Another Blogging Resource

Below is a matrix of 120 stars, I have already added a link to my blog onto one of the stars, all you need to do is copy and paste the grid into your blog or website and add your own link to one of the other spare stars, and tell others to do the same!

Viralink

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When I receive a ping back once you have added the Viralink to your site, I will add your link to this grid, and each person who copies the grid from this blog`will also link to your site!

Rules:

No Porn Sites

One link per person only! (do not hog the viralink!)

DO NOT change or tamper with other individual url’s.

Enjoy!
Here are how the numbers add up, I will use the term saturation to describe the spread of the Viralink with Zero being your blog 1 being 1 link down, 2 being 2 links down and so on.

Saturation -

Backlinks 0 - 0

1 - 3

2 - 12

3 - 39

4 - 93

5 - 336

6 - 1065

7 - 3252

8 - 9813

9 - 29,496

10 - 88,545

The above numbers rely on 3 people copying and pasting the Viralink onto their blog and that being replicated 3 times continuously 10 times. The numbers are quite staggering, there are 119 spaces left on the Viralink from this page and I expect that there will be allot of clones which begin to pop up. The best strategy with this is to start early and tell all of your blog and online friends! You may be wondering what happens if you are at the end of the chain when the Viralink is full ? What would be the benefit to me? Well there is no reason why you can’t add another line of dots to the bottom and keep the process going. You also can start another form, but please retain a link to this site.

It will be interesting to see how this works!

Take The News Challenge: Can You Find A Positive Headline?

I decided today that I was going to do the impossible. Well, perhaps not the impossible, but it feels that way at times. What is this I speak of? Finding a POSITIVE news story in the Top Stories headlines. These are the results of my findings:

YAHOO

• Suicide car bomber kills at least 13 Iraqi soldiers

• Russia urges U.S. to freeze missile defense plans

• British police find no evidence to support CIA flights claim

• Democratic president would end Iraq war, Dean says

• Civil rights leader James Bevel charged with incest

• Dinosaurs died agonizing deaths, paleontologists say

• Man accused in Letterman kidnap plot escapes from prison

Nothing there....

CNN

Shuttle engineers eye heat-shield tear Video
Crying Paris Hilton back behind bars Video
Bush urges senators to try again on immigration
Six killed in attack on U.S. prison in Iraq
Cindy Sheehan to sell her protest camp
Records show murder suspect threatened sister
Teen's death blamed on sports cream
Breeders raise lions -- to shoot them
Alleged threat to Letterman's son escapes prison
Mick Jagger joins his brother on pub stage
Elderly drivers race their scooters
Webbys honor human slingshot, cursing Bowie

One there, the elderly drivers racing their scooters. They seemed happy enough in the video.

BBC

Bush calls for action over Kosovo

Russia warns US on missile plan

Iraq condemns Turkish 'shelling'
Australia storm death toll rises
Gaza militants launch Israel raid
Sri Lanka troops 'kill 30 Tigers'
Israel 'tests' Syria peace aims
UK police reject rendition claims
Paris Hilton is sent back to jail

The Israel Story looks promising, although I am doubtful that these countries will find peace.

GOOGLE NEWS

Hispanic Voters Enjoy New Clout With Democrats

Pace out as Joint Chiefs chairman

Russia Wants Freeze on US Missile Plan

Rep. Jefferson pleads not guilty to corruption charges

Bush reassures pope on Iraq's beleaguered Christians

G8 Leaders Pledge $60 Billion To Fight Disease In Third World

Review of Khadr ruling sought

Brownback To Compete In Iowa Straw Poll

If the G8 leaders keep their promise and actually "give" the money that is a good thing.

WASHINGTON POST

U.S. Cities Race Ahead of Feds on Climate Change
In Arctic Ice, Lessons on Effects of Warming
VIDEO: Melting Glacier Draws Scientists
Special Report: The Threat of Climate Change
A Changing French Assembly
Alliance of Last Resort in Iraq
Suicide Bomber Kills 13 Iraqi Soldiers
Bush, Pope Benedict XVI Discuss War in Iraq
Joint Chiefs Chair Will Bow Out VIDEO
Romney Boys Dish on Dad
GRAPHIC: Meet Romney's Sons PostTalk
Twitter Develops a Following
Book World: Two Attempts to Get at the Real Hillary
Iran Confirms U.S. Man Jailed
Paris Hilton's Grim-Reality Show

The first story looks promising! If cities would implement changes, it would be a positive step for our climate!

FOX

Bush Makes Historic Visit To Meet Pope Benedict XVI

Italian Police Fire Tear Gas on Anti-Bush Protesters

Shuttle Fold Causes Concern

MLK's Pal Charged With Incest

Track Star ODs on Muscle Cream
Justine Henin Wins French Open
Jefferson: 'I Am Absolutely Innocent' VIDEO
Cops: Stepdad Drowned Child for Insurance
Woman Sentenced for Starving Stepdaughters
Letterman Kidnap Plot Con Escapes
Tyson Recalls 40,000 Lbs. of Ground Beef
Kelsey Suspect Had Threatened Sister

18 Iraqis Killed in New Wave of Violence

I would say the Bush and The Pope's meeting, but it doesn't look as if anything "positive" really came out of that. So that leaves us with the winner of the French Open.

ABC

Hanging With the Pope: Bush, Pontiff Talk 'Worrisome' Iraq

Thermal Breach? NASA Checks Shuttle

Sports Cream Said to Kill Teen Runner

Crying for Her Mom, Paris Returns to Jail

Will Paris Stay in Jail This Time?

'Sopranos' Swan Song: How Will It End?

