Window in the Web

Do You Disclose?

TinaKubala — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:35:00 GMT

Two months ago, the Federal Trade Commission announced new guidelines requiring bloggers receiving products or payment in exchange for reviews disclose the relationship or risk hefty fines. While I think transparency in blogging is important, I admit to being uncomfortable with the government regulation. You can read my original reaction and also perspectives from both Izea's Ted Murphy and Wired with my commentary, of course.

Whatever we might think about the guidelines, they are here. The rules went into effect on December 1, 2009. Now is the time to make sure your blog complies.

I have always had a disclosure policy on this blog generated at DisclosurePolicy.org, a free service of Izea. My personal blog got it's unique disclosure policy today.

As a blogger who does accept payments for sponsored content and product reviews, adding a policy is a given. The guidelines directly apply to me.

I would argue bloggers who do not accept any payments should also add a disclosure policy. Better safe than sorry. I don't know any bloggers who don't plug various products and services. Those opinions are the stuff of everyday living. I have been questioned about posts adjacent to my sponsored content because they looked like potentially paid posts. A note from an employer is one thing. Contact from a government official would make a fun hobby stressful. Even though the FTC claims they are not planning to go after bloggers, I say piece of mind is priceless.

DisclosurePolicy.org is a great place to start as they do offer options for bloggers who don't make money with posts. And, for the record, I have no been compensated for this post.

You Gotta See How Good Live is After Laser Eye Surgery

TinaKubala — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:53:00 GMT

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Incendia Health. All opinions are 100% mine.

Eyesight is precious. In my family, eyesight is also pretty bad.

I have one of the better pairs of peepers. I need glasses only for those times when I stay up to late reading or play on the computer. So, more nights than not. Most everyone else is restricted to corrective lenses for driving. It isn't an age thing. My younger brother was not allowed to get his permit until he got glasses. In many cases, just seeing the television requires glasses. My mother's first glasses were provided by the Lion's Club at the age of five. I cannot picture her face without glasses.

To highlight the modern alternative to poor eyesight, Abbott Medical Optics, a leading maker of laser correction equipment, is holding an iLASIK Video Contest. With a $5,000 grand prize, the winner could pay for laser vision correction. Funny and original videos have already been submitted, but there is still time to submit your own.

Both those who dream of better vision and those who have already had surgery are invited to submit videos in the following categories:

• “My contacts are getting in the way of my good time”
• “My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision”
• “You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure”

My first thought was how annoying it is to walk in the rain wearing glasses. Don't you hate when that happens? I spent my childhood walking with my head down whenever it rained. And you still get water droplets on your lenses.

Vote for your favorite video and see all the annoying things about bad vision and life changes laser vision correction provides. Both sides are great motivation to contact an optometrist to find out if laser eye surgery is right for you.

Why Streaming Video Benefits Advertisers

TinaKubala — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:50:00 GMT

I am addicted to Glee.

It is not my usual type of show. For one thing, it is popular and first run. Plus, it's about high school. I didn't like high school when I was there. I tuned in the first time for Jane Lynch. She has been one of my favorite comedic actresses since Best in Show. Glee hooked me in by not being pretty about high school, but being a beautiful shiny middle class high school. Plus, the first episode they did Journey. I love Journey.

Rating high enough to get DVR space means something, let me tell you.

The last couple weeks, I've been busy. I haven't kept up with my usual TV watching. Something had to give, so I deleted Glee. I knew I could because Glee is on Hulu.

As a television watcher, I love full episodes online. They are so convenient. My laptop has a bigger screen then my TV when adjusted for how close to it I can sit. I can watch it even when there is a very important sporting event my husband needs to watch.

I find it interesting that some networks are stingy with putting content online. One of my favorite shows, The Big Bang Theory, only offers clips - not even one full episode. The irony being the geekiest show in television can't be watched on the internet.

One reason often sited for not offering full episodes for streaming is fear of losing advertising revenue. Making money on the internet can be a tricky proposition. Networks are scared for the future of their medium. I can understand all of that.

However, watching streaming videos online I have decided they are off base with the worries.

They seem to be forgetting how few television commercials anyone watches these days. As mentioned, I have a DVR. More and more people do. It is the best improvement to the television watching experience since the remote control. I will often record a show while I watch an already recorded show just to avoid watching commercials. When I am watching live TV, I invariably hit the fast forward button on every commercial break.

When watching streaming online television, I have to watch commercials. Hulu includes commercial breaks between 5 seconds and 30 seconds. You can't fast forward through 'em. The message gets across much better then when I am whizzing by ads on DVR. Some of the ads are simply putting the brand in front of the viewer. Some of them are truly amusing. Either way, I'm watching.

