The Mormon Techno Geek

Current Weight: 569 - Trying out for the Biggest Loser!

2009-03-04T09:14:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.patrickcurl.com/?p=10)

Here are my reasons for wanting to be on the Biggest Loser:

: Image by bensonkua via Flickr

1. I've never known anything else, or experienced what it's like to be normal, this is my chance. I wore a size 50 pant size when I was 12 years old. Ever since I've had to buy my clothes at specialty big and tall shops - and my cost for a pair of pants usually runs around $70+ I'd like to be able to buy cheap clothes at Walmart for a change.

2. I rarely complete anything, I start many things but always find it hard to stick with it till the end, I think if I complete this one thing - the biggest problem in my life, then perhaps other areas of my life will be better.

3. I want a family, and my wife deserves it too. W/out losing substantial weight the Dr's have said it's highly unlikely that we will ever get pregnant. Even if we still have problems later on, we can always adopt - but unless I get fit I won't be able to really provide for a family and take care of my family.

4. I am tired of being passed over for job promotions, and being singled out as 'the lazy' one - simply because people just assume that a fat person = a lazy person. I'm also tired of lacking the self confidence to stand up for myself in many situations.

Everywhere I go people point, children make many blunt and hurtful remarks even if they're not intentional - when a 3 year old says, 'Mommy, he's so fat' it really hurts inside - and you can't really say anything though I'd like to give the parent an earful...

Next November I turn 30, this is my chance, possibly my only chance to make the next 30 years of my life something way better than the first 30.

I want more than anything to be able to ride a rollercoaster again - something I haven't been able to do since I was 16. I want to experience all the things life has to offer before it passes me by. Life is too short to spend it trapped in a fat body - I need this so bad.

I'm so ready for this change - Please pray for me this weekend as I audition for the Biggest Loser. I appreciate it immensely.

'Biggest Loser' Couple Marty and Amy Wolff Expecting First Child (celebrity-babies.com)

Biggest Loser contestant takes van, crosses marathon finish line (tvsquad.com)

As the Fat Turns... (FatManUnleashed.com)

I Won an Award!! (organizewithsandy.blogspot.com)

Alison Sweeney on Megan's Early Arrival (celebrity-babies.com)

Dane on marathon: "in my mind I ran the full 26 miles"; Biggest Loser producers apologize (realityblurred.com)

What happened on The Biggest %&*#$@! Loser last night? (tvsquad.com)

New Year, New Focus: Losing Weight, and going Green!

2009-02-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/new-year-new-focus-losing-weight-and-going-green/)

: Image by mgonamission via Flickr

In times past this blog has been a blog about blogging. I've also blogged about marketing, and pretty much anything that mattered to me at the time. I'm finding now isn't the best time in the world to be starting a blog to make money.

Sure I'm still making some money - not nearly as much as I used to, especially being banned by google because somebody clicked on too many links from my page - none of my fault.

I've made a new plan or goal in life - first off I am spending 6 -8 hours working out 3 days a week, and changing my diet. I've lost 75 pounds since January 12th, 2009. (Yes that's under a month but I have a lot of weight to lose - I started weighing 660 lbs, and now weigh 577).

This is my primary goal right now - my wife works in Private duty home health, I am currently between jobs - other than my blog, which I have neglected a bit as of late. These days just about everyone is either between jobs or knows somebody else who is.

Why - being between jobs isn't such a bad thing - for me I have always had excuses for why I couldn't lose weight, or workout. My main excuse - was I have a lot of work, not enough energy, and not enough time.

Well - my wife took that excuse away agreeing to work, while I workout - for every hour she works I spend an hour in the gym - for the most part anyways. We are also changing our diets together and eating healthier. I have no excuses now to losing weight and it's working like a charm - almost as good as if I were accepted on the Biggest Loser, which I've always dreamed of being on.

This year I've decided I can wait until I get accepted on the Biggest Loser - and maybe die in the process or I can be my own biggest loser. I spend 6-8 hours x 3 days per week using water weights while swimming, water walking, and water kickboxing.

I'm also drinking 1 gallon+ water per day, and cut out 90% of soda - I'll have a coke zero every now and again but mostly drink water.

My other focus - I'm going back to school to get a degree in Sustainability(that's green technology, green science, green business, basically anything green or eco related.) With my desire to go into green technologies as a career - I've decided to change my blog's theme a bit. From now on this blog will feature a lot more information on going green and being an eco-friendly blogger.

Presented By: Biggest Loser Back in 2009 on an Even Bigger Scale (prweb.com)
One Time That Being a Loser is a Good Thing (articlesbase.com)
Biggest Loser gains viewers even against Idol (realityblurred.com)
Partnering for Weight Loss (articlesbase.com)
Follow the Calories in Calories Out Rule for Weight Loss (articlesbase.com)
Weight Loss Show Awards Winner With $250,000 (articlesbase.com)
Biggest Loser Club (articlesbase.com)
Tv's Team Approach Motivates Weight Loss (articlesbase.com)
Successful Weight Loss on TV (articlesbase.com)
The Biggest Loser Couples Season 7, Episode 1 Recap (FatManUnleashed.com)
Quick Weight Loss Tips: 8 Ways to See Results Fast! (articlesbase.com)
Google's Path to Smarter Power (thenextweb.com)
Lose Weight and Watch Your Energy Soar (articlesbase.com)
Link Building is Like Losing Weight - Are You a Linkless Fatty? (winningtheweb.com)
Improve Your Motivation to Lose Weight (articlesbase.com)
Is Blogging Doomed? Why A-Lister's Are Quitting and Dan Lyons Is Just Plain Wrong (davidrisley.com)
Fitness Posts Be Gone! (rainbowofchaos.wordpress.com)

Save

2009-02-05T07:59:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/save/)

: Image via Wikipedia

Soda and other flavored or sweetened beverages are a luxury. They are also an expense that if removed can save you not only thousands of dollars, but also thousands of calories, and 10+ pounds per year.

The average american drinks 50 gallons or so of soda per year. The average obese american or overweight American can drink as much as 500 gallons, and many healthy people drink 0 gallons.

I myself on some days could drink as much as 2-3 liters per day. (Think 3 large cups at McDonalds is equal to 3 liters.) Some days I could drink a lot more.

Let's do some math.
Let's say you eat at fast food restauarants 4 times per week, and you upsize your meals. That's 208 liters of soda per year. It's also roughly 312 dollars (at $1.50 each), and 79872 calories (at 384 calories per liter of soda). 3500 calories is equal to one pound, so that's the equivalent of 22 lbs gained per year just from soda.

Let's say beyond eating at McDonalds you eat at nicer restaurants maybe twice a week, like Olive Garden, or Applebees. You order a coke, and get 3 refills of a 12 oz glass. Now you're spending a little more per drink - about $2.50 on average, and you drink about 36 oz. In a year you would spend $260, drink another 39900 calories, gaining another 12 lbs.

Do you drink soda at home? What about during football games? What about at parties? At School?
This is just how much money you spend by yourself - what about the rest of your family - your spouse, and any children?

Using the example above in a two person family, just a husband and wife, if you ordered water every time you eat out, you could save the following:

$1144 saved.
239544 Calories saved.
68 lbs saved.

On top of that you'll add years to your life.

Some other good ways to save money is to stop going to places like starbucks if you need coffee brew it at home and save money. You can spend thousands a year on latte's and it's just wasted money. If you eat out religiously every week, try taking one week per month and having a spending freeze - spend no money except on bills and absolute necessities, you will find yourself saving hundreds more.

Times are tough right now, and American's are more overweight than ever, just drinking water at restaurants can not only save your life and make you more attractive but it can save you from financial ruin.

I myself have lost over 80 lbs since January 1st 2009, by eating healthier, now's a great time to eat healthy, and you can save money by doing it as well. It's a win-win proposition.

Recession Took A Bite Of Restaurant Sales (cbsnews.com)

McDonalds Posts Fat Profits, We Post, uh, Fat (oneriot.com)

Water is a Miracle Weight Loss Drink (healthlifestyleforever.com)

McDonalds Responds To Record Wii Fit Sales With "McCheesy Quadtuple Deluxe" (the-minusworld.com)

Money Saving Tips 16-20 (malewail.com)

Beware Of This Fast Food Marketing Ploy (myinvestingblog.com)

Which Beverage Contains More Calories? (fitsugar.com)

10 Easy-to-Adhere-to Healthy New Year Resolutions for 2009 (dailymuscle.com)

Selling Obesity (spot-on.com)

Healthy Habit: Drink Plenty of Water (fitsugar.com)

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas to all There's a Blog in my Soup Readers!

2008-12-24T07:07:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/ho-ho-ho-merry-christmas-to-all-theres-a-blog-in-my-soup-readers/)
Well it has been a long eventful year, as far as historical years it has definitely been one for the record books.

From the recession, to the presidential elections and more. This will definitely be a year many people remember for years to come.

I would like to take a moment and give a gratituitous holiday greeting to all of my readers, friends, and fellow bloggers. This blog is a major success thanks to all of you, without your support I could never be a full-time blogger.

I appreciate all that you have done for me, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or another holiday this season I wish you the best in your celebrations, and hope that everything goes safely for you this season.

I also wish you a happy new year, and good luck!

Time to celebrate and be joyful

Happiness at Christmas is...

Tis the season

Happy Christmas from Hachette: A Big Honking Giveaway

Question for mormons: Is this bad? Motab vs Linkin' Park?

2008-12-23T18:08:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/question-for-mormons-is-this-bad-motab-vs-linkin-park/)
Just a thought question that was posed at the Ward Christmas Party tonight - somebody asked the question do they have to like the mormon tabernacle choir if they're LDS, and I was thinking to myself, ya know - I would much rather be at a Linkin Park concert than motab anyday lol.

What say you? Is that bad for a good little mormon boy or girl? Can a Petey priesthood disavow affections for Mormon Tabernacle Choir?

I'd like your opinion - especially if you're LDS/Mormon.

BlogContestSite Now Tweets!

2008-12-23T13:43:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/blogcontestsite-now-tweets/)
We'd all love to get our hands on the latest greatest gadget on the market. I myself would love a 42 inch tv or larger, can I afford it? Probably not. I'd also love to win an iphone, ipod, macbook, netbook, etc... I'd love to win anything - who wouldn't?

Blog contests are great ways to win great prizes. You not only win though, you help smaller blogs get their feet off. It's a win-win situation.

BlogContestSite.com has been around a long time. It started out as one of the first blogs to host blog contest information on the internet.

It has sinced moved into a different direction where you can add your own contests to the site, and vote other contests up and down and win in the progess.

I am a little biased being the co-owner of Blog Contest Site, but I believe it's headed for greatness. I have relaunched the new design using DRIGG for Drupal. I will be giving prizes to users with the most Karma - getting karma is easy just vote, and leave comments on contests.

You can also follow blogcontests on twitter and get updated every 30 mins on new contests that are running!

Contest at Help My Hurt - 1 year anniversary!

Picture This: I'm a photo contest winner

CrunchGear Contest: 3 Western Digital WD TV HD Media Players Up For Grabs

Holiday TextExpander Giveaway Contest

Tomorrow is last day for our HP Magic Giveaway contest!

Our Gift To You: Win A Zero G Flight And A Chance To Go To Space

Vote For Our Editor For the Day [Contest]

About being Google Slapped and Matt Cutts being a Nazi.

2008-12-23T09:56:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/about-being-google-slapped-and-matt-cutts-being-a-nazi/)

: Image by ByronShell via Flickr

Does Google PR even matter anymore?

Nobody knows when or how it's decided, save a few select programmers at google. Does it even matter anymore?

I have 0 PR after having my blog up for nearly 2 years. I have many incoming links, I have a google index of 3,180, an alexa rank of 250,000 give or take, daily traffic equal to about 700 hits per day, and a yahoo index of 11,400.

My blog is also helping me earn over $1000 monthly working from home on a consecutive basis.

I'm at the point where whether I write or not I get traffic - when I do write an article I will spike and get between 2-4k hits on those days.

Each of my blog posts are pinged to many directories, and announced via ping.fm to all my social circles.

Yet, I have never sold or bought links. I have never blatantly spammed my links. I have never done anything to try and gain incoming links in a blackhat manner. All my incoming links are perfectly organic.

So, why do I have a 0 PR?

I would love Matt Cutts to write to me and give me a good reason. I'd also like a good reason why this site has been adsense banned, not that I need adsense I make more off adbrite, and honestly think it's probably better going with a different company than google.

Especially when google hires Nazis like Matt Cutts and other programmers who basically have the power to say who can or can't stay in their program based on stupid reasons, and won't answer why.

It's like the statement JP Morgan Chase Bank made today about the bailout:

"We've lent some of it. We've not lent some of it. We've not given any accounting of, 'Here's how we're doing it,'" said Thomas Kelly, a spokesman for JPMorgan Chase, which received $25 billion in emergency bailout money. "We have not disclosed that to the public. We're declining to."

Lets change this to Matt Cutts of Google (I attack Matt Cutts because he's the PR arm and well known, maybe he won't like being attacked and will answer my questions if not then he truly is a Nazi and I'm calling him out on it):

"We've slapped some sites, we've not slapped a few, we're not giving any accounting of who we have slapped, or why. We don't care if people's businesses are hurt by it - we're google we can do anything. Oh and by the way about that "Do no harm" thing...haha just kidding!"

With all this said - the funny thing is I may be google slapped when it comes to PR but I do still get good traffic from the search engine arm - I just have no PR juice, maybe that will change - I'd be happy to write a retraction if I ever get an answer as to why my PR is still 0, and my adsense account was deactivated.

Do I have high hopes? Nah - maybe someday though Matt Cutts will see this and look into it, maybe he googles his name every now and again, maybe he will see me ranking high for the term Matt Cutts is a Nazi.

One last thing I use Nazi, not as white supremist, but as totalitarian. Hitler had full control, and could do as he pleased. Those at google think they have the same power when it comes to the internet - I'd love to see them get slapped with an anti-trust lawsuit by the USA - it's only a matter of time.

Google's Matt Cutts offers three tips for 'Company Blogging'

The Secrecy of the Bailout Money

Google's Matt it again

Do No Evil?

Google Moderator launches (Matt Cutts/Gadgets, Google, and SEO)

Talking About Twitter, Google, and Matt Cutts With Loren Feldman of 1938 Media

The Tragic Side of Web 2.0 / Progress...

2008-11-20T23:24:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/the-tragic-side-of-web-20-progress/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by Matthew Stewart (aramisfirefly) via Flickr"][/caption]

New Media can be Bloody at Times

Social media and all encompassing 'new media' is a boon of opportunity, it's a way to socialize without even leaving the home for many. It is a way to build relationships with people in different lands.

Many have also embraced New Media to share the many aspects of their lives. From the birth of a new child as Robert Scoble, and This Guy did, via twitter; to the suffering of people.

To the joys of a nation embracing change, amidst a changing the world (yeah I'm talking about the election, duh!)

As Tony Hung of Deep Jive Interests put it quite poigantly:

The “new” web is more than the spectacle of the crushingly banal or the bruisingly idiotic, and like it or lump it, it will probably catalogue the depth and breadth of the human experience in a way that’s never been done before.

Which brings us to the Tragic Side of Web 2.0.

It was reported today that a young man took his life, while streaming it live on Justin.tv.

Justin.tv being a video service which streams content live. This may be one of the first suicides committed on live internet tv, but I doubt it will be the last.

I'm sure there will also come a day when serial killers torture, rape, and kill their victims whilst letting the whole world watch.

Let's pray that it doesn't get that bad, and lets pray that if that day comes, that we won't be so base to not even acknowledge it as newsworthy.

New Idea to gain / keep Newsletter Subscribers

2008-11-20T04:20:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/new-idea-to-gain-keep-newsletter-subscribers/)
I'm gonna keep this post short and sweet.

I was thinking about ways to build my list larger, so far it's growing pretty good. Offering a freebie download is always a good start - I'm toying with the idea of writing one free elite pdf ebook weeky, and make it only available to newsletter members.

I believe this technique would work great because it's a good way to split-test new topics. One ebook may not appeal to your readers, while another might appeal better.

Anyone have experience with this type of technique? Share your Experience and comments!

Blackhat Article Writing Technique!

2008-11-19T02:02:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/blackhat-article-writing-technique/)

Well, this may not be blackhat but it's definitely gray.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

The key to successful blogging that I've been mentioning lately is focused dedication and continually writing new content. You may notice that I don't always post new content every day to this blog, although I do try to. A lot of the content I create, I use on article sites, squidoo, hubpages, etc.

This is an easy quick way to churn out articles with reckless abandon:

1. Purchase Dragon Naturally Speaking, or find an alternative speech to text program.

2. Google the topic that you want to write about, or visit goarticles.com and search articles there.

3. Launch Dragon NaturallySpeaking and rewrite the article on the fly by putting the article into your own words. Most people can speak faster than they can type and this is a much faster way to write articles.

Please note that the key here is to make the article look different and not duplicate as far as the search engines are aware. It's also to save you from any copyright issues.

How you make money with this technique:

Well you could post it to your blog and make money off your blog's advertising, OR you can post your new article to squidoo, hubpages, associated content, helium, or any other site that pays for articles.

If you do it right you could potentially write 5-10 posts in an hour, if you submit these to Associated content as exclusive posts you could earn as much as $5 per post, plus an additional $1.50 per 1000 pageviews. In essence that's $25-50 for an hour of work!

Let me know if you've had success with this technique!

Blogging at the speed of thought

Dragon Naturally Speaking For The Busy Blogger

Tazti - Free Voice Recognition Software for Web Search & iTunes

Hear Be Dragons: a review of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10

Network Marketing vs Tradition Businesses -which is better?

2008-11-18T14:40:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.patrickcurl.com/?p=8)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Right now the economy is in crisis, people are losing their jobs left and right. Now more than ever people are looking for an opportunity, they need to find a way to earn money immediately.

Before joining my network working company, I researched many different home based business opportunities. The advantages of network marketing far outweigh any other home based businesses that are out there.

Here are just a few things that made network marketing stand out for me:

Business startup costs: In most traditional businesses and small businesses start up costs can be a bit daunting.

For instance franchises like McDonald's are great businesses but they cost over $100,000 just to get started. On the other hand joining a reputable network marketing company, you're looking at startup costs as low as $50 in some cases.

While some home-based businesses may also have low start up costs, there generally is a requirement to keep buying supplies and you will always have overhead. In network marketing you will need few supplies and hardly any overhead.

