

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Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
Those days are over
You don't have to sell your body to the night

Roxanne
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
Walk the streets of money
You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right

From the moment I first heard the initial gut-wrenching moaning of the word "Roxanne", I was hooked on The Police. I just loved the song -- and not just because of some adolescent rebellion against the school authorities at my Catholic high school, who felt that there was something unseemly about a love song to a prostitute. No, there was something about the song that got into me at the cellular level. I didn't know what the beat was, but I later (much later) learned that the song is done to the rhythm of a tango. I'm so glad it is on the new Police cd.

And that is one of the great things about The Police -- they've never been afraid to experiment with different musical forms in their music, introducing entire new generations and audiences to something a little different. Reggae rhythms turn up all over their music, as do ska and other musical forms that are now seen as mainstream in pop and rock. They were not before The Police. Don't believe me? Just check out the new Police cd and see some of the many examples.

Win a New York fly-away to see The Police live.

Posted by: Greg at 02:45 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I'll be honest here -- I am not a poker player. I've just never been able to master the skills needed to play the game well But I am pleased to see that one of my backgammonfavorite sites, BackgammonMasters.com, is now offering no-rake poker games to interested players.

Now some of you may ask -- what is no-rake poker. Simply put, the house does not take a cut of the pots during the game. That's right -- real poker with real money and no commission for the house is now available in their real money All-in-One Lobby. Now this is a special situation, available only for a limited time, while they are celebrating their new poker offering.

Now you have seen my previous posts about this backgammon site in the past, BackgammonMasters.com, and their fantastic, high-quality site. With this expanded offering, there is even more of a reason for you to visit as they seek to dominate the world of online games of skill.

One neat think about the new poker offering is that you can now log on and play up to three difrerent games at once in their rich. three-dimensional gaming environment. You certainly can't do that in Vegas or Atlantic City, can you? Of course not -- you can only play one game at a time. And of course, you can also play either Backgammon and Perudo at the site as well, so you really do have some incredible gaming opportunities available to you.

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I hope you never need a lawyer for any sort of criminal case. That simply means trouble, even if you are completely innocent of the. The US Constitution guarantees you the right to an attorney in such a situation, and you want to get the best one available when you exercise that right.

If you are in Southern California, one of the best firms available is the firm of Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, which has been in business for over half a century. Recognized as among the preeminent lawyers in their field, they are available to you 24/7 if you find yourself in need of counsel.

Southern California Criminal Lawyers.
Top 5% U.S. Law Firm.
Former L.A. Prosecutors, Certified Defense Specialists provide aggresssive defense to all crimes.
Aggressive Attorneys dedicated to their clients' liberty.

Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin -- when you need legal representation in Southern California.

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You are in a city far from your home base -- say someplace exotic like Kansas City. You need a projector to do that presentation in order to win the contract. Well, where do you turn for a Kansas City projector rental so that you can clinch the deal? Projector123.com -- that's where. They ship projectors around the country for business meetings, graduations, and other special events, so you don't have to lug one with you or try to make a connection in each city. FedEx delivers and takes care of the return. What a deal!

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I'm not a big fan of horror type movies, but I have always had a soft spot for Stephen King movies. In particular, I loved The Dead Zone, which was one of the most chilling movies I had seen when it came out during my college years. the idea that one can not only have precognition but also be able to change the events one has seen is a particularly intense one for me -- after all, who is to say that the change you make doesn't create the future you see rather than heal the unpleasant future?

Well, another movie based upon one of Stephen King's works is coming very soon -- 1408 - The Movie. I suppose you want to know what the 1408 Movie is about. Well, the movie's official website describes it as follows.

Renowned horror novelist Mike Enslin only believes what he can see with his own two eyes. After a string of bestsellers discrediting paranormal events in the most infamous haunted houses and graveyards around the world, he scoffs at the concept of an afterlife. Enslin's phantom-free run of long and lonely nights is about to end when he checks into Suite 1408 of the notorious Dolphin Hotel for his latest project "Ten Nights in Haunted Hotel Rooms."

I'll stop there, so that you visit the website for the 1408 Movie. I don't know about you, but that certainly sounds rather enticing to me. I’ll be looking forward to seeing the commercials when they come out – I hope they appear as enticing as the website does. I’m feeling pretty excited right now.