6 Die in Attack on U.S. Jail Facility in Iraq

Cover-up of Secret CIA Prisons Alleged

Sanitary State Rep Wages Germ Warfare

Meet France's Sexy, Enigmatic First Lady

Cold Cash Congressman Pleads Not Guilty

Pace Retires As Head of Joint Chiefs

Golfer Daly Claims Knife Attack by Wife

Kate Hudson-Owen Wilson: Fated to Fail?

The Germ warfare looks promising, although it's a shame it will only affect one state....

AFP

Bush reassures pope on Iraq's beleaguered Christians

US missile shield threatens resolution of Iran stand-off: Russia

Iraq protests Turkish bombardment of Kurdish north

Japanese envoy hopeful of saving Sri Lanka peace bid

Atlantis heads for International Space Station

Russia's Ivanov seeks to reassure West at economic forum

Aeroflot signs order for 22 Boeing Dreamliners

Well, at least someone(Aeroflot) in Russia had a good day.

ASIA TIMES

Everlasting US pyramids in Iraqi sands

US eyeing bigger UN role in Iraq

An insurgency beyond the Taliban

Putin's smart Gabala gambit

News of Wen's retirement shot down

Philippines puts on a political show

US ire over trigger-happy North Korea

I like the looks of the UN playing a bigger role, that is something to keep an eye out for.

IRNA

Kuwaiti emir calls for enhanced ties with Iran

Egypt calls for cooperation with Iran

Iran's neighbors not concerned over N-case: Haddad-Adel
Iran's envoy to Mongolia submits credentials
Headlines in major Iranian newspapers
Quake hits northern cities
Haddad-Adel slams Zionists' atrocities
Security official confirms arrest of three Finns in Hormuzgan
Mazandaran province welcomes Italian investors
Mottaki calls for expansion of Iran-Hungary ties

I'm not real sure where to go with this one.... I suppose some of it is good news for the Iranians, although, I think we (US) should be very concerned...

CCTV

Reasonable exam environment created for quake area students
Chinese panda in Washington zoo may be pregnant again
China enhances ties with Indonesia, Barbados
Blue-green algae discovered in another E China lake
China urges intensified prevention and control of blue-ear pig disease
Preparations begin for election of HK and Macau deputies to 11th NPC

Kenyan police kill 11 as crackdown on sect intensifies
S Korea lifts ban on quarantine inspection on U.S. beef
Putin suggests U.S. deploy missile defense system in Azerbaijan
Malaysia detects new outbreak of bird flu
Jews want control of grave in Ukraine
Cyclone Gonu kills three in Iran

Enhancing their ties is a positive thing.

AL JAZEERA

Lebanese army resumes camp shelling

Iraqi troops die in Hilla bombing

Musharraf cancels media decree

Egypt court permits face-veil use

Palestinian groups in border raid

Bush visits pope amid protests

Quelling Iran's thirst for petrol
Kenyans flee sect crackdown
UN 'concerned' about Darfur
Three killed in Pakistan bus blast
Colombo court halts Tamil evictions
The changing face of my Beijing
Dalai Lama warns of 'lost' Tibet
France invites Lebanese dialogue
Tortured by the Palestinian police
Bush firm on missile shield plan
Chile judge orders Fujimori arrest

G8 leaders in $60bn aid pledge
Syrian arms dealer held in Spain

Once again, I think that 60 million dollar pledge is about the best we can do here.

Why this Quest? I did this to prove a point, the world as a whole is wrapped up in reporting the negative. Rarely, does something positive make the headlines. If so much negativity is floating around the world, how do we honestly expect to make the world a better place for future generations? Take the Challenge, see what positive news you can spread. Maybe by one blog at a time, we can introduce something positive in the world, for a change..

Blog Resources

Z List: Purpose: blogging resources, discovering blogs of interest to you. I hope you enjoy the list! Browse through and visit!

Blog Name
Author
Location
Category
10 Word Description

Calico Monkey
Animation
Focuses on the ToonBoom software to create animation.

Women, Art, Life: Weaving It All Together
Tammy Vitale
Maryland, USA
Art
Art-focused, including thoughts on the art that Tammy produces.

Woolgathering
Elizabeth Perry
Art
Looking, thinking, drawing, being

World Blog Collection
ugyen
Blog aggregator
Blog listings categorized by type; goal to add 1000 links in ’07.

Blogging Secret
Louiss Lim
Malaysia
Blogging
Part personal but mostly blogging related site.

Blogging to Fame
Divya Uttam
India
Blogging
All aspects of online business from SEO to usability and blogging.

Blog-Op
Chris Lodge
Blogging
How to improve your blogging by Chris and others.

Daily Blog Tips
Daniel
Blogging
Tips to improve your blogging from tools to design.

Mike's Money Making Mission
Mike
Blogging
Making money using free blogs.

One Reader at a Time
Bob Glaza
Blogging
One blogger’s experiment in building and engaging with online communities.

Ruminate this site
The Ruminator
Maine, USA
Blogging
Reviews blogs and sites so that we don’t have to.

SMogger Social Media Blog
Linda Bustos
Vancouver, Canada
Blogging
The ethical use of social media for bloggers and other web users.

SuccessCREEations
Chris Cree
Georgia, USA
Blogging
Blog Consultant bringing the twin passions of business and blogging together.

Successful Blog
Liz Strauss
Blogging
The legendary Liz Strauss, blogger extraordinaire and creator of the SOB award.

Troy Worman's Blog
Troy Worman
Jacksonville, USA
Blogging
Focus on writing, ideas and connections

Copywriter's Crucible
Matt Ambrose
UK
Blogging, Copywriting
The importance of copy in corporate blogging

Copywriting Tuneups
Eric Rosen
Blogging, Copywriting
How to measure reading effectiveness and why it is important in the blogosphere

Dipping into the Blogpond
Meg
Sydney, Australia
Blogging, Tech
Blogging about starting an Internet company in the Sutherland Shire.

