I'm Back

Sorry...I have been away from my blog for quite a while! Just too much going on in my life right now. I will try to start posting regularly again. I hope everyone is ready for Christmas, it's right around the corner. Merry Christmas to you and your families.

I just have to mention really quick a great tool I found called GoodSearch. What if every time you searched the Internet your favorite charity made money? Wouldn't that be awesome?

Now it is possible with GoodSearch. It doesn't cost you a dime and your favorite charity makes about a penny per search! Check it out.

How does it work?

• On the GoodSearch homepage, choose from thousands of organizations or add your favorite cause to our list.
• Search the Internet just like you normally would — the site is powered by Yahoo!, so you'll get the same high-quality search results you're accustomed to.
• Fifty percent of the revenue generated from advertisers is shared with the charity, school or nonprofit organization of your choosing.

Are the search results going to be as good as the search engine I am using now?

Absolutely. GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo! So you'll get the same high-quality search results that you're currently used to — or better!

So what are you waiting for? Visit www.goodsearch.com and if your favorite charity isn't there, go ahead and sign it up. It's FREE and it will generate money for your favorite charity!

Develop Irresistible Attraction In Five Easy Steps

Develop Irresistible Attraction In Five Easy Steps
by: Connie Domino, MPH, RN

Stop struggling to achieve success & happiness ... learn how to ATTRACT people, things & opportunities you want in your life! In this book, learn the secrets to becoming Irresistibly Attractive. We're always attracting "stuff" into our lives, so why not use the Law of Attraction to attract the "stuff" we really want in all areas of our life?LEARN how in five simple steps to achieve in as little as two weeks such dreams as ...

* More Money
* New Romantic Relationships
* Improved Family Relationships
* New Jobs
* Job Promotions
* Increased Sales
* More Customers
* Make the Life you Dream about a Reality!

Sometimes our thinking, feelings and strategies only need fine tuning a fraction of an inch for our grandest goals and dreams to come true. Through the familiar structure of goal setting, Connie Domino teaches you the all important "How" to word your goals. She'll show you how to fine tune your thinking, feelings and self-talk for very quick results.

cdomino22@aol.com

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas

I know...it's only October, but before you know it Christmas will be here! Here are a couple of unique gift ideas if you want to get the jump on Christmas shopping. These make great gifts for the children on your list. Who wouldn't like a letter from Santa himself?

Here is something the kids are sure to like. Personalized children's books that celebrate the uniqueness of each child, make them a character in the book.

Get your Christmas shopping done early and avoid the last minute rush. More great gift ideas coming soon.

Too Busy to Blog

Sorry...I have been so busy lately, I haven't had any time for blogging! I will try to get back into my blogging mode again soon. Meanwhile here is a quick post.

Speaking about busy...I was so upset because the season premier of "Lost" is on tonight, and I won't be home to see it! To make matters worse, my VCR is broken and I can't record it! However, today as I was surfing the net, I discovered that I can watch the entire show for FREE on www.abc.com tomorrow! Thank you ABC, what a wonderful feature! So tomorrow at work I will be watching "Lost"!

On Oct. 18th I am going up to Connecticut for a wedding. This will be the first time I went back home for a joyous reason...the last couple of times were for funerals! Hopefully, the leaves will be peaking about that time and I will get to see fall the way it should be. I really do miss the changing of the leaves. Here in North Carolina they change, but it is no way even close to the bright orange and reds and yellows in Connecticut.

Well...that's all the time I have for now...got to tune my guitar and run up to church to practice. I am playing in our "Praise Band" at church. It's great to be playing the guitar again, I hadn't played in a long time. Will post more on this subject at a later date.

Grandma's 100th Birthday

Grandma's 100th Birthday

Have you ever regretted doing something, or better yet...not doing something? The one thing that I will admit to screwing up in my life is missing my Grandma's 100th birthday party.

Don't get me wrong now, that is definitely not the only thing I have done wrong in my 57 years here on earth. I have made plenty of mistakes, but in retrospect the only thing that really bothers me is that one party that I missed!

I can come up with several good excuses for not going to the party. You see...the party was in Connecticut, and I live in North Carolina. It's not that I didn't want to make a twelve hour drive up there, stay for one day, turn around and drive another twelve hours back again. That wasn't the issue at all. It wasn't the fact that if I was to make this drive, I would have to put new tires on the car and get a tune-up, that was no big deal. It didn't matter that I had just started a new job and did not have any vacation time available yet. I could just call in sick, no problem there.I thought about flying up to Connecticut, but that idea was quickly ruled out. Way too expensive. That would never fit into our budget. Even if I went by myself and left my wife at home it still was too much money. Talking about money, what about a birthday present? What in the world do you buy for someone who has been around for 100 years? There just couldn't possibly be anything that she needed.

The more I think about it the more I realize that I cheated Grandma out of the one thing that she needed most...LOVE. That's all that she really wanted, to be loved by her family. She had outlived her husband, all of her brothers and sisters and most of her children. Grandma came from the 'old country', born and raised in Calabria, Italy. Family was very important to her. I remember growing up and going to Grandma's house every weekend. There would be dozens of children there, all of them cousins. We would have a great time playing and there was always plenty of good food to eat.

Today, I couldn't even tell you how many cousins I have. Everyone has moved somewhere else and lost track of each other. We all become so involved with our own little worlds and hustle and bustle of everyday life that we forget about our not so immediate family. I don't have any other grandparents that are living, so I don't have to worry about screwing up like that again. I have learned a very valuable lesson from this.

Every day we are here on this earth is a very special day. We only get to go around once, if we pass up the chance to say I love you, or thanks so much...that chance is gone forever. Don't blow it like I did with Grandma. I never really did get to know her as a person. I remember her from my childhood, but there are decades missing, where I had no contact at all with her. I'm sure there were many wonderful stories that Grandma would have shared with me, if only I had taken the time to listen.The opportunity has come and gone...I will never have another chance to sing happy birthday to my Grandma on her very special 100th birthday celebration. I missed the chance to tell her that I loved her and really enjoyed all those good times we had at her house growing up.

