retroBlog

With the world wide web overrun with personal homepages, social networking sites and blogs (yes, including this one), it’s tough getting any sort of exposure to a wide-ranging audience. There’s simply too much information on the internet and when you’re running a website, it almost feels like you’re a needle in a haystack. It took a long time for me to earn a regular following on this blog and I find that I have to make sure to put in time and effort in order to maintain readership as well as keep things growing. I’m no expert on seach engine optimization but I do try to stay in tune with what types of topics people are searching for when they arrive here. At times it can get a bit frustrating to try and figure out why your site ranks high on certain search terms but not on others. But forunately for online business owners, webmasters and even bloggers like me, websites like NetworkSolutions.com offer online marketing solutions that can help increase the visibility of our sites. Their SEO specialists can help evaluate your content and recommend ways to improve your site ranking and placement in search engine results. When your ready to go to the next level and bring your site to the masses, the experts at Network Solutions can take you there. Their plans are customizable to fit every budget and pride themselves in providing excellent customer service. Improve your online visibility by using Network Solutions, today!

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I’m not totally sure how I got roped into this but I’m currently involved in organizing a party for a friend of ours who’s turning the big 4-0. I was a bit tentative at first since I’ll be in the same boat next year but hey, it only comes around once, right? There’s going to be lots of over-the-hill references, black balloons, funeral decor and tons of food and alcohol. This person better show up that night because we’re putting in a lot of time, energy and not to mention MONEY into this thing. We’ve got a nice clubhouse reserved and everything. I got lumbered with creating video montages for the night, I guess because I’m so tech savvy. It’s OK though since I could probably do those in my sleep. heh. I also picked the short straw for getting official party Invitations printed up. Although I made a big fuss about it in front of the others in the party committee, in truth, getting invitations online is pretty much a snap. I just have to make it seem that I’m putting a lot of hard work into this. But in terms of custom printing the invitations, VistaPrint is basically doing all the hard work. VistaPrint is the leading online supplier of high quality graphic design services as well as customized printed products. Whether it’s business cards, custom stamps, labels or T-Shirts, they can get them custom printed and ready at your doorstep in no time. oh and be sure to use coupon code FreeInvite to get 10 Free invitations on your next order. We still have lots to do before the big party but at least I know the invites are taken care of.

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my old friend, Craig recently got divorced and is now out on the dating scene again. so, uummm, ladies, you’ve been warned. just kidding. After being married for so long, I can’t imagine going through that whole process again. I’m sure it’s tough finding a compatible person who will accept you for who you are, warts and all. Just think about it, when you’re dating, you put on your best game face but is that actually being fair to the other person? They need to see the real you: the you with bits of spaghetti stuck on the sides of your mouth, the you that whines endlessly when sick, the you that looks like death the morning after a night of heavy drinking. I suppose your partner will find out in due time but why give them a false impression from the very get go. You know, if I was out on the market again, I’d do things a bit differently. Forget the traditional dating dance of making a great first impression. Why not just be daring and present yourself as exactly who you are? I know that’s going against the usual protocol in meeting someone new but take a cue from George Costanza in “the Opposite” episode from the show Seinfield. Remember the episode where he notices an attractive woman at their local hangout and his immediate impulse was to NOT go up to talk to her?
George : So what? What am I supposed to do?
Elaine : Go talk to her.
George : Elaine, bald men, with no jobs, and no money, who live with their parents, don’t approach strange women.
Jerry : Well here’s your chance to try the opposite. Instead of tuna salad and being intimidated by women, chicken salad and going right up to them.
George : Yeah, I should do the opposite, I should.
Jerry : If every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.
George : Yes, I will do the opposite. I used to sit here and do nothing, and regret it for the rest of the day, so now I will do the opposite, and I will do something!
( He goes over to the woman )
George : Excuse me, I couldn’t help but notice that you were looking in my direction.
Victoria : Oh, yes I was, you just ordered the same exact lunch as me.
( George takes a deep breath )
George : My name is George. I’m unemployed and I live with my parents.
And he ends up getting the girl!! So, I say, go against the grain the next time you meet a “new someone”. Be honest from the very get-go and let the person accept you for exactly who you are. In fact, use George’s line from the Seinfeld episode - “My name is George. I’m unemployed and I live with my parents”. If she’s still interested in you after that opening line, you are in like Flynn. As a matter of fact, I tested my theory out in the virtual world with Ultimate Flirting Championship game on the Extreme Style by VO5 website. I put together my own virtual character online and chatted up with the ladies. It’s a fun game but unfortunately none of them took to my George Costanza opening line. But I still stand by my theory and I think the “painfully honest” approach is still the way to go.

