Doomz’s posterous

The 2010 20K: Day 29 - Rich Dad, Poor Dad, So Sad.

Hey all,

A good evening for good reading! After the crazy week I had and a good solid power nap for a couple of hours, I'm pretty much recovered. Still need to get some more rest soon, but alive and kicking.

I'm glad I made it to the weekend in one piece - I have the odd tendency to really get into accomplishing things, and might forgo things like a decent night of rest here and there in the name of getting something done. Trying to find balance is helping me curb that habit, though.

One thing I did do tonight is spend some time with Sarah watching a bit of television. One thing we watched was Shark Tank, the type of show that always interests me since I like to see other business ideas and the moves that make or break them. Especially when people are making that first foray out and trying to get people to get as interested in their ideas as they are :)

The OTHER thing I watched... well, I guess I did check out a bit of NUMB3RS - what can I say? I'm a big fan of crime dramas. However, the OTHER thing I watched was Marketplace on CBC. Today's episode was based on the Rich Dad, Poor Dad seminars you see ads for all over the place - I've seen a bunch on the TTC as of late while on the way in and out of work recently. The episode was really good to watch - it, again, helps one realize that there's no easy way to make money in the world, and moreso that there are plenty of people out there who'll gladly take your money to make you believe that there is. It went over the seminars being run under a licensee of Robert Kiyosaki's company, and how they're running seminars that are essentially just cash grabs that become more and more expensive as time passes. From $500 the first time to $12-$45,000 the next. YOWZA!

Now, if you read the comments on the episode, it does point to the fact that the episode seems like more of a witch hunt than an unbiased view of Robert Kiyosaki and the successes he HAS generated through the use of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. HOWEVER, from the comments I did read, it seemed that those who were successful using Kiyosaki's system never attended one of these seminars - they used their own smarts and abilities to take Kiyosaki's teachings from the books and make themselves weatlhier in the process. I know my brother's been reading Kiyosaki - may be something I need to do myself.

Anyway, enough chatter there - please check it out for yourself below:

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2010/road_to_rich_dad/main.html

In other news, as usual I have several tabs open on my Firefox, including:

• The Coca-Cola Fannovation contest which I just found out is US-only, so closing that: http://www.cocacolazero.com/assets/flash/ncaa/fannovation/top-ideas.html (someone should just email me with a ton of Canadian contests I can enter - writing and design contests preferred - even if I have to record a video or sing a jingle, I'll do it!)
• How to Choose the Best Savings Vehicle: http://www.financialpost.com/personal-finance/rrsp/story.html?id=2470417&p=1

A quick glance at the clock tells me that I'm cutting it close. So, with that said, I hope you're all keeping warm on this freezing Friday night (The Weather Network says it feels like -27 C out there!), and thanks for joining me on yet another day of the 2010 20K!

The Math:

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $88.04

Have a great night and join me tomorrow - I think art will be the name of the game!

Adios amigos,

--case p.

The 2010 20K: Day 28 - Lookout Weekend... Here I Come!

(download)

Voice Post!

I'm really starting to notice that I talk pretty fast and tend to lisp it up a bit when I'm just talking off the top of my head. Yow. I might need to nip that in the bud!

Things mentioned in the post:

http://www.kickstarter.com/

It'll be good to get a project up here - but it'll need to be something GOOD!

http://blogs.photopreneur.com/how-to-get-paid-for-your-flickr-photos

How to Get Paid for Your Photos:

I'm going to get reading in-DEPTH on this. Maybe tomorrow I'll discuss the methods I find, taking good shots on a small budget and how to get word out there - just gotta find the time :D

My "t" key is starting to go on the fritz. Come on, lappy - you can do better than this.

The Math:

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $88.04

Have a good night one and all :)

--case p.

The 2010 20K: Day 27 - Upside-Down... Work, You Turn Me... Inside Out...

I hope everyone's not expecting an inspiring, thought-provoking and introspective blog post today, because I promise you that you're not getting it. I made it out of the office around 8:30 after a VERY busy and intensive day!

I've been working on sketches for that shirt this week, and so far, I'm fairly happy with how they're turning out, despite the fact that I'm not sure that I'll find the time to assemble it all into the awesome image that I have in my head.