Business sales: In network marketing you are generally able to start making sales on the first day. With most network marketing companies you don't even have to worry about taking payments customer enters in their own information into the company's website and that's about it.

Not only is order taking easy, but so is order fulfillment. Most network marketing companies handle all the packaging and delivery, so that you can spend most of your time making sales, signing up new distributors, and training your downline.

On the other hand if you're in the business completely on your own, it is your responsibility to set up the system to take orders, process those orders, package your products, ship the products and many times even make the product. On top of all of these items you need to make the sale as well. If you can manage all that great, but most people with that lifestyle have no time for themselves or for their families.

In a traditional home-based business as your business grows your free time disappears. As your customer base increases you have to increase the amount of time and effort that you put into your business. For instance, if you own a cake decorating business it is exciting to get a new customer, each new customer means more time in the kitchen and less time doing the things that really matter in life.

Legal: Laws govern just about every business transaction, it's important to make sure that your home business follows these laws. Most businesses you will have to pay to register your business, get insurance for your business, incorporate, file business license, etc. In network working if you choose a reputable company and follow their policies, you will generally be within the law.

But these are just a few of the reasons the network marketing is by and large the easiest and best way for a person to start their own home business and begin getting paid today.

Why not take a free tour of one of the best Network companies around today?

Finding a Serious Home Based Business Opportunity

Come and Take the Home-based MLM Business Opportunity Ride

Important Tips For Your Business Choice

Operating a Turnkey Business

Network Marketing and the Home-Based Business Opportunity

How does Network Marketing Stack up Against Traditional Businesses?

2008-11-18T14:36:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/how-does-network-marketing-stack-up-against-traditional-businesses/)

Is Network Marketing a Viable Home Based Business?

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

How does it stack up against Franchises, and other Small Businesses?

Right now the economy is in crisis, people are losing their jobs left and right. Now more than ever people are looking for an opportunity, they need to find a way to earn money immediately.

Before joining my network working company(MyWorldPlus), I researched many different home based business opportunities. The advantages of network marketing far outweigh any other home based businesses that are out there.

Here are just a few things that made network marketing stand out for me:

Business startup costs: In most traditional businesses and small businesses start up costs can be a bit daunting.

For instance franchises like McDonald's are great businesses but they cost over $100,000 just to get started. On the other hand joining a reputable network marketing company, you're looking at startup costs as low as $50 in some cases.

While some home-based businesses may also have low start up costs, there generally is a requirement to keep buying supplies and you will always have overhead. In network marketing you will need few supplies and hardly any overhead.

Business sales: In network marketing you are generally able to start making sales on the first day. With most network marketing companies you don't even have to worry about taking payments customer enters in their own information into the company's website and that's about it.

Not only is order taking easy, but so is order fulfillment. Most network marketing companies handle all the packaging and delivery, so that you can spend most of your time making sales, signing up new distributors, and training your downline.

On the other hand if you're in the business completely on your own, it is your responsibility to set up the system to take orders, process those orders, package your products, ship the products and many times even make the product. On top of all of these items you need to make the sale as well. If you can manage all that great, but most people with that lifestyle have no time for themselves or for their families.

In a traditional home-based business as your business grows your free time disappears. As your customer base increases you have to increase the amount of time and effort that you put into your business. For instance, if you own a cake decorating business it is exciting to get a new customer, each new customer means more time in the kitchen and less time doing the things that really matter in life.

Legal: Laws govern just about every business transaction, it's important to make sure that your home business follows these laws. Most businesses you will have to pay to register your business, get insurance for your business, incorporate, file business license, etc. In network working if you choose a reputable company and follow their policies, you will generally be within the law.

But these are just a few of the reasons the network marketing is by and large the easiest and best way for a person to start their own home business and begin getting paid today.

If you're ready to try Network Marketing, why not give MyWorldPlus a shot? Take a free Tour Today!

Do You Use MLM Leads

7 Step Guide for Choosing a Multi-Level Marketing Business

attraction network marketing

A Casual Look at Network Marketing and Associated Issues

Residual Income Business - Look Again at Multi Level Marketing

Are you in? Announcing: Inter-National Pillar Article Week - November 24-28th.

2008-11-16T09:40:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/are-you-in-announcing-inter-national-pillar-article-week-november-24-28th/)

Pillar Article Writing Week + Contest + 7 tips to Perfect Pillar Articles.

We all sometimes get stuck in the mode of just writing our thoughts, or small news articles, or informative but small articles daily.

This week I submit a challenge = Write 1 Pillar Article for each weekday for the Week of November 24th - 28th, 2008. You can write them each day, or write them now - and schedule them for that day, either way works. If you miss a day, that's fine - just try your best.

I suggest working on them this week though, because next week is Thanksgiving, so it may be a bit hectic at times.

I will have a post for each day where you can come and leave comments explaining what your daily pillar article is about, and a link to it. (read to the end for the best part...)

At the end of the week I will be picking the very best Pillar Article, and I will give that author a free one month verbal recommendation advert in the sidebar with a link to the blog, and your pillar article.

I will also write a 500-1000 word review with pictures and the works.

You will also be given 1000 Free Business Cards that you can use as you like courtesy of Business-Cards.com:

Last but not least - the biggest REASON to Participate: I will stumble / digg Every pillar article submitted - and I also am suggesting that everyone else who participates do the same. This could mean each article could get a ton of traffic.

The last bit - please when writing your pillar article, put something like this at the end: "This Article is part of National Pillar Article Week" and please link back to this post so that others will be able to find out about the trend too - the more people who participate, the more stumbles / diggs everyone will get.

If you like, you could also write a blog post about National Pillar Article week, on your blog as well, with a link back to this post.

7 Free Tips for Absolutely Marvelous Pillar Articles:

Lists are a Blogger's Best Friend. Not all pillar articles are lists, but lists are easy for people to follow, and the human mind just likes them. Lists are easily organized and many times lists, even crappy ones just get a lot of traffic.

Images are like defibrillators for your blog. Good Pillar articles if not lists, contain a lot of images to back up what is being taught or discussed.

Details, Shmetails. Pillar articles are detailed as can be, without fluff. Layout as much info as you can on a subject with as little un-needed info as possible.

Hot Topic - if ain't hot then it's just not. If you check out digg, linkbait and pillar articles are always on a hot topic that's unique. They ar e also exhaustive.

Snappy Titles are better than Snapping Turtles. Well snappy, may be an understatement, but the title has to be exciting and draw in the reader - it must give them a reason to click on it.

Proof-read - Just do it.. Pillar articles are free of blemishes, so to speak. Make sure to use proper grammar and punctuation.

Sub-headings almost as good as Headings. Good Pillar articles also feature good use of sub-headings, and bold fonts. For instance look at this article how I've used h2 tags for sub-headings, and bold font for my main points.

Top Ten Must Know Tips to Get Numerous Traffic to your Site

10 Blog Traffic Tips

5 Types of Blog Posts for More Traffic

Top 10 Blogging Tips For Success

One Way to Measure Article Performance

What Every Affiliate Marketer Needs to Know Part 2

Increase Your Blog Traffic With Articles

links for 2008-11-14

2008-11-14T04:01:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/links-for-2008-11-14/)

7 Step Checklist before Diving into a Network Marketing Business

(tags: mlm, network marketing, make money online, marketing companies, mlm companies)

Is Mr Blue Light - Frosty's New BFF?

2008-11-13T15:22:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/is-mr-blue-light-frostys-new-bff/)
How Frosty and Mr Blue Light Became Best Friends Forever.

Even frosty isn't immune to these economic troubles, not only was he laid off from the North Pole, but he's move back in w/ relatives in Canada and now he's gotta face global warming too.

Christmas just almost wasn't possible.

Then frosty met Mr. Blue Light. He can relate to being blue, and a fast friendship soon evolved.

Frosty was truly afraid he wouldn't be able to get any gifts for his little snow angels. Blue Light took him by the hand and showed him that there's a whole world of savings out there at a magical place called: KMart.

"But Mr. Blue Light, I can't afford that 32" LCD TV that my parents want, or the Kitchenaid Mixer for Mrs Snowman." Frosty exclaimed on the brink of tears..

"Oh Frosty, it's ok - you don't need to have all the money right now."

"Oh is it one of those credit programs? Ya know I don't have that great credit, and with the credit freeze going on, I doubt I'd get approved.."

"Frosty, they have Kmart Layaway! No credit checks required, just make weekly or biweekly payments and presto pick up your gift the week before Christmas. You can put all kinds of things on layaway like: Bikes, Toys, Electronics, TVs, Xbox, etc..."

"Wow Mr. Blue Light - I can definitely afford layaway, and this might save Christmas for us this year. Wow Thanks!"

If you're suffering from the credit crunch, and poor economics - do like Frosty:

Visit KMART Layaway.

Make Glass with your Propane Grill - Or maybe you Shouldn't...

2008-11-13T03:23:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/make-glass-with-your-propane-grill-or-maybe-you-shouldnt/)
This is a video on how it is possible to make your very own glass using a grill over-clocked at 2000 degrees and adding washing soda, lime or borax to white-silica beach sand. This is showing what's possible- even though it is possible, I highly recommend not using this technique. "You'll blow your eye out, kid" (Sorry couldn't resist the Christmas Story line drop - I know it's shoot not blow - but blow works better for the scenario). [Sources: Gizmodo via PopSci]

PopSci Shows You How To Make Glass On A Grill, Begs You Not To Do It [Science Experiment]

How To: Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

Breaking News: Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake hits California..

2008-11-13T02:49:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/breaking-news-magnitude-78-earthquake-hits-california/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Image by Getty Images via Daylife"][/caption]

At 10am today the Great Southern California Shake Out will take place, in which organizations across SoCal will pretend that there has been a magnitude 7.8 earthqake on the Southern San Andreas fault-line.

According to officials:

"In an earthquake of this size, the shaking will last for nearly two minutes. The strongest shaking will occur near the fault (in the projected earthquake, the Coachella Valley, Inland Empire and Antelope Valley). Pockets of strong shaking will form away from the fault where sediments trap the waves (in the projected earthquake, it would occur in the San Gabriel Valley and in East Los Angeles)."

"An earthquake of this size will cause unprecedented damage to Southern California—greatly dwarfing the massive damage that occurred in Northridge’s 6.7-magnitude earthquake in 1994. In summary, the ShakeOut Scenario estimates this earthquake will cause some 2,000 deaths, 50,000 injuries, $200 billion in damage and other losses, and severe, long-lasting disruption. The report has regional implications and is a dramatic call to action for preparedness."

It is estimated that more than 5 million people will be taking place in this earthquake drill that may be the largest in history.

Click here for a page that tells you how to prepare yourself, families, business, and schools.

Rehearsing for California's Big Earthquake

U.S. scientists seek volunteers to monitor quakes

Scientists Imagine California's "Big One"

Largest Earthquake Drill in U.S. History

Apocalypse - but not right now. How California stays cool about the Big One

Scientists detail impact of 'Big One'

Prepping for 'the Big One'

7 Step Guide for Choosing a Multi-Level Marketing Business

2008-11-13T02:31:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/7-step-guide-for-choosing-a-multi-level-marketing-business/)
I just put together a new lense on squidoo - would you please do me a favor and check it out and let me know what you think?

"7 Step Guide for Choosing a Multi-Level Marketing Business"

I appreciate it - Thanks!

The Difference Between MLM and Cash Gifting

MLM Vs Cash Gifting - Which One Has a Better Work Plan

Residual Income Business - Look Again at Multi Level Marketing

What is Multi Level Marketing Affiliate Programs?

Learn How to Make Money on Line, Work From Home With MLM

Social Media: just another term for Multi-Level Marketing

Your Ad Plastered All over this Site for Pennies? I Must be Mad!

2008-11-12T23:27:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/your-ad-plastered-all-over-this-site-for-pennies-i-must-be-mad/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by tstadler via Flickr"][/caption]

This blog gets roughly 40,000 pageviews weekly. As an experiment I've added Project Wonderful code to the bottom of every post, both on the single pages, and the main index page.

Right now the bid is less than a penny - Go Ahead and bid - you might get your image on this blog and get your ad viewed 40,000+ times in a single week.

If only 5% of those pageviews end up in clicks that's a huge 2000 unique hits.

All for as little as 1 penny!

The quicker you bid for your ad spot the faster you'll get it.

Click here to Bid Now!

Comment here if you bid, and I will be picking one commenter to receive a free Review.

Get Elfed. ElfYourself.com gets JibJabbified.

2008-11-12T22:05:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/get-elfed-elfyourselfcom-gets-jibjabbified/)
ElfYourself 2008: 3 Days till ElfDay!

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by xcaballe via Flickr"][/caption]

Just a year ago OfficeMax debuted its highly successful holiday hit website: ElfYourself.com.

ElfYourself.com was a promotional viral video with a twist - users could upload their own pictures and create dancing elves to send to family and friends as e-cards.

Sounds pretty simple, eh? That simple site got over 100 million unique visitors throughout the 2 month campaign.

Enter Greg Spiridellis, CEO of JibJab Media. He saw ElfYourself and saw some great potential. ElfYourself.com resonated with him because it matched some of the offerings of JibJab which also lets people personalize e-cards with their own images.

Spiridellis looked up ElfYourself's traffic stats in Quantcast and saw the following:

In the one month that ElfYourself.com debuted and got hammered it rivaled facebook in traffic, which is pretty darn extraordinary. JibJab's ceo thought they could do it a few bits better. In Februar Greg Spiridellis cold-called the chief marketing office of OfficeMax proposing a partnership.

Under the partnership JibJab would create new dancing elves around its 'Starring You' platform. JibJab is planning not one but three different dances including: Disco Elves, Country Elves, and Jazz Elves.

They are also planning on capitalizing on the opportunity to sell digital downloads of the videos, and printed images on cards, mugs, mousepads, and more.

Elfyourself.com could turn from an expensive marketing ploy into a huge money-maker. OfficeMax agreed to JibJab's proposal and is scheduled to relaunch in about 3 days.

[Source: TechCrunch] Disclaimer: I'm in no way being compensated for this post it's purely an interesting blog post - however if you work for OfficeMax and would like to compensate me by all means drop me a message.

Dancing Elves Top the Charts. OfficeMax's Perfect Viral Campaign?

Elf Quest: The Movie

49 Days Until Christmas

JibJab's Hilarious Video Greeting Cards

'It's Time for Some Campaignin': JibJab's Viral Video

Using Viral Video in Small Business Marketing

Of God and Universal Healthcare... Why God Approves!

2008-11-12T17:23:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/of-god-and-universal-healthcare-why-god-approves/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

I've had many people stating that they don't know where God says Universal healthcare is a freedom, or where it's mentioned in the constitution, or how it related.

Here's my view: First off I'm lds / mormon a christian denomination founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.

For all those politicians, business men, republicans, etc who are against Universal Healthcare - I suggest that you are also against the Bible.

Here's the scriptural support for Universal Healthcare:
Matthew Chapter 25, Verses 34-46
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his aright hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or a thirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

I submit that - to deny someone medical care is to cast them aside and is un-christian.

Christianity has no room for hypocrites and if you do not support Healthcare for all people, then you have no business saying you are a Christian.

There are people suffering with Cancer, Leukemia, Heart Disease, and all manner of common, and rare diseases. Many cannot afford the health care they need, many show up in the ER which costs 10 times more than a normal doctor, and helps raise the overall cost of healthcare across the board.

Write your congressmen, and senators and let them know that they cannot go on being hypocrites and call themselves Christians and expect to be believed if they go on not supporting Universal Healthcare. After all your congressmen and senators have the best health care our Government can afford, of course they may not care about universal health care.

We may have won a huge victory with Obama getting elected as he favors a more universal plan - but the fight isn't over yet. Keep fighting, and spread the word!

Some great websites to check out about Universal Healthcare include:

Universal Health Care Action Network

Physicians for a National Health Progam

Voice for the Un-insured

Divided We Fail

The Cost of a Long Life

Big Healthcare Reform News

Hillary schools Bill O'Reilly on Universal healthcare

How will Obama, Clinton health care plans impact death by lack of insurance?

Hillary's Healthcare Fairy Tale

While the U.S. Spends Heavily on Health Care, a Study Faults the Quality

Deane Waldman: No Patient Left Behind

Biggest Loser Trainer Arrested for Beating a 6 Yr Old.

2008-11-12T01:37:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/biggest-loser-trainer-arrested-for-beating-a-6-yr-old/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Looks like this guy truly is the biggest loser. Anthony Badalamenti one of the trainers for the Biggest Loser was arrested Monday night for beating his girlfriend's 6 year old son with weightlifting belts.

I'm not sure who this jerk is - I haven't seen him on the show, when I first heard about it I was wondering if it was Jillian Michaels of Bob Harper who was arrested.

I'm glad it was neither - but my money was on Jillian - she's bad ass.

I've been a big biggest loser fan since 2005 - with secret aspirations of one day making it on the show myself one day.

The Biggest Weight Loss Show on TV Returns

Reality Shows Battling the Bulge

Personal Trainers Aren't Just for Celebrities

Jillian Michaels trains, yells at you on her Wii game Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009

How I made my first Dollar in Network Marketing - it only took me 8 years!

2008-11-11T11:26:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/how-i-made-my-first-dollar-in-network-marketing-it-only-took-me-8-years/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

How to Make your first Dollar in Network Marketing.

That first commission check is the most important in a Network Marketer's life. It is the make or break of becoming successful.

Many Network Marketers say to themselves, if I could only make that first check, I know I could be successful.

The sad thing is most people never make it that far.

We all dream of being the epitome of success. We all dream of making $10,000 per month. To reach $10,000 monthly we must first meet $1,000 per month. Before we can reach $1,000 we must reach $100. Before we can reach $100 we must reach $1.

How do we get that first dollar?

With everything in life there's a process. I've been in and out of Network Marketing for many years. I've never really had much success myself until 2008.

When we begin our network marketing career we lack the confidence to talk about our opportunity. I kept saying to myself: "Sure if we had a ferrari everyone would listen to me, but nobody is going to take me seriously in my crap car."

I've wasted maybe 3 years of my life trying to be successful in many different programs. I say it was a waste, but instead perhaps it was just an education. One that I just hadn't planned on.

You know, it actually took me 8 years to make my first dollar in Network Marketing?

During the 8 years I've made many changes in my life, I got married, I buckled down at a day job that I hated, but that I needed to pay the bills.