On Thanksgiving, Give Thanks for Black Friday Deals

TinaKubala — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:30:00 GMT

The tradition of Black Friday shopping is as much a part of the Thanksgiving holiday as turkey and pumpkin pie. Retailers compete for those early bird shoppers. Families coordinate to maximize the number of sales they can take advantage of.

Only a few short years ago, researching the deals for Black Friday meant getting the special ad filled newspapers published Thanksgiving day. I remember on the rare Thanksgiving spent with my dad's side of the family in Ohio. My grandmother and aunts would spend serious time deciding who would go where and what they were after.

We're a few short hours from prime Black Friday 2009 hours. If you didn't get the paper before putting the turkey in the oven, it's no problem. Oh, in all seriousness, nobody counts on newspapers for much of anything anymore.

There is plenty of time to research Black Friday deals on websites dedicated to the cause of savings. Now, isn't that something to be thankful for?

Short Animation

TinaKubala — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:56:00 GMT

This is a sponsored guest post written by Matt Kelland on behalf of Moviestorm. Post powered by Sponzai.

Moviestorm is enabling a new generation of amateur film-makers to realize their visions. It offers easy, affordable animation tools that can produce sophisticated high-quality films on practically no budget. After several years in development, Moviestorm has demonstrated that home movie-making needn’t be limited to cheap hand-held cameras and clips of the kids goofing around. Its virtual movie studio allows users to break free of the limitations of the real world, and allows them to direct, film, edit and distribute 3D animated movies without any knowledge of animation techniques or 3D modelling. And best of all, it's free, and comes without any copyright restrictions.

Iain Friar, known as IceAxe, is one of Moviestorm’s many successful film-makers. His short film, Clockwork, a dystopian vision of a totalitarian Britain after a Soviet invasion in the 1980s, is winning accolades and awards around the world, most recently the audience prize at the Atopic Festival in France and the Grand Prize at the Machinima Expo. Clearly influenced by both 1984 and A Clockwork Orange, with a visual style that evokes both Communist era propaganda posters and more recent animated movies such as A Scanner Darkly, it is a stark, powerful film that belies its modest origins.

Iain, who's 42, works in marketing, and started making movies just 18 months ago. “I’ve always been a hands-on person, in music, sport, and everything else,” he says. “I thought it would be fun to shoot a music video, but I’m not the most technical of people, and it seemed extraordinarily hard. I remember when computer games started using in-game animation to tell the story instead of video clips, and this interested me, especially now that game technology has become so sophisticated. So I bought a book, Machinima for Dummies, which had Moviestorm on the CD, and I was hooked. I liked Moviestorm because it did what I was looking for, even though I didn’t really know what I was looking for at the time, and the Moviestorm community was very supportive. I initially made comedies, but I could see that the movies people respected were more dramatic, so it seemed that was the direction to go in.”

He spent four months working on Clockwork, and then the same again on his next short, Cloud Angel, a steampunk thriller set on board an airship. Apart from the voice acting, he made the entire film himself at his home in Basingstoke, England. “I'm lucky that my friends are so willing to step up to the mike and read my silly scripts!” he laughs. His next film is Gridlock, a science fiction comedy which he is co-producing with another successful Moviestorm director, James Thorpe. For this, they’ve stepped up the production costs a notch: they hired a recording studio and got the local amateur dramatic group to do the voice acting.

Iain is realistic about his future, though. “Am I ambitious? Yes. Do I want to keep it as just a hobby? Well, probably yes, because I imagine that if it became a full time activity, the fun might go out of it. I make movies as escapism. That said, I think that this industry would be really interesting to work in, because it's embryonic; I'm not sure what direction it will go in. It's exciting!”

Moviestorm’s CEO, Jeff Zie, is hugely enthusiastic and supportive. “Iain and the many other Moviestorm users are an inspiration to us all,” he says. “We’re really proud that we’re giving talented people like this the tools they need to unleash the creative potential they never knew they had, and to produce these wonderful films.”

Try it and see!

You can download Moviestorm for free: Windows and Mac versions are available. If you want, you can expand your virtual film studio and buy extra costumes, sets, props, and sounds in their marketplace. If you've ever wondered whether you might be the next Tarantino, Ang Lee, or J J Abrams, now's the time to find out!

Cats and the Internet: A Perfect Combo

TinaKubala — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:01:00 GMT

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

The special overlap between people who love cats and people who spend their free time on the internet is well established. Those who fall outside the two groups are baffled by Lolcats and cat blogging. But to the web junkie with multiple cats (ah, me for one), the connection could not be more clear.

The gold standard in internet cat humor is I Can Has Cheezeburger. They are everywhere. Usually, I snub chat or text speak. I make an exception for Lolcats. Typing with paws is not easy. Plus, my cats would revolt if they found me saying bad things about any cats. People without cats think I'm joking. People with cats know it is not worth taking a chance.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

If visiting the Lolcats isn't enough to satisfy your need for kitties, cat bloggers fit the bill. I am amazed iat the creativity that goes into telling interesting stories with interesting photos for years on end. I have assembled a few of the best. They are cat blog catnip. Irresistible.