BrandSizzle
Anne Simons
Branding
Broad and deep insight into the branding process.

Own Your Brand!
Mike Wagner
Iowa, USA
Branding
Blog to help businesses re-imagine their brands.

The Emerging Brand
Anna Farmery
UK
Branding
Corporate branding blog focused on leadership.

The Engaging Brand
Anna Farmery
UK
Branding
Using technology and marketing knowledge to improve business communications.

What is Brand?
Japan
Branding
Japanese readers/speakers? Anyone?

Presentation Zen
Garr Reynolds
Japan
Business
(Site in English) Tips for great presentations, marketing, and business communications.

Bob Sutton
Bob Sutton
California, USA
Business
Discussions of “jerks” in business.

Perspective
Niti Bhan
Asia
Business
Health, wealth and the freedom to choose. Archived blog. New one is jugaad (http://www.nitibhan.com/jugaad).

Ramblings from a Glass Half Full
Terry Starbucker
Connecticut, USA
Business
Views on business life.

Simplicity Mary’s Blog
Mary Schmidt
New Mexico, USA
Business
Business development, marketing troubleshooting

Funny Business
Scrambled Toast
Business commentary
Wide ranging discussion on business with a funny and pictorial approach.

Creative Think
Roger von Oech
California, USA
Business, Creativity
Fun Ideas to stimulate your creativity.

The Copywriting Maven
Roberta Rosenberg
Washington DC, USA
Copywriting
Marketing and SEO copywriting tips.

Brain Based Biz
Robyn McMaster
Creativity
Tips for stirring creativity in business.

Experienceology
Stephanie Weaver
California, USA
Customer Experience
How to create great customer experiences on the web and in the “real” world.

QAQNA
Tom Vander Well
Iowa, USA
Customer service
Business blog on call centers, quality assessment, and customer service.

Shut Up and Drink the Kool-Aid!
Tim Jackson
Cycling, Blogging
The irrepressible Tim MasiGuy Jackson and Co’s slant on bicycle marketing.

MineThatData
Kevin Hillstrom
Database Marketing
Tips for database marketing from the viewpoint of a DM wiz.

Design Sojourn
DT
Sydney and Singapore
Design
How to do good design and create clever products.

aialone
JT (Jon) Winebrenner
Canada
Design, tech
Design, innovation, as well as Jon’s cartoons!

Frozen Puck
Brock Skywalker
Canada
Eclectic
Making cool stuff with expensive toys

Africa Unchained
Emeka Okafor
Economy
Discussing issues and solutions in Africa.

Energy Blog
Energy Industry
News, information and updates on the Energy generation industry.

Movie Marketing Madness
Chris
Entertainment, marketing
Marketing with a focus on Hollywood. No info on About page.

gDiapers
Jason
Oregon, USA
Environment
Corporate blog discussing environmental issues.

Time to Budget
Mona Weathers
Finance
How to gain financial freedom by controlling your finances.

Soloride
Paul Sanchez
California, USA
Fundraising
A project raising awareness and funds for children with dyslexia and learning differences

Girls Swimsuits
Pretty
Girls
The name says it all, new site, small archive.

Home Business Wiz
Barbra Sundquist
Canada
Home business
Collection of resources about home business.

Working at Home on the Internet
Joe Hauckes
Home business, Blogging
Home business entrepreneurs and making money from home

Kristie T
Kristie Tamsevicius
Home business, Online Money Making
Fun, mom-geared work-at-home tips and advice on making money on the net.

Asia Inspection Community
Industrial
Blog for Inspection Engineers based in Asia. Includes job board.

Employment Law Colorado
Peter Mullison
Colorado, USA
Law
Resource for employers and employees on Colorado employment law

Leading Questions
Ed Brenegar
USA
Leadership
Real life leadership, organisational tranformation and practical tips for leaders of all kinds.

Steve Olson
Steve Olson
Life
Chronicling one family’s quest for personal freedom.

Make It Great!
Phil Gerbyshack
Wisconsin, USA
Life coaching
How to take your life from good to great by focusing on relationships.

You Already Know This Stuff
Jodee Bock
Fargo, USA
Life Coaching
Reminding us all that what we need to know is already in our minds and hearts.

HolyMama!
USA
Lifestyle
Funny perspective on life from a stay at home Christian mom.

My Marrakesh
Maryam Montegue
Morocco
Lifestyle
Expatriate American with an eye for style, architecture and good living

Gangster Sonny
Mafia
Fascinated with all things mafia … from movies to weapons.

Talking Story
Rosa Say
Hawaii, USA
Management
Management and leadership, Hawaiian style.

AENDirect
Aen Tan
Singapore
Marketing
Freelance art director’s view on creativity and advertising

Being Peter Kim
Peter Kim
Massachusetts, USA
Marketing
Personal insights from the depths of Forrester (note: this is his personal, not Forrester, blog).

BizandBuzz
Gianandrea Facchini
Rome, Italy
Marketing
Brand building and marketing from an Italian perspective

bizsolutionsplus
Lewis Green
Connecticut, USA
Marketing
A passionate and respected author, marketer and activist.

Blog Till You Drop!
Laurence-Hélène
UK
Marketing
Marketing, advertising, branding, blogging

Branding & Marketing
Chris Brown
Ohio, USA
Marketing
Designed for business professionals with an interest in branding and marketing.

Business Garden
France
Marketing
French readers/speakers?

Buzz Canuck
Sean Moffitt
Toronto, Canada
Word of Mouth
Passionate exponent of word of mouth from Canada.

Buzzoodle
Ron McDaniel
Ohio, USA
Word of mouth, Marketing
Creating buzz with word of mouth marketing.