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my father’s birthday is coming up and I was think of getting him a nice watch this year. Not just any old timex but one of those substantial wristwatches that just exude luxury. Right now, I’m leaning toward Cartier watches. the Cartier name is synonymous with all that is elegant, stylish and outstanding. So why not give the best to those that you love? They don’t deserve anything less. Their designer watches are timeless classics that definitely make a grand statement when worn. I was looking at the Cartier Roadster Chronograph watch over at The Watchery.
They’re currently offering discount prices on the whole line of Cartier watches that they have in stock. These timepieces are simply top of the line. You have to see one to really get a feel of the expert craftmanship that went into these luxury watches. It’s high class all the way with the two tone wristband, the screw down bezel for water resistance and the hidden folding clasp for extra comfort. And you can rest assure knowing that these are 100% authentic by the unique serial numbers on each and every watch. In addition, the Watchery is also an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau. So, there’s no excuse for not purchasing a luxury watch from the Watchery. I’m sure my dad will love his.

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Have you ever been on a business trip and you suddenly need to find a certain shop or restaurant in the area? I often find myself in the Chicagoland area on business and I’m always having to look up local information to find things I need. Finally there’s a convenient online resource that seems to have it all, DexKnows.com. It’s quicker than flipping through a Chicago Phone Book since you have the option to sort listings by name, location and even by ratings. The sorting tool definitely comes in handy especially when there’s a long list of providers under a certain category. So whether you’re looking for Chicago Massage therapists, physicians, auto mechanics or even night clubs, DexKnows can find them for you in a flash. Be sure to bookmark the site today.

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Wearing costumes has always been associated with halloween but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. I’m sure my kids would love the idea of regularly wearing costumes out and about all throughout the year. You should see the kids’ faces whenever they put on their favorite Disney Costumes. My four year old literally seems to be transformed into “Buzz Lightyear” whenever he’s got that spacesuit on. It’s a hoot seeing the lil’ kid running around the house believing he could fly. and I don’t know about you but I DO believe wearing interesting and well made costumes changes things up and can definitely put an extra spring in your step. and who DOESN’T want to shake things up a bit in their dull, boring humdrum lives? I mean, can’t you just imagine wearing vibrantly colored costumes to work each day to brighten up our mundane office environment? that would most definitely make the work week a little more interesting. oh, if only…
well, incidentally, halloween will be upon us soon and so it’s time to decide on your family’s halloween costumes. It’s always better to shop early to get a hold of the better designs. You can even use Coupon code: PPP05BLOG2008 over at halloweenadventure.com to get a 5% discount on your next purchase. oh, and to read up on the latest in the world of costumes, check out the blog on halloweenadventure.com.