Angus Mhor is a handsome Mancat living in Texas. He is sweet and cuddly, but can be moody.

Daisy the Curly Cat & little brother Harley model fashions and star in a weekly comic.

Smoky N Tiger are brothers from Michigan. They get along so well.

Cat Lovers Site features fun and information for the cat families.

Cats Who Twitter is about the best thing to happen to cats on the web since blogging.

Classic Lines and Plenty of Storage

TinaKubala — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:40:00 GMT

Decorating is not my strongest talent. It is not that I decorate badly. I have a good eye. I don't decorate at all.

Not something I decided, but it is the truth of what has happened since I've had a home of my own. Half lack of money and half my perception that apartment living means temporary. Ten years has given the problem a momentum of it's own.

It would be easy to assume when I say I don't decorate, it is mere hyperbole. Let me draw a picture. I have a painting my sister-in-law made hanging in the living room. That is the sum and total of wall decoration. My bedroom furniture is hand me down from my friend Kate. It's big with lots of storage and sturdy, but a little on the ugly side. Don't worry, I'm not insulting her taste. She bought cheap and roomy, not for fashion. The living room furniture was sofa and chair used for a hundred bucks. From the fabric, it's older than I am. It is comfortable.

I've been thinking about reforming my ways. A few tasteful framed art pieces to start. Maybe some photos I've taken in painted or decoupaged frames. I love the idea of a mass of color, but my living space does not reflect it.

If I manage to get a reasonable number of items on the walls, I would love to look at some new bedroom furniture. I feel like I need to earn my big ticket items with effort. Obviously, I will shop around to get the best, but I wouldn't bother to replace what I have with something less than perfect.

One thing I cannot do without is shelving. Most people think of their bedrooms as a place to sleep or even watch television. I do not believe in television in the bedroom, however my bedroom has always doubled as a library. Right now, I own more books then fit on the bookcases. The overflow is piled atop the dresser. The bed pictured above is clearly a great fit for my book worm needs.

Check out the storage drawers down below. Apartment living may not feel permanent, but it does leave some unique challenges for day to day living solved best by investing in bedroom furniture with drawers enough to make up for the lack of linen closet. Oh, who am I trying to kid? I'd use the space for overflow books.

Exposing Myself to Diverse Viewpoints

TinaKubala — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:17:00 GMT

I believe in the importance of listening to people and ideas that go against my views on a given topic. Be it either of those classic not-to-be-discussed-in-polite-company, politics and religion, or as matter of taste based as book and movie choices. I do not fear those who disagree with principles I hold dear.

On the contrary, a well thought out position can only be enhanced by seeing the other side of the issue. I see from where I stand every day. Standing in another footprint for a moment can only give a better vantage point of what I'm believe. And if not, if my ideals are debunked, I am better for it. Being right is not worth being wrong. Knowledge and truth are the gold standard, not my pride.

How important is this concept to civilization itself?

Creativity Prompt posted on diversity reminding readers of what Aristotle said about diverging opinions:

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able
to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
In my blogging and social networking, I have a chance to examine the full spectrum of viewpoints on any topic under the sun. Most real life situations keep talk about opinions to a minimum. Be it a matter of social graces or enforced by an employer, we all steer clear of hot button issues. I lament the loss in shear lack of good conversation. I would rather talk about my faith or yours than talk about the weather or, God forbid, gas prices. Talk about banal.

In addition to being more interesting, other viewpoints are educational. For example, if I don't believe in getting a vehicle warranty, no harm is done my visiting XpressWarranty.com - 100% Free Vehicle Warranty Quotes - to make certain I have all the facts. I can then make my argument from strength or change my mind in light of new information.

I challenge my friends and readers to have a new idea to tea daily. At least a few bloggers of opposing view should grace your Google Reader. If nothing else, it can help you remember people you disagree with can be moral and intelligent just like your side.

Two Takes On New FTC Rules For Bloggers

TinaKubala — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:50:00 GMT

By now most bloggers have heard the Federal Trade Commission has updated their guidelines regarding testimonial advertisements and endorsements. The rules, and fines for failing to comply, go into effect on

I have blogged about my feelings on the guidelines. In a nutshell, I am for transparency on the part of bloggers. Requirements should come from the companies that act as intermediaries between advertisers and bloggers. I am not comfortable with the government deciding how bloggers should conduct themselves. And the fine. Overkill. $11,000 fine for a blogger? A doubt I'll be sent a sample of Men's Skin Cream to review worth even half that amount.

In the name of both fairness and information, I have found an solid article from each side of the issue.