Oh, and here is this little tidbit for you as well. Enjoy!

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I'll admit it -- I'm a space geek. I have ever since i was a kid watching the Apollo flights, especially the moon landing. Even now, I still get tingles every time I drive past Johnson Space Center, or when I remember that friends from church are honest-to-God rocket scientists.

And I love staring up at the stars. I just wish i knew more about which ones were which, and about identifying constellations. Well, the Meade MySky is the latest gadget out there to help the untrained stargazer access the knowledge base of an astronomer. It is a point-and-shoot star identifier with an LCD screen to help you identify what you are seeing in the heavens above. Not only is there that device, but also the Skyscout from Celestron, which is another personal planetarium for star lovers. The difference, however, is that the MySky is under $30 -- so you can actually put it int he hands of youngsters and other amateurs, rather than risking a device that is over $200.

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I've got one of my colleagues at school who absolutely babies his car -- a silver sports car that flies down the road on his daily commute. I'll have to point him this direction to find him a brand new automotive toy with which to pamper that vehicle.

Yeah, that's right -- we're talking car covers here, to protect that paint job and the metal beneath it from the ravages of sun, rain, and other weather-related concerns -- not to mention the little issues of tree sap and bird droppings.

And these are not merely off the rack car covers -- each one is custom made to fit your car, to the specifications you set forth, if you so desire.

And there are not just car covers, but seat covers as well. I'm really rather impressed with the range of products and the reasonableness of the prices that they offer to the buying public.

Posted by: Greg at 05:53 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Oh my!

That was my reaction when I got pointed to this site that bills itself as an online single dating site for nerds.

And when I actually dropped in to see what such a site would be like? I had a similar reaction.

Oh dear!

I guess the best comparison I can come up with is that box we used to have in the laundry room in my college dorm. You now, the one where folks tossed all those mis-matched and odd socks that came out of the dryer, in the hopes that someone would be able to make a match with a mate.

And I can only hope that the box serves such a purpose. There are some really ... unusual folks hanging out there. Some seem sort of interesting, a few seem amusingly different, others just look weird. But the nice thing about it is that it is a site that doesn't take itself too seriously, and doesn't play the meat market or soulmate game. Rather, it seems to be just a chance for folks to get together and meet -- and if something comes of it, so much the better. And as a free site, the pressure to find "the one" before the next billing cycle is not there.

So if you are that sock with a missing mate, into the box with you. After all, Its Just Coffee!

Posted by: Greg at 07:30 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Now here is a service I can really go for -- one that offers free use of video news stories AND pays you for it! That is the premise behind The News Room, which has a rather comprehensive set of video news reports available for you to mash into your website. All of them are licensed, and you make money when they are viewed -- and make more when someone else picks them up from your site and inserts it into their own. Really, think of this as a viral payment scheme.

What can you get? Well, I noticed stories on last night's Democratic debate, the latest terrorist atrocities in Iraq, Paris Hilton, and dozens of other stories that you would encounter online, on television or radio, or in your local paper. They end up looking something like this on your site.

Sort of neat -- a news brief from AP, embedded in my site with no difficulty at all! And much of the other content comes from major content providers such as Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and Agence France-Press (AFP). Think about it. You get reports from some of the best sources around, and you get paid when your readers take a look at it -- and we are talking dollars, not pennies. Cool!

Now other than money, there are some other advantages to The News Room. There are regular opportunities to receive rewards and prizes for hosting this content. You know, little things like electronics, vacations, and cars that you can earn by placing such material on your site. Imagine that -- improving the content on your website, get paid for it, and possibly get some of these little bonuses. Again, very cool!

Posted by: Greg at 06:52 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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My wife and I have had the same furniture since around the time we got married. I mean just about all of it -- dining room, living room, bedroom. It is getting a little worse for wear in some cases, though we have done our best to keep up with it. Still, we talk sometimes about what we would like our next house full of furniture to look like.

I mean, let's talk about the living room furniture for a moment. We definitely need a new sofa -- and my wife has her heart set on a sectional sofa this time around, preferably one with a chaise. We are unlikely to go for leather furniture, though, both due to aesthetics and the fact that we have an indoor dog who could damage the leather with her claws.