Christine Kane
Christine Kane
Marketing, Music
A recording artist, Christine harnesses the power of community to reach her audience.

CKs Blog
Christina Kerley
New York, USA
Marketing
Clever strategies, the new best practices, and the smart marketers behind them.

Conversation Agent
Valeria Maltoni
Pennsylvania, USA
Marketing
Connecting ideas and people—how talk can change our lives

converstations
Mike Sansone
Des Moines, USA
Marketing, blogging
Known as the blogging yoda (for insight not looks), Mike is a conversation generator.

CrapHammer
Sean Howard
Canada
Marketing
Marketing using new media.

Customers Rock!
Becky Carroll
California, USA
Marketing, Customer Experience
Marketing the customer experience; its importance for businesses.

Diva Marketing
Toby Bloomberg
Atlanta, USA
Marketing
The Diva herself, aligning technology, marketing and branding for businesses.

Dmitry Linkov
Dmitry Linkov
Moscow, Russia
Marketing, Business
Everyday and business issues

Drew's Marketing Minute
Drew McLellan
USA
Marketing, Eclectic
Where strategy and passion collide

eSoup
Sharon Sarmiento
Alabama, USA
Marketing, Entrepreneurism
Productivity, marketing, web media, small biz development and other stuff entrepreneurs ought to know.

Flooring the Consumer
C. B. Whittemore
New Jersey, USA
Marketing, Customer Experience
Improving the consumer experience, particularly in flooring (carpeting)

Get Shouty!
Katie Chatfield
Sydney, Australia
Marketing, Planning
Digital strategy and thoughts on blogging.

Golden Practices
Michelle Golden
Marketing
Thoughts on marketing for professional services firms, including lawyers and CPAs.

Hee-Haw Marketing
Paul McEnany
Texas, USA
Marketing
There is no box. New media marketing strategy thrown together with a few cuss words and a dash of panache.

Hola! Oi! Hi!
Katia Adams
New York, USA
Marketing, Multicultural
Thoughts of a Brazilian newly arrived in the US with a marketer’s point of view.

Jeremy Latham’s Blog
Jeremy Latham
Vancouver, Canada
Marketing
A marketing-business oriented blog on website development.

John Wagner
John Wagner
Texas, USA
Marketing
News and views on marketing, advertising, media, PR and grass-roots communications

Kinetic Ideas
Wendy Maynard
Oregon, USA
Marketing
Marketing tips, ideas, strategies, and musings for small businesses.

Logic + Emotion
David Armano
Chicago, USA
Marketing
The intersection of marketing, brand engagement and experience design. How to turn your passive consumers into active brand participants.

Marketing Hipster
Cord Silverstein
Raleigh, USA
Marketing
Online oriented blog on marketing and web 2.0 tools.

Marketing Nirvana
Mario Sundar
USA
Marketing
How corporate marketers can leverage the web & social media for better results

Mindblob
Luc
Brussells, Belgium
Markeing
Using alien intelligence to follow the path of ideas as they come to life.

Multi-Cult Classics
HighJive
Marketing, Advertising
Musings on Multiculturalism in the Ad Industry and Beyond.

Nick Rice
Nick Rice
Kentucky, USA
Marketing, branding
Marketing strategy combined with creative thinking and design.

The Marketing Technology Blog
Douglas A. Karr
Indiana, USA
Marketing
A marketing and technology blog

OTOInsights
Jeremi Karnell
Marketing
Corporate blog focusing on using technology to create and sustain customer conversations.

Pardon My French
Eric Frenchman
New Jersey, USA
Marketing
Online strategy and marketing with great case studies of real projects.

Pow! Right Between The Eyes!
Andy Nulman
Marketing
The importance of surprise in business

Purple Wren
Sandy Renshaw
Iowa, USA
Marketing
Tools and techniques for communicating life through print and images.

Servant of Chaos
Gavin Heaton
Sydney, Australia
Marketing
Gavin’s rant on the world of branding and storytelling.

Shotgun Marketing Blog
Chris Houchens
Kentucky, USA
Marketing
Musings on marketing and related ideas.

Small Business Blogging
Andy Wibbels
Chicago, USA
Marketing, Tech
Using web media to market your business

Tell Ten Friends
Jordan Behan
Canada
Marketing
Marketing using new media to make connections.

The Branding Blog
Martin Jelsema
Marketing
Branding principals, opinions and prejudices he's developed

The Experience Curve
Karl Long
California, USA
Marketing, Social Media
Social media and marketing from an experiential point of view.

The Instigator Blog
Ben Yoskovitz
Montreal, Canada
Marketing
Entrepreneurial focus on marketing, ideas and building your business

The Marketing Minute
Drew McLellan
Iowa, USA
Marketing
Expert insight into marketing and branding. And Drew loves Disneyland.

The Viral Garden
Mack Collier
Alabama, USA
Marketing
Mr Community leads the way in using technology to create conversation.

Two Hat Marketing
Steve Miller
Washington, USA
Marketing
Views on targeted marketing.

Unconventional Thinking
Chris Kieff
New York, USA
Marketing
The art and science of growing businesses

Viaspire
A biz blog—Viaspire
Marketing
Marketing and Communications consulting firm blog

Popcorn n Roses
TC Kirkham and Kim Brown
Massachusetts, USA
Movies
Movie industry blog with reviews and musings.

Current World news
News
“Breaking” news across a couple of categories. Small archive.

Choice at Your Fingertips
News, Blogging
News and tips for making money blogging. No archive.

Blogtrepreneur
Adnan
UK
Online Money Making
How to be an online entrepreneur and also build community!

Can I Make Big Money Online
George Brian Manty
Online Money Making
Tips for making money online including research, design and blogging.

Dosh Dosh
Maki
Online Money Making
Trying to source legitimate methods for making money online.