On the pro side, we hear from one of the first, and certainly the highest profile, company in social networking and advertising, Izea. Back when they were still PayPerPost, they started requiring site wide disclosure policies on all blogs in their system. To that end, they fund DisclosurePolicy.org where bloggers can generate a policy that suits their needs. Speaking of disclosing relationships, I have worked with Izea off and on since 2006 on every blog I've had - even want I was just on MySpace. I follow founder and CEO @tedmurphy on Twitter.

It was Ted who wrote about the new FTC rules on the Izea blog. He reminds everyone the guidelines are a good thing for Izea since the disclosure rule "creates a safe framework for creators and marketers, and inhibits unscrupulous marketers." I would also say Izea will gain a higher percentage of the social marketing pie. They can reassure advertisers their campaigns are compliant with the guidelines, because Ted has been in communication with the FTC on the issue long before the decisions were made.

Most importantly, the article details steps advertisers and bloggers can take to remain compliant. December 1, 2009 is when the guidelines go into effect. I know if I'm concerned, other bloggers certainly are confused or worried. I doubt much enforcement can take place, but better safe than sorry when dealing with the government.

On the flip side, Wired published an insightful piece on why the guidelines unfairly target bloggers rather than writers for print media. They point out something I didn't think of - newspapers, magazines, television news, radio or any other "mainstream media" outlets receive free items all the time. And they are in no way required to disclose the fact the thing they are reviewing came free to the office door. The argument seems to be traditional media has an expectation of ethics.

I would argue, the average American doubts the integrity of standard news sources. Shouldn't they be held to the same standard when some company sends them a laptop to test drive for months as the blogger who is sent an advance copy of a book?

Wired pointed out one thing I did notice. The ambiguity of the statements may be the scariest thing beyond the dollar amount involved (again, $11,000 is a ton of money). They even question if they are subject to the rule as the blog of a print magazine. Do the ethics transfer to the digital arm or are they unreliable as mere bloggers.

My biggest question is what counts as disclosure. Is site wide okay? Is typing "This post is sponsored" required for each post? Do I have to say what I got - cash? product? both? When I am not paid for promoting a product or service, it will feel like I should explain myself or live in fear. I wonder how the FTC plans to notify bloggers of their investigation. I would recommend leaving a comment on the offending post.

I don't like the rules, but if we have to have them, I want to know what I must do to comply. So far that hasn't happened. My plan is to keep up with the conversions as they develop. And, of course, I'll keep on blogging. It's what I do.

Frugal Blog Round Up

TinaKubala — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:24:00 GMT

Money is tight. For people all over the world are counting pennies more in the last year than in decades. I've noticed an upswing in thrifty behavior. As a thrifty girl born of generations of frugal folks I love seeing others adopt better spending habits. I'm a believer in weighing the cost vs. benefit on purchases big and small. The answer is different for everyone.

As with any endeavor, knowledge is power in the frugal game. Frugal is not just about getting a good deal on a hot pair of shoes. Living the frugal life is a balance between spending wisely, using what is on hand, and saving for long term goals. It can even be about enabling your earning power.

I claim no expertize in any of these counts, just a daily hope to do a little better with my limited resources. Thankfully, I read some great frugal lifestyle blogs. Seeing what works for others and learning from their mistakes is invaluable.

Fresh from my Google reader, I have picked four of my favorite thrifty bloggers:

Wise Bread

Across the board, this blog has got financial and lifestyle advice for those aspiring to "living large on a small budget" as their tagline proclaims. A group blog, Wise Bread brings the benefit of many life experiences.

Recent articles include big financial topics: When Should You Fire Your Real Estate Agent?

Advice on shopping: 9 Things That Are Worth Buying at Costco

Cultural commentary: America Is the No Vacation Nation

And, my personal favorite, Best Deals Today, a daily roundup of coupons, good deals, and freebies culled from around the internet.

Follow @WiseBread on Twitter.

Making Do With the Not So New

Making Do With the Not So New is the practical blog of a mother. MJ has one daughter and a one income household, so she knows of what she speaks. The sign of a real thrifty mom is cloth diapers. She has plenty of ideas for making and caring for cloth diapers. One of the things the blog does best is showing readers how to make household cleaners, especially the pricey luxuries like wrinkle release spray from other household items. Of course, the frugal home needs art. I love the idea for a collage made from broken items from a favorite hobby. For the kids, how about turning plan coloring book pages into Water Paint Coloring Book pages.

Frugal Dad

I can relate to Frugal Dad. See, he used to work in a call center for a credit card company. I don't work for a credit card company, but to a certain extent the product is less important than the job. To a smaller extent of course, I see the inside of other people's financial choices in a way most people never experience. Okay, mostly, I relate to being yelled at for a living. In all seriousness, Frugal Dad has been in debt and come out on the other side. His advice is what he calls "conservative" as in low risk. When money is tight risks seem foolish to me.