I take comfort in knowing that she is once again with her family in Heaven, and one day I too will be there with her. When that day arrives, I will be so happy to see her again that I will run up to her and give her a big hug and a kiss. The first thing I will say is "Grandma, I love you...I am so sorry for missing your special birthday party that day... please forgive me."This has been bothering me for several years now, and I'm glad that I am finally able to share this with others.

It is with a heavy heart and teary eyes that I am writing these words, and I hope and pray that you don't ever have to make an apology like that to anyone.

FREE E-Book, "The AdSense Mint"

FREE E-Book, "The AdSense Mint"

If you are serious about making money with your blog or your website, you need to download this FREE E-Book. "The AdSense Mint" will show you how to monitize your site and start to earn some money from your blog or website.

Just take a moment and register for one of my several newsletters and the e-book is yours absolutely FREE, no strings attached. To register, simply click on the link in the upper left corner of this blog, "Join Our Mailing List". Here are the newsletters I have to select from.

• Women's Empowerment
• Web Design
• Computer Repair & Maintenance
• Church Websites
• Blogging News
• Bed & Breakfast News

Each newsletter is full of informative articles, resources and special offers from Marinaro Enterprises. You can unsubscribe at anytime. We have over 2,300 subscribers and the list is growing weekly. Check us out...there are also affordable advertising opportunities in our newsletters.

Steve Irwin Killed by Stingray

Steve Irwin Killed by Stingray

One of my favorite TV personalities died today. Steve Irwin, "The Crocodile Hunter", died doing what he loved most! He was filming a documentary and swimming with stingrays when one of them lashed out and struck Steve.

It was a freak accident, and not the venom that killed Irwin, but rather the sting itself. It was liked being stabbed with a knife, as the stingray's sharp barb struck Steve and penetrated his chest and pierced his heart! It is likely that he died instantly.

Steve's wife Terri was told of her husband's death while on a walking tour in Tasmania. Irwin also leaves behind two children, Bindi and Bob and a world full of fans. Steve Irwin was only 44!

I always loved watching his crazy antics as he risked his life to teach the world about animals. I'm sure Irwin would not want to have people blaming the stingray for his death. He would probably say, that it was frightened and lashed out in self-defense! Stingrays do not normally attack.

Irwin's catch phrase was "Crikey!" He was an enthusiastic daredevil who loved being around all types of animals. In 2004 Steve made headlines when he held his newborn son Bob in one hand as he fed a chicken to a crocodile at the Australian Zoo.

He put his money where his mouth was. Irwin bought up huge tracks of land and helped with the survival of many animals. He also starred in movies and helped develop the Australia Zoo wildlife park, north of Brisbane, which was started by his parents Bob and Lyn Irwin. Steve, you will be missed.

Something for Nothing

Something for Nothing

You've probably heard the expression, "There is no such thing as a FREE LUNCH". Well, I can't buy you lunch; however, I can offer you some FREE E-Books.

Just Click Here and go to my website. You will see some e-books for sale but there are also two FREE E-Books on the page, no strings attached.

One FREE E-Book is full of great tips on how you can make the most out of AdSense and profit every time somebody clicks on one of your ads. Another is about how to get rid of stress in your life.

Check it out; who said you can't get something for nothing?

WIN 50 Blog Explosion Credits

WIN 50 Blog Explosion Credits just for checking out my new website for Empowered Women

Please visit my new website when you get a moment.
www.womensempowerment.info . Here you will find valuable information about women's health issues, career choices, financial information, ideas for single moms, what to do if you are in an abusive situation and many resources to help you become an empowered woman!

There are many interesting articles and also a feature book section. This month's featured book is: "Develop Irresistible Attraction", written by Connie Domino, MPH, RN.

Stop by and browse the website, then come back and leave a comment here about what you thought of the site. If you look hard enough you will find a FREE ebook offer on the site, "How to Reduce the Stress in Your Life!" No strings attached, it's my FREE GIFT to you.

Find the FREE ebook, download it and read it. I hope you enjoy it and benefit from it.

I am looking for feedback on this new site. So here's the deal. If you are a Blog Explosion member, I will pick a random person from all the comments left here about my new website and award 50 Blog Explosion Credits to one lucky winner. So check it out...then leave a comment. If you are not a member of Blog Explosion, simply click on the logo and join...it's FREE to join!

24 Finally Gets Emmy!

24 Finally Gets Emmy!

I have to say the Emmy show really sucked last night! Boring is the word that comes to mind. In the first place, I cannot stand Conan O'Brien; I wish they had someone else as a host. Most of the speeches made by the winners were terrible, and some of the Emmy winners were sorry choices. (AP Photo/ Chris Carlson)

The highlight of the show for me was 24 winning three Emmys. After being snubbed for several years, it's about time that 24 was recognized. I think it's the best show on TV! You go Kiefer! The action drama won for best drama series and Keifer Sutherland picked up an Emmy for best actor. 24 also received an award for direction.

Looking for Pussy Cat Dolls

Looking for Pussy Cat Dolls

The search is on! If you are 18 years of age or older and think you have what it takes to be the next Pussy Cat Doll, then go to http://www.cwtv.com/pcd.html to apply and for more information.

Here is a list of places for upcoming open auditions.

• LOS ANGELES OPEN CALL AUDITIONS
Friday, September 8TH, 12 pm – 6 pm
LOCATION TBD


• HOUSTON OPEN CALL AUDITIONS
Friday, September 15th, 12 pm – 6 pm
LOCATION TBD


• ATLANTA OPEN CALL AUDITIONS
Wednesday, September 20th, 4 pm – 8 pm
LOCATION TBD


• CHICAGO OPEN CALL AUDITIONS
Saturday, September 23rd, 4 pm – 8 pm
LOCATION TBD


• MIAMI OPEN CALL AUDITIONS
Saturday, September 30th, 12 pm – 6 pm
LOCATION TBD

Visit The Pussy Cat Doll website.