People have been asking about the microphone video I put up the other day - alright, let me clear up a few things:

• I'm not selling the mics - I own them and they're not going anywhere!
• I'm offering recording services to anyone needing them - like I said in the video, it's good for reciting lecture notes, vocals for a song or even a message you want to send to someone :) The quality will more or less be that which you've heard in my voice blog posts, so pretty clear - I've had other mics here and there, but an actual meant-for-recording mic blows them all out of the water

I've noticed that my page views have been going up like craaaazy (some days are up 300 from where they were at a couple of days ago!) I wonder what's up with that? I've been checking what site stats I can get my hands on, but nothing's adding up. Thanks for checking things out regularly, though - it's highly appreciated! (Though in the back of my mind, I'm wondering how much of it is spam, but I'll get a system figured out - you just watch!)

It's been brought to my attention the idea of writing an appeal to Google and apologizing for misuse of the system - it's true that I didn't know, but then it raises the question of whether or not Google Ads would provide a stable source of passive income for me? Anyone out there who's had some experiences with it that've worked out okay for them so far?

As I ride off into the sunset, I hope you're all doing well. One potential client sent a mockup of a logo for me to look at today, so hopefully that'll develop into something more substantial. This weekend = sketches + writing the blog URL on business cards + web design wherever I can manage to fit it in. Should be good to just sit back and get things out of the way.

Thanks for keeping the blog alive with the daily reads, the comments here and there and lots of side conversation.

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $88.04

You know, this running total is going to need some WORK. I'm going to have to hustle harder in month #2!!!

Peace out one and all,

--case p.

The 2010 20K: Day 26 - Good News and Bad News

Ugh. Just UGH.

Bad News

My Google AdSense account got disabled this morning. Before even reading the email, I had a good idea why. I need to read terms and conditions way better than I do.

Prohibited Uses. You shall not, and shall not authorize or encourage any third party to: (i) directly or indirectly generate queries, Referral Events, or impressions of or clicks on any Ad, Link, Search Result, or Referral Button

Sucks. You know, I'm not angry. It's really my own stupidity here. So that drops me a good $100 or so. *sigh*

Well, it's off to the races again, then. There IS no such thing as free money, eh =/

Good News

At least there's some good news. My boy Jon hooked me up with a $25 donation shortly after the 25th day of the 2010 20K - I appreciate it, man!

No video today since it's been a long day and I'm more or less working on sketches, but I plan to get the end product to you guys by the weekend ... obviously, since that's when the contest ends :D

So what can I do to make this a little more interactive? Expect polls, opportunities for you to have a stake in how I go about doing my crazy jobs - oh man, it'll be great. I hope you're excited, since there's good times coming :)

R.I.P. Google Ads account. It was good while it lasted.

The Math:

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $88.04
  
• Comments, as well, are also very much appreciated ;)

I'm out like a light with the switch down,

--case p.

The 2010 20K: Day 23 - Enduring the LONG weekend

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If a 14 year-old can do it, Doomz can do it too, right? I've gotta schedule an appointment with a Financial Rep. One that actually knows what they're doing - tax season is around the corner - RSPs need consolidating, TFSAs need attending to and stocks need investing. Penny stocks? I think the 2010 20K could handle that. Money often doesn't do much if it's just sitting around on its own, if I'm not mistaken.

Sarah got a survey in the mail from here:

http://www.shoppers-voice.com/

And after confirming its legitimacy, I've decided to give 'em all that personal info they so desperately want - I mean, there's the chance of getting a prize of $7,500 in the best-case scenario, and getting coupons at the worst, so it's not really all that bad, right?

So today, while not directly affecting the finances, was good for talks, brainstorming and following up with future clients. Always keeping busy! Didn't get around to dropping a line on any other bloggers - and the rest of the weekend is still looking to be filled with a ton of work, but hey. Can't win 'em all, although I try.

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $63.04
• The Google Adsense Running Total = $77.17 (Thanks so much! please keep clicking ads at http://doomsdayblaze.livejournal.com! It's thoroughly appreciated!!
• Comments, as well, are also very much appreciated ;)

And for a special treat, a sound post of Team R&C just doing what they do best.

(Going all sorts of crazy!)

Peace and thanks for reading,

--case p.

The 2010 20K: Day 23 - Enduring the LONG weekend

(download)

 

If a 14 year-old can do it, Doomz can do it too, right? I've gotta schedule an appointment with a Financial Rep. One that actually knows what they're doing - tax season is around the corner - RSPs need consolidating, TFSAs need attending to and stocks need investing. Penny stocks? I think the 2010 20K could handle that. Money often doesn't do much if it's just sitting around on its own, if I'm not mistaken.