The bedroom furniture? Well, she really would like a sleigh bed, though perhaps that isn't as practical as it was when she was more mobile. Me? I'd like to get us a couple of twin or full beds so that my tossing and turning does not disrupt her sleep by setting off her ache and pains but still allows us to share the same bedroom.

And, of course, there is the home office furniture. One piece has to stay -- Dad's old marble roll-top desk that he and mom bought in Asia 20 years ago. However, a new computer desk that harmonizes with it, and some comfortable desk chairs would certainly be appreciated by both my darling wife and I.

Of course, I am talking about a pipe dream right now -- but someday, maybe sooner than I expect, we will make the change.

Posted by: Greg at 12:00 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I want to write a book. No, not a scholarly work of history or a weighty tome of political opinions. Heck, 'm not even talking about making my blog into a book -- who would pay for what is already free?

No, I want to write a novel. Science fiction, in particular. yeah, that's right -- I'm one of those geeky guys. And no, I'm not talking about the sort of thing written by Heinlein or L. Neil Smith, weighted down with political meaning and philosophy backed up with good story-telling. No, I just want to write something fun and pleasurable to read. I think the best word for such a book might be "escapist literature."

The problem is that I don't know where to begin. Heck, it is a lot different than writing this blog, with its relatively short component pieces. I'd need to plot out a story develop some good characters, and then actually get around to writing the darn thing!. That sounds like a heck of a lot of work to me.

Now I just came across a website that claims to be able to teach me how to write a book in just 28 days. What's more, it claims that I can do this while writing only one single hour a day -- and in bursts of no more than five minutes. Frankly, I find such a claim intriguing. I'm also intrigued by the money-back guarantee if you don't have a publishing contract within three months.

Why don't you drop by WriteQuickly.com and take a look -- and then tell me what you think.

Posted by: Greg at 11:50 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Remember when I told you guys about the kid in my college speech class? You know, the one who looked like Sanjaya from American Idol. man, was he ever sold on the benefits of "self-hypnosis" for purposes of self-improvement. I laughed then, but over two decades later he is the guy I remember.

Well, I still flash back to that speech nearly a quarter century ago when i see stuff about this site for hypnosis downloads And what's more, the folks at Instant-Hypnosis.com really want you to try their material. Their offer? Two free hypnosis sessions for you! And since all sessions come with a money-back guarantee, you do not pay a thing for any session with which you are not completely satisfied. That, my friends, is a sign of confidence in one's product, being prepared to give up every penny with the assurance that one's customers will be happy enough enough to stay with the program in the future!

Posted by: Greg at 06:53 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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i guess I've gotten a little more interested in the whole topic of cyber-bullying in the last few weeks, since a couple of my colleagues had MySpace accounts opened in their names -- one rather funny, one pornographic, and one accusing a respected educator of pedophilia. The sites have all been wiped out, but it got me to thinking in a new way about how my students can be bullied on-line.

It is therefore somewhat fortuitous that this evening I was asked to take a look at material on cyber-bullying from the Kamaron Institute. I had not realized how widespread the problem really is -- 18-49% of students in grades 4-12 may have been the victims of online contact designed to deliberately and repeatedly hurt, taunt, ridicule, threaten or intimidate them.

The Kamaron Institute has created a webpage designed to help parents, educators, and others deal with cyber-bullying. In it, there are links to all sorts of good resources, including lesson plans for teachers like me. There is also a glossary of terms related to cyber-bullying, so that responsible adults have the vocabulary to begin talking about the problem.

And in what I consider to be the most important feature, and one that I wish they played-up a little bit more, they also offer ways of tracing the cyber-bullying to its source, which will greatly enable victims and their families to put a stop to the victimization of the innocent.

Overall, I'm pleased by what I see -- I just wish there was more of it, given the problem that bullying of all sorts creates for young people.

Posted by: Greg at 01:15 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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For all I complain about blocked websites at school, I can't argue that some sort of internet filter and/or firewall is necessary when you are dealing with kids. Let's be honest -- even the most innocent end up places they shouldn't, so parental control of what is accessible is a must.

That is where FilterGuide.com comes into the picture. The provide parental control software reviews for you, so that you can learn which of the many services out there is the right one for you and your family. There are so many choices out there – some with definite “point-of-view” biases – so you need to make sure you get the right one.

Posted by: Greg at 01:05 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I love my wife's perfume, almost as much as I love her. It is called Crush, and I have to tell you -- in the couple of years she has used it I have come to understand how a cat responds to catnip. Meeeee-oooowwwww!

