How to Spot a Cockroach Disguised as a Web Designer
February 3, 2010
Today, I have a guest post up at Sirius Graphix. I’m a little late in linking up- blame it on all the roach spray floating around. 
Streamlining Social Media: facebook Connect
January 15, 2010
I admit it, I have a love hate relationship with social media.
I know all the experts say it’s important, but I also know it can be a real time sucker. One of my goals for this year is to streamline my social media time.
Social Media Goals
Does this mean I’ll still goof off on facebook sometimes?- you bet. Will I still click that irrelevant yet funny link on Twitter?- of course. I don’t want to suck the life out of my work after all. Even people with office jobs chat with co-workers or eat doughnuts in the break room from time to time.
So, inspired by my social media goals, I found a post by Jay Baer to be most interesting and helpful. It’s titled 11 Mind-Blowing reasons Your Business Needs Facebook (link below). And from a practical standpoint, this post is very insightful.
Disqus and facebook Connect
I recently tried out a new Disqus plugin for comments on Blue Duck- partially because I wanted something better than the standard WP version, and partly because it came up in my research about facebook Connect. Disqus gives readers the option of signing in using a facebook account. It also makes it easy for readers to invite facebook friends to view a post or update a facebook status with a link to the website and the post they are reading. I’m liking the Disqus plugin very much, and I am also liking what I am reading about facebook Connect.
Jay lists facebook Connect as one of the biggest potentials to come from the facebook craze, and I tend to agree. I was also intrigued to read the statistics he gives about facebook usage and growth trends. I also noticed that I spend WAY more time on facebook each day than the average user. Time to curb those status checking impulses a little better. Thanks, Jay, for calling it to my attention.
11 Mind-Blowing reasons Your Business Needs Facebook (Jay has a very neat website, too. Check it out! 
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SEO and Writing News Worth Reading
January 13, 2010
Looking for something worthwhile to read on the Net? Aren’t we all. I found a few little gems tucked away in the folds of the Internet this week and thought I would pass them along.
- Ten Search Engines Powered by Twitter from Search Engine Guide, shows that even your Tweets matter to SEO.
- 80 Ways to Use twitter as a Small Business Owner by Lisa Barone has some good tips for getting the most out of your TwitterTime.
- Dragon Slaying 101: How to Use Heroic Language to Battle Boring Copy by Ali Hale made me smile and made a good point, even the most boring drivel can be perked up by a little creative copy.
- In Creative Block #1: I’m Not Creative , Mark McGuinness tells us, ” Forget about ‘Being Creative’- Start Creating“
- Find something to blog about with 100+ SMB Blogging Ideas to Kick Start 2010 by Lisa Barone
- The Launch Coach tells us to stop fussing and start doing business in The Big Secret to Success? Run with What You Have.
- “You can write blog posts from now until doomsday, and if no one reads them, you might as well be picking your nose.” from Jonathan Morrow at Copybloggger.
and… last but not least, I found a nice little video from Chris Lumpkin about landing pages:
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, yes, I do write landing page content. 
Sirius Writing Tips
January 6, 2010
Well, I haven’t been blogging much lately, in fact, the blog is collecting a few spider webs! I have been busy. My clients are happy, my family is happy, but all these post ideas just keep rattling around, asking to escape!
To alleviate the pressure, I have a guest post up today at SiriusGraphix. If you have a minute, stop by and say hi and show some blogging love to the new kids on the block. I’ll be hanging out there all day. I’ll bring the coffee, you bring a smile.
(FYI: I’ll be blogging in the new future about a new endeavor for Blue Duck Copy. Keep an eye open!)
6 Reasons Swine Flu is Not a Big Deal
May 4, 2009
We spent the day at Columbus Children’s Hospital today. No, no one in my family is suspected of having the swine flu. It was a regular follow-up appointment scheduled six months ago, before the swine flu panic. After spending the day with swine flu obsessed individuals, I came home to find an email from Guy Kawasaki, co-founder of Alltop, urging bloggers to write about the swine flu to help reduce pandemic panic.
So, this is my contribution, Guy.
Please keep in mind that I am a Registered Nurse, with 13 years of experience in various areas of healthcare. I’m not just spouting off regurgitated news feeds and blowing hot air in your direction.
6 Reasons Swine Flu is Not a Big Deal
The CDC posts an annual report disclosing the leading causes of death sorted by age range. Can you guess what the most common cause of death for all age ranges was last year?
Year after year, unintentional injuries top the list.
You are more likely to die in a car crash than from the flu. In fact, the flu ranks eighth in the list of leading causes of death last year. And that was the REGULAR flu, not the swine flu. There are at least six other things to fear more than influenza A and B.