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To celebrate the end of summer (well, for the kids anyway) and to do something fun before school starts, I took the kids to Morey’s Piers to spend the day at one of the best New Jersey water parks around. The kids had an absolute blast at the Raging Waters theme park. I love the fact that the place is family-friendly with an abundant amount of activities for a wide range of age groups. That definitely helps when you have both the younger set along with older boys in your group. The bigger kids get to hang out around the “rope swing” and “shotgun falls” area. and the lil’ ones are happy to scamper about at “Camp KidTastrophe” where there are water sprayers and waterguns galore. and for us parents, the “endless river” offers a nice relaxing inner tube ride down a long, lazy waterway. and for lil’ bit of fun, I thought the “Sky Pond Journey”, with it’s 4 elevated pools, was pretty cool. It was also a pleasant surprise to find that the staff were helpful and very friendly. At most amusement parks you find teens just working their summer job with attitudes to spare. But we didn’t encounter that here. It’s all the more reason to make Morey’s Piers a “must-see” on your next family beach vacation. All in all, a great time was had by all. For more info and operating hours, be sure to check out their website.

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Ahh, it’s back to school time again. I can’t believe the summer’s already over. It just all went by so fast. I’m sure the kids would agree as well. We’re almost finished getting all the school supplies off of the kids’ lists. It’s SO inconvenient when the teachers send the classroom supplies lists just a week before school starts. It really doesn’t give us parents a lot of time to get things together. plus, the local stores are just mobbed with kids and parents, all fighting over the last trapper keeper. One thing, I do want to do before school starts is to upgrade to a faster internet connection. I’m finding that more and more homework assignments are requiring the kids to link up to the school servers from home. I suppose it’s inevitable since broadband internet has become so integrated into our daily lives.
and as luck would have it, Charter Communications is currently running a new promotion for their customers called the Charter Laptop-a-Day Giveaway. Folks that sign up for their high speed internet service from now until Sept. 22nd are eligible to win one of 30 brand new HP Compaq Presario C770US Laptops. Man, winning one of these would be fantastic especially since my oldest is entering middle school this school year. Another cool thing Charter is doing is giving away free Shell gas cards on all online orders. So, not only are you getting the best prices on high speed internet and digital phone services but you get free gas PLUS a chance to win a new laptop. Sounds like a great deal to me. To find out more, head on over the Charter Communications today.

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man, driving around in my big ol’ SUV is painful nowadays. Filling up this old behemoth is sucking my wallet dry. Unfortunately selling larger vehicles like this with gas prices still sky high is not going to be easy. What I’ll probably do is keep the old SUV around but purchase something more economical and wallet-friendly to drive back and forth to work. I’ve been searching auto123.com for an economical used car. The site is a one-stop shop for all things auto including local listings, reviews and photos of each and every make and model. I like how the site includes both user reviews as well as ones written by professional reviewers. When you’re making a large purchase such as this, it’s always good to get a number of opinions for different sources. I think I’ve narrowed my commuter car down to a late model Volkswagon Golf. The Golf is fuel efficient AND it features a nice european flair that other domestic hatchbacks don’t have. Oh and before I forget, auto123.com is currently running a Drive, Rate and Fly contest where you can win a free vacation. So be sure to head on over to the site and register.

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Whenever I get into that “creative zone”, time is of the essence. I either have to transfer my ideas quickly out of the ether and jot them all down or let them vanish into thin air. So when I’m sequestered in my little recording room, I need to have all my tools within reach so that when inspiration strikes, I’m ready. This all requires some organization beforehand so that I would be able to find what I’m looking for at a moments notice. Recently I purchased several portable storage organizers so that I can put away various components and equipment until I need them again. As you may know, a cluttered work area in not that conducive to productivity. So all my 1/4″ cables, stomp boxes, tuners, headphones and microphones are all neatly put away into drawers.
I also borrowed my son’s DYMO Labelmaker to neatly label each storage unit so that I’d have no problem finding things quickly and easily. Since it’s back to school time, we recently got my son the Labelmaker to help label his notebooks and other important school supplies. The labelmaker comes in handy not just for school but to help organize things around the house. It definitely help me declutter my lil’ home studio. The kids and I also had a blast labeling storage bins in their playroom. Those that have kids know all to well how disorganized a playroom can be. But with a bunch of storage bins and a systematic way of categorizing their toys, playroom clutter can be a thing of the past in no time.

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