You can get it and more over at SendMeScent.com. Their selection is unbelievable -- and they have something to bring out the feline in everyone.

Posted by: Greg at 12:58 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Looking for online backup? The check out IDrive-E. They have a phenomenal deal there on Online Backup services -- 2 Gigabytes free, $4.95 a month for unlimited online storage. Good grief, if only I had known and availed myself of the service before my hard drive crash last spring! I wouldn't have lost all of my materials for my college course, or my wife's extensive collection of graphics that she uses for her crafting projects. Indeed, I still regularly get asked if I've backed up her stuff -- because she has a fear of losing so many graphics that she had spent years collecting.

Imagine if you were running a business, and lost everything. Say goodbye to your accounts receivable spreadsheets, your other financial records, and your crucial correspondence that you've been keeping an eye on. Imagine the lost good will with customers as orders went unfilled and leads went unanswered. It would be enough to put the small businessman out of business -- or worse. So seriously, you have got to take a look at getting some Online Backup now. And now, you can even create and manage multiple accounts for small business -- making IDrive-E an even better service for you.

Posted by: Greg at 06:27 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Interested in living in Miami Beach or South Beach? Those are some hot places to live, no doubt about it, surrounded by beautiful people and a beautiful environment. But how to find new home in one of the hippest places in America today?

You need a good information. And if you are after South Beach Miami real estate, the best way to find it is to start accessing the MLS listings for the area. Oh, and you need a good real estate agency -- which is where South Beach Investment Realty can be a great help to you. With the help of SBIR, you can find the place you want -- whether we are talking condos, houses, or even places in luxury retirement communities. SBIR has agents with expertise in all of these areas, and so they can get you settled in the just the right place, because there really is no place like home.

Posted by: Greg at 01:15 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I teach. I don't make any secret of that. But would you like to know what my biggest frustration is as a teacher? It isn't discipline or lack of respect from students. No, it is that too many kids have weak reading skills -- and read at a pace that is slow as molasses.

What can be done for these kids. Well, there are a number of solutions to deal with the comprehension and vocabulary issues that such students have, but one thing that would help many of them now and in the future would be speed reading. What's more, it has been demonstrated that speed reading helps increase comprehension, because it relies on seeking out the key words for meaning.

Want to learn more? There is a great site over at SpeedReadingSecret.com that can give you more information and help you -- and your student -- improve reading skills today!

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Debt is a two-edged sword. It can allow you to acquire things you want or need, but it can also strangle you economically if you are not careful.

I look at the situation some friends found themselves in a few years ago. They were a nice couple -- he in his 50s and her in her 40s, with two wonderful kids. The problem was that they had allowed themselves to live a lifestyle that was well beyond their means. I mean they were in serious trouble. The had lots of unsecured and secured loans -- everything from student loans to car loans to credit cards to a mortgage. And then he lost his job, and they nearly lost it all. Fortunately, a new job for my friend and refinancing of their home to lower monthly payments and tap into their equity in their house allowed them to recover and live a more scaled-back life by use of this Secured Loan.

If you are facing financial need and you are looking for personal loans, might I suggest Loanwize.co.uk??

Posted by: Greg at 04:17 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Movies fascinate me. They always have. Even those films that are not well-made have to them a certain magical quality, combining elements of sight and sound with a narrative structure that is found in the written screenplay that gives the basic structure to the film. While my film art class in college was concerned with the technique of the final product, I have always been fascinated by the screenplay itself (just as I am with the theatrical play as a literary form). Indeed, you can't have a good film without a good screenplay.

Well, now you have the chance to learn to write a screenplay in under a month. No, I don't mean the lessons will take under a month -- I mean that the idea is that you can write a screenplay in 28 days -- that is merely four weeks! I know, that sounds crazy, but that is the promise over at MovieInAMonth.com -- you can learn to write good screenplays in only four weeks -- screenplays that sell.

MovieInAMonth.com is the brainchild of James Lamberg, who has written or ghost-written over 50 screenplays. His basic principle is that writing quickly means writing successfully Now that makes sense in a rather intuitive fashion. after all, the more you write, the more you can sell, write? And if writing quickly forces you to keep things real, so much the better.

