Archive for August, 2007

Coming Up For Air

Hey, everyone! You guys remember me? It’s Derrich. Ok, ignore the fact that I haven’t written in 6 days. Busy doesn’t even describe my week. My “day job” took me for a ride this week, and my soon-to-be “night job” took a sudden downward spiral. I decided to spend whatever spare time I had with my kiddo. Awwww…yeah, yeah. I’m just happy to be back. Not only did I not post, but I missed out on some great opportunities to win some swag. I picked the wrong week to be absent.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure
Derek Semmler and Leo Chiang are both supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure by offering some sort of swag to incent readers to help out. Of course, I missed out on Derek’s contest; he chose his winners last night. Leo’s contest is still going strong. Find out how to win a great prize and help fight breast cancer. Both of these fine gents are sponsoring Darla Briggs in the CIBC Run. Kudos to both of you guys for supporting such a good cause. Expect my donations soon. Heck, at today’s exchange rates, $25 CDN is like $3 US, right?

Run A Business In Your Underwear
Wendy Piersall, who I haven’t seen in awhile (my fault, Wendy), is always posting about something that exudes success. It is her Modus Operandi. Perhaps I should take this job and shove it, scrap my bar plans, and learn how to start and run a home business in my underwear. While she did not disclose whether or not she works at home in her underwear, Wendy offers 10 viable options for doing just that.

Support The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk
Just a reminder that I have formed a team to participate in the The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk. My friends, family, and I are walking on behalf of both my grandmothers. You can donate to our team if you feel so inclined. I will match every dollar donated up to $100. So far, we’ve received $50. Our goal is $1,000. While I’m personally responsible for $100 of that goal, it would be sweet if I could knock that one out of the park. Thanks in advance.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Friday’s Finds — 08/17/2007

There were number of interesting stories I read on various blogs this week. Many people were writting about keywords and making money again. I try not to inundate myself with too much SEO/SERP stuff and ad service sites to keep my brain from feeling like it just got pureed in a blender. A couple of posts did hook me.

• Ms. Danielle introduced her readers to Digital Point’s Search Engine Keyword and Back Link Tracker. What better way to see if your SEO efforts are effective? Visit Danielle and learn how you can track your keywords.
• In his blog, Behind The Rhetoric, Michael Kwan writes an extensive review of Publisher Spot. The site was created by Tyler Cruz in order to make sense of all of the ad networks popping up. It is sites like these that save my brain from melting away. Read the review, and then check out Publisher Spot.
• Speaking of being pureed in a blender, I StumbledUpon a site, WillItBlend.com, that features a video of the iPhone and answers the question Will It Blend?. When I said I would pass on the iPhone, I didn’t have this in mind. But I’m glad someone tried it.
• CASH for COMMENTS is holding a blogging contest to win a 24″ wide screen LCD monitor. That’s one way to get paid. The contest is being sponsored by Elite Baseball Instruction dot Com which gives baseball training videos in hitting, pitching, infield defense, and outfield playing. He is also giving away a Free 4-Hour Workweek Book to enter early and the winner will be updated on the same blog post to drive traffic to their own site. Click here for more details the 24 inch LCD giveaway. If you enter by September 1st, you could win a copy of the 4-Hour Workweek.

If you have links that you think might be of interest to people, please feel free to email them to me at derrich [at] derrich dot com. I’ll check ‘em out, and consider them for Friday’s Finds. And in case you missed it, I decided to captain a team for the upcoming Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk. Please check out the post and consider giving us your support. Bloggers can benefit with some back links, so everyone wins. Enjoy your weekend.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Meguiar’s Ultimate Quik Detailer Rocks!

As I flip through the latest edition of Road & Track, I come across an ad for Meguiars® Ultimate Quik Detailer®. Ultimate. As in better than regular Quik Detailer. I already use Meguiar’s products, so my curiosity was piqued.

I use Quik Detailer after every wash to take care of any places I may have missed. I also use it as a “lubricant” when I clean my paint with a clay bar…once a year. Well, there were two phrases that stood out in the ad (pay attention marketing researchers). The product was described as using “Hydrophobic Polymer Technology“, and they suggest that the “water beads like crazy“. Scared of water? I had to see this for myself.

I ventured off to the nearest auto parts store in search of this uber spray-on detailer. No dice. I went to 3 other stores…with no avail. It took almost 2 weeks before it surfaced in the stores. Last weekend, I applied it for the first time. I almost sprayed my car down to see the super beading action, but I refrained. This weekend when I pre-rinsed my car, I witnessed that which should not be seen by car detailers…or anyone.

Keep in mind that it was time to apply wax to my car. Water did not bead like this before I applied the Ultimate Quik Detailer. I was amazed. Right now, the gale force winds and rain from Tropical Depression Erin are putting the ultimate test on this ultimate detailer. So far, the stuff works. More beads than at Mardi Gras. I highly recommend you try this stuff.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Pour 5: Live Music In San Antonio! Tonight!

Take Your Music Events and Promotions From Idea To Reality.

Well, not yet. But soon. Part of the planning for a solid grand opening of Retox Bar is the musical talent. While Austin is known for its great live music…original live music…San Antonio bars seem to thrive when enlisting the services of a lively cover band. Many have a faithful following, which will obviously help bring people to your establishment.

The concern comes after your doors are open. How are we going to set ourselves apart from the rest of the neighborhood bars that feature cover bands? Well, we’ve certainly got some ideas. Weekends will likely continue to feature cover bands. Competing with other bars for prime acts will be a challenge. After Retox Bar up and running, we will have a better idea of which nights need a boost. Its safe to say that Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest followed by Thursday. So, the key will be to establish another night as a special night at your bar. Some do it with cheap drink specials, or open mic night…or some combination.