Internet Bazaar
Guhan Mathivanan
Online Making Money
Tips and ideas for making money online.

Kumiko's Cash Quest
Kumiko
Tokyo, Japan
Online Money Making
Trying to make money online and sharing the experience.

Million Dollar Experiment heads Down Under
Rob St George
New Zealand
Online Money Making
Can thinking positively make you a cool mill? Rob hopes so.

Quest to make money on the internet
UK
Online Money Making
Currently up to £128, this site makes money by letting out its posting space.

Above Popular
Mark
Personal
Motivated to make the world a better place.

Critical Fluff
Jayniek
Maryland, USA
Personal
Ranks various things in life with mulligans, crabapples, and pineapples.

Forged Euphoria
Personal
Some sponsored links.

OrbitNow!
Troy Worman
Florida, USA
Personal
Miscellaneous musings

The Sartorialist
Photography, fashion
Photos of fashion on the streets, geared to inspire designers.

Bullshitobserver
Todd Anthony
Politics
Politics and commentary.

New Millenium PR
Andrea Weckerle
PR
Bringing business, branding, marketing and PR together.

The New PR
Ryan Anderson
Ottawa, Canada
PR
Public relations in the online world.

Carpe Factum
Timothy Johnson
Project Management
Blog that focuses on the things you need to do to accomplish things. Especially big things.

Work, in Plain English
Penina S Finger
Project Management
A design and marketing focused blog on project management. Interesting mix!

turned out
David Turner
Illinois, USA
Religion
Minister blogging to connect everyone with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Evolution...not just a theory anymore
Greg Laden
Minnesota, USA
Science, Religion
Creation vs evolution, commentary and archaeology by an independent scholar.

SEO Blog
SEO
New site on SEO and use of blogs to improve rankings.

Flee the Cube
ICesar
California, USA
Small Business
Starting up a small business in web design.

Community Guy
Jake McKee
Dallas, USA
Social media
Online and offline community building tips and tricks.

A Free and Decent Blog Host
Unfathomed_Psyche
Tech
Technology news focusing on blogs and blog software

Billions With Zero Knowledge
Austin Hill
Canada
Tech, Business
Changing the world with little bits of knowledge

Connected Internet
Everton Blair
London, UK
Tech
All things to do with technology, mobile phones and gaming.

darrenbarefoot.com
Darren Barefoot
Canada
Tech, marketing
Tech news, writing and marketing

Deepak
Deepak
Tech
Focuses on the technology of the Internet and loves Google.

MapleLeaf 2.0
Mark Evans
Canada
Tech
Tech news stories relating to Canada

Scott Burkett's Pothole on the Infobahn
Scott Burkett
Georgia, USA
Tech
Musings on technology, IT management, and online community.

Small Surfaces
Gabriel White
Tech
Interaction design, user interface design, user experience, usability and social trends related to mobile devices.

TechBuzz
Thilak
Mangalore, India
Tech
Tech new and reviews written by 17 year old in India. Awesome.

Masey.com
Rob Masefield
Travel
Design and photography blog.

Through the Lenses
Jas
Vancouver, Canada
Travel, Photography
Travel/photography blog includes stunning shots and photography tips.

Travel And Vacation On Blog
Travel
Lightweight travel guide/destination information on selected cities. Needs more.

The Best Guides to eCommerce with Favor
Viral marketing
Viral marketing tools, memes and SEO tips.

Web Metrics Guru
Marshall Sponder
Web analytics
Web analytics, in particular for blogs

The Future of the Web
Jesse Skinner
Canada
Web Development
Use of new technologies for the web.

Social Media on the fly
Mark Krupinski
Florida, USA
Web media, blogging
Learning social media on the fly

http://asyuu.asablo.jp/blog/
Japan
Japanese readers/speakers? Anyone?

The Effects Of War: An Inside Look ThroughThe Eyes Of A Loved One Left Behind

This is probably as personal as I will ever get in a blog on this site. So enjoy, a glimpse through my eyes.....

The word comes, "Honey I leave for Iraq in a few months." Your first initial reaction is fear, but then that fear turns to anger. The first time I heard these words was when I was married to my ex. It wasn't Iraq then, it was Bosnia...

We had just been stationed in Germany and I was there with two children still in diapers and all alone, without family. Luckily, I've always been a strong person, so I made the best of it. It was hard, being both mom and dad, but I survived. The first one lasted a year. A year passed and when my husband came home, we had both changed. We enjoyed a year with him home, but then came the word again. This time 6-9 months in Bosnia... Luckily, I had the baby before he left, so he was at least able to experience that.

A few years pass by and the world is at peace, somewhat. But, that all changed on that day in September. I knew then that military life would never be the same. Before my ex and I divorced he spent a year in Iraq. During our almost 13 year marriage about 5 of those were spent apart, with deployments and training.

I promised myself that I wouldn't get involved with a military man again. The sacrifices just aren't worth it. But, sometimes the heart doesn't listen to the head. My boyfriend/fiancee (whatever you want to call him) has been gone since Sept. What was supposed to be a 6 month deployment stretched into a year, and now has been extended into 15 months. Sometimes, I hate military life.

We have now celebrated the half-way mark for the third time and I am hoping there is not a fourth time.

I am obsessed with news, my eyes stay peeled to every news source that I can find. Unfortunately, this does not serve well, when a loved one is deployed. This, by far has been the most difficult deployment for me. He handles deployment completely different then anything I have ever experienced. He prefers to deny the existence of his loved one's, only giving enough every once in awhile to temporarily appease. I, on the other hand am a big communicator. I have to have communication. Without that, I have nothing.

I'm not sure why I am writing this, I suppose that I just get tired of it sometimes.... I know that no one who knows me personally reads this.... A girl just needs to vent sometimes...