Am i ready to buy the course -- I don't know, because I don't know that I want to be a screenwriter. However, this is definitely a program to consider if that is your goal in life.

Posted by: Greg at 12:43 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I love artwork. I really do -- a beautiful piece of art can lift one to new heights.

Park West Gallery is a fine art gallery that conducts art auctions throughout the United States and Canada. Indeed, they are the world's largest art gallery, dealing in the works of such diverse individuals as Chen Alexander, Friz Freleng, and Pierre-Aguste Renoir. I'm particularly struck by their work with animation art, something I have been interested in since I was a college kid and bought my first animation cell from them.

What is also interesting is that the company has expanded its horizons to include taking art and auctions onto the high seas. One affiliate, Park West at Sea, holds auctions on cruise ships -- let's hope that there are no pirate crews out there looking for a little bit of artistic booty!

But in all seriousness, Park West Gallery is a well-respected player in the field of art. If you are an art lover, a stop by their site would be well-worth your time.

Posted by: Greg at 10:40 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Now here is what I'd like to do for my darling wife. For her, I'd love to get that king sleigh bed that we have wanted since we got married, as well as a nice two tone sectional -- preferably with the chaise that she has always wanted.

And for me? How about home office furniture so that when I work on the blog I am nice and comfortable?

Posted by: Greg at 06:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I don't know about you, but I want to know the score of the game right now. What game? Well, whatever game happens to catch my fancy. With Flash Score, I can get that information in a flash!

Do I want to know how my Astros are doing? The score is there.

How about the Chicago Bulls, the basketball team of my youth? I can find out in a flash.

And if the Texans are on the road, just one click will get me the score I need.

And for my colleagues at school who have a strange fascination with British soccer, all those scores are there as well, as well as scores from around the world.

So, sports fans, check out FlashScore.com!

Posted by: Greg at 07:20 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I'll be honest -- I didn't think much about mortgages before I bought my house. Yeah, I knew that mortgages were secured loans with the money guaranteed by a lien on/interest in the house itself, but never about the process of getting one. I went in blind, never stopping to look at a mortgage calculator to figure out what I could afford or considering different types of loans. Fortunately, I got in with a good broker who found me an excellent mortgage loan at a good rate -- but I hear today about a great many folks who didn't luck out like I did, and are losing their homes because of adjustable rates or outrageous payments.

Frankly, I'm glad I'm not looking for a house today or seeking to refinance because I am locked in at a very good rate that I've found I cannot beat. However, my friends seeking mortgages today appear to be entering the process with a lot more understanding and knowledge than I had. In addition, recent financial setbacks in the mortgage market are making those high-risk and exotic loans a little less common, as lenders seek to protect their capital -- which in turn protects buyers from getting into financial trouble, though that isn't out of any sort of altruistic motive on the part of lenders.

For information on types of mortgages and refinancing your home, visit Rebuild.com. They have many great articles on motgages and other loans.

Posted by: Greg at 06:59 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Well, folks, you know I've become a real fan of PayPerPost over the last several months, where I get paid to blog. There are lots of them -- indeed, over 2900 of reasons, if you want me to be specific. That is why the big changes that have been happening around PPP have really been exciting to me. Beats the heck out of Google's offering, doesn't it?

Perhaps the biggest of late has been the introduction of PayPerPost Direct -- a new way of connecting advertisers and bloggers to their mutual advantage. Now, not only can we bloggers choose from the advertising opportunities that are posted at PPP, but now advertisers can come to us directly to propose opportunities for specific bloggers on specific blogs. The process is well-explained in this video from the PayPerPost.com blog.

Now some of you may want to know how this differs from some other programs out there, like ReviewMe. Well, take it from someone who signed up for their program -- they are worlds apart. For starters, there is the cost to advertisers and the revenue that goes to the bloggers. They mark up the cost of the ads by 100%, and keep the rest as profit for themselves. In other words, a $20 ad buy by an advertiser yields only a $10 payout to the blogger. That sure does eat up an advertising budget quickly, and keeps all but a handful of bloggers from seeing any serious payout for accepting offers. PayPerPost Direct, on the other hand, has only a 10% markup. How can they do it -- by being bigger and more efficient than the competition. That means that the same $10 payout to a blogger only costs and advertiser $11. I don't know about you, but if I were an advertiser i'd be willing to buy a whole lot more ads with PPP Direct bloggers -- simply because my budget would go further. And as a blogger, I'd know that my offers would be higher and/or more plentiful for precisely the same reason -- the advertisers could buy more advertising!