I've spent hundred on self-help materials thinking maybe I just don't have the right mindset, people are being successful -what's wrong with me. Why can't I do it?

Enter Social Media.

In 2007-2008 I found a new business. Blogging. I first started out writing my blog, and monetizing with affiliate programs and ad networks like google adsense.

I made a few dollars here and there initially. Then I started getting more and more traffic. Eventually I was getting 40,000 hits per week.

It was about this time that I was introduced to MyWorldPlus. It was also about this time that things were tanking for the economy as well.

MyWorldPlus caught my eye because their powerline structure is extremely powerful as a marketing tool, and I saw this potential. However, the selling point wasn't the commission structure, or the business opportunity - the seller was the product.

In order to make money, online or off, you must fulfill a need. Who became the richest during the gold rush - prospectors or the people who sold them their supplies?

Right now we aren't in any goldrush by any stretch of imagination, but if you target your audience and focus on what they need, you will win as those gold mining suppliers did.

Today the gold mine is helping people save money. It just so happens with this business opportunity you can also help them make money.

First let me talk about saving money.

MyWorldPlus is a savings card that lets you save money on goods and services that you would buy everyday. MyWorldplus also offers money-back from purchases at hundreds of stores. This card literally pays for itself each and every month.

Sure there's a monthly fee but it's nominal and the money saved is about 5-10 times what I'm actually spending.

In this crappy economy saving money is a gold mine, or helping people to live more frugal.

Now lets talk about The Opportunity.

MyWorldPlus is a great company where you can make money almost immediately - you'll very likely receive downline members via the powerline, and you can receive a percentage of the global pool by only referring 3 members.

Some people only refer three people themselves and make decent income.

Back to earning your first dollar.

I joined MyWorldPlus and had a number of people placed below me before I even joined. I didn't think I'd really make any money off these people. The first month though, I made a whopping $2.50 just off the people placed below me.

Now sure you say - $2.50 isn't anything to get worked up over. When it comes to my failures in Network Marketing it was a LOT to get excited over. It was essentially my first $2.50 - after 8 years of trying.

I had my first taste of success, and I became an addict. I worked hard placing ads all over the place, posting in forums and putting the link in my signature, and blogging about it.

Now I have a loyal following of blog readers, and I didn't want to bombard them with batant ads and make them stop following me. Some people have been burned out by Network Marketing before, and have an almost religious crusader attitude against all things Network marketing. I myself have always kept an open mind, believing that it was my own failure that was the issue - not the company.

Having learned many things in my 8 year marketing experience, blogging and social media was the biggest catalyst. I have learned how to build a following.

The key to success is learning to build relationships. It's all about relationship marketing - it always has been - it just so happens that social media and social networks make it a lot easier in this day and age to build relationships.

Some other tips to successful relationship building via Blogging:

You absolutely must master twitter - of all social networks right now Twitter is the best. While you're at it - why not follow me on twitter.

Be conversational - @reply to a lot of people on topics related to your niche - it will make you stand out as an authority. A good tool to see conversations related to a certain topic, and reply is monitter. Just enter some search terms and it will show live twitter results for those keywords.

Participate in online forums. Some of the best forums are forums for work at home moms. The members are very active and they're usually more friendly and honest than a business opportunity forum. Also they're a lot less spammy.

Write like your life depends on it. The bottom line to successful blogging is the more content, the more traffic. Period. That is the biggest secret - to be truly successful you should be writing at least 3 blog posts daily.

Lastly - Never give up - your time will come and if it takes longer than you are hoping then you will be that much more grateful and thankful when it does. Never give up hope.

Are Network Marketing and Affiliate Marketing the Same Thing?

Spider Web Marketing- the New Internet Tool

How to Leverage People in Your Home Business Marketing

Why We Recommend Network Marketing

Learn All About Multi Level Affiliate Marketing Programs

Multi-level Marketing and Potential Income Stream

Start Businesses From Home and Leave Your Job

Work From Home Business - 4 Ideas

A Casual Look at Network Marketing and Associated Issues

6 Easy ways to get more Subscribers.

2008-11-11T06:00:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/6-easy-ways-to-get-more-subscribers/)

6 Techniques to get more RSS Subscribers to your Blog!

1. Comment on someone's blog who has as many or nearly as many subscribers as you do - Tell them you've subscribed to their blog. They may reciprocate - a lot will.

2. Ask your Readers to subscribe. Make it easy and blatant. If people see links asking to subscribe all over the place then they're more likely to subscribe.

3. Write Guest Posts for other Bloggers. This is a great way to get new subscribers - instead of puting your link in your bio, put a link to your feed url.

4. Bribes are always welcome. Offer something nice to your readers if they subscribe to your blog. This is always a good method to get new RSS readers.

5. Build your network, and then ask your network periodically to subscribe to your rss feed.

6. Start Podcasting. Podcasts are great ways to get more traffic, and get the word out about your blog. It's also a great way to get new rss subscribers.

These are just a few methods - what's your favorite method of bringing in new subscribers?

8 Tips To Avoid Social/Blogging Overload

Full RSS Feed Versus Partial

7 Tricks To Increase Your RSS Subscribers

Don't Use FeedBurner and you will not have these Issues

Why make a RSS feed available?

Stupid simple marketing tip: hijack RSS scrapers

Veteran's Day 2008 - Give a Veteran a Hug Today!

2008-11-11T04:58:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/veterans-day-2008-give-a-veteran-a-hug-today/)

Happy Veteran's Day 2008.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by horizontal.integration via Flickr"][/caption]

Do you know the history of Veteran's Day? If not sit down, as I tell you a bit about the history.

Veteran's Day was originally called Armistice day celebrating the end of the first world war on November 11th, 1918.

In the 1950s, it was changed to a day to honor all veterans of America.

Many veterans have, and continue to give their lives so that we can claim the supreme privilege of having our freedom.

We should each take a moment today to sit in silence, and think of the many sacrifices of the Veterans who have given their life for this country.

As a believe in this country I honor and support our veterans and soldiers. I don't support the reason they are fighting, I don't support the Iraq war, but I do support our veterans. Today is their day. Tell a veteran that you know - how much their sacrifice has meant to you.

CNN Student News Learning Activity: Interviewing Military Veterans

In Honor of Our Veterans

CNN Student News One-Sheet: Veterans Day

Remembering Veterans and Devil Dogs

Veterans Day

Nurse from iconic WWII picture to be reunited with US navy veterans

Is Do-Follow commenting Dead as a link-building Strategy?

2008-11-11T03:16:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/is-do-follow-commenting-dead-as-a-link-building-strategy/)

Is Do-follow in Comments Dead?

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by shawnblog via Flickr"][/caption]

This is primarily heresay, and only the opinion of one blog - but they tend to have some highly informative articles.

I was reading a very interesting post from SEO 2.0 entitled "Commenting on DoFollow-blogs as a link building Strategy".

The blog asks the question whether do-follow in comments matters anymore.

According to SEO 2.0 they say it doesn't matter anymore. Apparently google is an intelligent beast, and knows whether a link is in the blog post, comments, sidebar, or footer.

Comments and footer are devalued largely, where as the link may appear on a PR 4 blog it might only provide a PR 2 or even PR 1 benefit.

So is it worth it to waste your time commenting for hours on end?

I think that link-building or gaming of google is dead.

At least traditional methods, I think the better way to get search engine traffic is via a combination of writing high trend posts via google trends, writing seasonal articles that will bring traffic year after year, and being sure to link out to other blogs to get pingbacks.

Content is still king - don't waste time commenting - write, write, write.

I stick to my guns on this point. If you're not writing a blog post now, you're probably not making money. You should always be writing, or looking for something to write about.

The one factor that all the Rich bloggers share is they are always writing new content. They have over 1000 articles and counting. They keep content coming.

The best way to get ranked by the search engines is to be unique, and keep writing unique content.

Don't give up, and don't stop writing!

DoFollow Search Engine

Link Building Campaign - Commenting on DoFollow Blogs

One Way Link Building Tips and Blog Comments

I Made My Blog DoFollow

Link Building Campaign - Using Do Follow Social Bookmarking

How'd They Do That?

Backlinks Or Spam?

One Way Link Building For Bloggers

What is the Point of Do-follow Links on Blogs?

MySpace Launches Profile 2.0 - Featuring Drag and Drop!

2008-11-11T02:26:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/myspace-launches-profile-20-featuring-drag-and-drop/)

MySpace Launching Profile 2.0 - Feature Filled Drag and Drop Profile Upgrade...

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Image via CrunchBase"][/caption]

Myspace the world's first and still foremost leader in social networking has announced the integration of Profile 2.0 (I wonder when everything will hit 3.0? Isn't 2.0 getting a bit old?).

Profile 2.0 for myspace is the next step in the global site redesign which is enabling millions of users to opt-in to customize the appearance of their profiles using an inovative drag-and-drop ajax user interface.

Profile 2.0 is a huge step towards the next wave of Myspace's global redesign initiative which they launched this past year. This new profile page arrives on the heels of a new splash page, and navigation redesign only months earlier. Profile 2.0 builds on MySpace's existing framework and allows deeper levels of control with their friend categorization functionality.

Major features of MySpace Profile 2.0:

Drag and Drop visual Interface: MySpace users are now able to arrange their profile by dragging and dropping modules into any location to create new layouts. Similar to blogger.com's template management. Users are also able to use a new, fast, and intuitive editing and loading system to customize each profile module.

Flexibility in Viewing: Profile 2.0 allows users to display specific information on their profile to specific friend categories that they create or have already created in "Friend Categorization". E.G. a MySpace user may choose to share one module with family, one with friends, and a different one with co-workers.

New Redesigned Themes. MySpace has also gone a long way to create 50 new profile styles ready to load giving users a ton more flexibility in redesigning their profiles at their leisure. The easy to use single-click themes will feature popular celebrities, fashion designers, films, musicians, and sports figures in the future.

Currently users are being offered the new profile but have the option of staying with the original profile including any CSS they may be using.

MySpace Launches Profile Version 2.0

The New MySpace Profiles: Granular Privacy, W3C Compliance

Myspace Profile 2.0 Takes Visual Cues From Facebook

MySpace Launches Profile 2.0 With Drag And Drop Interface

SnapLayout: The Profile Editor MySpace Should Have Made

MySpace Launches Profile 2.0. No, You Don't Have to Switch

MySpace Launches Profile 2.0. No, You Don't Have to Switch

MySpace Launches Profile 2.0. No, You Dont Have to Switch

MySpace Unveils Revamped 'Profile 2.0'

The 3 things I learned by following and unfollowing 19,348 people on Twitter.

2008-11-11T02:07:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/the-3-things-i-learned-by-following-and-unfollowing-19348-people-on-twitter/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="210" caption="Image via CrunchBase"][/caption]

Twitter is a mad beast. It can be a tremendous tool, and sometimes a nightmare.

I've been using Twitter heavily since March of this year. Following Jason Calacanis and Robert Scoble's lead I followed as many people as my little fingers could click.

I also followed everyone who followed me.

I ended up with an unmanageable mess of 19348 twitters to sort through, and only 5705 followers, roughly 1 in 4 followed me back.

Was I trying to be a spammer? Nah. I really don't think spamming is possible because someone has to actually click on your profile and choose to follow you - if they follow you just because you follow them, that's their right and their choice.

Then came the follow limit, and I could no longer follow new people, sure I could create a new account and start over, or just use multiple accounts.

I largely went from being a huge user of twitter and conversationalist to being primarily a broadcaster of my blog posts via ping.fm.

I'm currently spending about 1-2 hours weekly unfollowing those who aren't following me, then eventually I'm only gonna follow those who sincerely interest me. That's just my opinion - everyone should make their own decision how they're going to use Twitter. I think the beauty of twitter is that there are a million and one ways to use it.

These are the three main things that I've learned from twitter - as I commented on a post "To Follow or Not To Follow ALL Twitter Followers?" on AdvancedIncome.com by Yisel.

Content is king. As with blogging write good content and people will follow you. They will flock to you like bees on honey. Make sure all your best blog posts are tweeted.

Be a Conversationalist. This applies not only to Twitter, but social media in general - the keyword is Social, if you're not building relationships, then you just don't get it! Talk to people, help people, share your success with people, etc..

Be Popular by Talking to Popular People. We are who we associate with. It is said that your success in life is the sum average of the success of all those with whom you surround yourself.

To go a bit further - if you reply to someone famous, and they respond to you - you may get a few followers out of it - do it on a daily basis, even become someone they mention a lot and who knows - you may become a Joe the Plumber, or equivalent.

We all want to be successful. I totally believe that the day of the small A-list is over, and that the day is dawning for the everyday person to make it online. I believe that more small-timers will be able to chart their own path. Just keep being real, stay focused, and don't give up.

Jason Calacanis hearts Robert Scoble [Geek Love]

The Secret to Twitter, Part II

10 things Twitter users should not do [Silicon Valley Users Guide]

The Economist Gets It Dead Wrong on Social Media - FAIL

Turns out FriendFeed has clones and that AOL acquired one [Acquisitions]

Twitter Buys Summize?

Calacanis, Scoble, Arrington pawns in FriendFeed's smart marketing campaign [Social Networks]

What People Say When They Tweet

Back to my roots... Social Media, Blogging, Making Money

2008-11-10T23:13:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/back-to-my-roots-social-media-blogging-making-money/)

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The past few months I've been doing some big experimenting with bringing in new people to this blog. I've been focused big on writing for google trends, over writing real deep informative articles on social media, marketing, and making money.

I'm planning on making some changes to that in the upcoming weeks. I still plan on having at least 1-2 google trends related posts every day or so, but I will also have a lot more blog posts to help you - the reader.

One thing I have learned from this experiment is that if you can write posts that are related to happenings of the day, you will get a lot in search traffic.

I'm planning on adding some keyword related content for Thanksgiving, and the Holiday Season as well.

If you haven't already subscribed to this blog - please do me a favor and subscribe now!

Tool Tips: 10 uses for Google trends

Google Trends is Behind the Curve

Hot Niche Trends

A new layer to Google Trends

Which matters most: Quantity of posts, or Quality of posts? Let's Discuss...

Best posts on There's a Blog in my Soup from 3rd November - 9th November Nov 2008

2008-11-10T20:16:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/best-posts-on-theres-a-blog-in-my-soup-from-3rd-november-9th-november-nov-2008/)
Too many posts to handle? If you missed out on a great post from last week, here's a quick digest of the top posts that you may want to check out:

Free Ebook: Ten Commandments of a Kickass Blog
Posted on Monday, November 3rd, 2008 in Announcements - Views: (228)

Join our Newsletter get "The Ten Commandments of a Kickass Blog" FREE!

I'm launching my newsletter this week. As a free gift to new subscribers we are giving our subscribers a FREE copy of my newest ebook entitled: "The ten commandments of a kickass Blog".The book tells you the 1 thing that you must do above all else to become a successful blogger.I've gotten my blog up to 45,000+ hits per week, and this lays out what I've found is the number one, and possibly the only thing you need to do to be successful.

Sickening Racist Obama Jokes floating around the web...

Sickening Racist Obama Jokes floating around the web...
Posted on Friday, November 7th, 2008 in Politics & Community News - Views: (2732)

Just when you thought America has turned a proverbial leaf, it appears that some big Racist Obama Jokes are floating around.Come on people - aren't we beyond our stupid petty differences?I mean heck, some people actually believe the guy is a muslim. Barack Obama is neither Arabic nor Muslim. But if he were - what would be wrong with that? Shouldn't anyone be allowed to run for President in America despite their ethnic background, and their faith?
Shocking Negative Searches on Barack Obama in Google Trends...
Posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 in Politics & Community News - Views: (326)

I was taking a gander at Google trends, and am seeing some curious trends right now.There are many bigots apparently 'afraid' of an Obama presidency.FACT: Barack Obama is not, and never has been a Muslim. Anyone who says otherwise is Bearing False Witness and breaking a commandment - therefore must not be Christian.Fact: Obama is NOT the AntiChrist, there is no reference to this anywhere in the bible.

John Mccain Out of Touch - He thinks this is normal?
Posted on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 in Politics & Community News - Views: (323)

I know this is a little late for election news, but John Mccain was talking about his mom, who wanted to go to France, so she went to France, she wanted to rent a car, but they wouldn't let her because of her age..So she went and bought a car, so she could drive around France.Must be nice to just be able to drop a load of cash in a new car out of nowhere, instead of renting one.

The Top 3 Laws of Professional Blogging.
Posted on Friday, November 7th, 2008 in Blogging - Views: (357) The top 3 laws of blogging.

Law #1 is write.Law #2 is write some more.Law #3 is never stop writing!I know this sounds quite redundant. Writing is the untold key to successful blogging.The more you write, the more traffic you get, the more money you make.Yeah, I know sometimes it's not easy to 'just write'. Sometimes we want to do other things that we feel are 'helping' but aren't as important.

Breaking Economic News: It Sucks. Break that! Sell Your Gold to Buy Christmas Gifts...
Posted on Friday, November 7th, 2008 in Making Money Online - Views: (201)

I know the economy is bad right now, and it's not getting better. Everyone keeps talking about it, companies are laying off left and right. The holiday season looks bleak.Well here's a good way to make a little extra christmas cash. It's simple, easy and doesn't take any effort.The economy may be going down, but gold is going up. People are moving their investments from stocks to metals.If you need money to buy Christmas for your family, then selling your gold is a good option.

John Mccain's Concession was an Eloquent end to a Tough Election...
Posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 in Politics & Community News - Views: (185)

Best posts on There's a Blog in my Soup from 3rd November - 9th November Nov 2008

Bush, Obama meet at White House

Do world leaders still use telegrams?

Top 5 Technical Translations of President Elect Obama

Obama launches Web site to reach public

Obama Already Holds Bully Pulpit

Barack Obama will Be The 44th President Of the United States

Barack Obama visits White House to size up his new office

Bush calls meeting with Obama 'friendly'

Obama preps for meeting with Bush

Commission Blueprint - A Serious Review from a Serious Super Affiliate.

2008-11-09T17:41:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/commission-blueprint-a-serious-review-from-a-serious-super-affiliate/)
Today I'm gonna review a new product on the market called "Commission Blueprint" which was created by Steve Clayton and Tim Godfrey.

Commission Blueprint is a training program on how to maximize affiliate profits using Clickbank and Google adwords.

The authors of the program state that the couse is a "no-holds barred step by step course showing every last secret" that they know.