I understand that they are the ones deployed, and the things they have to deal with are things I will never be able to understand. I know I am here, safe and sound at home. I understand that I am not being shot at, or mortared or dealing with IED's. I understand all of that. But, what I can't understand is when someone has the means to communicate, they don't.

I wonder, do they see how we live? Can they understand it? Do they know what it is like? To be the one, waiting, always waiting. Always writing faithful, everyday, even when there is no response back. Do they see? Do they understand what it is like, to live everyday with the fear that the love of your life may not come home to you? So every opportunity you get to speak to them, whether it be through emails, im's or phone conversations, mean the world to you, because you never know if that conversation will be your last one.

Do They SEE? My laptop has been an extension of self, since he has been gone. I don't like leaving it, out of fear that I will miss an opportunity to talk with him. Sometimes, I feel so pathetic that I do this. I have friends who give me a hard time, they have never been in this situation, so they can't understand it.

I wonder at times, if I can last the remainder of the 15 months. If my sanity will last. If someone says they love you and want to spend the rest of their life with you, how can they do this? How can one treat someone you love like total shit? And not get it? Even when you have told them how you feel...

Don't get me wrong, he is not a bad person. When he is home, we don't have problems like this. His communication is wonderful, when he is here. It is just while he is over there. I have to think realistically though. He has four more years before he retires, chances are he will be deployed at least two more times. Can I live like this again? Am I willing to put up this crap any longer?

Am I being to demanding by asking the person who is supposed to love me to communicate with me? Even if it is as simple as an email that simply states I love you and I am thinking of you....

I know my mindset would be different if he didn't have the means to communicate. But, they have Internet access in their rooms and a free phone line set up for them to use. There is NO excuse.

Writing is supposed to be therapeutic for the soul, I'm still waiting damn it.... I find myself getting more and more frustrated as the weeks go by. I know me, one day I will just say forget it and walk away and never look back. If I am not worth that effort or that compromise, then fuck you....

If you are a military member deployed, I beg of you, please do not forget or ignore your loved one's at home. If you have the means to communicate with them, DO it!

The divorce rate has been on the rise in the military since deployments have begun. I can see why if the loved one's left behind have to deal with the same shit I do....

I'm not sure what I will do, my mind tells me to cut my losses and get on with my life, but my heart won't let me, just yet.....

Globalization: Beneficial or Detrimental?

What begin as a simple summit meeting in 1975 to discuss the oil crisis has now risen to become one of the most debated 3 days of the year. What is this I speak of? G-8. How simplistic. G-8. What exactly does the G & 8 stand for? G= Group, 8= number of countries allowed to take part.

The countries honored enough to participate are "supposed" to be from the largest economies in the world. Although, apparently Russia is the exception to that. (As of right now, China is the fourth leading economic power in the world.)

So what is the purpose of this group? Each country takes turns every year at the presidency. The country holding the presidency is responsible for planning and hosting a series of ministerial-level meetings, leading up to a mid-year summit attended by the heads of government. The ministerial meetings bring together ministers responsible for various portfolios to discuss issues of mutual or global concern. The range of topics include health, law enforcement, labour, economic and social development, energy, environment, foreign affairs, justice and interior, terrorism and trade.

Before I get into the history of the group, news, players, etc, I want to explore some questions.

Question One: How Beneficial Is This Group?

Question Two: What Purpose Do They Really Serve?

Question Three: How Do They Affect Us?

Question Four: Why Won't They Include China?

I don't know the answers to these questions. What I would like to know is, why is the summit every year surrounded by demonstrators? Why all the controversy? What is the true purpose behind these meetings? If the intention is truly to create a "global" society, then how will that affect us?

I don't see our world being a true"global" society. I don't see how it could work. Is this what the demonstrators are concerned about? There are too many people in this world that are power hungry and would not share this with anyone. That is main reasoning why I don't believe a "global" society will work.

Now, onto the history behind this organization:

Changes They Have Implemented from 1995-2006

The 1995 summit in Halifax, Canada, led to significant changes in the way in which the World Bank, the IMF and other international organizations operated.

The 1996 summit in Lyons launched the first Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

The 1997 summit in Denver saw the clearest ever indication that the Cold War had ended with the historic invitation for Russia to join the group.

The 1998 summit in Birmingham saw the first G8 summit and the adoption of the "heads only" policy that separated the summit of the Heads of State and Government from that of their Foreign and Finance ministers.

The Cologne Summit in 1999 saw the Enhanced HIPC Initiative that agreed over $37billion of debt relief to some of the world's most needy countries.

In 2000 at the Okinawa summit, Heads agreed to provide further funding to fight infectious disease and adopted a charter on new information and communications technology and the digital divide.

The 2001 summit at Genova saw the creation of a Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

These representatives worked with the African Leaders and produced a G8 Action Plan at the Kananaskis Summit in 2002 that provided a solid commitment from each member of the G8 to Africa and agreed priority areas for development assistance. At Kananaskis, Leaders also announced important work on the fight against terrorism, (and notably the creation of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and the adoption of transport security measures), sustainable development and education for all. Leaders also examined a number of regional issues (the situation in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and India/Pakistan relations).

Evian 2003. Central to this summit in France was a package of measures on sustainable development. Under the Action Plan adopted, the number of people without access to potable water and sanitation facilities was to be halved by 2015.
Another summit document concerned support for the application of science and technology to questions of global observation, air pollution, climate change, agriculture and biodiversity. At Evian the G8 also took further steps in the fight against terrorism.
The stage was set for the Paris Club to provide tailor-made phased debt-relief to countries not qualifying under the HIPC Initiative.