Straight talk about tough financial decisions is an area where the blog excels. Face it, some money issues have logical arguments on both sides. Take a recent article on the tough choice to close or not close a paid off credit card. I like this piece on frugal living looking like broke living, because explaining choices to the less thrifty is always a little uncomfortable. By far the most important aspect of Frugal Dad is advice on achieving financial independence, the ultimate goal of most purposely frugal folks.

Domestic Cents

Nicki writes about the adjustments to their lifestyle that allows her to stay home with her daughter. I admire her candor in admitting to the money mistakes she and her husband made early in their marriage. She recently turned flannel sheets into cute PJs for her little girl, double the thrift because warm jammies keep the heat off on autumn nights. Most inspiring, are the posts, like this article on instant gratification , about the journey from overspending and debit that is not so much about money but mindset.

No matter your net worth, these blogs can help maximize your frugal factor. I hope you find a tip or two that makes life easy and keeps money in your pocket.

Make Trick Or Treat Healthy For Kids While Supporting World Wildlife Fund

TinaKubala — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:30:00 GMT

From the time kids are on solid food, it is tough to keep them eating a healthy balanced diet. Chicken nuggets and hot dogs are the bulk of my four year old niece's diet, along with as much cookies, candy, cake and popcorn as she can sweet talk out of the adults in her life. And let me tell you, Aunt Tina is a sucker.

She's an active child, so calories are not an issue. On an average day, she does pretty well. Weekends and vacations are a different story. It can be a challenge to fill her up with balanced nutrition when her mom and I drag her out shopping for the day or all day at the zoo or the children's museum. Packing healthy for the road isn't easy.

As Halloween approaches, Hershey’s and Organic Valley have launched Trick Or Treat Me to get the word out about single serve milk in shelf stable packages. Yes, shelf stable milk. It would be just as easy to pack a kid pleasing chocolate milk for a day trip as a soda or juice box. The only down side is all the extra energy a protein packed beverage like milk will provide - the girl already runs circles around her mom and I after a long day of adventure.

If you are brave enough to chance that kind of thing with your little monsters (hey, it's the season for ghoulish nicknames), you can print coupons for both the Organic Valley shelf stable and Hershey's brand shelf stable milk. Perfect timing to plan a healthy treat for Halloween festivities.

Along with getting milky goodness into kids, Trick Or Treat Me on Twitter has an addictive application to send friends tricks or treats, depending on what they most qualify to receive. For each trick or treat you tweet, the World Wildlife Fund gets a ten cent donation. With everyone on Twitter, those dimes will add up.

And with recyclable paper packaging, shelf stable milk is good for wildlife and your little animals.

FTC New Guidelines Impose Fines for Bloggers Failing to Disclose Paid Endorsements

TinaKubala — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:50:00 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission has published a change in guidelines that will require bloggers receiving products or payment in exchange for reviews disclose the relationship according to the press release on their website. Along with bloggers, the change effects celebrity endorsements and testimonials in advertising.

From the press release: "the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement. Thus, bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service."

In the name of "Protecting America's Consumers", as the FTC proudly proclaims on their website, bloggers are subject to a $11,000 fine per post if failing to properly disclose advertising relationships. The attached Guidelines run eighty-one pages (81!) in pdf format consisting of complex legal language.

Placing the same rules on bloggers as advertising designed by marketing professionals and celebrity endorsements is overkill at best. For every high profile blog with income and expertize necessary to navigate such legislation, there are thousands of bloggers typing away a few hours a night bleary eyed after working a full time job. For those of us who choose to use our hobby to make a humble second income should not be under fear of investigation by a federal agency.

I am a private citizen paying my own domain registration and hosting costs. Any rule restricting what I publish smacks of censorship. My relationship with advertisers and readers is between myself. I choose to disclose my status as a blogger who excepts compensation.

It sounds dramatic, however, the burden would be primarily placed on small blogs. Even bloggers who do not accept products or cash from companies would have to think twice before reviewing items. Would a non-paid post have to be labeled as such in order to avoid investigation? I question if the guidelines are even enforceable. I imagine cyber-agents in black suits surfing blogs for signs a blogger might have been offered a coupon for a free box of granola bars in exchange for a write up.

The intention behind "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising" is to protect consumers from deceptive advertising practices. Identifying as a Libertarian, I reject the concept which places the government in the place of protecting people from making bad choices. If a person makes a choice based on an unverified claim on a website, they are a foolish. Worse, the guidelines can only muddy the waters for the public. If the FTC tells consumers they are protected from unfair and misleading statements on blogs, consumers are inclined to believe it. Only bloggers based in America are subject to the rules.

If the consumers being protected cannot distinguish bad information from good information, how can we expect them to know the sites they visit are hosted in another country free from regulation?