The product consists of a one time $77 charge for 14 videos and more than 3 ebooks that provide extensive details and examples of the more technical material discussed in the program.

The second part of the product is a $67 a month membership site that the authors promise will continue to provide more training on maximizing affiliate profits. The membership site includes some nice resources such as templates, and sample landing pages for marketing campaigns.

A $4.95 trial membership is being offered to those who purchase the video package.

I highly recommend at least trying out the monthly membership, and definitely putting everything you got into making this video series work for you.

I've been using a lot of the same techniques myself for years, and have learned many more techniques that are making me a lot more money than I was before.

The Creators of Commission BluePrint:

Steve Clayton is an expert in marketing and technology and has served as VP for a fortune 500 company in Burlington, NC. Steve currently manages over a million dollars in adwords campaigns each year.

Tim Godfrey is an internet marketer who has been successful in the health and golf niches, and has run a very profitable online gambling site.

Commission BluePrint: Product.

The 14 Videos are narrated by Steve Clayton. There are over three hours of video explanations that show how Steve was able to become a super affiliate with Clickbank.

The product teaches step by step training on how to find the bst clickbank products and what you need to do to milk the products for every nickel and dime.

The videos start out a little slow, but by the end they cover a gold mine of information. Be sure to have a pen and paper handy to take some detailed notes.

Some of the topics covered include:

Keyword Research:

How to find 4-6 products and test them for profitability. Also an overview of the different statistics and definitions related to clickbank and adwords.

Domain Names and Hosting:

Choosing the right domain and hosting plan.

Creating Landing Pages:

How to setup and build good looking, high converting landing pages.

Managing Adwords Campaigns:

How to combine the statistics from adwords and clickbank to manage keyword ad campaigns. Steve also covers how to determine which keywords are producing and which aren't.

Scaling your Affiliate Business:

Steve explains here how to increase your daily commissions, and optimize bids to increase profitability. Steve also explains when to copy your campaign over to msn and yahoo.

Steve also explains when to use email campaigns or JV with other marketers, how and when to use SEO, how to use opt-in pages, and how to create Thank You pages.

Cash Flow:
This section explains how clickbank pays out its commissions, so you can budget your money to better manage your adwords campaigns. Steve also explains why it may be beneficial to get a tax advisor or accountant.

What I liked Best:
Overall the information was very well organized and very thorough. Each part was presented in a logical method and order.

I enjoyed videos 3-14 the most as they contained the most useful information for me personally. I also enjoyed the free templates, and attractive opt-in page template which all looked very professional.

What I didn't like:

The video takes a little bit of time to get to the real meat and potatoes so to speak, but once it hits ya, a major lightbulb comes on and you can start making some really decent money almost overnight.

I give this product a high mark, and definitely recommend trying it out for yourself.

Purchase Commission Blueprint Now!

Commission Blueprint That Turns Newbies Into Super Affiliates

How to Get Started Affiliate Marketing?

The Commission Blueprint to Your Clickbank Success

Obama's First Radio Address since the Election: Obama Calls for 2nd Stimulus Package...

2008-11-08T10:15:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/obamas-first-radio-address-since-the-election-obama-calls-for-2nd-stimulus-package/)

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Chicago-- President-elect Barack Obama held his first radio address on Saturday November 07, since winning the general election for President of the United States.

His radio address was held to call for action on his proposals to restore the economy.

In the weekly Democratic radio address, Barack Obama reiterated points that he brought up during a previous press conference held yesterday.

Obama said that he recognizes "we only have one president at a time," but that "we don't have a moment to lose." He called for congress to pass an economic stimulus package, which President Bush has not yet committed to supporting.

"Let me close by saying I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead. We've taken some major actions to date, and we will need further actions during this transition and subsequent months. Some of those choices will be difficult, but America is a strong and resilient country. I know that we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and work together as one nation. And that is what I intend to do.

Check out the full text of Obama's radio address(courtesy of Politico):

On Tuesday, Americans stood in lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen. It didn’t matter who they were or where they came from; what they looked like or what party they belonged to – they came out and cast their ballot because they believed that in this country, our destiny is not written for us, but by us. We should all take pride in the fact that we once again displayed for the world the power of our democracy, and reaffirmed the great American ideal that this is a nation where anything is possible.

This week, I spoke with President Bush, who graciously offered his full support and assistance in this period of transition. Michelle and I look forward to meeting with him and the First Lady on Monday to begin that process. This speaks to a fundamental recognition that here in America we can compete vigorously in elections and challenge each other’s ideas, yet come together in service of a common purpose once the voting is done. And that is particularly important at a moment when we face the most serious challenges of our lifetime.

Yesterday, we woke to more sobering news about the state of our economy. The 240,000 jobs lost in October marks the 10th consecutive month that our economy has shed jobs. In total, we’ve lost nearly 1.2 million jobs this year, and more than 10 million Americans are now unemployed. Tens of millions of families are struggling to figure out how to pay the bills and stay in their homes. Their stories are an urgent reminder that we are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime, and we must act swiftly to resolve them.

In the wake of these disturbing reports, I met with members of my Transition Economic Advisory Board, who will help guide the work of my transition team in developing a strong set of policies to respond to this crisis. While we must recognize that we only have one President at a time and that President Bush is the leader of our government, I want to ensure that we hit the ground running on January 20th because we don’t have a moment to lose.

We discussed several of the most immediate challenges facing our economy and key priorities on which to focus in the days and weeks ahead to ease the credit crisis, help hardworking families, and restore growth and prosperity.

First, we need a rescue plan for the middle class that invests in immediate efforts to create jobs and provides relief to families that are watching their paychecks shrink and their life savings disappear.

Then, we’ll address the spreading impact of the financial crisis on other sectors of our economy, and ensure that the rescue plan that passed Congress is working to stabilize financial markets while protecting taxpayers, helping homeowners, and not unduly rewarding the management of financial firms that are receiving government assistance.

Finally, we will move forward with a set of policies that will grow our middle-class and strengthen our economy in the long-term. We can’t afford to wait on moving forward on the key priorities that I identified during the campaign, including clean energy, health care, education and tax relief for middle class families.

Let me close by saying I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead. We’ve taken some major actions to date, and we will need further actions during this transition and subsequent months. Some of those choices will be difficult, but America is a strong and resilient country. I know that we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and work together as one nation. And that is what I intend to do.

Obama focuses on economy in radio address

Obama delivers first radio address as president-elect

President-Elect Obama's Saturday radio address

Obama to focus on economy in radio address

Obama Dominates on Radio

Just Because You're a Black Reporter Doesn't Mean You Have to Cheerlead Obama

Weather warning: Hurricane Paloma. 2nd strongest November Atlantic Hurricane on record.

2008-11-08T09:56:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/weather-warning-hurricane-paloma-2nd-strongest-november-atlantic-hurricane-on-record/)

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Hurricane Paloma tied as 2nd strongest November Atlantic Hurricane ever.

This is a big storm. Apparently it's getting 140 mph winds, which is unusual for November.

As someone who experienced Hurricane force winds, and only @ 75mph during the Ohio wind storms this year, I can really relate.

Our power was off for 10 days, but at least that was the worst of it. I can't imagine actually going through a real hurricane.

Hurricane Paloma's track is headed toward the East coast of the US. But there is a good chance that it may break up over Cuba. I'm no weather expert, but I'd still watch this one.

When it comes to hurricanes like Paloma it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm a lot more respectful about hurricanes now that I've been through the Ohio hurricane in september.

Stronger Hurricane Paloma heads to Cuba

Hurricane Paloma lashes Cayman Islands

Hurricane Paloma lashes Caymans

Hurricane Paloma shaping up to be a "major" Caribbean storm

Paloma becomes hurricane in Caribbean

Paloma grows to Category 4, heads toward Cuba

Paloma becomes Category 4 storm, heads toward Cuba

Hurricane Paloma Targets Cayman Islands

Caymans brace for Hurricane Paloma

Hurricane Paloma gets stronger

The Puppy in Chief - a Portuguese Water Dog?

2008-11-08T09:44:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/the-puppy-in-chief-a-portuguese-water-dog/)

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The Most Anticipated High Level Position in the White House...

The most anticipated cabinet position in the Obama white house isn't chief of staff. It isn't Secretary of State, or Secretary of Defense. This one even trumps Vice President.

Yes, you guessed. Chief mutt. There has been some talk today that he might choose a portuguese water dog. Not to be confused with a water horse like the loch ness monster.

Honestly, no offense to portuguese water dog lovers, but I don't think this would be that good of a choice. They're just kinda ugly dogs. Sure they may be a hypoallergenic breed - but a yorkshire terrier would be a lot cuter.

Plus yorkies are very smart and talented. I'm sure they could learn enough if need be to take over if both Obama and Biden become incapacitated.

I mean, technically speaking a yorkie's IQ may trump George W Bush's. Of course, we might get 'more of the same' lol.

Although, on the bright side I don't think a Yorkie would be as influenced by special interests as Bush, unless of course IAMS started lobbying.

What say you? Portuguese Water Dog? Yorkie? Or something else completely?

Obama Family Presidential Dog

Obama + dog.

Goldendoodle = the Obama's First Dog?!

Obama on the pressing issue of "the dog"

The "First Pup" question is no joke

First Puppy update: Obama lookin' for a HypoAllergenic dog.

Obama's Dog Legacy: Presidential Pets In History (SLIDESHOW)

Our First Mutt President Distracts Us from Recession with Puppy-Talk [Barack Obama]

Craigslist becomes mass Pimp. Charges for Erotic listings.

2008-11-08T00:57:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/craigslist-becomes-mass-pimp-charges-for-erotic-listings/)

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Actually, Craigslist has signed an agreement with 40 state attorney generals to combat Prostitution. It appears that prositution via Craigslist has become a big deal.

People are now required to submit a valid phone number, and credit card to post to the erotic services area of Craigslist. Of course they will be charged. Gotta pay the bills somehow.

I wonder if Craigslist might be providing some of the user info to authorities too?

I'm surprised it's taken this long for some kind of measure like this to take place.

Craigslist To Charge for "Erotic Services" Ads

Party's over: Craigslist cracking down on erotic services

Craigslist's Revenues Just Went Up a Bunch, Nevermind the Pageviews Hit

Craigslist Settles With AGs on Adult Ads; Will Start Charging But Donating It To Charity

Craigslist To Require Credit Card For 'Erotic Services' Ads [The Internet]

Craigslist Agrees to Curb Prostitution Ads

Craigslist Doesn't Want Your Sex (Ads)

Craigslist To Crack Down On Prostitution Ads

Craigslist to Lose Part of Its Charm by Limiting Sexual Ads

Martial law planned for Craigslist's red-light district

Blog Poll: How much do you Earn Blogging?

2008-11-08T00:40:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/blog-poll-how-much-do-you-earn-blogging/)
Take a moment and answer this question honestly and truthfully.

How much do you make blogging, and what are some of your biggest money makers?

First Puppy update: Obama lookin' for a HypoAllergenic dog.

2008-11-07T15:18:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/first-puppy-update-obama-lookin-for-a-hypoallergenic-dog/)

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Today Barack Obama announced that the first puppy will need to be a hypoallergenic dog.

Barack Obama needs a hypoallergenic dog, because his 10 year old daughter Malia has real bad allergies.

Here's a run down of my top 3 picks for possible hypoallergenic dog candidates for first puppy.

1. Standard Poodle. Poodle's are very hypoallergenic. Poodles come in 3 different sizes - toy, miniature, and standard.

Poodles have hair not fur which makes them hypoallergenic.

2. Shih Tzu. A Chinese dog, also called a "Chinese Lion dog" is an extremely friendly, compact dog. Shih Tzu's are good hypoallergenic dogs to have, and very playful.

3. Yorkshire Terrier.Yorkies are a hypoallergenic dog breed from England. They rarely weigh more than 7 lbs. Yorkies have no undercoat and low shedding.

Yorkshire terriers are also very smart and one of the fastest to be trained, and can learn many commands. Yorkies also have a big bite, and tend to take on dogs bigger than themselves.

Our First Mutt President Distracts Us from Recession with Puppy-Talk [Barack Obama]

How where you live influences your choice of dog

BBC has newsgasm over Obama's dog

Americans Elect Poodle As Obama's Top Dog

Speculation Begins on the First Bitch

First Puppy-Elect

What Kind Of Puppy Should Obama Get His Daughters?

Canine choice - which breed will Obama take to the White House?

Awesome Traffic Update - More Traffic in November than ALL of October

2008-11-07T02:58:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/awesome-traffic-update-more-traffic-in-november-than-all-of-october/)

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I was just reading my stats, and I've gotten more traffic this month, then all of October. How do you like them apples? No I'm not bragging - I'm just excited.

I've gotten47238 pageviews this month, and 4665 Unique hits for the month.

That's 4000 people viewing my website just in the past 6 days.

That's exciting - my secret? Writing Blog post after blog post. The more content - the more traffic period. There is no other secret.

Measure the Number of Page Views on any Site

46512 Hits for October! Monthly Traffic Update. Record Breaking Month!

46512 Hits for October! Monthly Traffic Update. Record Breaking Month!

TwitterSnooze: One Week of Stats

TweetStats: A Cool Twitter Tool to check out!

2008-11-06T23:34:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/tweetstats-a-cool-twitter-tool-to-check-out/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="233" caption="Image by Ace_NoOne via Flickr"][/caption]

Here's an interesting tool for Twitter. TweetStats gives a good overview of your twitter habits, and lets you see what you're doing most.

What it does:

TweetStats creates a half dozen small graphs of your tweets, replies, activity, etc.

Check out my TweetStats.

I highly recommend giving tweetstats a try. Be sure to follow @patrickcurl on twitter too!

Tweetstats - analytics for Twitter

TweetStats: Spy On Other Twitter Users (Calacanis, Scoble, Allison, Cashmore, etc.)

What does your TweetCloud say about you?

TweetStats Shows When You're Workin' And When You're Slackin'

Apologies to the Girl! (TweetStats)

Did a Twitter User Just Trash Your Online Reputation? Measure Their Influence

Five in the Morning 110608

Patrick Curl's Financial Plan: Capping CEO Pay.

2008-11-06T23:21:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/patrick-curls-financial-plan-capping-ceo-pay/)
I'm gonna make this easy. I thinka CEO is as good as the people beneath him. I believe that he should be paid a multiplier of the average of the employees.

Say the multiplier 100, then CEO should be paid 100 times what the average worker makes. If the company average is 30,000 then they should earn 3,000,000.

Let the government figure out the best multiplier, and also they could give breaks to companies that hire Americans only, or based on the number of Americans that the company employs.

I think this would be the right step to bringing a living wage to America.

$10 an hour is keeping our whole economy down. Our economy would be unbreakable if the people at the bottom were doing a lot better than they are now.

What say you? What would you do on this subject?

Living wage just the tip of the iceberg for business owners

The Living Wage

Slump puts 250,000 jobs at risk

Mahalo joins the Layoff Express. Bastard, Laying people off is Unamerican!

CEO vs Worker Pay

6 Reasons you need to Join my Newsletter!

2008-11-06T23:04:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/6-reasons-you-need-to-join-my-newsletter/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by Brian Hathcock via Flickr"][/caption]

Before I give you my top 6 reasons for joining my newsletter, I want to let you know about an upcoming contest.

I will be launching a contest soon. Details are top-secret, but those who are subscribed to my newsletter BEFORE the contest begins will get 3x the entries.

Trust me this contest will be one you don't want to miss. There will be some nice prizes from of the top bloggers on the net.

*Note if you would like to be a sponsor and receive dedicated posts calling people to visit your blog, and leave a comment, or write a blog post about your blog or website - let me know. All you need to do is offer a product or service for the contest.

Here are the top 6 reasons why you should join my newsletter:

Free Ebook on the "10 Commandments of Kickass Blogging".

The pleasure of knowing you made me happy.

My birthday is November 14th, give me an early birthday present.

I promise not to send you junk posts. I will only be sending cool updates every so often, and some really neat exclusives.

I will write a blog post for you if you subscribe. Just subscribe and leave a comment on this post, and let me know the link to the site you want your review for. I will be writing 3 of these per day. Each post will be 50-75 words.

3x entries for contests.

Free Ebook: Ten Commandments of a Kickass Blog

The ten commandments for bloggers

CommentLuv Contest

10 Commandments for Bloggers

List Building Tips: How to Build a List in 4 Great Ways

The Ten Blogging Commandments: Thou shalt not linkbait

The Top 3 Laws of Professional Blogging.

2008-11-06T22:48:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/the-top-3-laws-of-professional-blogging/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Image via CrunchBase"][/caption]

The top 3 laws of blogging.

Law #1 is write.
Law #2 is write some more.
Law #3 is never stop writing!

I know this sounds quite redundant. Writing is the untold key to successful blogging.

The more you write, the more traffic you get, the more money you make.

Yeah, I know sometimes it's not easy to 'just write'. Sometimes we want to do other things that we feel are 'helping' but aren't as important.

Some common distractions that can ruin our blog:

Twitter

Re-designing

Trying new ad networks

Reading other people's blogs.

Thinking. Sometimes we try to hard to think up the perfect idea for a blog post, when it would be better to write 3 quick opinion pieces, or smaller articles

Commenting on other sites. Yes this has a place, but again not as important as writing.

Get this in your head - if you're not able to write 5 blog posts per day, there's a good chance that you'll never be a full-time blogger.

You'll never be like John Chow, or Darren Rowse. They know how to keep quality content coming.

Sure it's all been said before, I'm sure some of them have said the same thing many times. For the person arriving from the search engines though, it's only the first time.

If you don't write, they won't come. I worked so hard on so many things that just didn't matter, and when I finally just decided to write as much as I can - my blog took off overnight.

Here are some ideas on types of posts you can write:

News Posts. Every blogger should make it a point of blogging about current events, even if you're a niche and your blog is on pet grooming.

News posts are great and can bring a tidal wave of traffic. The best place to find news to report is google trends.

I talk about google trends a lot, If you don't check google trends at least 1-2 times a day while writing, then stop reading my blog, and give up blogging.

Sure that's harsh, but ya know it's a tough world, and I'm not going to sugar coat this. You can be successful, or fail - your choice.

Regular on-topic Posts. These are the cream of the crop posts that you write. These have to be extremely tailored toward the topic of your blog. They need to be above and beyond, most news posts I work maybe 10 minutes on. Pillar Articles I work an hour or more on.

Series Posts. These can take a couple of days to write sometimes, but they are great for building sticky traffic.