So consider signing up today -- the link is over in the right column if you wish to join PPP as a blogger or an advertiser, and there is one in the left column if you want to make me an offer.

Posted by: Greg at 01:30 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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And maybe more importantly, how come the motivational articles for entrepreneurs he has posted are so good?

Well let me begin by telling you that Andreas Bard is a 22-year-old Swedish guy who is on what he calls a journey to freedom. He has caught the entrepreneurial spirit in a big sort of way, and loves to start and grow businesses -- and he wants to inspire you to do the same thing, if you dare.

Now what Andreas wants to do is help the young entrepreneur get started in business and persevere until he or she has been successful. It is all in how one thinks and what one does, you see. Anybody with sufficient motivation and desire can start a business and learn to make it grow into a going concern that makes money. To that end, he has written and/or posted motivational articles for you -- if you are really interested in making that big leap into the world of entrepreneurism.

And there are lots of areas for the young entrepreneur to consider. For example, have you ever considered how much self-discipline it takes to start and run your business? Really, it does, because with no boss watching over your shoulder or giving you direction on what to do and how to do it, you are on your own. If you don't do something, it doesn't get done and your business -- your livelihood -- disappears. Not a good thing at all.

Similarly, handling criticism is very important. Let's be honest -- you and your business are going to be criticized by customers and (if you have any) employees. And to tell the truth, at least some of that criticism is going to be true -- and some of it will not be presented in a constructive, helpful manner. What do you do? Do you listen to it? Do you ignore it? Do you mine out the nuggets of truth amidst the garbage? Andreas talks about that at length.

And there there is one that might not come to mind at first -- but is key to making your business a success. It is starting a healthier lifestyle. Don't forget -- your biggest asset in your business is you, especially at the beginning. If you don;t take good care of yourself, you will not be operating at your peak efficiency, and as a result your business will be at a distinct disadvantage.

Andreas has a lot of interesting stuff to say -- drop by and look, even if you are not an aspiring entrepreneur. To be honest, the healthier lifestyle one has hit really close to home for me, and has caused me to reassess some things about how I live my life.

Posted by: Greg at 01:16 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Hearing that there is a new Police cd out has gotten me thinking and reminiscing as I think lustfully about owning a copy of this new compilation of the group's greatest songs.

I must have been fourteen or fifteen -- certainly in Ninth Grade -- when I first heard that rather striking opening wail.

Roxanne!
You don't have to put on the red light.

I'll be honest -- I was sold on the song and the singer and the group right then, just based on the first two syllables standing by themselves. The fantastic guitar work blew my mind. And the fact that the song itself was about a rather edgy and forbidden topic at my Catholic high school (love songs to hookers were not exactly a favorite of priests or nuns), I had to own the album, Outlandos d'Amour. And yes, I am talking VINYL. It was, in fact, the first thing I bought with my first paycheck from my first job. Cool.

I needn't tell you, of course, that Reggatta de Blanc quickly came into my music collection when it came out -- I fell in love with Message in a Bottle and, under the inspiration of the song and and a bit of vodka out of my Dad's liquor cabinet, actually penned a dreadful poem about a shipwrecked sailor sending a message in a bottle. It became my first published piece of poetry, in my high school literary magazine. I can only hope that all copies have been destroyed in the intervening quarter century.

And I'll be honest -- I never lost faith with Sting, Andy and Stewart. I always loved their music, even if I have not bought every release. Indeed, I have one song that makes me cringe every time I hear it -- as a teacher, Don't Stand So Close to Me cuts way to close to home for me to ever be able to listen to it the same way, though I still love Zenyatta Mondatta.

And of course, there are the final two projects that the group released. Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity became the sound track of my college years. I think I wore out at least to cassettes of each during the 1980s.

And now, as the group makes its triumphant return, to the concert stage in what is probably the second-most-desired reunion in rock history (and sadly, the Beatles are an impossibility), there is a new Police cd out compiling the best of the music of the Police.

And look at the music you get on it!

