Update

I am not looking anywhere near on target for getting all my content from 'Livewyre.NET' transferred to a Wordpress platform. The end of November deadline is looming, and I am no further forward than I was a month ago.
However another WP project I had using a 'co.cc' domain has collapsed because the domain has been withdrawn - it was a free domain, and it is no surprise that it has diasppeared to be honest. I had tried to revive it using a '.tk' domain, but whilst editing the domain settings, the whole WP database threw a wobbly and I can't log in at all now...!
It's not exactly a huge problem as it was an experiment that is not really vital - lesson learned though, first lesson on free domains, second one on making too many changes to a WP site in one go...
The 'End of November' deadline was a self-imposed one, so I can just put it back, life in general gets very busy around this time of year and I have another hefty batch of cassettes that I am turning into CD's for a client, so that comes first.... Work is still very very busy ('normal' 9-5 work that is), so all things considered, it is better that I look after 'real' work before progressing with the online stuff.
I still hope to find time to develop the WP site, but will have to set a new dealine...

Fender Pawn Shop

I have been interested in music and hung around with musicians for a long time, but it wasn't until I saw the fender pawn shop mustang from guitar center that I was even aware that Fender had a 'pawn shop' series. It's a brilliant concept summed up by the description 'Guitars that should have been, but never were' a range of guitars made up of a variety of Fender parts which were not originally meant to be put together. Some are even deliberately built to look like modified 'left-hand' guitars. I have to say,  I really love this concept, and admire Fender for their 'off the wall' thinking.

Shanghai Translation Services

The economic world grows smaller by the day, and at a time when China is becoming more of a major player. China has, up to now, had a fairly insular economy plenty of exports, but little in the way of imports - this is a trend that is destined to change, and has already done so in many sectors.
I am sure that many UK, US and other Western companies can see the value of translation services in Shanghai in order to make sure their products are properly promoted above their competitors.
Already, car companies such as BMW and Jaguar/Land-Rover are finding increased demand for their products, so much so that TATA, the Indian owners of Land-Rove/Jaguar are planning to build new factories in China solely to meet local demand for their luxury products.

Particularly since the Olympic Games were held in China four years ago, we have seen a new market opening up and becoming more accesible to Western products and commerce. Dealing with this emerging 'new' China will mean that is will be necesarry for a new understanding of language and culture to be absorbed by those wishing to enter trade agreements.

Companies that can build bridges between the two cultures in terms of translation and mediation services will become more prominent as relationships are forged over the coming years

Phishing emails

Unsurprisingly, the more online activity you get involved in, the more your email address gets abused by fake emails. Personally I can receive up to four or five a day - at work we get dozens every day. Some are relatively easy to spot, for instance the 'legacy' scam where you are told a previously unknown relative has left you money in a will - or the 'cash movement' scam where you are invited by the relative of a deposed dictator to help move millions of dollars with the promise of a cut... These are designed ultimately to get you to pay a charge for the transaction which will never actually happen... Frankly if you fall for these, you shouldn't be allowed to have a bank account in the first place.
More worrying is the scam mails supposedly from your bank or from Paypal etc.. Some banks may actually use email communications, I know mine does, so people can be drawn in - the things to look out for here are:

• Are they using an email address that you have given to your bank? 
• Do they use your name in the email? 
• Is there a link in the email asking you to 'log-on' to change your settings or contact the bank? 

Use these questions to test the validity, and email that starts, Dear (blank) or Dear User/Dear Customer... can be ignored, if they don't know your name they are NOT your bank. Naturally many of us have multiple email addresses, is the email address used the one you gave to your bank or to Paypal? if not, you can ignore/delete it.
Pretty much all of these scams will use a link to get you to click on something that is designed to get information for you - NEVER click on a link in this type of email. If you think you should log-on to your bank website, by all means do (via your normal link in your 'favourites'/'bookmarks', or by typing the URL directly into your browser), but NOT via the link given in the email - whatever it looks like, it is certainly not directing you to your bank.
If you are still uncertain, before taking any action, simply forward the email to Paypal or your bank using an email address provided by the bank - they will be able to tell you if it can be ignored. You can use 'spoof@' for suspected bogus Payal emails, each bank may have it's own reporting procedures.
Don't be caught out, treat every unsolicited email as potential spam, and a few you were expecting may catch you out. I have seen loads supposedly from credible courier companies asking for payments before deliveries are made - again, treat these with the utmost caution, even if you are expecting a courier delivery.

Aluminum Bleachers

Somewhere for your spectators to sit or stand makes a nice addition to any sports field, but it's not often that you see aluminum bleachers for sale in your local hardware store! Check out the deals on line for your local sports field whatever the sport. Available as simple benches, full blown 15-row elevated stands, these aluminum bleachers are practical, safe and good value.

Improve the view of your spectators by giving them pride of place on your sports field.