How to Reduce the Stress in Your Life!

How to Reduce the Stress in Your Life!

I couldn't think of anything to write about today...so I thought I would just give you a FREE GIFT instead. Here is a great e-book for you. No strings attached, just a FREE book for you.

This book will detail what stress is, how to determine where the stress is in your life and how to alleviate it. It's chock full of ideas and tips to help you reduce and eliminate the amount of stress you have. It will also show you techniques and exercises to reduce stress in your life on an everyday basis - for the rest of your life.

This E-Book is my FREE GIFT to you. Download Here enjoy it.

.Crazy North Carolina Drivers

Crazy North Carolina Drivers

OK...here's something that drives me crazy about North Carolina drivers! They do not seem to know what an on-ramp is for on the highway!

The object of the on-ramp is to allow you to merge into the traffic flow on the highway. This means that you should look over your shoulder and adjust your speed accordingly as you merge onto the highway.

It DOES NOT mean that you should stop at the end of the on-ramp and wait for an opening! What part of merge do we not understand? If you stop at the end of the ramp and the person behind you is looking over their shoulder and speeding up there is going to be a big problem!

This is only one of the many things that bug me about North Carolina drivers...more to follow in upcoming posts. Please leave a comment about the crazy drivers in your area.

The Little Guy Lost

The Little Guy Lost

It seems like we are always picking on the little guy. Here's an update on a previous post. Poor Pluto lost its fight to retain its status as a planet. Ever since 1930, Pluto has been the ninth planet. It had a weird orbit unlike any of the other planets and Pluto was the little guy on the block!

Now the vote is in, and Pluto is no longer a planet after seventy six years, it has been demoted to a drawf planet...poor Pluto. To show your support for the little, guy go here and get a bumper sticker. Show that you care.

http://www.cafepress.com/bringplutoback

Would You Let Your Daughter Dress Like This?

Would You Let Your Daughter Dress Like This?

I guess we live in a world of double standards? Take this picture of Christina Aguilera for example. As a man, I love it -- very hot and sexy! However, if my daughter tried to leave the house dressed like that, she would never make it out the door! Totally unacceptable attire!

I would like to hear comments from both men and women on this subject.

Women: why do you dress like that? Just to drive us men crazy?

Men: you know you love it -- so I guess I already know what you think!

How to Drive Traffic to Your Website

Here is an article from my latest website design newsletter. You can view the entire newsletter here.

How to Drive Traffic to Your Website
By: Mike Marinaro


Everyone wants more people to visit their website. My clients are always asking me how to accomplish this. Well, I can answer that question in just one word -- ARTICLES!

More and more people are using articles to generate traffic directly to their website and it works great! The secret is to provide something interesting and closely related to your website. For example, if you are selling insurance, you could write an article explaining the difference between term life and whole life insurance and the benefits of each.

Make sure your article is well-written, grammatically correct and free of spelling errors before you submit it. You should provide links in your article pointing to your website, and most importantly, there should be a resource box at the end of the article. A resource box tells people a little bit about you; directs them to your website; and gives others permission to reprint your article as long they include the resource box.

Okay, now you have a well written article; what's next, where do you submit the article? There are many places to submit articles, just google "free articles" and you will get millions of links.

Here are just a few of the ones that I use:

http://www.isnare.com
http://www.goarticles.com
http://www.ezinearticles.com

Another great place to submit articles is in your own newsletter. If you have a newsletter that is mailed or e-mailed you should also be writing articles there that link to your website. It’s a good idea to also archive your articles on your website so they can be read over and over again. This also increases the chance of another publisher picking up your article for use on their own site.

Your own articles also make great fillers for your newsletters when you need to fill that white space. The best way to use articles in an e-newsletter is to just have the first paragraph or two as a teaser then include a link to your website where readers can get the full content of the article. What are you waiting for, start writing your articles and watch your website traffic begin to increase!

---

You are free to republish this article as long as this resource box is used and the entire article is published unchanged.

About the Author

Mike Marinaro designs websites and e-zines, he specializes in affordable Christian website design. You can visit his site at http://www.webdesign4him.com/.
To contact Mike e-mail cmmdtp@gmail.com.

---

In Memory of My Sister

In Memory of My Sister

Yesterday makes three-years since my sister died. Joan Ellen Marinaro was a Special Education Teacher and all of her students loved her dearly. I never realized how much Joan enjoyed teaching until after she was gone and I heard her fellow teachers and students say so many wonderful things about her.

Joan passed away suddenly at the young age of 50. Only a few months earlier we had held a surprise 50th birthday party for her and she seemed to be just fine. Life is short, and we never know when it will be our time to go. We should cherish every moment we have here on earth and take the time to enjoy our friends and family. Don't let silly things get the best of you and put you in a bad mood or distance you from your loved ones.

You can read more about Joan on my family website. Joan loved the ocean and she asked to have her ashes scattered there. Here is a poem she wrote 26-years ago.

I Love The Ocean

I love the ocean
Because of her soothing calm,
Mindless rages,
Dogged persistence,
Endless patience,
And everlasting mystery.

She lets you know who is master:
Not a petty supervisor,
Scolding parents,
Impatient mate,
Or ignorant stranger -
But the knowledge, total honesty,
And eternity of nature at its best.

Joan Ellen Marinaro
10/20/1980

This poem is part of a book of poetry by Joan Marinaro, "The Teacher Wore Purple", and may not be reproduced.

Copyright 2006 Marinaro Enterprises

Please leave a comment

John Mark Karr - Murderer or Liar?

John Mark Karr - Murderer or Liar?