Disc: 1
1. Fallout
2. Can't Stand Losing You
3. Next to You
4. Roxanne
5. Truth Hits Everybody
6. Hole in My Life
7. So Lonely
8. Message in a Bottle
9. Reggatta de Blanc
10. Bring on the Night
11. Walking on the Moon
12. Don't Stand So Close to Me
13. Driven to Tears
14. Canary in a Coalmine

Disc: 2
1. Do Do Do de da da Da
2. Voices Inside My Head
3. Invisible Sun
4. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
5. Spirits in the Material World
6. Demolition Man
7. Every Breath You Take
8. Synchronicity I
9. Wrapped Around Your Finger
10. Walking in Your Footsteps
11. Synchronicity II
12. King of Pain
13. Murder by Numbers
14. Tea in the Sahara

What can I say -- I want it. I need it. I've got to have it. Somebody -- please -- give me a copy of this CD!

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Where can you go for treatment when you have an addiction? That is a question that some folks have to face in their lives.

There is a new drug rehab program in Michigan, First Step Rehab, that treats folks from around the country. It is not a Twelve Step program, but instead uses a five stage program to get patients off drugs and into a healthy lifestyle. If you or a loved one needs drug rehab, stop by their website for more information.

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You know, I've got lots of questions about Lap Band Surgery. I know that one of my colleagues underwent the procedure last year, and she certainly lost lots of weight and has kept it off. I've never really known, though, how it works and what the cost of the procedure is.

That is why I find the concept behind MyLapbBandSurgery.com to be a really interesting one. This website, which has helped thousand of happy patients receive life-saving and lifestyle altering gastric bypass surgery to facilitate weight loss. Indeed, it is a real God-send for folks who don't have the sort of insurance coverage to get the surgery done under their health plan -- and I know that I don't.

Part of the secret is to have the lap band surgery performed in Mexico. Yes, you read that right -- you travel to Mexico and have the surgery done there. This seriously reduces teh cost of the procedure, and puts it within reach of many more patients seeking to lose that excess weight. Of course, many of you reading this might have some serious doubts about going to another country -- especially Mexico, to get surgery done at an inexpensive price. But that does not mean that you are putting yourself at risk. MyLapbBandSurgery.com is affiliated with a reputable hospital and works with licensed, certified physicians to see to it that every surgery is successful and has no problems. Indeed, the team has performed over 48,000 lapband and other gastric bypass surgeries with a success rate of over 98%.

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So contact MyLapBandSurgery.com for more information, and look at their resource guide to waht you can expect.

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Years ago, when I was in college, I took a speech class. To be honest, I don't remember much about it -- except for one speech. It was by a guy who sort of looked like Sanjaya from this season's American Idol, and he was talking about the benefits of "self-hypnosis" for purposes of self-improvement. I laughed -- but over two decades later he is the guy I remember.

Well, when I came across this site for hypnosis downloads, I was intrigued, and flashed back to the mid-1980s. What did I find but dozens of programs to help improve people's lives -- all available over the internet. Frankly, i was astounded by the number of programs available to choose from. You can find programs for memory improvement, skill development, ending destructive personal habits, or even to help cope with pain. There are all sorts of possibilities for you.

And what's more, the folks at Instant-Hypnosis.com really want you to try their material. Their offer? Two free hypnosis sessions for you! And since all sessions come with a money-back guarantee, you do not pay a thing for any session with which you are not completely satisfied. That, my friends, is a sign of confidence in one's product, being prepared to give up every penny with the assurance that one's customers will be happy enough enough to stay with the program in the future!

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How do you deal with the issue of doing an Online Backup of Oracle files? To be honest, there have always been some problems with this, due to the special nature of the data involved and its critical nature for small businesses. Well, the friendly folks at IBackup have stepped into the breach to help small business owners deal with those special needs Oracle users. You can read all about it over at IBackup.com, where they have a whole array of backup solutions for individuals and businesses. Remember -- lost data means lost information, lost time, and lost business, all things that you cannot afford to waste.

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Hey -- we've all seen the dating "reality" shows on television. You know, Joe Millionaire, The Bachelor, and all the rest. Frankly, there isn't a whole lot of reality to the reality that you watch on them -- but lots of folks try to participate. heck, we even had one local teacher on one of the shows recently.

But would YOU want to get into the act? Would you want to win a date with -- perhaps even seduce -- a celebrity? Come on, folks -- be honest.