Here's another great idea for building your blog - tired of writing? Why not try adding some different media types. Why not record a video instead.

Video's are great because you can upload them to a ton of different places, and will bring you a nice amount of traffic.

A nice tool which lets you upload your video to many different sites at once is tubemogul (it's free) give it a shot!

Poll: Do you find yourself getting distracted when you should be writing? Also have you had similar results using Google Trends to bring in traffic?

What happened at Blog Expo?

Assured ways to promote your blog posts.

Notes from BWE08: Making Money Online With A Blog

Why You Should Stay Away from the Make Money Online & Internet Marketing Niches

Blogging, Internet Marketing, and Making Money Online - Blogs I Subscribe To

Q and A With Darren Rowse

How to Not Work a Four Hour Workday (What's Your Blogger Schedule?)

Darren Rowse's ProBlogger Turns 4

Make Money with Discover More Card... $50 Free Signup Bonus!

2008-11-06T22:21:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/make-money-with-discover-more-card-50-free-signup-bonus/)

This is a quick heads up to let ya know that Discover is running a great deal. They've brought back the $50 signup bonus on the Discover More card. Simply apply for the card, get approved, and make $50 in purchases within 3 months to get your bonus.

If this is your first time hearing about the Discover More card, it's considered by many to be the best rewards credit card on the market.

With the Discover More card you can get 5% cash back on purchases. Besides the $50 signup bonus, some other exciting features on this credit card include a 12 month 0% balance transfer, 0% APR on purchases for six months, and no annual fee.

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Get $50 Cash Back Bonus with the Discover® More Card!

The Cure to Idiotic Republican Ideology = Education?

2008-11-06T21:54:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/the-cure-to-idiotic-republican-ideology-education/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="199" caption="Image by Custom Motorcycles via Flickr"][/caption]

Yes it's true, that college educated people were more likely to vote for Barack Obama, than unedumacated. What's that tell me?

Fix our education system, and we'll never have to deal with a Bush regime again.

Makes sense, the smarter our future generation, the more intelligent our Presidents will become. I mean look at Barack Obama. He's an extremely sharp fellow. He definitely knows his p's and q's.

On the alternate side look at Bush and his alter-ego Sarah Palin. Bush can't even say Nuclear, and Sarah Palin doesn't know if Africa is a country or continent.

If Jay Leno came up to them and asked them rudimentary everyday questions, they would fail.

Apparently those who voted for them, would fail too. No offense but if you really think Obama is a terrorist, or believed what people told you on the right, then you need to be educated. You need to learn to get your news from both sides and choose which one is right based on all the facts.

I'd go as far to say that each person who graduates from college is a boon for the democratic party, just because they are more likely to be democrat. Not all of course, but more likely. So the cure? Lets get everyone to college!

Palin Returns to Alaska to Chants of '2012'

Palin-Africa Story Implodes Right Wing Media Cabal [Vicious Infighting]

Not Forgotten, Not Forgiven

Obama: Transcendent Change from the Lowest to the Highest: El Diario de Yaracuy, Venezuela

What Obama does next: the presidential transition FAQ.

Barack Obama Gets No Honeymoon From Conservative Talk Radio

Michelle Obama Talks About Shopping, Palin

Congrats to Obama...now the work begins

We Now Live in Obama Nation

It's Rodney King all over again. This time it's Rodney King of the Gay Community..

2008-11-06T21:45:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/its-rodney-king-all-over-again-this-time-its-rodney-king-of-the-gay-community/)
This is a disturbing video...

Apparently there was a Rodney King like beating during the protests by the Gay Community on Calfornia Proposition 8.

As a Mormon, and a minority mormon at that - one who actually is against the proposition I must say that this is indeed disturbing.

do I believe that gayness is right or ethical? No..I don't.

However - I don't believe it's our responsibility to say what people do or believe behind closed doors. I believe marriage is sacred, for me, my family, and those of my faith. Sure excommunicate a member who defies that - but if someone does believe in that practice, then apparently their 'faith system' allows it. That could be likened to their religion. It's what they believe right?

God gave us our free agency to choose, we should have the opportunity to marry anything we want as long as they consent, even if that thing is a plant, or a salad(as Pee Wee Herman did once). Ok, maybe Pee Wee is a bad example.

But it is my strong belief that nothing - is more important than keeping the constitution fair, and unbiased for everyone. Whether you're black, gay, white, asian, hispanic, straight, mormon, catholic, lutheran, or muslim. You should have equal rights across the board. If one person can marry, then so should another.

Let god decide if the act is wrong, and when he makes that decision then he will also punish it. It doesn't hurt me if Steve and Tom down the street like each other a little more than they should.

We should not dictate what people can or can't do. If the term 'marriage' is all that's at the root here, then why not call it something else? Eternal Union, Faith Union, Gay Union, Civil Union, Eternal Partnership, Love Binding, etc...think up something nice and go with it.

Just my two cents - also I'd like to say, don't blame this on the Mormons, because not all of us believe that everything should be governed. I believe in less government intrusion in the private matters of our life. Yet I believe also in universal healthcare, and the right of all Americans to be able to receive the best care in the world.

Sickening Racist Obama Jokes floating around the web...

2008-11-06T21:28:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/sickening-racist-obama-jokes-floating-around-the-web/)

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Just when you thought America has turned a proverbial leaf, it appears that some big Racist Obama Jokes are floating around.

Come on people - aren't we beyond our stupid petty differences?

I mean heck, some people actually believe the guy is a muslim. Barack Obama is neither Arabic nor Muslim. But if he were - what would be wrong with that? Shouldn't anyone be allowed to run for President in America despite their ethnic background, and their faith?

Not all muslims, or arabs back radical islamic teachings. The pure teachings of the muslim world are quite peaceful.

Not to be cliche` but 'Can't we all just get along'?

America made great strides voting for an African American President in Barack Obama. As a white christian, I'm ready for an America that doesn't take race or faith into account when choosing it's leaders.

But then, I'm not average on anything. I'm Mormon and a huge Obama fan.

Let's just quit it on the Obama racism jokes, please. To joke about Race and our president in that context is to truly be unamerican - you might as well go burn a few flags, and join the taliban.

My Close Encounter With Obama in Hawaii

Black leaders overjoyed by Obama's victory

Syrians Celebrate Obama Election

Election Night: A Reporter's Notebook

Barack Obama - The new era starts

White supremacists 'who plotted to kill Barack Obama' indicted

Erik Ose: Yes We Can, Said Barack Obama, And We Did

Barack Obama's Winning Coalition

Letters: The audacity of hope and the power of dreams

Obama Loves America - No, Really!

FL Christian Coalition head: Obama's 'Muslim roots' are 'pretty scary to us.'

Will an Obama win be a win for social media?

Breaking Economic News: It Sucks. Break that! Sell Your Gold to Buy Christmas Gifts...

2008-11-06T21:17:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/breaking-economic-news-it-sucks-break-that-sell-your-gold-to-buy-christmas-gifts/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="48" caption="Image of Christmas"][/caption]

I know the economy is bad right now, and it's not getting better. Everyone keeps talking about it, companies are laying off left and right. The holiday season looks bleak.

Well here's a good way to make a little extra christmas cash. It's simple, easy and doesn't take any effort.

The economy may be going down, but gold is going up. People are moving their investments from stocks to metals.

If you need money to buy Christmas for your family, then selling your gold is a good option. I have done this myself, I sent in my old class ring, and got $200 for it. That's about what I paid, and I really needed the money so it really helped me.

Give them a shot, at least request your free kit, and think over what items you'd like to send them.

Holiday Entertaining Tips: Coping With Holiday Stress

50 Days Until Christmas

Have a Happy Debt Free Christmas - 4 Ways to Save Money this Holiday Season

Okay, people, we're mixing it up! [NaBloPo Day 2]

7 Steps to Dominate Google Trends, and Make it as a Full-time Blogger!

2008-11-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/7-steps-to-dominate-google-trends-and-make-it-as-a-full-time-blogger/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Image via CrunchBase"][/caption]

Google Trends is the untold hero of my blog.

Google trends is my hero. I'd almost given up blogging. I actually was about to call it completely quits this past summer.

I was making maybe $20 per month, and working my ass off. Then I saw a post at digital point forums, someone said they'd heard someone had gotten a lot of hits by using google trends, they were wondering if this was really possible.

Not one to wait for an answer, I went out and did my own experimenting. I wrote a blog using the keywords "Hurricane Gustav Track", now my blog has nothing to do about weather, but my blog got hammered from that one blog post.

I was sold. Since then I've been working feverishly posting google trends posts and have been very happy with my results. Let's just say it's gotten me out of the 9-5 and now I'm making a full-time living blogging.

Here is my easy to follow system for using google trends.

Step 1: Bring up Google Trends in your browser.

Step 2: Browse all the hot topics. Write down any hot keyword phrases that appear more than once, or are related to other keywords.

I've chosen: The #1 and #6 terms which are: "rahm emanuel freddie mac" and "biography of rahm emanuel" .

When there are multiple related words showing up in google trends, these are very hot topic items. You will get a huge influx of search engine traffic by targeting these keywords in a post.

Step 3: Research. Once you've chosen your topic, or 'trend' you now click on the trend, and it will show you news and blog posts related to this trend. I choose to look through the blog posts.

As you see I click on 'Blog Posts', then I find some blog posts to read to find more info on the topic.

Normally I ignore sites that list a whole bunch of keywords in bold - these are generally google trends spammers. Instead I look for sites that have a good description of the post that I like. Sometimes though it's hard to figure out which is which without visiting the site. Unless it's a popular site like Huffington Post.

I visit the related blog posts to get some ideas about what to write, I generally write down a few of the important keypoints.

Step 4. Write the blog post. I make it very informative. I make sure to use each related keyword phrase at least 2-3 times in the blog post. This will bring in more search engine traffic by helping you rank higher.

Step 5. Pingbacks. Lastly I add at least 5 links to related blog posts. I generally try to find posts that are running on wordpress, as I know wordpress blogs generally at least have the ability to get a link back via trackback.

Step 6. Use a picture. Many people when searching will find your site from google images. You should as a rule try and have an image with every blog post, not just those tailored to Google Trends.

Step 7. Analyze. Now that you've written your post - analyze your traffic and see where they're coming from. You should notice a huge surge of traffic directly from google.

Using these techniques I've been able to take my blog to a whole new level. From less than 1000 pageviews daily to 4,000 to 10,000+ per day. I've also been able to bring in 1,000-2,000 unique hits daily.

Googlebait? Is Google Trends the new linkbait?

Obama Wins, People Cheer, Google Trends Disturb

Election day people searched Google mostly for free deals

Sarah's New Career - Playboy Bunny??

2008-11-05T02:37:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/sarahs-new-career-playboy-bunny/)
Apparently following the success of her documentary 'Nailin Paylin', Sarah Palin has found a new career: Playboy Bunny.

Sarah Palin's Progress

Sarah Palin Voted For Herself

Shocking Negative Searches on Barack Obama in Google Trends...

2008-11-05T02:22:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/shocking-negative-searches-on-barack-obama-in-google-trends/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="214" caption="Image by jmtimages via Flickr"][/caption]

I was taking a gander at Google trends, and am seeing some curious trends right now.

There are many bigots apparently 'afraid' of an Obama presidency.

FACT: Barack Obama is not, and never has been a Muslim. Anyone who says otherwise is Bearing False Witness and breaking a commandment - therefore must not be Christian.

Fact: Obama is NOT the AntiChrist, there is no reference to this anywhere in the bible. A scripture I read once said "The Spirit of Contention is of the devil", and the right wing is a lot more 'Contentious', does that make them anti-christs? Calling someone an Antichrist - especially the President-elect is not productive.

Both candidates are good men, and good leaders. Obama just came out ahead, I personally am glad of this decision.

Some odd trends and/or troubling trends from people who seem worried, or curious about our new President include:

Trend #26: "obama antichrist"
Trend #42: "Youngest President"
Trend #44: "First Black President"
Trend #54: "KKK Obama"
Trend #90: "How old is obama"

The troubling ones being the one about KKK - relating to KKK members calling for a race war if Obama was elected, and Obama Antichrist.

Of course there will be those, who have been blinded by the religious right, who are waking up, and realizing they don't really know anything about this guy, or have no clue what they're in for, and of course they're nervous.

I just hope that America can put all of its differences aside, and give Barack Obama the chance he deserves to lead this country.

He did win with a mandate, and it could be the most electoral votes ever, it's safe to say that if things don't change over the next 4-8 years from what they are now, then they never will. It's like night and day between yesterday, and today.

Yesterday it was a republican country, and today it is a democrats.

President Barack Obama

Barack Obama, The 44th President of The United States

Obama's Acceptance Speech

Barack Obama Elected President!

John Mccain's Concession was an Eloquent end to a Tough Election...

2008-11-05T02:04:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/john-mccains-concession-was-an-eloquent-end-to-a-tough-election/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by KRISnFRED via Flickr"][/caption]

As an Obama supporter, I'm very glad that John Mccain did not run his campaign as classy as he did his concession speech.

Speaking from Arizona's Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Mccain told his supporters: "It's natural to feel some disappointment. Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours."

I don't think John Mccain is a bad guy, it's his policies. I like John Mccain as a person a lot more than I do Bush. I also don't really think it was as he says - his failure. I think it was Bush's influence added to the down economy, added to a bad choice of Sarah Palin, and Barack Obama was just a genius self promoter. I really enjoyed John Mccain's concession speech.

I was swallowing my pride, as tears came to my eyes. I had to admit, that John Mccain isn't such a bad guy, he just ran a nasty campaign that could've been a little negative.

However if it had been less negative, it might've turned out the other way, so in that I'm quite thankful.

Even with the gracious, respectful, conciliatory tone of John Mccain, the rhetoric, and feedback from his staunch supporters in the audience was quite ugly. Thankfully the old John Mccain was with us tonight, and he calmed them down, and asked them to be polite.

Some of the more memorable rhetoric from the speech include:

"Today, I was candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant."

"This was a long and hard fought campaign but the result was well worth the wait. Together, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and a Democratic Congress, we will chart a better course to build a new economy and rebuild our leadership in the world."

Complete Text of Arizona Senator John McCain’s concession speech:
Phoenix, Arizona, Nov. 4, 2008

MCCAIN: Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.

(APPLAUSE)

My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly.

A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him. (BOOING)

Please. To congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.

In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.

I’ve always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too.

But we both recognize that, though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation’s reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.

A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt’s invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine….

… at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters.

MCCAIN: America today is a world away from the cruel and frightful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States.

Let there be no reason now…(APPLAUSE)

Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth. (APPLAUSE)

Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer him my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day. Though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.

Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain.

These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans…(APPLAUSE)

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that. (APPLAUSE)

MCCAIN: It is natural. It’s natural, tonight, to feel some disappointment. But tomorrow, we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again.

We fought — we fought as hard as we could. And though we feel short, the failure is mine, not yours.

AUDIENCE: No!

MCCAIN: I am so…

MCCAIN: I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We do, too (OFF-MIKE)

MCCAIN: The road was a difficult one from the outset, but your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.

I’m especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother…(APPLAUSE)

… my dear mother and all my family, and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign.

I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.

You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate’s family than on the candidate, and that’s been true in this campaign.

MCCAIN: All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.

I am also — I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I’ve ever seen…(APPLAUSE)

… one of the best campaigners I have ever seen, and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength… (APPLAUSE)

… her husband Todd and their five beautiful children… (APPLAUSE)

… for their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough and tumble of a presidential campaign.

We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country. (APPLAUSE)

To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly, month after month, in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.

I don’t know — I don’t know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I’ll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I’m sure I made my share of them. But I won’t spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.

This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life, and my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.

(BOOING) Please. Please.

I would not — I would not be an American worthy of the name should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century.

MCCAIN: Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone, and I thank the people of Arizona for it.

(APPLAUSE)

AUDIENCE: USA. USA. USA. USA.

MCCAIN: Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama — whether they supported me or Senator Obama.

I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender. (APPLAUSE)

We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all very much.

Keeping on Blogging

McCain Concedes

John McCain's Concession Speech: The Return Of The 2000 John McCain

Election Night: NBC (Part 3)

McCain concedes, urges unity with Obama

Transcript: McCain concedes presidency

Barack Obama will Be The 44th President Of the United States

Barack Obama Elected President!

Tears, joy and Barack Obama's victory

African-Americans savor a historic moment

He did it! A New Day has Dawned. Congrats President-elect Barack Obama.

2008-11-04T22:12:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/he-did-it-a-new-day-has-dawned-this-is-the-beginning-congrats-president-elect-barack-obama/)

America, I introduce you to the 44th President of the United States of America. Barack Obama. God bless the USA!

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I've believed the polls, but the pessimist inside me, never would give up. I didn't believe deep down inside that Change was fully possible. I had my relenting doubts.

A relief has washed over me, like none other I've ever felt.

I feel like a new man. Relating it to Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, it feels like the day after the destruction at Mordor.

Yes, I'm a geek, and I can say that all my cynicism, and pessimism about the state of America has been washed away in a tidal wave named Barack Obama.

I'm so happy to see this day come, I'm white, and the fact that he's black isn't the biggest issue to me, but it is a big win for all African Americans. The biggest issue, is the end of the Bush administration's failed policies.

An end to the Iraq war. To unequality in healthcare. To a possible living wage someday instead of a minimum wage that keeps people poor.

This is change, on a drastic level.

I'm listening to Obama's acceptance speech right now, and he's announced his children have earned the new puppy that will be coming with them to the white house. I must say as a dog person, I'm glad to have a first family that is as well.

I am saddened that Barack Obama's grandmother didn't make it see this great day. I'm sure that in the heavens above she is rejoicing at this great moment, and is very proud of her wonderful grandson.

I'm very impressed by John Mccain's very touching, and moving concession speech. He said all the perfect words, and called for an united America.

I'm excited to see the next 8 years play out.

On a side note, I'm also happy to see Kay Hagen win out against Elizabeth Dole. After seeing her 'godless' ad running, and the rebuttal from Kay Hagen who has taught Sunday school, and is in no way a 'godless' candidate. I think there has been a mandate from the people, that we are tired of negative character and association attacks. That we want to hear candidates talk about the issues.

I'm also excited to see a filibuster proof congress, and the demise of the republican party in bulk. It may take decades for them to make a comeback, if ever.