What do you think? Is this guy really the killer of JonBenet Ramsey or just some nut case looking for his 15-minutes of fame? Now I hear that he also confessed to Natalie Holloway's murder!

Karr is also wanted as a fugitive on child pornography charges, so he does have a checkered past. According to reports, some details of his confession seem out of line with circumstances of the case.

Let me know what you think about this. Murderer or Liar? Please leave a comment.

Bed & Breakfast Experiences

Bed & Breakfast Experiences

Since this is prime vacation time, I have to put in a plug here for my other blog, Bed & Breakfast Experiences. If you have never visited this blog, please take a few minutes to check it out. If you have never stayed at a Bed & Breakfast, you owe it to yourself to try the experience...you will never go back to a hotel/motel again!
You may also want to check out the Bed & Breakfast Tours page at BnBFinder.com, what a wonderful idea for a vacation. Here are the tours they have listed right now on their website.

Wind Down the Pacific Coast Highway Bed & Breakfast Tour( California )

Escape to New England - A Bed & Breakfast Tour( Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont )

Tour Canada: The Rideau Canal Waterway B&B Getaway( Ontario )

200 Years of History Along the Historic National Road:Wake Up Someplace Special B&B Tour( Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia )

Please visit my Bed & Breakfast Experiences blog and leave a comment.

Isn't there anything better to report about?

Isn't There Anything Better to Report About?

Give me a break...I turned on the news this morning and the big story was all about Boy George sweeping up the streets of New York. Who really cares! The picture here is of Boy George in his hay-day when he was with "The Culture Club". His big hit was "Karma Chameleon".

It seems that the singer got into a bit of trouble a while back and was sentenced to community service. Back in March Boy George falsely reported a burglary at his apartment in Manhatten and when the police came to check it out they found cocaine there. (You think that if you were going to report a fake robbery, you would at least have enough sense to stash your dope out of sight!)

When he tried to go to work and sweep up this morning, he was swarmed by the media. Then he swept dirt and leaves into the cameras and ended up being re-assigned to a gated area where the media was kept at bay!

With all that is going on in the world today, you think there would be more important issues to report about. It's a shame to waste valuable air time on something like this.

When Is A Planet Not A Planet?

When Is A Planet Not A Planet?

That is the question that is being asked as by "The International Astronomical Union", which meets in Prague this week. They will decide the fate of Pluto, the smallest of our nine planets.

You can see by the picture above that Pluto is the smallest kid on the block as far as the planets go. Discovered in 1930 by Cylde Tombaugh, in Flagstaff, Arizona; Pluto is the only planet to be discovered by the United States.

It seems that there is this thing called the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune, where there are many small icy bodies that orbit the sun. Professor Mike Brown and colleaques at Caltech discovered 2003 UB313 (nicknamed Xena after the warrior princess). They feel that Xena should be promoted to the status of a planet since it is larger than Pluto.

If Pluto is out and Xena is in, then that would open the door for a whole bunch of new planets to make the list. I'm not sure how this will change my life, but I thought it was pretty interesting. Let me know what you think about the dilemma of Pluto. Please leave a comment.

Mindlessly Surfing the Internet

Mindlessly Surfing the Internet

Here I sit at 2:00 am, mindlessly surfing the web! I really have a lot of work to do, but I get so easily distracted. Hang on a minute...a little icon just popped up in the bottom corner of my screen, I'll be back in a minute, just have to check my e-mail!

I don't know what I did before Google. Anytime I have a question all I have to do is Google it and there's my answer...it's amazing! Come on now admit it people -- how many of you have Googled yourself? Just type your own name in the search box and you will be amazed how many results pop up.

I have several websites that I have to update for clients, blog entries to write, a novel to finish, and countless other projects to attend to; yet I just can't stop myself from participating in the Battle of the Blogs. I'm in the lifetime top 50...gotta keep battling!

Maybe I should think about getting some sleep, but I'm afraid I might miss something important. Oh, what the heck...I guess the Internet will still be here tomorrow when I wake up. See you later.

Please leave a comment.

Robin Williams Seeks Treatment for Alcoholism

Robin Williams Seeks Treatment
for Alcoholism
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

According to his publicist, Mara Buxbaum, the 55-year-old Oscar winner has been sober for 20 years but is now is seeking treatment for alcoholism. Williams, "found himself drinking again and has decided to take proactive measures to deal with this for his own well-being and the well-being of his family," she said in a statement. "He looks forward to returning to work this fall to support his upcoming film releases."

Robin Williams is one of my favorite actors and I think he is the best comedian ever! I used to watch him years ago on "Mork and Mindy" and have seen just about every film he has ever made. In fact he was here in the Raleigh area not too long ago to make the movie "Patch Adams" and my wife landed a part as an extra in that movie and even managed to get a kiss from Robin during a break in the filming!

I'm glad he is seeking help and wish Robin and his family all the best.

Please leave your comments.

World Trade Center

World Trade Center

Who can forget that horrific day, five-years ago when the World Trade Center was destroyed! It is one of those events that will forever be etched in our memories and years from now you will recall exactly where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news.

It was only a matter of time before Hollywood released a movie about it. What do you think, is it too soon for the movie; should there even be a movie made about this subject; are you going to go see the movie? Please leave a comment on how you feel about this.

I probably will see the movie eventually, maybe when it comes out on DVD. It is not on my must see list. I beleive that it's okay to make the movie as long as the facts are correct. Oliver Stone is a brilliant film maker and I'm sure he will do a great job.

The film is being released today, August 9, 2006. You can see a trailer at
www.wtcmovie.com

The movie, directed by Oliver Stone; featuring Nicolas Cage, Michael Pena, Maggie Gyllenhaaland Maria Bello looks like it will be a great movie. From what I have read about it, this is not a movie about conspiracy theories or political finger pointing. Instead, it is the story about two New York City Transit Authority Policemen, John McLoughlin (Nicholas Cage) and Will Jimeno (Michael Pena), who are entombed in the rubble and eventually rescued.