Tourmaster Transition 3 Jacket

Here is maybe the perfect present for the biker in your life - available in both women's and men's sizes, the Tourmaster Transition 3 Jacket makes a great statement especially if you both have wheeled steeds and can go out together as a matched pair...

This top-line motorcycle jacket comes in five different colors and frankly looks great in all of them - this one matches my new blog color-scheme...

You can't skimp when it comes to safety, but this bit of kit not only ticks all the boxes, but comes at the right price too - consider one of these for keeping your loved ones safe and looking dapper at the same time this Christmas.

November Update

To be honest, it feels like December already, I'm already making plans for Christmas - have got my daughter's present and the diary is filling up with Christmas commitments...
I usually take a few days off to help out with some school Christmas events, so I need to get that sorted soon, we are also intending to travel to my home town for Christmas, so there is a hotel room that needs booking for Christmas Night (maybe boxing day if I can persuade my wife..)

My 'day job' is still hectic at the moment, so very little opportunity to get much done with websites and blogs and the like. For some reason, I have found myself drifting back towards 'MyLot' recently. It's like a question and answer forum where you can earn a few cents each time you participate. It takes a while to reach the $10 payout, but you can make freinds (and enemies!) doing so...

I am still finding blogging opportunities, and converting cassettes into CD's so will have some extra money for Christmas if I keep working at it... I have always been a great advocate of the idea that 'saving' money is every bit as good as 'making' money, and I have just clinched a great deal for a bike for my daughter from eBay. I was thinking of spending about £120 on a bike, but found a used one better than I could have afforded (if it were new)  for just £30 on eBay from a local seller. The bike is in really great condition too, and has even been recently serviced.

So the preparations for Christmas are coming together, it'll all be over in a few weeks!

where to buy indoor fountains

Now I'll be honest, I didn't think there was room in my humble dwelling for an indoor fountain, however I do know where to buy indoor fountains because I found this one... and discovered that even the most compact of homes can have a fountain and bring tranquility and a peaceful ambiance to even a modestly-sized room.

The perfect gift for someone who loves the outdoors, and needs a little of the outdoors bringing into their home, these indoor fountains come in all shapes and sizes to suit everyone. Ranging from tabletop affairs like this one, up to full floor to ceiling sheets of cascading water, these indoor water features can be subtle shades of Feng Shui or just full-blown bling!

How you are helping Facebook scammers

'How many faces can you see?'

'Like if you see the monkey'

'Type 'jump' and see what happens'

Hands up if you have seen these updates pop up on Facebook and wondered what their game was? Well, I'll tell you.... selling Facebook pages at $200 a pop is what it's all about - if you can come up with one of these a day, you could clear $1000 for a five-day week.

Let's face it, if you think about it, typing 'jump' in a comment is not going to do anything on a Facebook page - if you read the comments, half of the them are from disgruntled people complaining that it didn't work, I have news for you - it works perfectly.

It works perfectly if it is your task to build up likes and comments on a Facebook page, these are Facebook 'currency' making page updates appear higher in news feeds. When the page gets tens of thousands of 'likes' and comments over a few short days, the details of the page are changed and someone buys a ready-made highly-ranking fanpage. By clicking these links, liking and commenting, you spread the net around your friends aiding and abetting cyber-criminals in their quest for easy money.

The worst of it is that, while some of the pictures are funny, such as the bear creeping up on the man.. others are emotive pictures and statuses such as 'like if you want to fight cancer' or a picture of a disabled child, a disfigured person, an injured animal - imploring you to click, comment and 'like', exploiting the picture, and exploiting you the Facebook user.

OK no-one gets hurt, but if you are one of those that complains about unwanted news feeds and invasive Facebook activity, just make sure you are not falling for this scam. If we stop clicking, it stops happening, as simple as that!

Linking in with Twitter

I have started my quest in earnest to properly link in with Twitter, embracing the social phenomenon that many of us just don't 'get'...
My first step was to dust off my old (largely unused) Twitter account and give it an overhaul in the form of a new background in keeping with my new colour schemes, and a new description in my profile. I have linked the account in with a Facebook account and am in the process of signing up to various Twitter directories.
My aim is to twitter a link to a well-written article and see what response is forth-coming. The article will be about something I have noticed about Facebook - that should at least be a subject close to the heart of the twittersphere. I haven't actually decided where to place the article yet, but it will probably be either on this blog or possibly as a Facebook status update - maybe both??
I have about 14 directories to sign up to and am currently about half-way through. I am not sure that I can make a big enough impact straight 'out of the blocks' so to speak, but I have seen great results with other sharing services such diggit etc.. so maybe if I get it right, the traffic will follow.
I am also halfway through an overhaul of Livewyre.NET (all part of the plan) - I have brought about half the content over to a Wordpress platform, and will be looking to have this completed by the end of the month - not only getting all the content across, but re-writing 'tired' articles to make them more punchy and relevant. I only wish I had more time to devote to this - it would be nice to think that I can just sit back when it's all done and watch the traffic build up - but experience tells me that it is not usually THAT easy!