Recently sent to me by our good friend, and my father’s best friend, I hope you enjoy these two selections. Sometimes your strategy for living just means taking a break and appreciating life

14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands.

http://www.wherethehellismatt.com

Matt was sponsored by http://www.stridegum.com

Don’t Leave You’re Not Done Yet (more…)

I don’t know about you, but one thing I’ve noticed recently is the large volume of videos out there that “make” you listen to them. Well, okay, no one can make you listen, so what I really mean is the video that starts up and has no controls.

Internet marketers think it clever that the rest of us are subject to their breathy reports on “how to make money” or “how to get unlimited traffic” or “how to… whatever” yet are rude enough to exclude those precious control buttons like “STOP,” “PAUSE,” and “FAST FORWARD.”

I’ve got one running right now, sans headphones. What really adds insult to injury (in my mind) is that they just read what comes up on the screen TO you.

Let’s face it, if mastering the English language and accompanying reading skills is beyond you (and I acknowledge that there are people who have a tough time with it), then having someone read the script is handy.

However, for the rest of us, please give us back the control to do something other than just close the window. I might need to head to the loo or answer a phone call or go to the store. If any of these happen, you can bet your booties I am not re-starting that video from scratch.

Put the controls back on guys – I’d hazard the guess that you are not creating a “waiting with baited breath audience,” but a bunch of individuals that have a life and need to get on with the basic strategies of living. Individuals, like me, irritated that we cannot even pause your marvelous video.

Okay, it’s not as if the internet isn’t flooded with social communities. In fact, they are coming out our ears. I know it, and you know it. Trying to stay in touch with all of them is – well let’s just say it – a nightmare.

That’s why I almost passed on the latest invitation I received, but something caught my eye.

Does the word “money” mean anything to you?

EchoLoops has an interesting premise. The email I received stated the fact that Facebook and their like are making millions, and that means we are the ones making them so popular. EchoLoops, with its growing traffic numbers, is willing to advance your rankings in the search engines (by being a part of the social circle, these things get indexed fairly easily and you can be there, too). They also mention “rebate checks” for shopping, along with combining the power of Facebook, YouTube, games, shopping, etc.

Now, I haven’t a clue where this will go since I do not (unfortunately) possess a crystal ball. I have filled out my profile in much greater detail then several other spots I thought I would haunt. I’m working on the angle that the more you say, the better things go. We shall see. In the meantime…

Signing up is free. And if you’re just a tad tired of any particular circle that’s been running you around in circles, EchoLoops just may be your answer.

Enjoy!

I received this from my father (don’t know who sent it to him), and I almost didn’t listen. However, curiosity getting the better of me I clicked the link in his email (whereas I’ve just posted the video below to make it easy for you).

Here’s the email that came with the link:

A palindrome reads the same backwards as forward. This video reads the exact opposite backwards as forward. Not only does it read the opposite, the meaning is the exact opposite.

This is only a 1 minute, 44 second video and it is brilliant. Make sure you read as well as listen…forward and backward.

This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20-year old. The contest was titled “u @ 50″ by AARP. This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant. Take a minute and watch it.

(If you have a good monitor and a great graphics card you’ll be able to read along. However, even if you cannot see the words, listen with your soul wide open.)