Please leave your comments.

Develop Irresistible Attraction

Develop Irresistible Attraction
In Five Easy Steps!

by: Connie Domino, MPH, RN

Stop struggling to achieve success & happiness ... learn how to ATTRACT people, things & opportunities you want in your life! In this book, learn the secrets to becoming Irresistibly Attractive. We're always attracting "stuff" into our lives, so why not use the Law of Attraction to attract the "stuff" we really want in all areas of our life?

LEARN how in five simple steps to achieve in as little as two weeks such dreams as ...

* More Money
* New Romantic Relationships
* Improved Family Relationships
* New Jobs
* Job Promotions
* Increased Sales
* More Customers
* Make the Life you Dream about a Reality!

Sometimes our thinking, feelings and strategies only need fine tuning a fraction of an inch for our grandest goals and dreams to come true. Through the familiar structure of goal setting, Connie Domino teaches you the all important "How" to word your goals. She'll show you how to fine tune your thinking, feelings and self-talk for very quick results.

cdomino22@aol.com

www.conniedomino.com

How to tell if you are driving too fast

How to tell if you are driving too fast

This picture says it all -- no need for me to write anything in this post. I received this in an e-mail today, I don't know where the photo originated from so I can't give the proper credits. It's a great picture -- if your dog looks like this, you need to SLOW DOWN!

Drive-In Theater - a thing of the past

Drive-In Theater - a thing of the past

My daughter has never seen a drive-in theater; what a shame. There are probably many of you younger folks reading this blog that also have never had the pleasure of going to a drive-in movie!

In their hey-day, there were over 3,000 drive-in theaters in the United States. Now, according to www.driveintheater.com, there are slightly over 500. It's too bad that the drive-in has vanished. I have many wonderful memories of sitting under the stars and watching great movies.

For those of you youngsters who don't have any idea what I am talking about, let me explain. The drive-in theater was a weekly adventure for us when we were kids. Mom & Dad would lay out blankets and pillows in the back of the family station wagon and my two sisters and I would be in our pajamas as we piled in the car.

The thing about drive-ins was that the movie couldn't start until it was dark so we usually ended up falling asleep in the back of the car. Before the movie we would play on the playground in front of the big screen and get some snacks from the concession stand.

Usually there were a couple of cartoons that came on before the feature movie and sometimes there were even two movies! You parked your car next to a pole with a speaker that you would attach to your window, and enjoy the movie from the comfort of your car. Some folks layed blankets out on the hood of their cars and watched the movie like that.

As we got older and started driving ourselves, the drive-in was a great date place. (Making out place, is more like it!) The car windows would be all steamed up and I don't think we even knew what movie we went to.

They charged by the carload, so we would pile as many people into a car as we could and sometimes even stashed a few friends in the trunk! AHHH, those were the good-ole-days!

If you have memories of a drive-in theater, or if you just want to say, "I never heard of drive-in," please leave a comment.

Cindy Sheehan Back in the News

Cindy Sheehan Back in the News

I don't think this welcome sign applies to the newest land owner in Crawford. Apparently, Cindy Sheehan is attempting to get back into the spotlight once again! Now she has purchased a piece of property just a few miles away from President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas.

The media-darling Sheehan, used a supporter, Gerry Fonseca, to buy the 5-acre parcel for a little more than $52,000. Fonseca admitted he lied and did not tell the property owner who the land was for; however, he did mention that he had lost his home in Hurricane Katrina.

Sheehan said she used part of her son's life insurance money to pay for the land and she intends to use the property until Bush either resigns or is impeached!

Crawford, Texas is a small town with a population of 700. Most of the townfolk are upset over the protesters. According to the AP one resident said, "I wish she'd stay away. Crawford's a Republican town, and she's a dumb Democrat."

I am sorry that Cindy Sheenan's son was killed in the service, but she really needs to give it a rest! Her son was there because it was his choice and he gave his live serving our country. She should be proud of him instead of waisting her time protesting against President Bush!

Your comments are welcome.

Caption Contest

Caption Contest

Here is a picture of my nephew, RJ. This picture really needs a caption. Please leave a comment with your idea for a caption, and I will select a winner from the comments.

Prize is 25 Blog Explosion Credits. Anyone may leave a comment; however, you must be a member of Blog Explosion to participate in contest. I will select a winner from all the comments next Sunday.

Click on banner below to join Blog Explosion, it's FREE to join.

Another Hollywood Superstar - DUI

Another Hollywood Superstar - DUI

Here we go again...another big name in Hollywood was arrested for Driving Under the Influence! This time it was none other than Oscar-Winner, Mel Gibson!

Shame on you Mel -- what were you thinking?

The 50-year-old actor/director was arrested in Malibu for allegedly going 80-mph in a 45-mph zone. Mr. Gibson blew a .12 on his sobriety test which was way over the California legal limit of .08.

Gibson was taken to jail and released on $5,000 bond. If you read some accounts of this story you will see Mel acted out of control and cursed at the sherrif's deputy who arrested him. Check out www.tmz.com for all the dirt! The actor reportedly also ranted about the Jews and made sexual remarks to a female police officer. He is even said to have smashed a telephone against the wall in the jail when he could not get a dial tone!

Mel Gibson has issued a statement and apologized for his belligerent behavior. He said that he has been battling alcoholism all of his adult life and he is sorry that he acted out of control when he was arrested.

Man Bitten by Snake in Wal-Mart

Man Bitten by Snake in Wal-Mart

Here's an interesting story from Florida.

A 51 year-old, wheelchair-bound man, was shopping at a Florida Wal-Mart, when he was attacked by a Pygmy Rattlesnake! As the man reached into a plant in the garden center the snake bit him on the hand and latched on! He managed to shake the snake off and beat him with his cane.