I would love none else than to see the 2-party system disappear altogether, and see people run based on their own merit instead. I don't know if we'll ever be ready for that, but it would be exciting.

I just want to say that this is one American who after 8 years of shadow, is once again proud to be an American. Honestly, there were times over the past 8 years that I've been ashamed to call myself an American.

Now is the true dawn of a new day, it's as if a hundred years of winter is fading, and spring is blooming. Spring is blooming in my heart. Call me sappy. (Excuse the Narnia reference, refer to the confession of my geek status).

We need to take this chance that we've been given, to go 100% and make the difference. We've been given a clean slate. We have been given an opportunity. If we waste this opportunity, then we will never have another chance as big as we have now. We can now work together and make this country relive its hayday. We can go back to those days.

Bottom line. I have hope again. I have faith. I believe in our New President. I believe in Barack Obama. I believe that we can do it. God bless all those who've made this possible, the divine hand of Providence is clearly present in this great election.

Let the World Vote!

Obama Wins Election

A historic election day for voters

'Why America Still Makes Us Dream': Le Figaro, France

Obama Wins Ohio

Obama Wins Pennsylvania

"It's A New Day": Will.i.am Debuting New Video Wednesday

Obama Wins New Hampshire

He did it! A New Day has Dawned. This is the beginning. Congrats President-elect Barack Obama.

2008-11-04T21:23:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/he-did-it-a-new-day-has-dawned-this-is-the-beginning-congrats-president-elect-barack-obama/)

America, I introduce you to the 44th President of the United States of America. Barack Obama. God bless the USA!

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="214" caption="Image by jmtimages via Flickr"][/caption]

Let the World Vote!

Obama Wins Election

A historic election day for voters

'Why America Still Makes Us Dream': Le Figaro, France

Obama Wins Ohio

Obama Wins Pennsylvania

"It's A New Day": Will.i.am Debuting New Video Wednesday

Obama Wins New Hampshire

John Mccain Out of Touch - He thinks this is normal?

2008-11-04T11:45:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/john-mccain-out-of-touch-he-thinks-this-is-normal/)
I know this is a little late for election news, but John Mccain was talking about his mom, who wanted to go to France, so she went to France, she wanted to rent a car, but they wouldn't let her because of her age..

So she went and bought a car, so she could drive around France.

Must be nice to just be able to drop a load of cash in a new car out of nowhere, instead of renting one. Ya know, I don't think it's bad to use your money if you got it to use, but this only makes him look more like an elitest, living the high life - which most Americans just can't relate to.

Kinda brings up the 8 houses that he has. We need a Pres who knows where the little guy is coming from, and John Mccain definitely doesn't get it.

Note to John McCain: Read this before conceding.

Who is John McCain and why is he spamming me?

Only Repubs RSVP For SNL Presidential Bash

The diminished McCain

You're With Me, Election [Chris Berman]

A Blueprint for Change: Technology

Facebook Status Updates Help Youth Get Out The Vote

God be with Barack Obama in his moment of Loss, our Thoughts and Prayers are with You..........

United States Election Day 2008 Coverage Online

My World Plus - Biggest Scam of 2008!

2008-11-04T02:32:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/my-world-plus-biggest-scam-of-2008/)

Is my World Plus the Biggest Scam of 2008? Check out the Video! (Yes, that's me in the video!)

My World Plus - The Biggest Scam of 2008?

Join My World Plus now!

Where do I vote? 8 Resources to help you get your vote out!

2008-11-04T00:41:00.000-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/where-do-i-vote-8-resources-to-help-you-get-your-vote-out/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

This presidential race has been one for the history books, that's for sure. Finally the end is near. The finish line is upon us.

All we need is for you to vote! I don't care if you wait 15+ hours - you have to cast your ballot tomorrow.

Here are some great resources to help you get to the voting or poll locations. These will also tell you when the polls open, and hopefully answer any other questions you may have about "where do I vote?".

Google Maps - Google has put together another great feature filled site, in partnership with the League of Women Voters, that will help you find the nearest polling place. Check this list first to find out where and when to vote.

Vote411. Is a site that features tons of election information to help you prepare to make your choice. It also features a convenient poll finder.

Can I Vote? Not sure if you're registered to vote or not? Can I vote will help you to confirm whether or not you are in fact able to vote. If you're not showing up, most states will allow for provisional ballots to be cast when your name isn't on the voting roll.

Overseas Vote Foundation - A great help and resource site for Americans living or traveling outside of the United States during Election Day 2008.

Pew Center on the States - is a site that has information on poll opening and closing times.

Go vote Absentee - This site prepares you to cast an absentee ballot if you're traveling within the United States.

Brennan Center for Justice - is an organization that provides voting information for Students.

Election Protection - Is a wonderful website that monitors voting problems, errors, voting machine malfunctions, etc. Be sure to report and track all issues as they happen. Make sure your vote is count. If we allow voting fraud to creep into our society, we may wake up one day and realize we've lost our democracy. Also you can report issues by calling:

1-866-Our-Vote (1-866-687-8683)

And remember - if you don't vote - you will have no voice to complain later on. You will not be able to say a word. Imagine what the world would be like today, if Bush had never been President.

Now imagine if you could've been the deciding vote, but chose to stay home instead.

Election 08: Where to find voting poll locations, voting hours

'Daily Voting News' For November 03, 2008 - Evening Edition

Voting guide: Preparation will help make sure votes get counted

Americans overseas galvanize for U.S. elections

Google Launches U.S. Voter Info Site

Greater access to voting information

This is National Voter Registration Month- do your part today!

Greater access to voting information

Myra Armstrong: Easy Steps to Ensure Your Vote Is Counted

Voter Checklist

God be with Barack Obama in his moment of Loss, our Thoughts and Prayers are with You..........

RIP Madelyn Dunham

65+ Resources to Prepare for Election Day

In Landslide, John McCain Is The President Of AOL.com (Nicholas Carlson/Silicon Alley Insider)

Making sense of the California Propositions. Your Complete Primer for the California Propositions!

2008-11-04T00:18:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: -*http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/making-sense-of-the-california-propositions-your-complete-primer-for-the-california-propositions/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by Kahscho via Flickr"][/caption]

Living in California comes with making big decisions about issues that relate to Californians. Here is your complete guide to all the California Propositions for Election 2008.

California Prop 1A - California High Speed Rail Bond. S.B. 1856.

"The proposition would allocate $9.95 billion to the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Of that $9.95 billion, $9 billion will be used to construct the core segments of the rail line from San Francisco to the Los Angeles area and the rest will be spent on improvements to local railroad systems, which would feed into the high-speed rail mainline.

However, the project would still depend on federal matching funds, since a $9.95 billion bond issue would cover at most half of the estimated cost of the initial core segment. The money will be raised through general obligation bonds that are paid off over a time period of 30 years." ^{[via Wikipedia]}

California Prop 2 - Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute.

The California Secretary of State's summary from the Official Voter Information Guide of Proposition 2 is as follows:

Requires that calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely.

Exceptions made for transportation, rodeos, fairs, 4-H programs, lawful slaughter, research and veterinary purposes.

Provides misdemeanor penalties, including a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment in jail for up to 180 days.

Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:

Potential unknown decrease in state and local tax revenues from farm businesses, possibly in the range of several million dollars annually.

Potential minor local and state enforcement and prosecution costs, partly offset by increased fine revenue. ^{[via wikipedia]}

California Prop 3 - Children's Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Statute.

California Proposition 3 authorizes $980,000,000 in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children’s hospitals. The annual payment on the debt authorized by the initiative would be about $64 million a year. Altogether, the measure would cost about $1.9 billion over 30 years out of California's general fund.^{[via wikipedia]}

California Prop 4 - Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Constitutional Amendment.

California Proposition 4, or the Abortion Waiting Period and Parental Notification Initiative, also known to its supporters as Sarah's Law, is an initiated amendment that will appear on the November 4, 2008 ballot in California. It proposes a new amendment to the California Constitution.

The initiative would prohibit abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member. ^{[via wikipedia]}

California Proposition 5: or the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act (or NORA)

Requires California to expand and increase funding and oversight for individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent drug offenders and parolees.

Reduces criminal consequences of nonviolent drug offenses by mandating three-tiered probation with treatment and by providing for case dismissal and/or sealing of records after probation.

Limits court’s authority to incarcerate offenders who violate probation or parole.

Shortens parole for most drug offenses, including sales, and for nonviolent property crimes.

Creates numerous divisions, boards, commissions, and reporting requirements regarding drug treatment and rehabilitation.

Changes certain marijuana misdemeanors to infractions.

^{[via Wikipedia]}
California Prop 6 - Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute.

California Proposition 6 would:

Require new state spending on various criminal justice programs, as well as for increased costs for prison and parole operations. This funding is equivalent to 0.3% of California's General Fund.

Authorize prosecution as an adult (rather than in juvenile court, if a juvenile court judge consents) of any youth 14 years old or older who has been convicted of a gang-related felony.

Require that all occupants who are recipients of public housing subsidies submit to annual criminal background checks and lose housing if convicted of a recent crime in order to free up housing for non-criminals.

Increase penalties for several crimes, including violating gang injunctions, using or possessing to sell methamphetamine, or carrying loaded or concealed firearms by certain felons.

Eliminate bail for illegal immigrants charged with violent or gang-related felonies.

Establish as a crime the act of removing or disabling a monitoring device affixed as part of a criminal sentence.

Change evidence rules to allow use of certain hearsay statements as evidence when witnesses are made unavailable due to actions by the defendant.

Requires a 3/4 vote to amend.

^{[via Wikipedia]}

California Prop 7 - Renewable Energy. Statute.

California Proposition 7, would, if approved, require California utilities to procure half of their power from renewable resources by 2025. In order to make that goal, levels of production of solar, wind and other renewable energy resources will more than quadruple from their current output of 10.9%. It will also require California utilities to increase their purchase of electricity generated from renewable resources by 2% annually to meet Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements of 40% in 2020 and 50% in 2025. Current law AB32 requires an RPS of 20% by 2010.
^{[via Wikipedia]}

California Prop 8 - Eliminates the Rights of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Proposition 8 is an initiative state constitutional amendment on the 2008 California General Election ballot, titled Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. If passed, the proposition would "change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California." A new section would be added stating "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

The measure was originally submitted for the ballot by petitioners with the title "California Marriage Protection Act." The title and summary were revised by Attorney General Jerry Brown to more "accurately reflect the measure." The Superior Court of California ruled in favor of these changes, stating, "The title and summary is not false or misleading because it states that Proposition 8 would 'eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry' in California. The California Supreme Court unequivocally held that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry under the California Constitution."
^{[via Wikipedia]}

California Prop 9 - Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

This measure amends the State Constitution and various state laws to expand the legal rights of crime victims and the payment of restitution by criminal offenders, restrict the early release of inmates, and change the procedures for granting and revoking parole.
^{[via Wikipedia]}

California Prop 10 - Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Statute.

Proposition 10 is one of two ballot initiatives focusing on alternative fuels that will appear on the November 4 ballot in California.

The Proposal will:

Help consumers and others purchase certain high fuel economy or alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas vehicles, and to fund research into alternative fuel technology.

Provide funding for research, development and production of renewable energy technology, primarily solar energy with additional funding for other forms of renewable energy; incentives for purchasing solar and renewable energy technology.

Provide grants to cities for renewable energy projects and to colleges for training in renewable and energy efficiency technologies.

^{[via Wikipedia]}

California Prop 11 - Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

If enacted this initiative would have the following effect:

Changes authority for establishing Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization district boundaries from elected representatives to 14 member commission.

Requires government auditors to select 60 registered voters from applicant pool. Permits legislative leaders to reduce pool, then the auditors pick eight commission members by lottery, and those commissioners pick six additional members for 14 total.

Requires commission of five Democrats, five Republicans and four of neither party. Commission shall hire lawyers and consultants as needed.

For approval, district boundaries need votes from three Democratic commissioners, three Republican commissioners and three commissioners from neither party

^{[via Wikipedia]}

California Prop 12 - Veterans' Bond Act of 2008. S.B. 1572.

If this ballot proposition passes in November, it authorizes issuance of $900 million in bonds to create a fund that assist veterans who are purchasing farms, homes and mobile home properties.
^{[via Wikipedia]}

Polling Shows Prop 4 Gap Closing

Magic Johnson says NO to Prop H8te!

A Middle Finger For Prop 8

Guinness Confirms 'Yes On 8' Skywriting Campaign Is Biggest Hate Message On Earth [Proposition 8]

RE: Prop 8: Just a quick note to say...

Prop 8 updates: New poll, extortion, endorsements, rallies, and ads

Conflicts of Interest among No on Prop 5 spokespeople

Yes & No on Prop 8 Launch Respective Websites

Proposition 8 & California

Legal Adviser to Prop 8 Campaign Compares Gays Who Want to Get Married to Nazi Germany

Brad Pitt donates $100,000 to fight California Prop 8

Prop 8 Still Confusing Voters

Prop. 4: What Up Cali?! Why You All Up In The Teenage Pussy?

California's Prop 8 would end same-sex marriage

Michelle Kraus: California's Prop 8: Turns the Clock Backwards. Are We Ready for That?

TheCall-San Diego: Sights and Sounds

Pro Gay Marriage Ad is not a 'No on Prop 8' Ad

The results are in: Dixville Notch votes for Change.

2008-11-03T23:26:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/the-results-are-in-dixville-notch-votes-for-change/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Not that it really matters, but Dixville Notch New Hampshire. A podunk town in New Hampshire, Dixville Notch has cast it's votes for Obama(I mean podunk in the nicest way).

How many votes you ask? Well, eh... Obama got 15 votes and Mccain got 6 votes.

This isn't really indicative of much, except that not many democrats have won Dixville Notch in the past, which could mean more rural support for Obama, than originally thought. However it's still a little early to call it in his favor over Dixville Notch.

I kinda like the name Dixville Notch, definitely an interesting and provacative name for a town. How would you like to live in 'Dixville'..sound it out...

I just hope that this is a good omen for Obama. I voted on the 2nd of October, and am thankful I don't have to wait in the lines tomorrow, but if I had to, I would. It has never been more important time to vote.

Now is the most historical election of our lives, perhaps of the entire United States History. You can be a part of it - but only if you vote.

Also if anybody tells you to vote by phone, or that you'll be arrested if you have outstanding tickets, or that you'll disrupt your financial aid if you vote, or that Wedsneday is the real day for you to vote-- IGNORE THEM.. Report them to the authorities. It should be considered TREASON to take away people's right to vote.

First election results due at midnight

First town weighs in on election at midnight

Election Day 2008: Live Blogging From Coast To Coast

Breaking News: Obama's Grandma Madelyn Dunham passed away..

2008-11-03T13:51:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/breaking-news-obamas-grandma-madelyn-dunham-passed-away/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

The Obama campaign has just released a statement that Obama's maternal grandmother Madelyn Dunham who was influential in raising him, has passed away.

Barack Obama visited his grandmother a week ago, as she was severely ill. I'm just glad he got that chance, in his busy schedule to at least say his goodbye.

This is the official statement from the Obama Campaign on behalf of Barack Obama and his sister:

"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.

"Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer."

This is a sad day, it's sad that she will miss seeing her grandson become President of the United States. I think it's sad that she came this close, but didn't make it to the finish line. I am greatful for the woman, she raised a wonderful grandson, and her integrity shows through in the way Obama leads.

I wonder though, if this will affect the election at all - what say you?

Obama to Leave Campaign to Visit Sick Grandmother

Sentimental Journey: Obama's Bond with His Grandmother

Sentimental Journey: Behind Obama's Trip to See His Grandmother

Barack Obama and the Grandma Factor in the Presidential Race

Obama's Hawaii Trip: Family Comes First

Why the Republican party is Anti-American...Election Fraud should be punished w/ Death Penalty.

2008-11-03T12:50:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/why-the-republican-party-is-anti-americanelection-fraud-should-be-punished-w-death-penalty/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="213" caption="Image by Renegade98 via Flickr"][/caption]

Back in the day - like the 1930's there was this thing called a Poll Tax.

The poll tax was instituted by southern states to try and keep poorer black people from voting. The reason being they wanted to control the vote.

Now mistake me if I'm wrong, but isn't America supposed to be the epitomy of a working democracy. You ever hear 'We the people, for the people'?

Shouldn't everyone have a fair chance to cast their choice?

The poll-tax was officially banned a long time ago. But leave it to Republicans to create new poll-taxes. A poll-tax is anything that keeps someone from voting.

Whether it's a flyer stating that Democrats are supposed to vote on Wednesday - Election Day is ALWAYS The First Tuesday in November. There is only one election day for ALL voters be it Republican or Democrat and that is tomorrow.

Cheating to win an election should be condemnable by death. In my opinion it is treason of the greatest kind.

It seems like every election we see the right wing try their hardest to keep people known to vote democrat from voting.

The poorest communities, and best democrat areas have as much as a 6 hour wait to vote - even on early voting days.

6 hours @ $10 per hour is a $60 fee to vote. That is a poll-tax. People should not have long waits. The system is broken, and we need to fix it.

We need to guard our democracy. This is paramount, or one day we will wake up and realize that we live in Nazi Germany, and there will be nothing we can do about it.

This election is not over - if you need to wait 12 hours - you have to vote, this is the most important election of our lives. This is the biggest race. We need Change. We need it now!

The self-fulfilling prophecy of election-stealing.

Debunking the Vote Fraud Myth

Daughter of slave votes for Obama

Daughter of Slave Votes, Recalls Struggle

The forgotten constitutional amendment about voting rights.

How we used to vote

Early/Absentee Voting Summary

A Poll Tax on Selfishness

A New Candidate emerges - and Miraculously leading all polls: Kenneth the Page.

2008-11-03T12:28:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/a-new-candidate-emerges-and-miraculously-leading-all-polls-kenneth-the-page/)

Vote 4 Kenneth the Page - Your Next Commander and Chief!

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Just announcing his Campaign is 30 Rock's own Kenneth the page. If you're undecided, and just don't know who to vote for - Kenneth is your manchild. Kenneth knows how to get things done. err - at least he's NOT Sarah Palin!

Kenneth the Page just announced his campaign today, and already he's leading in many polls. Kenneth promises furry bunnies for every little boy and girl. He also promises to have a free pudding day, where everybody gets free pudding - in lieu of tax cuts.

Vote for Kenneth, or at least Pedro. But for the love of everything holy, don't vote for McCain!

Would 30 Rock's Kenneth Make It as an Actual NBC Page?

