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

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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

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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.

The Ten Commandments Can Stay

The Ten Commandments Can Stay

Here is a follow-up to a previous post. (Utenzi pointed out in comments that I was in need of an update, thanks Utenzi.) The government of the District of Columbia this week decided to allow a religious group to keep a monument of the Ten Commandments that had been erected in a front yard across the street from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Read the full story here.

Do you think we should be allowed to have a monument such as this one displaying the 10 Commandments ? I see nothing wrong with this. Please leave a comment and tell me how you feel about this.