The man has not been identified publicly but he was given antivenin and taken to the hospital where he is recovering. The Wal-Mart is in Sanford, Florida, which is about 25-miles outside of Orlando. Part of the store was closed and the snake was captured and killed.

Wal-Mart says the snake bite is "an isolated incident," and they say their stores are taking precautions to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I've seen some pretty strange things in Wal-Mart before...but never a Rattlesnake!

Are You Addicted to the Internet?

Are You Addicted to the Internet?



If you are not quite sure if you are an "Internet Addict", check the list below and see how many of these things apply to you.

• You wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and stop to check your e-mail before going back to bed
• You spouse makes a new rule: The laptop can not come to bed with us
• It takes you 15 minutes to scroll to the bottom of your bookmarks in your browser
• All of your friends have @ in their names
• You suddenly realize the house is very quiet, and you have no idea where your children are
• You check your e-mail and it says "no messages", so you check it again just to make sure
• You find yourself surfing the net when you are supposed to be working
• You go to bed later and later because you are busy online
• The first thing you do when you come home is turn on your computer and log on
• The last thing you do at night before bed is log off and turn your computer off
• You say good night to your computer
• Have you named your computer
• Have you ever fallen asleep at your computer
  
• You have more than one e-mail address
• You have more than one chat room name
• You find yourself turning your head sideways to smile :)
• You are reading this aren't you -- don't you have anything better to do?

Please leave a comment and add to this list -- don't be afraid to admit you are addicted --

My name is Mike and I am an Internet Addict!!!!

E-Newsletters = $$$

E-Newsletters = $$$

I have a website design business, several blogs and I publish many different newsletters each month. The newsletters have been getting a whole lot of response, so I thought I would share a little information with my fellow bloggers.
My newsletter reader list has grown to over 1,000 subscribers and is growing by leaps and bounds each month. I started out with just a few website clients and I sent an e-newsletter to my client list each month with articles about website design. Eventually, my client list grew and so did my subscription list to my e-newsletters. Does your buiseness need a newsletter? You bet it does!

Click Here to read an article about why your business needs a newsletter.

I have a link on all of my blogs and my websites where visitors can subscribe to my newsletters. I also have a link in all my newsletters where readers can forward the newsletter to a friend.

My newsletters mention my blogs which mention my websites which mention my newsletters, etc. etc. etc. My blogs and websites have google ads and affiliate links which also generate income. Everything has started coming together since I have been publishing newsletters.

I sell ads in my newsletters, and I have clients who have paid me to create newsletters for their business. So if you don't have a newsletter...I would suggest you seriously consider starting one soon!

Here is link to premiere issue of my Blogging News 4 U newsletter.

Please leave a comment.

Secret Page Spy

Secret Page Spy

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Sleeping With a Partner Makes You Stupid!

WOW -- can you believe this? Research reveals that sleeping with a partner makes you stupid!

This has got to be one of the dumbest studies I have ever seen. A University of Vienna study, published today in New Scientist, showed that men suffer temporary mental setbacks if they share their bed because their sleep is always disturbed whether they make love to their partners or not.The researchers interviewed eight unmarried couples in their 20s who were asked to spend 10 nights with their partners, and 10 nights alone. Read the full article here.

I don't know about you, but personally, I prefer to sleep with my wife. If for some reason I sleep alone, I have a hard time falling asleep and toss and turn much more than when we are sleeping together!

I'd love to hear from others on this subject. Please leave a comment.

Why Do You Blog?

Why Do You Blog?

There are blogs about sex, drugs and rock & roll. You can find mommy blogs, daddy blogs, gay blogs, Christian blogs, and blogs about blogging!

I've seen blogs about dogs, cats, and even turtle blogs. You name it, and I'm sure you can find a blog about it somewhere. My question to you is, "Why do you blog?"

Please leave a comment and tell me why you blog. Here are a few reasons people blog, what's your reason?

• I blog because I am bored
• I blog because it gives me a chance to express myself
• I blog because I like to talk about me
• I blog to meet other bloggers
• I blog to make money
• I blog because I like to write

For me...I blog because I like to write, also I have discovered that it is possible to earn a little money from my blogs. Oh, that reminds me, if you like the image on this post visit my online shop for blog addicts, you can get unique t-shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads and much more!

Please leave a comment and tell me why you blog.

Is This Thing On?

Is This Thing On?

You would think that after being in the public eye for several years one would get used to checking to see if anyone was watching. Well, Mr. Bush the microphone was turned on while you were chatting with Mr. Blair and the whole world heard your comments!

" See the irony is that what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s--- and it's over," Bush told Blair as he chewed on a buttered roll.

I'm actually a big fan of President Bush, so I am not knocking him here. I think it's rather funny, and Mr. Bush just rolled his eyes when he was told about the blooper.

The unscripted comments came during a lunch at the Group of Eight summit.The world leaders clearly did not realize that a live microphone was picking up their uncensored comments.

Another Idol Gets Record Contract

Another Idol Gets Record Contract

There are no losers on "American Idol". Kellie Pickler may have got the boot from the show, but she just landed a record contract with 19 Recordings/BNA Records, a label under the SONY BMG Music Entertainment umbrella in Nashville. The Southern sweetheart from last season's "American Idol" is remembered for not only her singing talent, but also her bubbly personality and heavy Southern accent!

Pickler is due to have a country song ready for the radio by September and an album to be released in November this year. The 20-year-old North Carolinian is the latest "also ran" from the 5th season show to sign a record deal. Earlier this year, Katharine McPhee and Chris Daughtry also inked recording contracts.

I love country music, and of course being from North Carolina myself, I voted for Kellie on "American Idol". I can't wait to hear her debut album.

Need to Rekindle Your Romance?

Need to Rekindle Your Romance?

Here's a great idea to light a spark in your romance! Try a weekend getaway at an area Bed & Breakfast. It doesn't matter where you live, there is sure to be a romantic Bed & Breakfast not too far away. Click Here for a list of Bed & Breakfasts in your area.