Although I am against government oversight in regard to advertising on blogs, I am for transparency on the internet. Advertisers and bloggers benefit from disclosing relationships. My sidebar features a disclosure policy. I have no problem discussing my choice to accept compensation. Bloggers should practice integrity in every interaction. Readers are responsible to use good judgment. Freedom and honestly is the only way for online relationships to thrive.

Black Gold on truTV: Real Men, Real Television

TinaKubala — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:29:00 GMT

As my husband and he'll tell you since the A-Team went off the air in 1987, American television has been wussy. Shows for sensitive men and the women who love them, networks Lifetime, WE and Oxygen. They remade 1970s science fiction icon Starbuck from dashing Dirk Benedict (also Faceman of the A-Team) to a female character.

In the last couple years, I've noticed a resurgence in manly television. Reality television didn't start of as man centric with the Real World, millions of dating shows, and American Idol. But from that estrogen centric bunch, has been born a new animal of programing.

Manly TV About Real Men. The creator of two of these shows, Ice Road Truckers and Deadliest Catch, brings us the next big show about manly men and for manly men (and the women who love them) - truTV BLACK GOLD. Check it out:

Roughneck culture is man centric and working class. The truTV BLACK GOLD characters are the very picture of the middle American man. A little rough around the edges, these guys don't say people and thank you as they go about the strenuous work of bringing up crude oil out of the soil in West Texas.

Male viewers will see themselves and their brothers and friends in the interaction of truTV BLACK GOLD Healthcare. You'd like these guys hate each other from the crude banter. But the reality is they depend on each other in a harsh, physical and dangerous job.

And ladies, if I have to tell you watching men do hard labor, you don't know what you are missing. Just tell your husband you're willing to watch with him, not for your own benefit. Then sit back and enjoy.

Fantasy Football Season Abounds

TinaKubala — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:05:00 GMT

Dear Readers, in bringing you the best from around the internet, I admit to a certain perspective. A female perspective. I've enlisted my husband to post about issues that effect a different audience. I'm not saying no women play fantasy football, just this one. Without further ado, our guest expert, Chris on this upcoming football season:

In just over two weeks, the NFL will kick off yet another season, with thirty two teams (that's including the Lions folks), vying for a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season as Super Bowl Champions. For those of you that don't know, or that were asleep during the Super Bowl last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers rallied in the final minute after blowing a lead to defeat the upstart Arizona Cardinals 27-23.

With the start of football season, of course, is the onslaught of fantasy football across the country. There are a myriad of sites you can play for free on, including ESPN, Yahoo, and of course, the NFL's own site. Whether you're a hardcore fanatic like me, who pores over box scores, looks for match ups to exploit and scours the free agent wire for last minute replacements for injured or inactive guys, or just a regular casual fan who likes to pick their favorite players or team, there are options out there for you. Best of all, you can get in leagues without spending a dime most of the time, and who doesn't like that option?

Personally, I run two leagues, both on ESPN, because it is well known, and having the ability to customize your scoring settings and the rest appeal to me. This is the fourth year for one of the leagues, with almost all the guys returning for that fourth time, and the other is brand new, giving a new crop of people a chance to play and try to stake the claim as the greatest gridiron manager of the group. Sure, some people play for money and that's all well and good, but I prefer to play for bragging rights, as that way no one gets clobbered spending money that they should have kept for something else, like say the cable bill. Can't watch the games if you don't have TV, right?

So who's the front runners for first picks in the draft? Most people lean toward running backs like Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears, Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and even LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers, even though he is coming back from an off year. Quarterback is your aim? Drew Brees of the Saints, Tom Brady of the Patriots and Peyton Manning are the only real solid first round options. If it's receiver you want, why not target Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, or even potentially Terrell Owens?

With so many sites to choose from, you really have your pick of where you want to host your league. You can customize everything from the number of teams in the league, to how many rounds of playoff action, how each individual player can score points, whether it be by just touchdowns, and passing, rushing and receiving yards, or if you want to add in receptions and any other myriad of potential options. Defensively, you can draft individual players for each position, or you can go team defense. If you go the latter, Baltimore and Pittsburgh are your best bets, and most of the others are interchangeable. You can even give more points for kickers if they make long range field goals, or deduct more points if they miss chip shots.

The best part about having your league at one of the aforementioned sites is that it takes all the hassle out of having to have everyone live and in person at someone's house. You can have guys from all over the country or the globe if you're so inclined. Set your draft date and time, let everyone know and let the fun start. If someone can't make it, they can rank their players ahead of time so at least then they can get some of the guys they had targeted. Plus, the draft software easily removes drafted names from the list, making it impossible for a guy to draft someone who was picked five rounds earlier. It also will accelerate the draft for the teams that are not at the draft, immediately following round one. That means instead of waiting two minutes for each pick every round, it auto picks whoever is at the top of the list for those teams immediately to save time.