Sea Island, Georgia, 2004 The Secure and Facilitated International Travel Initiative (SAFTI) was adopted. This provided for measures of different kinds, among them steps:
to improve the security of travel documents,
to improve the exchange of terrorism-related information to counter the threat from man-portable air defence systems (ManPADS),
and measures to promote in-flight security, and the security of ports and sea transport.

At the 2005 G8 Summit in Gleneagles an action plan was signed to increase energy efficiency. Furthermore, it was agreed to work for the increased use of renewable energy in the G8 states, as well as in the large newly industrialising and developing nations.In the summit declaration the G8 committed itself to the climate convention and the continuation of multilateral policies to deal with the problem of climate change.This plan envisages the International Energy Authority (IEA) investigating and developing strategies and scenarios for the sustainable use of energy.

At St. Petersburg in 2006 it was agreed to develop an effective approach to the three interrelated challenges of energy security, economic growth and environmental protection.The St Petersburg Plan of Action on Global Energy Security was agreed at the same time. The G8 hereby recognised the necessity of making sufficient energy resources available at reasonable prices on the world market.

News Reports From this years meeting:

The summit of the heads of government of the G8 (Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and United States) failed to satisfy its own commitment, made at the 2005 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, of doubling aid to Africa by 2010. The group also ended the three day meet at this Baltic seaside resort without a compromise on establishing a binding code of conduct for hedge funds, which, with their highly risky speculative operations, experts say, tend to destabilise international financial markets, undermine growth in the real economy, and have the potential to provoke a major crisis among banks and other private financial institutions. In a joint declaration on Africa released Friday, the last day of the summit, the G8 countries promised to "scale up their efforts to contributing towards the goal of universal access to comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programmes, treatment and care and support by 2010 for all."

The three-day Group of Eight summit, held in this Baltic seaside resort, ended with two vague, non-binding promises -- more aid for Africa, and negotiations towards a post-Kyoto Protocol international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and failures in numerous other items on the agenda. This G8 failure in Heiligendamm to pass its self-imposed test of credibility will certainly mark the future of its summits. The leaders of the G8 countries (Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States) said their farewells without an agreement on international trade negotiations, or on eliminating subsidies for agriculture in the industrialised world, a move that would give development a boost in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. No agreement was reached either on a new regulation of the highly speculative, and therefore risky, hedge funds, nor on the political status of the Serbian province of Kosovo. At the same time, the only accords the G8 leaders reached in Heiligendamm -- on a medium-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and new aid for Africa -- are considered as weak compromises, tailored only to avoid the impression that the summit was a total failure.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38104

The Players:

Canada : Prime Minister Stephen Harper
France :President Nicolas Sarkozy
Germany :Chancellor Angela MerkelPresident of the G8 for 2007
Italy :Prime Minister Romano Prodi
Japan :Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Russia :President Vladimir Putin
United Kingdom :Prime Minister Tony Blair
United States :President George W. Bush
European Union : E.C. President José Manuel Barroso

Decision 2008

I have finally, after months of research and deliberation, decided on who I will support for the upcoming Presidential elections. So, as my contribution to his cause I have added a couple of things on this site along with my myspace..:)

Why Have I chosen this Man? It's quite simple, really. I like his stance on several issues.

What is his Plan?

1) Restoring America's Moral Leadership in the World
2) Guaranteeing Affordable, Quality Health Care for Every American
3) Eliminating Poverty
4) Strengthening America's Middle Class
5) Leading the Fight against Global Warming and Our Addiction to Foreign Oil

I am not so naive as to believe that any "one" President can implement everything that he sets out to do. But, I do know this, it is time for change. America NEEDS to find her voice once again. Instead of sitting back in the background allowing "money" to decide our countries future, the COMMON man (yes, that means YOU and ME) has to stand up and fight for change.

I get tired of hearing "I am just one person, what kind of change can I possibly bring about?" All I have to say to that is it's a DAMN good thing that Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Benjamin Franklin or Henry Ford (just to name a few) didn't feel that way....

I don't care who you support, but I do implore you to FIND your voice and let it be heard....

John Edwards For President 08

Azerbaijan: The New Solution?

When I read the headlines about Putin's suggestion, I scrambled to find out what information I could on this Unknown country. For those of you who haven't read the news yet today, Putin has proposed a new missile site. He told Bush he would not seek to retarget Russian missiles on Europe if the United States agreed to put the system in the central Asian nation of Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic. The Russian leader said the proposed relocation would alleviate Russia's concerns about a missile shield based in Europe. Moreover, he said an Azerbaijan-based system would cover all of Europe rather than part it.
What have I found out so far? (thanks to wikipedia & BBC, links to full new story on yahoo at the bottom of the page)

Azerbaijan

Full name: Republic of Azerbaijan
Population: 8.4 million (via UN, 2006)
Capital: Baku
Area: 86,600 sq km (33,400 sq miles)
Major language: Azeri, Russian
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 70 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 manat = 100 qapik
Main exports: Oil, oil products
GNI per capita: US $1,240 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .az
International dialling code: +994

President: Ilham Aliyev, which his rise to power was steeped in controversy.

Azerbaijan is an active member of international coalition fighting international terrorism. The country is contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Azerbaijan is an active member of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program.

Azerbaijani land borders is 2,648 km, of which Armenia constitutes 1007, Iran 756, Georgia 480, Russia - 390 and Turkey - 15.



2/3 of Azerbaijan is rich in oil and natural gas .



Azerbaijan is also an important economic hub in terms of the raw materials transportation. 2 pipelines run through the country, transporting crude oil. ON top of that they have a natural gas field that supplies gas to the European market.



The main religions there are: Muslim (Shia & Sunni), Christianity, Judaism, Animism

The questions that are swirling around in my mind, are these:

If, the US complies, how is Iran going to react having it built in a country that borders them?

What will their backlash be?