Make it a surprise -- just tell your significant other that you are taking them someplace special for the weekend. Visit my other blog, "Bed & Breakfast Experiences" for more information on Bed & Breakfasts in your area. There is a list of the top 10 most Romantic Bed & Breakfasts there also. You can even pick up a gift certificate at the top of my Bed & Breakfast Blog.

Most of the folks who manage the Bed & Breakfasts are very friendly and helpful. If you call ahead they will be happy to tell you about romantic things to do in the area or hook you up with flowers and candy on the bed, etc. Many also have special romantic packages available.

If you know about a GREAT Bed and Breakfast that you have visited leave a comment on my Bed & Breakfast Experiences blog or send me an e-mail, if use your story on my blog I will send you 25 BE Credits. (This offer only good if you are a Blog Explosion member.) If you are not a member -- join up for FREE! Just click on the Blog Explosion logo below and register.

Article Writing Secrets

Article Writing Secrets

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Do You Believe in Angels?

Do You Believe in Angels? I certainly do. Following is a true story, this happened to me many years ago when I was around 8-years old. An edited version of this story was published in the Jan./Feb 2004 issue of "Angels on Earth Magazine".

Please respond to this post.

Skating on Thin Ice By: Mike Marinaro

The Oil Mill Pond was a large pond not far from our house. On one end was a dam, which was a truly beautiful site in the winter as the waterfall glistened in the sunlight and the rocks far below were covered in a sheet of ice. It wasn’t safe to skate too close to the dam because the water was constantly running there and the ice was very thin. I was about to discover just how thin the ice was and how very deep and cold the water was at this end of the pond!

I loved to look down at the ice as I glided across the smooth and glassy surface. In some spots I could see how thick the ice actually was. There were cracks and bubbles that formed interesting patterns underneath. It seemed as if everyone was crowded in the center of the pond where a hockey game was being played so I headed off towards the dam. I enjoyed the feeling of the wind blowing in my face as I picked up speed and raced across the ice.

Before too long it started to snow, just light flurries, but enough to lay a beautiful coat of white over the ice. I could skate around in circles and see the tracks in the snow from my skates. It was fun to make figure eights and other intricate patterns. The sounds of the crowd soon faded away, and the only thing I could hear was the scraping noise my skates made cutting into the ice.

Suddenly, there was another noise that sent shivers down my spine, a loud cracking sound! I looked up and realized that I had not been paying attention and had ventured too close to the dam. The ice was cracking beneath me; I could feel it giving way right under my feet!

I turned and tried to skate towards shore but it was too late! My world exploded violently as the ice opened and swallowed me! It was a real shock as my body hit the freezing cold water and I sank like a rock to the bottom of the pond!

That was over forty-five years ago but I can still remember it vividly like it was only yesterday! I will never forget that feeling of helplessness as I looked up towards the surface and could not see the hole I had fallen through! Time seemed to slow down and run in slow motion as I sank to the bottom of the pond.

I looked up and at first I could see the circle of broken ice with the sun shining through. But as I went down deeper the circle became smaller and smaller and the sunlight faded into a tiny beam of light. Then there was only darkness! Everything was pitch-black!

I felt my feet hit the muddy bottom and I prayed for help. My instinct was to start swimming and hope that I could find the opening again. I could feel my body getting numb from the cold, my ears felt like they were made of ice and would shatter if I touched them! I was wearing a pair of gloves but they were soaked through and I could hardly move my fingers at all! I held my breath as long as I could but my lungs felt like they were about to burst!

Just then when I thought I wouldn’t last another second, I felt someone tapping me on the shoulder and heard a soft voice saying, “Don’t panic Mike, everything is going to be alright.” I spun around to see who was there but could see nobody at all. “Don’t try to swim, or you will lose your way. Just push your feet into the bottom and you will shoot straight up to the surface”, said the mysterious voice.

I pushed myself upward with all of my might and hoped that I would indeed find the hole, which seemed miles above me. “Trust me, I am here to help you”, I heard as I shot up from the bottom. Then a flash of bright light blinded me and I broke through to the surface gasping for air!

I splashed around and tried to yell out for help but nothing would come out. I couldn’t believe that no one had seen me fall through the ice. What was I going to do now; every time I tried to pull myself up onto the ice another piece would break away. I thrashed around in the bone-chilling water for what seemed like an eternity. My situation was getting worse as I neared exhaustion. Then for the second time that day a miracle happened.

I was being lifted out of the icy cold water and helped onto the ice by someone I could not see! I can only assume that this was an angel sent to watch over me in my time of need. I tried to talk but still could not get any words to come out. I crawled to the shore and just laid there for awhile shivering and trying to recuperate. Again I heard a voice softly whispering in my ear, “I will go and find someone to help you”. The next thing I know, there was a crowd of people standing around me covering me with coats and asking me what had happened. Everything started to spin around and get blurry, and then I must have passed out.

I am absolutely positively sure about what happened that day and I believe without a doubt that it was an angel who pulled me from the icy water and saved my life! Looking back on that near-death experience I noticed that I became more self-confident and less shy after that day. Up until then I had always been an introvert and did not make friends very easily. However, I now had a new found sense of well being and felt like I could handle any situation! After all, I had my very own angel to watch over me!

I was only eight years old when this happened but it is still fresh in my mind. Many times since then I have thought about that day and wondered if it was only another person who pulled me out of the water, or if it was really an angel. After decades of pondering this question I am convinced that it was indeed an angel who rescued me. There is no way that someone could have crawled out on that thin ice without also falling through!

The amazing thing about that fateful day that still sends shivers up and down my spine every time I recall it is that there were no other footprints in the freshly fallen snow. Just one set of skate tracks leading to the hole in the ice! Do I believe in angels – you bet I do!