Lemon Party! Looks like Tina Fey's second, ... [Tina Fey]

Kenneth the Page: Good Acting or Just Jack McBrayer? [Acting Like Acting]

Tracy Morgan Wants to Take Prince Behind a Middle School and Get Him Pregnant [Get Off]

Wrap Your Mindgrapes Around This Scene from Next Week's '30 Rock' Premiere [30 Rock]

TV Shows Return, My Life Regains Meaning [Great Television]

Everyone On NBC Used To Be a Page

Liz Lemon Gets an iPhone!

"30 Rock" Season Premiere: Watch The Whole Thing (VIDEO)

Tracy Morgan Talks Quitting Strip Clubs

Tracy Morgan Interview: Playing The Part Off-Camera, Too

John McCain Survives 'Saturday Night Live'

Ben Pretends to Endorse McCain While Violet Leads the Way

Tina Fey on Sarah Palin: 'Not Since 'Sling Blade' Has There Been a Voice' Like Hers [Defamer First Look]

Palin on SNL Countdown...

Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live Tina Fey on Sarah Palin "Crazy Voice" David Letterman Video

Monthly Advertising Special = Deal of Century!

2008-11-03T09:32:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/monthly-advertising-special-deal-of-century/)
This blog's success has skyrocketed recently. In honor of the success of my blog, we will be launching a very nice advertising package.

But first - check out my stats as of today:

As you can see my blog has been pretty successful as of late.

So I'm going to give back a nice affordable advertising package:

What you Get:

1 Blog Post Review on this site. This review will be 500 words minimum. I will link out any 3 keyword phrases that you desire.

A 125x125 ad in the sidebar for 2 months.

A Link in my sidebar linking to your blog for 2 months.

I will also be adding a 'Sponsors section to my ebook'. This Sponsor section will list all of our sponsors for the month. All new ebook readers will see this.

Your banner Rotated in the very middle of ALL blog posts for 2 months. You will share this rotation with the others who buy this package.

ALL OF THIS FOR $76.

$76 is a steal of a deal, when you realize that potentially thousands will see your ad.

Do not wait - once I fill my ad quota - this offer will go up.

To purchase: Send $76 via Paypal to [yourstruly AT patrickcurl.com]

Then email me: [patrickwcurl AT GMAIL.com] with the details for your ad.

I need a 125x125 ad, a 468x60 ad, and the 3 keyword phrases that will be linked to your website. I also need the url of course.

Free Ebook: Ten Commandments of a Kickass Blog

2008-11-03T02:13:00.001-08:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/free-ebook-ten-commandments-of-a-kickass-blog/)

Join our Newsletter get "The Ten Commandments of a Kickass Blog" FREE!

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by Brian Hathcock via Flickr"][/caption]

I'm launching my newsletter this week. As a free gift to new subscribers we are giving our subscribers a FREE copy of my newest ebook entitled: "The ten commandments of a kickass Blog".

The book tells you the 1 thing that you must do above all else to become a successful blogger.

I've gotten my blog up to 45,000+ hits per week, and this lays out what I've found is the number one, and possibly the only thing you need to do to be successful.

There is one secret tip that is paramount, if you don't do this, I can guarantee your failure as a blogger.

Subscribe now and get your Free Copy of "The Ten Commandments of a Kickass Blog!"

Apparently David Cook is more popular than John Mccain...so says google trends

2008-11-02T00:20:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/apparently-david-cook-is-more-popular-than-john-mccainso-says-google-trends/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Tonight John Mccain & David Cook were both on Saturday Night Live. (David Cook is a Singer from American Idol - in case ya didn't know - I didn't lol)...

Lookin' for a topic to blog about, I head on over to Google Trends, and what did I find? "David Cook" #1, "Mccain SNL" #2. Which says to me that people care more about American Idol, than they do about who will be the next President. Of course there were two google trends listings for Mccain, the other being "Mccain Saturday Night Live" at #12. Can you add the two together and make Mccain come out ahead?

I dunno, that sounds fishy - like the way Mccain's internal Pollsters called Mccain 'functionally even' with Obama. It just doesn't fly...

"Keith Olbermann" on SNL

McCain Making "SNL" Pit Stop

Is Affleck going to spoof Olbermann tonight?

Lines long for early voters in U.S. presidential race

Can SNL Outdo Palin Prank Call? [Crank Prank Time Phone]

McCain To Appear on SNL?

McCain to appear on 'Saturday Night Live'

McCain pitches in SNL skit

McCain pokes fun at campaign in 'SNL' visit

Don't forget to set the clocks back for Daylight Savings Time Tonight!

2008-11-01T23:45:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/dont-forget-to-set-the-clocks-back-for-daylight-savings-time-tonight/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by MaestroBen via Flickr"][/caption]

This is just a quick reminder for everyone to set the clocks back. Tonight is daylight savings time 2008.

Don't forget to turn back the clock, or ya might wake up an hour earlier than ya wanted to, or be early or late to church.

Daylight Savings Time 2008 - Don't worry - Not till November 2nd

Daylight Savings Time

Time to Fall Behind with Daylight Savings Tonight

Don't Forget to 'Fall Back' at 2 a.m.

Don't forget: Turn clocks back one hour tonight

Time to Fall Back From Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Saving Time Ends November 2nd [Daylight Saving Time]

Some electronics didn't get the news that ... [Annoying]

Did SNL Save Mccain's Campaign? er...probably not...

2008-11-01T23:30:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/did-snl-save-mccains-campaign-erprobably-not/)

Mccain's next career: SNL comedian?

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

At least, Mccain could fall back to a regular on SNL - maybe we could call him Alec Baldwin #2.

Ya know, I give Mccain props, he definitely is a funny old white guy. Does that mean he can be the next President of the United States...eh I wouldn't count on it. His showing on SNL was quite funny, both in the opening sequence and the news segment.

It starts out with John Mccain and Sarah Palin(Tina Fey reprising the role), unable to afford their own infomercial they worked out a deal with QVC to talk about their campaign whilst selling souvenires. It's hillarious, but there are a lot of spots where he really makes fun of himself pretty dang bad. I can't really say anything about it that would make you understand, its definitely one of those things you just have to see. So here are the videos:

Mccain and Sarah Palin QVC Skit:

Mccain dissing himself on Weekly Update:

McCain to appear on 'Saturday Night Live'

McCain to appear on Saturday Night Live

Roundup: Campaign enters last weekend, specter of deflation looms, tech layoffs soar

McCain to appear on 'Saturday Night Live'

McCain To Appear on SNL?

McCain to Appear on SNL

McCain Making "SNL" Pit Stop

Studio 8H To Smell Like Egg Salad And VapoRub [Trade Roundup]

SNL Weekend Update: John McCain Give Advice To Democrats

Sarah Palin on SNL

Live from New York, it's one more SNL gig for John McCain

Obama Seeks Landslide; McCain Says He's Far Left

Sarah Palin meets her mimic, live on US comedy show

Sarah Palin PRANKED by Nicolas Sarkozy (President of France) Video / Transcript.

2008-11-01T22:20:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/sarah-palin-pranked-by-nicolas-sarkozy-president-of-france-video-transcript/)

If Cher, from Clueless were running for Vice President, it might look something like this....(Sarah Palin Prank Phone Call)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="149" caption="Image by earthpro via Flickr"][/caption]

You know - my admiration level goes down for anyone who supports the Republican ticket this year, especially when you support someone this naive.

For instance John Chow is leaning towards the Republican platform over the Democratic one, and I just have to say Why John, Why? I thought you were smarter than that! How is wanting universal healthcare socialist? Aren't you a Canadian? Don't you have universal healthcare up there?

This is so hillarious, and show's how clueless she really is, she doesn't even realize when she's being pranked. My gosh, just goes to show any Joe the Plumber, or Marcel the Guy with Bread under his arms, can run for President. Full transcript below the video.

VERY IMPORTANT!! I highly advise you to READ the Transcript as you LISTEN!!

Sarah Palin Prank Phone Call Transcript

Sarah Palin: This is Sarah.

Masked Avengers: Ah, yeah, Gov. Palin.

Palin: Hello.

Avengers: Just hold on for President Sarkozy, one moment.

P: Oh, it's not him yet, they're saying. I always do that.

A: Yes, hello, Gov. Palin.

P: Hello, this is Sarah, how are you?

A: Fine, and you? This is Nicolas Sarkozy speaking, how are you?

P: Oh, it's so good to hear you. Thank you for calling us.

A: Oh, it's a pleasure.

P: Thank you sir, we have such great respect for you, John McCain and I. We love you and thank you for taking a few minutes to talk to me.

A: I follow your campaigns closely with my special American adviser Johnny Hallyday(Factcheck: actually a french singer / actor), you know?

P: Yes, good.

A: Excellent. Are you confident?

P: Very confident and we're thankful that polls are showing that the race is tightening and...

A: Well I know very well that the campaign can be exhausting. How do you feel right now, my dear?

P: I feel so good. I feel like we're in a marathon and at the very end of the marathon you get your second wind and you plow to the finish.

A: You see, I got elected in France because I'm real and you seem to be someone who's real, as well.

P: Yes, yeah. Nico, we so appreciate this opportunity.

A: You know I see you as a president one day, too.

P: Maybe in eight years.

A: Well, I hope for you. You know, we have a lot in common because personally one of my favourite activities is to hunt, too.

P: Oh, very good. We should go hunting together.

A: Exactly, we could try go hunting by helicopter like you did. I never did that. Like we say in French, on pourrait tuer des bebe phoque s, aussi.(Translation: "One could kill out all the baby seals, too".)

P: Well, I think we could have a lot of fun together while we're getting work done. We can kill two birds with one stone that way.

A: I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun. I'd really love to go, so long as we don't bring along Vice-President Cheney.

P: No, I'll be a careful shot, yes.

A: Yes, you know we have a lot in common also, because except from my house I can see Belgium. That's kind of less interesting than you.

P: Well, see, we're right next door to different countries that we all need to be working with, yes.

A: Some people said in the last days and I thought that was mean that you weren't experienced enough in foreign relations and you know that's completely false. That's the thing that I said to my great friend, the prime minister of Canada Stef Carse...(FACT CHECK: Not prime minister - but a singer - shouldn't she know who the PM of Canada really is though?).

P: Well, he's doing fine, too, and yeah, when you come into a position underestimated it gives you an opportunity to prove the pundits and the critics wrong. You work that much harder.

A: I was wondering because you are so next to him, one of my good friends, the prime minister of Quebec, Mr. Richard Z. Sirois (Fact check: Quebec comedian and radio host), have you met him recently? Did he come to one of your rallies?

P: I haven't seen him at one of the rallies but it's been great working with the Canadian officials. I know as governor we have a great co-operative effort there as we work on all of our resource-development projects. You know, I look forward to working with you and getting to meet you personally and your beautiful wife. Oh my goodness, you've added a lot of energy to your country with that beautiful family of yours.

A: Thank you very much. You know my wife Carla would love to meet you, even though you know she was a bit jealous that I was supposed to speak to you today.

P: Well, give her a big hug for me.

A: You know my wife is a popular singer and a former top model and she's so hot in bed. She even wrote a song for you.

P: Oh my goodness, I didn't know that.

A: Yes, in French it's called de rouge a levre sur un cochon, or if you prefer in English, Joe the Plumber...it's his life, Joe the Plumber. (Really translates to: "of lipstick on a pig")

P: Maybe she understands some of the unfair criticism but I bet you she is such a hard worker, too, and she realizes you just plow through that criticism.

A: I just want to be sure. That phenomenon Joe the Plumber. That's not your husband, right?

P: That's not my husband but he's a normal American who just works hard and doesn't want government to take his money.

A: Yes, yes, I understand we have the equivalent of Joe the Plumber in France. It's called Marcel, the guy with bread under his armpit.

P: Right, that's what it's all about, the middle class and government needing to work for them. You're a very good example for us here.

A: I see a bit about NBC, even Fox News wasn't an ally as much as usual.

P: Yeah, that's what we're up against.

A: Gov. Palin, I love the documentary they made on your life. You know Hustler's Nailin' Paylin? (Fact Check: A Porn Parody on Sarah Pailin. Read more...)

P: Ohh, good, thank you, yes.

A: That was really edgy.

P: Well, good.

A: I really loved you and I must say something also, governor, you've been pranked by the Masked Avengers. We are two comedians from Montreal.

P: Ohhh, have we been pranked? And what radio station is this?

A: CKOI in Montreal.

P: In Montreal? Tell me the radio station call letters.

A: CK...hello?

Palin "Pranked" By Canadian Radio Comedian Sarkozy Impersonator

Palin's prank call from fake French president

Quebec pair prank Palin with faux-Sarkozy phone call

Palin prank call

Palin Pranked

Montreal comedian pranks Sarah Palin

Obligatory Gov. Palin Prank Phone Call Post

Palin Fooled By Prank Phone Call

Quebec pranksters trick Sarah Palin

Quebec comics reach Palin with prank call

Montreal comedians prank-call Sarah Palin

Foreign Policy Is Confusing For Sarah Palin

An update on the Premier of "Legend of the Seeker" my two cents...

2008-11-01T17:58:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/an-update-on-the-premier-of-legend-of-the-seeker-my-two-cents/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

As a long-time Terry Goodkind fan (12 years since I first read Wizard's First Rule), I must say that the depiction on tv is a far cry from what I hoped it would be.

Let's just say it's no Lord of the Rings, (and I like the Sword of Truth story over Lord of the Rings)... Legend of the Seeker, took way too many liberties than I would've liked.

I'll give a quick run down of Legend of the Seeker, then one of the real story - you decide which would make a better show.

Legend of the Seeker.

Starts out with Kahlan and her sister Denee running from D'haran soldiers, with the Book of Counted Shadows and a Night Wisp named Shara.

Denee is killed in the run, and Kahlan trudged on alone. She came upon a boundary that separated Westland from the Midlands. Shara opened a way for Kahlan to get through the boundary.

4 of Kahlan's persuers followed her through this opening.

Then we meet Richard building a bridge. He goes off to feed his horse, and take a lunch break from his endeavors. As he is sitting he notices Kahlan running, he also notices her would be assailants.

He rushes to her aid, and helps by giving her the space she needs to use her power on one of the soldiers. Her power makes a person completely devoted to her, and protect her at all costs.

3 of the assailants are killed, and one falls over the ledge and shows up later.

Richard offers to help the mysterious woman further but she meanly refuses his aid, and tells him to leave her alone and not follow.

Richard runs off, and tells the story to his dad. Kahlan runs off to search for an old Wizard. The soldier manages to find Richard's brother - the Councilor of Hartland - the guy in charge of all Westland. He pursuades Richard's brother Michael to help him find his brother, and the 'witch'.

Richard's dad tells him to go find Zedd, and he finds Kahlan there. Kahlan prior to Richard's arrival, confronted the wizard and bade him to name the Seeker. Richard then arrives, and passes out from a wound he received from a poisonous snake-like vine.

Zedd heals Richard, and tells Richard who he really is - that he was orphaned by his parents when he was an infant, and that he was born the seeker. Zedd had smuggled him out of the town, while Darken Rahl had every infant in the town murdered.

Richard doesn't believe them, and runs off to talk to his dad. He finds his father's house on fire, and his dad half-dead inside. He drags him outside, and asks his dad if what Zedd told him is true. George Cypher tells him that he is telling the truth, but he will always be Richards father, regardless.

Richard seeks to find the person responsible for his dad's death, and kill him. He runs into him, and is unable to defeat him, and finds out his brother is on the other guy's side.

The soldier takes the Book of Counted Shadows, and Richard accepts his fate, as Seeker, and joins with Zedd and Kahlan. A friend named Chase - a boundary warden shows up and helps them as well.

They chase the guy all the way to Addie the bone woman, down in South Haven a six day ride by horseback. She gives him a spirit stone, to help guide him through the boundary.

Meanwhile Darken Rahl's army is trying to break down the boundary, to get the soldier through with the Book of Counted Shadows.

On the trip to Addie's Zedd is injured, Chase frees his daughter who was kidnapped earlier by the bandit from D'hara, Chase takes his dauther home, Zedd is left with the bone woman, and Richard and Kahlan follow after the soldier.

The boundary fails, and Richard and Kahlan battle the soldier, and a regiment of soldiers. He also destroys the book of counted shadows.

-----------

That's just a short overview.

Discrepancies:

Kahlan wasn't exactly chased through the boundary, she was followed but she didn't go through with her Sister next to her. Originally 5 wizards used their life-force to get her through the boundary. Sacrificing their life, so that she might succeed. Which I think would've made a better story.

Richard's father was actually killed by Darken Rahl 3 weeks prior to him meeting Kahlan.Darken Rahl had ridden a Dragon over the boundary to kill his father, in an attempt to find the Book of Counted Shadows, which his father had stolen when Richard was little.

Kahlan did not bring the Book of Counted Shadows - Richard had memorized it at his father's insistance, and nobody was ever to know.

In the sitcom it didn't appear that Zedd and Richard were that close, but really they are related by blood - Richard is Zedds Grandson. Zedd's daughter was raped by Darken Rahl, and she later married George Cypher. She was killed in a fire when Richard was 5 or so.

Richard, knew Zedd well - Zedd had taught him all about herbs, and how to cook, and lots of other things, in fact Zedd half-raised young Richard.

RIchard was not an orphan, nor was his birth heralded by signs, he was chosen as seeker by the prophecies, but Zedd chose him because of the person he had been raised to be. Zedd had the power to name anyone to be a true seeker. As first wizard that is his job. It just so happened Richard fit the bill perfectly.

Richard was up near the boundary looking for a vine that he'd found near his dad when he'd died. On this journey he saw a great red flying beast overhead, then got bit by a snake vine (the same vine he was looking for), then he helps save Kahlan for the first time.

After their fight, he leads her back to town, and takes her to a gathering for his brotherm who is the new 1st councillor of Westland - the top dog, so to speak.

Michael, who can sometimes be rueful, and lacking of manners, saw Kahlan, and attempted to hit on her. Richard was upset, because of his rudeness, but Kahlan stopped him from doing anything, instead she made a gesture that was meant to embarass him, and it did the trick.

Kahlan and Richard, immediately left the party. He started to feel sicker and sicker. Richard took Kahlan to Zedd, thinking he might be able to help her find the Wizard she was looknig for. He also was feeling less and less lively. As he got to Zedd's he passed out, and after three days of rest and medicine was healed of the poison inflicted him.