If they are truly just developing "energy" then they have NO need to be concerned. But, in retrospect, it is still a smear upon them. An insult, if you will. It will be interesting to see what is going to happen with this new proposal and the reaction of the international community as a whole. I still stick to my stance yesterday. I think it's ridiculous that we are going to be spending an exuberant amount of money on this. If we do decide to do this, our country better not be the only one that finances this project, especially if the whole of Europe will be "protected" as claimed.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070607/ap_on_re_eu/bush_116
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1235976.stm

Political Satire

Ahhhhh.... yes, the Internet, you have to love it. So many tools at our fingertips, information gathering in a matter of seconds! I was browsing through You Tube looking for videos and ran across these. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Donald Rumsfeld and his "quirky" sense of humor....

A Toe Tapping good time. ;)

"Lil Bush"


Oh, God, I CAN NOT wait!!! Next week is the season opener! These next few are just to funny not to share!

Pilot~ "Hot Dog"

"Nuked"

"Evolution"

How Many More Countries Can We Piss Off?

Let's take a look at the list so far:

Iraq
North Korea
Iran
Now, Russia?
My question is this: Why in the world are we even contemplating spending THAT much money on building this in FOREIGN countries?

Who gives a flying rip if Iran or North Korea attack the Czech Republic or Poland? I have nothing against these countries, but let them protect themselves. Is this honestly worth pissing off the Russians even more? Bringing us to another Cold War?

A few News bits today:

Bush, in an interview with The Associated Press and other reporters, said no U.S. military response was required after Putin warned that Russia would take steps in response to a U.S. missile shield that would be deployed in Poland and the Czech Republic.

"Russia is not an enemy," Bush said, seeking not to inflame a heated exchange of rhetoric between Washington and Moscow. "There needs to be no military response because we're not at war with Russia. ... Russia is not a threat. Nor is the missile defense we're proposing a threat to Russia."

The president's plan to deploy an anti-missile radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland is likely to be a key topic in Bush's meeting Thursday with Putin.

Asked if he anticipated a tense encounter, Bush replied "Could be. I don't think so ... I'll work to see that it's not a tense meeting."

Putin has accused the U.S. of starting a new arms race and said if the U.S. pressed ahead with its plan, Russia would revert to targeting its missiles on Europe as it did during the Cold War. China joined Russia in saying the missile defense plan could touch off a new escalation in nuclear weapons.

The move to put the missile defense shield in former Warsaw Pact nations — purportedly as a defense against a future missile launch from Iran — clearly fanned Putin's anger.

Bush cited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's declaration that it was "too late" to stop Iran's nuclear program as justification for the U.S. missile defense system. "Therefore, let's build a missile defense system," Bush said, adding that it was time to return to the U.N. Security Council to tighten pressure on Iran to give up its suspected weapons program.

The system, which Washington hopes to install by 2011, comprises a radar station in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles, which could be split between that country and Poland. The US already has a network of alert satellites and radars, as well as anti-missile shields in California and Alaska. The cost? At least 550 million.

On Monday the commander of Russia's space forces warned that the missile defence system for eastern Europe would pose a "clear threat" to his country.

"Our analysis shows that the location of the US base would be a clear threat to Russia," ITAR-TASS news agency quoted General Vladimir Popovkin as saying.

"It's doubtful that Iranian or North Korean rockets would go across Poland or the Czech Republic... (But) the radar in the Czech Republic would be able to monitor rocket installations in central Russia and the (Russian) Northern Fleet."

Kisliak reiterated Russia's concerns on Tuesday.

"Of course it is the prerogative of every state to guarantee its own security but this must be done without creating a sense of danger in neighbouring states," he insisted.

US, Czech and Polish leaders have rejected Moscow's fears as groundless.


With regards to Iran, I find it quite funny, now that Iraq is weakened and Iran is growing stronger, our issues with Iran are becoming more and more vocalized. Does anyone else see this pattern? All this is about, is who is going to control the "oil"- rich gulf.... That's it.

If we can cast doubt upon their intentions and cause the whole world to eye Iran warily, then our argument becomes more validated. The Power of Fear, that is all that it is.

Instill Fear by means of propaganda and the public will support any measure you want to take.

History behind the facility in question:

An Iranian opposition group first revealed publicly the existence of this site in August 2002.

The Iranian government has announced that over the next 20 years it wants to build several nuclear power reactors for a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts of electricity. Tehran has also stated that it wants to be self-sufficient in the nuclear area, implying that it wants to produce the low enriched uranium it would need for at least some of these reactors. It does not appear to want to produce all its low enriched uranium fuel. For example, it has announced that it will buy low enriched uranium from Russia for the Bushehr power reactor that Russia is providing.

Some words coming out of Iran in the last 48 hours:

"The only way for a nation to realise its rights is vigilant resistance. They should be alert, recognise their rights and insist on it," Khamenei told thousands of people attending Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's shrine in the southern outskirts of Tehran.

"A nation that wants to reach independence must pay a price. If it wants to preserve its rights against bullies, then it has to pay a price."
Khamenei's speech was interrupted by chants of "nuclear energy is our natural right" and "death to America".

He said: "It cannot sit in a corner and expect development and progress."
"Iranians should not beg for their right to obtain nuclear energy. They should not beg to the domineering world powers. This is not the way of an independent and free nation." Ayatollah Khameini


Tehran insists it wants only to generate energy for a growing population and its leaders have vowed they will hit back hard against any attack on atomic installations.

Read an earlier post that I wrote for my thoughts on Iran's rights to develop Nuclear Energy: http://outofmymindleaveamessage.blogspot.com/2007/05/its-our-right-to-tell-you-what-to-do.html

Our country NEEDS to stop being so concerned with other countries and focus on ourselves, before we get ourselves into a bind.