So get out there and take part in a fantasy football league. It's fun, it's free and it's football. What more could you ask for?

Printable Home Depot Coupons

TinaKubala — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:30:00 GMT

I didn't grow up in a home my family owned. I grew up in military housing and apartments with a duplex thrown in for good measure. In my adult life, I've lived in three apartments. I long for a home. Paying a home loan sounds far better than plunking down rent every month for the rest of my life. But I know when it happens I'll be unprepared for much of the work and expense of home ownership. From an intellectual stand point, I understand, but the first time I have to replace an appliance or fix the roof, I'll be emotionally unprepared for the time, work, and money involved.

How do I know how unprepared I will be? My parents were first time home owners around a year ago. They bought a condo near Seattle. The housing market was still strong at the time, so they opted for something small with cosmetic issues. Wall paper from the seventies and a ceiling saturated with over a decade of cigarette smoking were the first issues they tackled. It was all harder then it looks on HGTV. And pricier.

When the little things start to pop up, Mom and Dad used all the Home Depot coupons they could get their hands on. Dad, while not having owned a home, repairs airplane parts for a living. Very mechanically inclined. He has participated in building and expanding several churches we've attended over the years, keeping his vocational tech skills from high school sharp.

He didn't need an electrician to install a ceiling fan. He didn't need a plumber to replace the bathroom faucet. Yet for both projects, Dad needed a second trip to Home Depot. Thank goodness for free coupons to print before that second trip to buy whatever it was you didn't think you'd need the first time.

I hear from other homeowners Dad's multiple trip projects are the rule, not the exception in DIY home projects. I'll learn this lesson before I buy a house - just print off two coupons the first time.

You Won't Get Rich Taking Surveys

TinaKubala — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:48:00 GMT

Have you seen ads for survey sites where you get paid?

Unless today is your first day on the internet, the answer is likely yes.

I'm a member of several sites to take surveys. Some, I've been involved with since the early 2000s. It's interesting and fun. I like putting my two cents in. Seeing product idea or commercials before the general public is exciting.

Let me fill you in on something the survey companies aren't going to mention. The money is minimal.

I've made less than $50 cash. From one company, I ordered a small stereo with four years worth of "points."

My commentary is by no means a criticism. I know I'm not a high demand demographic. Lower income, late twenties, and no kids in the household. I don't make business decisions or own a home. The screening questions explain what they are looking for when I screen out.

Certainly, plenty of people do better than I have. Yet, I would caution anyone thinking you can replace an income by taking surveys. It sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? There is your answer.

To Meme or Not to Meme: Thirteen Weekly Memes to Play and Share

TinaKubala — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:25:00 GMT

Do you participate in memes on your blog?

Some people think it devalues the content since everyone blogs on a certain topic or in a certain format. I can understand that point of view. Blogs that include nothing but memes can be boring.

Even when using them, I recommend only picking topics that inspire you. Put as much creativity into answering questions as you can. A post full of "I don't know" in answer to random questions isn't compelling reading. Put some thought and personality into it. Exaggerate if you must.

Besides, of course, a prompt to get you posting, memes of the weekly variety become a sort of open house for bloggers. By leaving a link to your post at the host blog, you can let the other player know you participated. Following the links left by the other players and commenting on their post is a great way to make friends.

The key - just like in real life friendships - is finding common interests. You'll find I participate in book themed memes on my personal blog almost every week. I have plenty to say and enjoy visiting the other players.

For your consideration, I have rounded up a baker's dozen of weekly memes.

1. Thursday Thirteen

2. Booking Through Thursday

3. Give Me Five Monday

4. Wordless Wednesday

5. Sunday Stealing

6. Monday Musing

7. Self Portrait Sunday

8. Teaser Tuesday

9. Monday Movie Meme

10. The Queen's Meme

11. Unconscious Mutterings

12. Saturday 9

13. Blog Your Blessings Sunday

Don't forget the most important part - visit Thursday Thirteen for links to everyone with a 13 point list today.

Am I missing out on any great memes? Which ones do you play?

Don't You Have a Website?

TinaKubala — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:15:00 GMT

It is easier than ever to have a presence online without owning and maintaining your own website. Facebook and Twitter are huge. We hear about them on the news and even in the comic strips. I use both of those services. Most people I know online use both. My offline friends use Facebook.

And their are any number of other sites where it is possible to create a public profile.

The question becomes with all the free and popular options for connecting online, why have webhosting in the first place? I even see small businesses who would have had a site a few years relying on Facebook.

Two reasons: Credibility and control.

Wither you are an individual looking to connect with friends and family or a business looking for visibility, having a website listed on your business card beats "just look me up on Twitter" on so many levels. Plus, you can control the look and content of your site. When Facebook moves things around - what? - hourly, it's nice to know your visitors can always find what they are looking for on your site.