That's the premise of the new online reality show Seduce a Celeb. It is one of the Free videos at GoFish.com, and features actress Mirelly Taylor, who you have seen on shows like “Las Vegas”, “Punk’d”, and “Numb3rs”. You can submit videos at GoFish.com and try to win yourself a date with the lovely Mirelly, who is a real Latin hottie!

Now I'll be honest -- Mirelly is cute. I suppose that in my younger days I might have even been willing to give this game a shot. But you know what – I think that the next celebrity they bring into this should not be an actor or actress, but instead alone of the hot young country music artists who are just breaking into the industry. Or maybe former reality show contestants – could you imagine this with Sanjaya as the celebrity?

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Derek Bok once said, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."

Education used to be the way to ensure that you were on the path to making good money. It often still is -- but now it is also the way to making yourself indebted. But you don't have to deal with your debt in ignorant way -- a Student Loan Consolidation Program is an option for many individuals. In fact, you are probably one of those individuals if you are still paying on your college loan debt – especially if that debt is a heavy burden.

And there are lots of programs out there for student loan consolidation, if you know where to look. That is where FinancialAid.com comes into the picture. They offer many programs to help you get that college debt under control and paid off, so that you are running your life, not your student loans. So click on in and take a look -- they can save you money on those student loans! And everybody can certainly stand to have a few extra dollars in their pocket each month – and some programs can make a considerable cut in your monthly payments.

If you need help with student loan debt consolidation, visit FinancialAid.com. You'd be ignorant not to.

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The Cooperative Bank is a consumer led, ethically driven bank in the UK. It offers a wide array of options for its customers, including co-oploan offerings for its online customers.

The Cooperative Bank offers its customers loans that are made without using profits made from unnecessarily polluting companies or companies that engage in or cooperate with human rights abuses. For some folks, this is an important consideration, and so a bank like this one makes day-to-day economic transactions much easier on the conscience.

One of the neat things about the bank is that the it operates on the following principles.

Through our investments, we seek to support the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In line with this, we will not invest in:

* any government or business which fails to uphold basic human rights within its sphere of influence.
* any business whose links to an oppressive regime are a continuing cause for concern.

Now I would be interested in understanding a little bit better how they make the determinations about the regimes deemed "oppressive", but presuming they are acting in an ethical fashion I believe that I could actively support that policy. I'm a little bit less excited about certain other aspects of their ethical policy, but fully support the right of consumers to seek out services from businesses that follow their moral values. And that is key -- the Cooperative Bank offers consumers a viable choice for meeting their ethical and economic obligations.

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You folks may remember the computer tragedy I had last spring. My darling wife and I lost everything in a moment of electronic infamy as my hard drive crashed, taking with it 120 GB of data that literally could not be replaced because I had not taken the time to back it up. Ouch!

Now I had bought a backup storage device, but i hadn't gotten it hooked up and running yet. But the truth is that I didn't really need it -- Online Storage is available at reasonable rates through iBackup.com. The nice thing is that the data would have been easily available to me, because the online data maps as a drive from your computer. So drop by and check out the solution to your backup needs -- iBackup.com.

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Going to Europe? Thinking about going to Europe? Know where you are going to stay while you are there? Well, have I got a site for you -- EuroBookings.com!

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BackgammonMasters.com online game company is expanding worldwide, placing its attention and resources on Latin American markets. That is the latest word from the innovative online backgammon company that has been making waves in the internet world.

And now that they've set up shop south of the border, what fun our Spanish-speaking neighbors will be able to have. I suspect that Jean-Claude the tiger will soon be sporting a distinctly Latin flavor.

Why this expansion? Well, even though BackgammonMasters.com is a backgammon provider, that is not the only game they offer. One of their recent additions is Perudo, a popular Spanish dice game that has taken off big-time in Latin America. As a result, the company decided that they needed an office located somewhere in Central America. But even with the new office, customers in Latin America can take advantage of the full range of payment options, including making payments via Visa or MasterCard.

What this means, of course, is that BackgammonMasters.com is working its way into regional markets, and setting itself up for fantastic growth. Having created a market for realistic gaming using software that makes virtual play very realistic, now the goal is to introduce more games beyond backgammon, poker, and Perudo. Indeed, if the company introduces more regional games, they may be able to take over the world of internet gaming!

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