Kahlan works hard for the time that Richard is resting to convince Zedd to name the Seeker. Zedd reluctantly resigns, not wanting to see his grandson forced into a life not his own.

Kahlan is heart broken to find out that Richard is the one named, because they were friends, but didn't want him to be hurt, or thrust into peril.

They set out to find Chase who's a boundary warden, and he recognizes the sword of truth immediately. Apparently the boundary wardens are sworn to protect the seeker, and have more loyalty to him, than to Westland. Unofficially they protect the peace, but Officially their sole responsibility is to keep people safe from evils that come out of the boundary - such as heart hounds.

Heart hounds are huge wolf-like creatures with glowing eyes, that can hear a person's heart. They are also said to go for a person's heart instead of their neck like most wolves.

The group ask Chase if he knows a way to get through the boundary, as they need to locate one of the boxes of Orden, that have been set in play. On the winter's solstice if Darken Rahl opens the right box, he will have absolute power over the whole planet. To open any box, he must have all three, and he only has two so far.

Chase leads them to Addie, in south haven. About halfway their they run into trouble, both Chase, and Zedd are knocked unconcious, and won't come out of it. They leave them with Addie, as they set off on their own to travel through the boundary, which is a small narrow passage, through the boundary. A few steps from either side of the narrow path is the boundary.

The boundary is actually a part of the underworld that resides on the planet. To enter it is certain death. Shadow creatures use seductive whispers and trickery to lure people into the boundary.

The trek through the boundary is a perilous one that takes 2 days, and that you have to go through without stopping to sleep or eat. You also can't take a horse - as there are parts where a horse won't fit between the two walls of the boundary.

And that's the gist so far -- there's no army waiting for them, nobody in their group really even mentions the Book of Counted Shadows - but richard is linking pieces together from his memory of the contents of the book, which his father had him write out 300+ times until he could get it perfectly. Then they destroyed it by fire. As proof of the knowledge of the book, he kept the tooth of it's keeper.

As you can see - the real story a lot more in-depht, but I think the series should be too, but then that's just me. I'll still watch it though, as I've been wanting a Sword of Truth movie or series forever. I just wish it were more closer to the storyline.

Tonight is the Launch of Terry Goodkinds' Legend of the Seeker...

News Bites: Raimi Heads Back to TV, 'Kicking It' Gets Picked & 'Da Vinci' Props Auction

Wizard's First Rule - Comic-Con Report

Wizard's First Rule to premiere in November

What the heck is Legend of the Seeker?

Anything But Reality:

Best of October. A recap of the month on There's a Blog in My Soup

2008-11-01T16:56:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/best-of-october-a-recap-of-the-month-on-theres-a-blog-in-my-soup/)
This month was great to me traffic wise. I'm working on increasing my monetization as well. I don't think $248 is too shabby though for one month's work.

Here are some of the best posts for the month:

Extreme Pumpkin Carving - over 25 resources for the Pumpkin Carving Enthusiast

Set Goals or DIE! Part 1: Posting Frequency Goals...

Mahalo joins the Layoff Express. Bastard, Laying people off is Unamerican!

17 Kicka** Green Businesses to Start Now!

The Many Versions of Michael Jackson's Thriller - 12 to be exact!

26 Exciting Home-Based business ideas!

Have a Happy Debt Free Christmas - 4 Ways to Save Money this Holiday Season

Tonight is the Launch of Terry Goodkinds' Legend of the Seeker...

2008-11-01T00:41:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/tonight-is-the-launch-of-terry-goodkinds-legend-of-the-seeker/)

Finally - My favorite book - Sword of Truth comes to TV! TONIGHT!!!

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="123" caption="Book cover via Amazon"][/caption]

I must say, I am totally excited about tonight. Yes, I'm a geek. The legend of the Seeker launches on abc networks. I was afraid at first because I couldn't find it listed anywhere - luckily my tivo lets me search shows, and I found it playing on WGN. Most places are showing it on the WB.

Legend of the Seeker is the highly anticipated tv series based on Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series (which I've read all 11 books like 2 times at least.)

It should be pretty good, as it is being put together by the director of Spiderman. Of course, I can say that a part of me is sad that it's not gonna be in theatres, and Peter Jackson isn't directing it. After seeing what he did with Lord of the Rings, I'd have loved to see him take on the Sword of Truth - which I actually liked reading more than I did Tolkien.

The Legend of the Seeker follows young Richard Cypher, a woods guide. Richard is encompassed in a mighty quest mere weeks after his father's brutal murder by an evil king from a land across two impassible boundaries, in a world that Richard never even thought he'd be a part of one day.

Richard saves Kahlan a woman who has a special ability. She's called a confessor, not just any confessor though, she is the Mother Confessor. Her ability is to touch people, and make them fiercely devoted to her. The premise is that their job is to be the last ditch effort in heinous crimes where men who claim to still be innocent can choose to confess to a confessor, or be hanged. Many choose hanging, even if innocent, because the touch of a confessor is permanent.

Kahlan carries a harsh burden put on her from birth. She can never love, and never let herself get close to someone. In the intimate moments when passion over-takes thought she would be unable to control her power and would unleash the power in her lover.

Richard having no idea what she is, is the first person to accept her for who she is, but she can't bring herself to tell him what and who she is, risking the world on a lie, to keep the only friend she's ever had.

There's some major twists, lots of wizards and magic, a dragon or two. Fierce creatures, and an awesome story of love, devotion, passion, faith, honor, and more. Legend of the seeker is an epic journey that can't be missed.

News Bites: Raimi Heads Back to TV, 'Kicking It' Gets Picked & 'Da Vinci' Props Auction

Wizard's First Rule to premiere in November

Wizard's First Rule - Comic-Con Report

What the heck is Legend of the Seeker?

Anything But Reality:

46512 Hits for October! Monthly Traffic Update. Record Breaking Month!

2008-10-31T14:58:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/monthly-traffic-update-record-breaking-month/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

This has been an awesome month for "There's a Blog in my Soup". We have had a tremendous amount of traffic. Most of which has come from stumbleupon, and google.

Our traffic for the month is 46,512 - Of course this is liable to go up a little before the end of the day.

The majority of my traffic comes between 13:00 hours and 19:00 hours.

My unique hits for the past 7 days is: 4,286.

My total hits for the past 7 days is: 28,331.

Since March I've had 156,587 total hits with 32,926 unique hits.

I'm very excited with the growth, and am working hard to put up seasonal posts per each holiday that will bring in some good targeted traffic year after year. I'm also working on increasing the amount of posts that I write each week. My goal is to break 500 posts by the end of the year.

Why Can't I Get More Web Site Traffic?

Increase Targeted Traffic to Your Website

More Targeted Traffic to Your Website

Classic Scoble : Keeping track of your life with Meosphere's CEO

Build Your Web Site Traffic With Traffic Assistants-get More Visitors

The Daily Poll: Which Web Traffic Tracking Service is Most Accurate?

7 Steps to Increase Your Web Site Traffic Starting Now

Increase Web Site Traffic With SEO

Monthly Traffic Update. Record Breaking Month!

2008-10-31T14:56:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/monthly-traffic-update-record-breaking-month/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

This has been an awesome month for There's a Blog in my Soup. We have had a tremendous amount of traffic. Most of which has come from stumbleupon, and google.

Our traffic for the month is 46,512 - Of course this is liable to go up a little before the end of the day.

The majority of my traffic comes between 13:00 hours and 19:00 hours.

My unique hits for the past 7 days is: 4,286.

My total hits for the past 7 days is: 28,331.

Since March I've had 156,587 total hits with 32,926 unique hits.

I'm very excited with the growth, and am working hard to put up seasonal posts per each holiday that will bring in some good targeted traffic year after year. I'm also working on increasing the amount of posts that I write each week. My goal is to break 500 posts by the end of the year.

Why Can't I Get More Web Site Traffic?

Increase Targeted Traffic to Your Website

More Targeted Traffic to Your Website

Classic Scoble : Keeping track of your life with Meosphere's CEO

Build Your Web Site Traffic With Traffic Assistants-get More Visitors

The Daily Poll: Which Web Traffic Tracking Service is Most Accurate?

7 Steps to Increase Your Web Site Traffic Starting Now

Increase Web Site Traffic With SEO

Ghost hunters gets its own Social Network + Check Out Tonights Live EVENT!

2008-10-31T13:24:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/ghost-hunters-gets-its-own-social-network-check-out-tonights-live-event/)

New Ghost Hunters Social Network Launched + Special 6 Hour LIVE Ghost Hunters Event!

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Scifi.com just announced that it will be launching a social network to give Ghost Hunter fans a chance to "join the hunt".

Ghost hunter fans will have the opportunity to share their ghost stories, learn how to use ghost hunting equipment, ask questions of the ghost hunters.

Ghost Hunter Network Users will be get the following perks:

Weekly Ghost Hunting Tutorials: Learn how to use EMF guages, EVPs, and other ghost tracking gear.

View and Share Ghost Stories: Ghost hunter fans can view and share stories of ghostly encounters.

Ask a Hunter: Ghost hunter fans will be able to ask a TAPS member questions and get answers about ghost hunting.

Haunted or Not? Fans will be able to view alleged photos of haunted places and vote on whether they are haunted or not.

Other Resources: Books, movies, and more for those fascinated with the paranormal, and hunting ghosts.

Tonight the hugely popular Ghost Hunters live event will take place at the historic Fort Delaware in Delaware City, DE.

The live ghost hunter even will run from 7pm - 2am ET.

Ghost hunter fans will be able to view online video feeds of different rooms, in both night vision, and thermal imaging camera views. Fans will also have access to exclusive photos from the live event, live q&a with the TAPS team, and the return of the "Panic Button" allowing web hunters to alert the team of unusual ghostly activity.

A little background on Ghost Hunters:

If you haven't seen the show, it has been on the SciFi channel since October 2004. It highlights a team of paranormal investigators led by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson.

Plumbers by day, and ghost hunters at night, Jason and Grant explore private homes, businesses, tourist locations, and even government facilities that are said to be haunted.

They are very scientific, and work hard to debunk all claims, and unlike many paranormal shows that seem less than genuine, ghost hunters works hard to make sure to only give their 'haunted' declaration if it meets their guidelines.

Ghost Hunters, has also launched a spin-off series called Ghost Hunters International where they explore haunted castles, monasteries, grave yards, alleys, churches, and sites from the old world. Some of the cooler locations were Dracula's Castle, The Lair of the Blood Countess, and the Castle where Edward Longshanks ruled(Think evil king from Braveheart).

Ghost hunters are also ramping up to go to college, with a new spin-off series following College Students looking for Ghosts with experienced TAPS members.

When ghosts attack -- for real

When ghosts attack

Must-have gadgets for any aspiring ghost hunter

Paranormal encounters stirred 'Ghost Hunters' duo

The Ghost Hunters go back to school

Ghost Hunting Groups Becoming Popular

Sci Fi has their most watched summer ever

The Many Versions of Michael Jackson's Thriller -

2008-10-31T09:36:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/the-many-versions-of-michael-jacksons-thriller/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Here is a mashup of all the different Thriller videos I found online.

First there's the original, and obviously the best with Michael Jackson:

Next we have a how-to on how to do the Thriller Dance:

This is one of my favorites - Watch a Phillipino Prison do the Thriller:

And here's the Lego version of Thriller:

Here's a thriller video for the Final Fantasy Fans:

Here's a hilarious thriller at a Wedding video:

For you Second Lifers here's a SL Thriller Video:

This one is definitely the cutest Thriller video - cute little 3 yr old dancing to Thriller:

Another geekie wedding Thriller video, it's a pretty good one though!

Wow, is all I can say about this version - definitely the Sexiest version of Thriller, I've ever seen - I can't find an embed for this so you'll have to check it out on youtube.

Ok, Now I've seen everything - a Real Life Chipmunk doing Thriller...This one's short but cute:

Here's a Marine in Iraq doing the Thriller Dance:

Here's a funny Thriller Spoof Video from the BBC:

Zombies needed for Thriller dance world record attempt

Thrill the World: Are you ready to "Get your zombie on?"

Michael Jackson Thriller Dancers Break World Record!

Dead good: Thriller zombies up for record attempt

Photos: Zombie Dance at The Hideout

Get your ghoul on and 'Thrill the World'

Video: Thrill the World

Are you ready for the monster mash? (2 Videos: Original / Simpsons version)

2008-10-31T08:44:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/are-you-ready-for-the-monster-mash-2-videos-original-simpsons-version/)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by prettywar-stl via Flickr"][/caption]

I absolutely love "the monster mash", definitely one of my favorite halloween songs. This song is definitely a classic.

Bobby "Boris" Pickett's song was originally launched in 1962, I couldn't believe it was so old, I remember listening to this song growing up in the 80's.

Watch these two versions of Monster Mash - and let me know which one you like best!

Here's the simpson's version of the monster mash music video on youtube:

Here's the original Monster Mash video by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett & the Cryptkickers:

Here are the monster mash lyrics:

I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash

From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes

They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the monster mash

The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"

They played the mash
They played the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They played the mash
It caught on in a flash
They played the mash
They played the monster mash

Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"

It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
The monster mash
And it's a graveyard smash
It's now the mash
It's caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash

Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you

Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
The monster mash
And do my graveyard smash
Then you can mash
You'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash

Monster Mash-Ups for Halloween

Monster Mash

Halloween Party Mix

Dallas Fortworth Earthquake Rumbles Across Texas

2008-10-31T08:28:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/dallas-fortworth-earthquake-rumbles-across-texas/)

Texas Earthquake hits in Irving and Grand Prairie.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by debaird via Flickr"][/caption]

According to noaa.com and usgs.gov, two earthquakes shook dallas texas last night on October 30th at 11:30 Pm, and the other at 12:01 am this morning.

The first texas earthquake shook it up at a 2.5 magnitude. The second dallas earthquake came in at 3.0 on the ricter scale.

These earthquakes were strongest in the Irving and Grand Prairie areas.

For those lucky enough not to ever been through earthquakes, a 3.0 feels like a light truck passing by, just a sharp jerk, and some vibrating.

Personally, I blame the Dallas earthquake on Texas's support of John Mccain, lol.

Worcester Wobbled By Earthquake

Minor Quake Shakes South Texas

Small quake strikes parts of south Texas

Want traffic? 25 Hot Halloween topics to Blog about Today!

2008-10-31T01:19:00.001-07:00

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com/want-traffic-25-hot-halloween-topics-to-blog-about-today/)

Check out these hot Halloween Blog Topics!

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

I was just perusing the google trends hottest trends, and came across the following halloween related keywords, any of which would be a good blog post starting point:

printable pumpkin carving stencils

happy halloween comments

halloween 2008

rocky horror picture show

myspace halloween graphics

easy homemade halloween costumes

100 scariest movie moments

last minute halloween costumes for guys

the real exorcist

halloween quotes

samhain

halloween parade nyc

sam hane

nerd costume

grand rapids zombie walk

halloween pumpkin patterns

short scary stories

this is halloween lyrics

halloween e cards

roasted pumpkin seeds

all hallows eve

nightmare on elm street

halloween history

west hollywood halloween

tim curry(rocky horror)

My advice is to write keyword rich posts on as many of these as you can, or combine a couple related keywords into one post. Trust me - you will get some good google traffic from this.

Wired.com Readers' Best Geeky Halloween Costumes

ANNOUNCING: Green Halloween Costume Contest!

prairie fire

34 Geeky Pumpkin Faces

Spooky Halloween

Kids Halloween Candy Code, Learn What Treats Homes Have

Show Me Your Pumpkin: More Halloween parties than you can shake a broomstick at

DIY Halloween : One Man Electronic Band

Punk Rock HR Public Service Announcement: Halloween

Quick Update On My Daughter's Halloween Costume...Finally!

Googlebait? Is Google Trends the new linkbait?

The Mormon Techno Geek

Current Weight: 569 - Trying out for the Biggest Loser!

Here are my reasons for wanting to be on the Biggest Loser:

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Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas to all There's a Blog in my Soup Readers!

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New Media can be Bloody at Times

New Idea to gain / keep Newsletter Subscribers

Blackhat Article Writing Technique!

Well, this may not be blackhat but it's definitely gray.

How you make money with this technique:

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Network Marketing vs Tradition Businesses -which is better?

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How does Network Marketing Stack up Against Traditional Businesses?

Is Network Marketing a Viable Home Based Business?

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Are you in? Announcing: Inter-National Pillar Article Week - November 24-28th.

Pillar Article Writing Week + Contest + 7 tips to Perfect Pillar Articles.

7 Free Tips for Absolutely Marvelous Pillar Articles:

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links for 2008-11-14

Is Mr Blue Light - Frosty's New BFF?

Make Glass with your Propane Grill - Or maybe you Shouldn't...

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Breaking News: Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake hits California..

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7 Step Guide for Choosing a Multi-Level Marketing Business

"7 Step Guide for Choosing a Multi-Level Marketing Business"

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Your Ad Plastered All over this Site for Pennies? I Must be Mad!

Get Elfed. ElfYourself.com gets JibJabbified.

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Of God and Universal Healthcare... Why God Approves!

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Biggest Loser Trainer Arrested for Beating a 6 Yr Old.

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How I made my first Dollar in Network Marketing - it only took me 8 years!

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6 Easy ways to get more Subscribers.

6 Techniques to get more RSS Subscribers to your Blog!

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Veteran's Day 2008 - Give a Veteran a Hug Today!

Happy Veteran's Day 2008.

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Is Do-Follow commenting Dead as a link-building Strategy?

Is Do-follow in Comments Dead?

So is it worth it to waste your time commenting for hours on end?

Content is still king - don't waste time commenting - write, write, write.

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MySpace Launches Profile 2.0 - Featuring Drag and Drop!

MySpace Launching Profile 2.0 - Feature Filled Drag and Drop Profile Upgrade...

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The 3 things I learned by following and unfollowing 19,348 people on Twitter.

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Back to my roots... Social Media, Blogging, Making Money

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Best posts on There's a Blog in my Soup from 3rd November - 9th November Nov 2008

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Commission Blueprint - A Serious Review from a Serious Super Affiliate.

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Obama's First Radio Address since the Election: Obama Calls for 2nd Stimulus Package...

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Weather warning: Hurricane Paloma. 2nd strongest November Atlantic Hurricane on record.

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The Puppy in Chief - a Portuguese Water Dog?

The Most Anticipated High Level Position in the White House...

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Craigslist becomes mass Pimp. Charges for Erotic listings.

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