As a blogger, I see the benefits firsthand. Saying "TinaKubala.com" is much easier than "TinaKubala.wordpress.com" or "TinaKubala.blogspot.com" when talking to real life contacts. If you can spell my last name, you've got it.

Now that I've convinced you of the importance of hosting a site on your own domain, check out Web Hosting Geeks for advice on which of the many hosting companies is best suited for your website plans. The best host for a blogger isn't always the best for eCommerce, so make sure to do your homework.

Why I Blog

TinaKubala — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:07:00 GMT

Around the world, millions of people operate millions of blogs. Beyond the media stereotypes the mopey teen girl writing about Twilight and her cat, or political bloggers making trouble for traditional media. Neither of make a significant impact in the blogging community I've been a part of these past few years.

More than any other group I've belonged to, bloggers defy all pigeon holes. Age, gender, politics, lifestyles, and interests are all over the map of human experience. Only two factors seem to hold.

Bloggers have something to say. The number one thing my non blogger friends ask me is how I come up with topics to write about. To a blogger, it is more common to have the opposite problem. Too many ideas to narrow into a reasonable number of posts in a timely manner.

The second is the social aspect of blogging. Community is the word we use to explain the interconnected nature of bloggers and blog readers. Most of my readers are bloggers hoping to connect. Over time, I've developed real friendships by mutual readership.

Beyond those factors, every blogger has personal reasons for blogging. An article I read on Top Ten Blog Tips by guest poster Kristen listing ten tips for personal bloggers. Since my personal blog, The Creative Nerd, is my flagship blog - the one I think of when I talk about blogging and think about my future blogging.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy Window in the Web. It is fun to talk about websites. But I could fold the content into my personal blog or not write at all. Window is extra, over and above.

The reasons I blog include both of the reasons I listed above. I do have plenty to say. My husband would confirm I always have an opinion. But the reason I say it to the world in a public forum has more to do with the second reason people blog. If I write about books, life, and philosophy but do not publish, I would be talking to myself. When I publish a blog post, anyone can read it. If they like what I have to say, they leave a comment and their blog link. In this way, friendships are formed in blogging.

These are my main reasons for blogging today. However, my original reasons were less focused on the outside world. I missed writing - creative writing and essays and journal entries and poems - I spent hours writing from around ten years old to my junior year of high school. I'd tried to journal in a notebook, but it just seemed a silly thing for a women in her twenties with a husband and a job to moon over a spiral notebook with a pink gel pen in the same way she did when she was twelve.

When I was between jobs in August 2006, I started posting entries on Yahoo 360. For the most part, I was writing from journal prompts from teaching websites. I switched to MySpace in September when I joined my coworkers on the then-cool social networking site. I chronicled an ill fated attempt at dieting and wrote about my childhood. I even wrote some sponsored content. For the most part, I was talking to myself.

In researching options to make money blogging, I discovered the community aspect of blogging. It's what hooked me.

I know plenty of people who look down blogs motivated my money. I agree, as a primary motivation, blogging for money is an unsatisfying pursuit. Like I always say, if I wouldn't do it for free, it wouldn't pay. The time and effort involved is great and the money is inconstant. But since I'm doing it anyway, picking up a few dollars makes blogging my hobby that pays.

I blog to meet people. I blog to put my viewpoint in print. I blog as a modest second income. I blog to encourage good writing habits. I have experienced mixed success with each of these goals. Blogging is a permanent part of my life.

Tell me: why do you blog?

Charter Gives Away a Laptop-a-Day

TinaKubala — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:35:00 GMT

Investing in a laptop was the best money I've ever spent. My husband and I shared a single desktop until the last few months. With two bloggers in the house, it seemed we spent each day trading off for computer time. Not the best for spending time together.
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The pleasure of kicking back on the sofa surfing the web while watching TV is as good as it gets. Since I couldn't do either of those things without my Charter service, I'm just as attached to them as I am to my laptop. I even follow Charter on Twitter.

It is only fitting I take a few moments to tell my readers about Charter's new giveaway. After the success of their HDTV-A-Day Sweepstakes and just in time for Back to School, they have launched a Laptop-a-Day Sweepstakes.

I'm entering. My husband could use his own laptop. We'd be closer than ever, both on the sofa updating our Facebook status. You know who else is on Facebook? Charter on Facebook will keep you up on the latest promotions and contests. I do love a friend who loves to give gifts. Charter giveaways are some of the finest. Last year they even gave away a brand new car.

You want the details, right? The contest runs from July 15 through September 15. In addition to one HP 550 Notebook 15-inch with Windows Vista and a NeoTec Compu Backpack each day, gift cards from major retailers in amounts between $25 and $100 will be given away. Visit Charter to sign up.