Sarah got a survey in the mail from here:

http://www.shoppers-voice.com/

And after confirming its legitimacy, I've decided to give 'em all that personal info they so desperately want - I mean, there's the chance of getting a prize of $7,500 in the best-case scenario, and getting coupons at the worst, so it's not really all that bad, right?

So today, while not directly affecting the finances, was good for talks, brainstorming and following up with future clients. Always keeping busy! Didn't get around to dropping a line on any other bloggers - and the rest of the weekend is still looking to be filled with a ton of work, but hey. Can't win 'em all, although I try.

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $63.04
• The Google Adsense Running Total = $77.17 (Thanks so much! please keep clicking ads at http://doomsdayblaze.livejournal.com! It's thoroughly appreciated!!
• Comments, as well, are also very much appreciated ;)

And for a special treat, a sound post of Team R&C just doing what they do best.

(Going all sorts of crazy!)

Peace and thanks for reading,

--case p.

The 2010 20K: Day 22 - Prelude to a LONG weekend

Man! Anyone looking to hire an SEO expert part-time? 'Cause I'm starting to get there! Thanks to people helping me out over the last few days, I've learned about:

• Site registration
• Better use of meta tags
• Google Webmaster tools

Among other things - it's going to be easier to customize my blog (and future sites) to meet the needs and demands of my audience with all the tools I'll have at my disposal! (Cue psychotic evil laughter.)

I'm hoping you'll see them soon, but I feel that my other websites are coming together pretty well. I tend to make a lot of notes in notebooks, Google Docs, text files, etc., so now I'm just getting them all together to make sure that I'm not missing anything - content is king, right?

End of the month is creeping up on us faster than I'd like! I'm really REALLY hoping to get more work time in this weekend, but it seems to slowly be slipping out of my fingers as more things pop up. I wouldn't do so well as a hermit - I can tell.

Post-work update:

Soooo, I've just taken a bunch of work home for the weekend, which gives me an extra challenge - doing that work on top of the work I already planned to do for the 2010 20K. Hm. Looks to me like I'll be a shut-in for the most part. Hoping to hear some good news on a few different projects this weekend (commissioners, you know who you are!), so hopefully you'll see some new stuff coming in the next while!

Threw some ideas out at my friends tonight while at the Mysteriously Yours Mystery Dinner Theatre (I totally guessed whodunnit), and people seem to be keen on what's coming next. That's always encouraging :)

Right, time to pack it in - all the stuff I have piled up to do won't do itself. Unless, yanno, I win the lottery and hire someone, but we've seen how well THAT works for me :D!

Anyway, time for the figures:

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $63.04
  
• The Google Adsense Running Total = $68.05 (Thanks so much! please keep clicking ads at http://doomsdayblaze.livejournal.com! It's thoroughly appreciated!)
• There's also the option of donating to PayPal by clicking on the button on the right side of my blog!
• Comments, as well, are also very much appreciated ;)

Blog Sidebar = needs moar links! Weekend quick project, methinks!

Rest well, my readers! One day soon, I shall attempt to KNOCK thine SOCKS OFF!

Until then,

--case p.

The 2010 20K: Day 21 - SEO, FO SHO.

PART I:

The 2010 20K: Day 20 - Staking a Claim on the Internet, Day 2

"The internet is the biggest library in the world with all the books on the floor"

This Internet stuff is hard. Doing a search of "casey palmer", this blog doesn't show up until the 10th page on Google.
"casey palmer blog", still not until the second.

So, it is with a heavy heart that I've decided to delete my MySpace account of so many years. Maybe not THAT heavy. I mean, to be honest, I've barely used it in the past however many years - there was a time where it mattered, but I've long since moved on to Facebook, Twitter and other places. It won't be that big a loss. It's the first step in cleaning up a lot of the crap that seems to be associated with my name on the Internet. I know a certain someone who'll be pleased with this, by any means :P And what do I go and write when deleting an account I've had since the dawn of time?

Just don't really need MySpace anymore. I've moved on. The Internet is a big place and I rode off into the sunset some time ago. I hope Tom won't take it personally. He's a really nice guy. A bit omnipresent, but it's all good. We're forever homies.