A few years ago, a local bar featured dodgeball in its parking lot. They had the backing of one of the radio stations. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 6% [?]

Latest Mattel Toy Recall Includes Die Cast Cars and Barbie Items

Mommy! Why Does Barbie Taste Funny???

How about another 9 million toys? Earlier today, Mattel recalled another 9 million toys to include 253,000 “Sarge” die cast toy cars; 683,000 Barbie® Doll and Tannerâ„¢ Magnets; and, 7.3 million Polly Pocket Playsets with Magnets. Once again this one hits close to home; my son has just about every Pixar Cars toy imaginable. As with the last Mattel recall and the Thomas The Tank Engine recall, China is the manufacturing source of the recalled toys, specifically the lead paint. If you have not yet included toys from China on your “naughty” list for Christmas, maybe now is a good time to reconsider.

The following details are provided to you directly from the recall notices on Mattel’s website. Please notice that each toy being recalled has its own contact information.

• Sarge. The recall involves die cast “Sarge” 2 ½ inch toy cars. The toy looks like a military jeep. The car measures about 3 inches long by 1 inch high by 1 inch wide and has the markings “7EA” and “China” on the bottom. The “Sarge” toy car is sold alone, or in a package of two. Packaging materials may contain the product numbers M1253 for single Sarge cars, and K5925 for Sarge cars sold as part of a two car sets The cars marked “Thailand” are not included in this recall. Contact Mattel at (800) 916-4997. (Product #s H6414 M1253 K5925 L6294 L4051)
• Barbie® Doll and Tannerâ„¢ Magnet. A small magnet inside the “scooper” accessory can come loose. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal. The recall involves Barbie and Tannerâ„¢ play sets — model numbers J9472 and J9560. The toys include a “scooper” accessory with a magnetic end. Recalled scoopers have a visible, silver-colored, disc-shaped magnet on the end of the scooper. Scoopers with a white material covering the magnet are not recalled. Products manufactured after January 31, 2007 are not recalled. Contact Mattel toll-free at (888) 597-6597. (Product #s J9472 J9560)
• Polly Pocket Playsets with Magnets. Small magnets inside the dolls and accessories can come loose. The magnets can be found by young children and swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal. The recalled Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories that have small magnets. The magnets measure 1/8 inch in diameter and are embedded in the hands and feet of some dolls, and in the plastic clothing, hairpieces and other accessories to help the pieces attach to the doll or to the doll’s house. The model number is printed on the bottom of the largest pieces on some of the play sets. Products manufactured after November 1, 2006 are not recalled. Contact Mattel if you cannot find a model number on your product to determine if it is part of the recall. Polly Pocket magnetic play sets currently on store shelves are not included in this recall. Call Mattel toll-free at (888) 597-6597 anytime. (Product #s J1944 J1946 J4142 J5114 J5115 G4457 G4458 G4459 G4460 G4461 G4462 G4464 G9703 H1530 H1532 H1533 55503 B2632 B3158 B3201 B3203 B3204 B3207 B3209 B3210 B3211 B3396 B7078 B7082 B7118 B7125 B7127 B7129 B8478 B9521 B9522 B9523 B9525 B9578 B9929 C0504 C0505 C1341 C1342 G8602 G8605 G8612 G8614 G8615 H1537 H1538 H1553 H1554 H3211 J1659 J1661 J1662 J1670 J1681 J1687 J1695 J4169 J4170 J4171 J4172 J9305 J9306 J9648 J9965 J9966 K3460)

For more information, check out Mattel’s product recalls page.

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Removing Human Botfly Larvae

According to Wikipedia, the Dermatobia Hominis, aka Human bot fly, is the only species of bot fly that attacks humans. As the female Dermatobia feeds, the eggs can hatch. The larvae use the mosquito bite area as the entry point. They develop inside the subcutaneous layers, and after approximately 8 weeks they drop out to pupate for at least a week, typically in the soil. In this video, Mark has his friends remove the larvae after suffocating them overnight with duct tape. Thank goodness for duct tape. By the way, if you have a weak stomach or are about to eat…don’t watch this.

Removing Human Bot Fly From Dudes Back - Watch more free videos.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Support The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk

Alzheimer’s Disease is something that hits close to home for me and my family. I had a grandparent that suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease (and one that developed dementia prior to her passing). So, what better way to participate in the fight against Alzheimer’s than to organize a team, raise money for charity, and get some exercise in the process?

The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $225 million. Team captains are needed NOW! Team Captains need to sign up early to ensure they have enough time to recruit a team and raise funds for the cause! I signed up to be a Team Captain this morning.

In order to join or start a team, simply locate a walk in your area. Then, begin recruiting family, friends, and colleagues to join your team…and ask for donations. Our team name is “In Memory Of…”, and our fundraising goal is $1,000. If you do not have time to participate in the walk but want to help a worthy cause, please consider donating to our team.

Donate to my team IN MEMORY OF… and support the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease.

If you are a blogger and you donate to our team, I will provide you a link with the anchor text of your choice in my recap of the Memory Walk…regardless of your donated amount. However, a $20 offering would be appreciated. After you donate, please send me an email confirming your donation to derrich [at] derrichdotcom. Blogger or not, I will definitely list your name as a donor…unless, of course, you wish to remain anonymous. The Memory Walk in San Antonio takes place Saturday, October 20, 2007. Thank you in advance!

Popularity: 5% [?]

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