Your comments are always welcome.

Do You Have What it Takes?

Do You Have What it Takes?

Could you be the next "AMERICAN IDOL"? Auditions begin for the next singing superstar in 7 cities across the United States starting this August!

You must be 16-28 years old and elegible to work in the United States to audition. For a complete list of rules Click Here.

Here is the schedule for audition locations.

Los Angeles, CA - Aug 8
San Antonio, TX - Aug 11
New York, NY - Aug 14
Birmingham, AL - Aug 21
Memphis, TN - Sep 3
Minneapolis, MN - Sep 8
Seattle, WA - Sep 19

So warm up those vocal chords and head on out to one of the above locations if you think you have what it takes!

Chris Daughtry Signs Record Deal

Chris Daughtry Signs Record Deal

America voted and Chris Daughtry was sent home from American Idol! However, he did not fade away...last month Chris turned down a deal to join the rock band Fuel. Now he has just signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/RCA Records. According to RCA Daughtry will form a band and work with high-profile collaborators to record self and co-written songs. Look for his first album to be relased later this year.

Many people were shocked when the bald-headed, North Carolina native was eliminated from the fifth season show. But as history has already proven, just because you get booted doesn't mean you can't be a star! Just look at Clay Aiken, you hear more about him than the winner Ruben Studdard.

Daughtry is busy right now performing on the sold out American Idol Live Tour, and work has already begun on his first album. Watch out Taylor Hicks, the battle isn't over yet!

I voted for Taylor, and I think if he can monopolize on his unique talent and style he will do great.

Please leave your comments.

Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest

Pirates of the Caribbean
Dead Man's Chest

We went to see the 2nd installment of "Pirates of the Caribbean" this weekend (so did everybody else in town) many of the showtimes were sold out; the theater was really packed!

Actually, I liked the first one better but this one was also very good. Although I would think twice about bringing young kids to the movie, the bad guys are really gross looking and pretty scary! The make-up artists did an awesome job.

Make sure you stay and read the credits after the movie because there is a secret scene at the end of the credits.

China has banned "Dead Man's Chest" due to its violent and supernatural content. There is no rating system for movies in China, but they will usually reject sex and violence.

Elsewhere,the film broke box office records. Opening day on Friday, the film set the record for the single-day box office gross by collecting $55.5 million then added an estimated $44.7 million on Saturday to become the first film in history to break the $100 million mark in two days!

In this follow-up to the original block-buster, Captian Jack Sparrow is trying to save himself from eternal damnation due to a blood debt he owes to Davy Jones. Depp is reunited with Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley as they team up once again.

The movie has plenty of action and comedy and ends in true cliff-hanger fashion paving the way for a third installment. I enjoyed it, but still liked the first one better. Of course, I will end up buying the DVD when it comes out to add to my collection.

Please leave your comments.

Superman Returns

Superman Returns

We went to see "Superman Returns" over the holiday weekend. I'm glad we went to the discounted matinee and didn't pay full price for the tickets! The movie was long and drawn out, two hours and thirty four minutes. There were a couple of good action scenes with great special effects, but they were few and far between!

Brandon Routh just did not do it for me as Superman; however, he did bear some resemblance to Christopher Reeves, especially his voice. I was not impressed with Lois Lane either, played by Kate Bosworth, her character was boring. There was no chemistry between her and superman. The best actor in the movie was Kevin Spacey who did a great job as Lex Luthor. He potrayed a very devious bad-guy!

Overall, the movie was boring and bland. What I did find interesting though was the way that I noticed there were many similarities between Superman and Christ.

Here are the metaphors I found. Clark Kent is sent to earth by his Father. Clark's name is Ka-El his father's name is Jor-El. The El part of the name in Hebrew means God the Father. Superman is beaten and suffers a stab wound very similar to the wound inflicted on Christ by the spear of a Roman soldier. We then see Superman posing with his arms outstretched as though he had been crucified.

Lois Lane has a line that goes like this, "The world doesn't need a saviour...and neither do I."

Also the ghost of Jor-El says,"For this reason, I have sent them you, my only son."

Superman says to Lois, " I'm always around."

I don't think you have to be a Bible scholar to notice the way Superman is potrayed as Christ-like in this movie. It is not forced on you, but it's there just the same. Perhaps the one saving grace for this movie?

When all is said and done, the movie is making money. Superman pulled in $74 million over the long fourth of July weekend and more than $106 million its first seven days!

Your comments are welcome.

Blogging for Profits

Blogging for Profits

I have been blogging since September 2005, all of that time with Blog Explosion. I have been using Google Adsense since July 2005 on my blogs and many of the websites that I design for clients. Both the website business and blogging started out just for fun, but now I am making money from them. I'm not ready to quit my day job yet, but there is money to be made by blogging.

Check out the e-book, "Bloggers Guide to Profits". If you are serious about blogging, this book will be very helpful to you. Download it today and put your blog to work for you!

If you would like to learn more about AdSense or blogging for profits, send me an email and I will be glad to share information with you.

Your comments are welcome. If you know of an affiliate program that works well or have some tips for making money on the Internet, please share them.

AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!

AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!

Starring as the leading lady in her second "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, Keira Knightley is looking good! The Oscar nominated actress plays Elizabeth Swann in "Dead Man's Chest", where Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) ends up interrupting her wedding to Will Turner (Orlando Bloom).

Keira had a bit-part as Queen Amidala's (Natalie Portman) decoy in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." Knightley was also a soccer-loving high-schooler Jules in "Bend It Like Beckham." She also played Lara in a BBC TV movie of "Doctor Zhivago". The 21-year-old actress also was in "Love Actually", "King Arthur", "Domino," and "Pride & Prejudice."Keira is a bit of a tomboy, but very elegant and sexy and she has played a variety of different roles, looking awesome in all of them!

I can't wait to see her in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." Please leave a comment and tell me if you think Keira is hot or not.