*daps*

If you'd like to help me out with getting this blog a higher ranking on Google, I ask that you click a few links - when there, hopefully there should be options to promote and comment on the links I've suggested - I hope you take advantage of those to help get this blog a bit more prominence :)

• http://www.google.ca/search?q=2010+20k&pov=115015996403908810333&usg=___qy0JxylSsiqklhjkzj5rv5m80w=&hl=en
• http://www.google.ca/search?q=casey+palmer&pov=115015996403908810333&usg=___G9iasgKv-dxmC6OMjA_99YJW-w=&hl=en

I'm going to have to brush up on my PHP to use the Posterous API the way I want it to. S'all good - side projects keep me going :)

Hey! My blog got mentioned in the Press section of The Bitter End's website! Sweet. Totally unrelated to the 2010 20K, but I'll take whatever press I can get!

So that's about it for today, y'all - making money? It's not easy - here's some ways to help quickly if you can:

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $63.04
  
• The Google Adsense Running Total = $50.84 (Thanks so much! please keep clicking ads at http://doomsdayblaze.livejournal.com! It's thoroughly appreciated!)
• There's also the option of donating to PayPal by clicking on the button on the right side of my blog!
• Comments, as well, are also very much appreciated ;)

And that Technorati code at the bottom? Yeah, uh - just ignore it :) I need it in order to get this blog captured in their database.

Peace out, home fries!

--case p.

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Technorati Code:

D5UGE2CYRTHA

The 2010 20K: Day 19 - Staking a Claim on the Internet

Still brokering deals with a few people to get some side work done - I'd like to thank everyone who's come forth with ideas on what can be done to help raise cash over the course of the 2010 20K - one thing I also need to work on, however, is exposure. I went and signed up on Technorati so I could claim my blog, I'm making sure to try and get maximum exposure when I post the blog entries up - oh man, I am PUMPED.

I know, as well, that I'm far from the first person to try and make money on the side, and far from the first person to document the efforts. A couple of blogs that were brought to my attention, for example, are the following:

This first one is one I suspect as being a little spammy. I think the person who found it got it from one of those ads about making extra income on the side or teeth whitening or whatever. Not much substance to it, but it does touch on some of the ideas I first had when putting the 2010 20K together:

http://withmykids.blogspot.com/

This next one was suggested by a coworker and is a little more robust. Dumb Little Man is a blog all about improving one's life, and this particular entry waxes upon five ideas for making money using the Internet - I wouldn't be surprised if these ideas find their way in this blog somewhere in the coming months:

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2010/01/five-ways-to-get-started-making-money.html

I wanted to post my blog as a comment to this site, but I went about it too late in the day. Pretty interesting though, how people are seeking to fund those who're wont to do "unconventional labour". It's people like Dave Meslin who keep society's creative side from growing sterile. Kudos, sir - kudos.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/752509--porter-this-man-has-ideas-lets-put-them-to-work

Posterous doesn't allow for Google Ads yet, though "they're working on it". So for now, it looks like I'll have to keep the ads on LiveJournal until I figure out better alternatives. I've also started adding ads to the feeds, to those of you on RSS - please feel free to click on a couple at the bottom of the longer posts!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY: The 2010 20K Running Total has finally risen! That's right - in order to facilitate the transfer between my Google Ads account and my actual bank account, Google needed to have me confirm an amount that would be deposited into my account. Now, I'm used to the 2 or 3 cents you get from your first PayPal signup, but 84?! Man. They must make a ton of money off of this service.

With that said, I'm wrapping up the night with some emailing and a little more site building before bed. A new doomsdayblaze.com up by the weekend? No promises, but I sure HOPE SO. Hm, I think the blog's sidebar needs more links. That's on the to-do list for tomorrow.

The Figures:

• The 2010 20K Running Total = $63.04
  
• The Google Adsense Running Total = $45.29 (Humourously enough, this is also the last four digits of a phone number I once had :) Thanks so much! please keep clicking ads at http://doomsdayblaze.livejournal.com! It's thoroughly appreciated! I'm also noticing that this amount tends to fluctuate - I need to figure out how to optimize it!)
• There's also the option of donating to PayPal by clicking on the button on the right side of my blog!
• Comments, as well, are also very much appreciated ;)

I'm outtie like a light.

Thanks for reading!

--case p.