- Unintentional Injuries (such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, accidental poisoning)
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Homicide
- Suicide
- Birth Defects
- REGULAR Flu
http://webappa.cdc.gov/cgi-bin/broker.exe
The regular old run-of-the-mill flu that many of us get every year is more dangerous than the swine to date.
In 2006, influenza types A and B were listed as the sixth leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, and the seventh leading cause of death in adults over 65. Like most other commonly contracted communicable diseases (other than STDs) the very young and the very old are affected the most. The rest of the population goes on with life mostly unaffected by contracting the flu. The swine flu is no different. (For more information about last year’s flu outbreak check out the CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/season.htm)
Dreaded Swine Flu Statistics
So far, there has been one death in the Untied States due to the H1N1 virus. ONE!
286 people have been diagnosed with Swine Flu as of today, May 4, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ That means 285 other people have recovered or are in the process of recovering from a miserable week of feeling crappy. They aren’t scarred for life from contracting the swine flu, they aren’t shunned from public places for life, and they don’t have to wear sweaters with a giant “PF” for pig flu around.
What to Do to Prevent the Flu
Wash your hands. This simple act can decrease your chances of getting all kinds of nasty bugs by as much as 90%. You don’t have to use antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer; just normal everyday suds and plenty of running water for 60-90 seconds is adequate. Sing Happy Birthday to yourself while you wash if you like. Just remember to clean your thumbs, wrists, and under your fingernails. Germs like to hang out in these places.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. When you’re out in public and can’t get to a bathroom to wash, just keep your hands in your pockets or avoid touching your face. Germs have to find a way into your body in order to make you sick. Don’t help them out.
Stay out of elevators and confined spaces. If you are in close proximity to someone with the flu, they are most likely going to cough and sneeze. You can get sick from breathing in infected droplets of moisture that float in the air. Staying in a larger, well-ventilated area or even outdoors decreases your chances of infection by airborne particles.
If you have a compromised immune system (e.g. you have HIV, are taking immunosuppressant medications, or are already sick) stay home. Keep newborns at home as much as possible. If you must go out often, consider contacting your physician about getting vaccinated. He or she will be able to give you specific instructions on how to stay well in public.
What to Do if You Get Sick
DON’T PANIC! Most cases of swine flu and even regular influenza never require medical treatment.
Rest often, drink plenty of liquids, and take Advil or Tylenol for the discomfort. Put your tissues directly in the trash. Wash your hands often and open a window for some fresh air from time to time.
Monitor your temperature and call your healthcare hotline or your physician with any unusual symptoms or if you are not improving after 7 days. Antiviral drugs are available to shorten the life of the flu, but are not necessary for most people.
When to Panic
The CDC recommends seeking Emergency medical attention for the following symptoms (which apply to nearly any illness, not just the flu):
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
You can learn more about treating influenza from the CDC’s website. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.
The swine flu sounds scary; I’ll admit it. I don’t want to catch anything that came from a sick pig. I live on a farm. Pigs are gross animals. But swine flu is no more of a concern than the regular flu that plagues us all year after year.
Get the facts, wash your hands, and relax.
Life’s too short to spend your days worrying about the pig flu.
Why Your Local American Church Pew is the New Missionary Field
May 3, 2009
Most Americans today create their own brand of religion. They call it Christianity. It combines a little Dr. Phil, some feel-good sayings from Joel Osteen, a dash of positive thinking/law of attraction, and a ‘God Loves You’ bumper sticker and Fish emblem on the rear of the minivan. The whole dance is set to the tune of God Bless America and I’m Proud to be an American.
These American Christians attend church on Easter and Christmas to take communion, and they volunteer to walk for Relay for Life when asked. Some may even sit in a pew every Sunday and sing in the choir. An ambitious few may help feed the poor and go on missions trips to Africa and China.
American Christians grew up singing Jesus Loves Me, and playing with felt board Moses and Nativity sets. They pray at sporting events and before meals. They were baptized as children and walked the isle to join the church when they were old enough to read and write and follow the rules of the church constitution. They were married in white dresses before an ordained pastor or priest, and they put crosses on the graves of their loved ones.
Religion in Today’s America
We’ve come a long way from the days of Mayberry, R.F.D. Families no longer live behind white picket fences and drive American cars. It’s not cool to speak out against homosexuality In fact, it’s not even cool to say “homosexuality”. The correct terms are “gay men and lesbians”.
Tolerance is a way of life. After all, it’s your body and your life and you have the right to pursue your own personal brand of happiness. But we still believe in Christianity. Just make sure you remember to wear clean underwear when you leave the house, tell your mama you love her, and pray when you get in trouble.
It’s the American Christian way of life.
Seeking Truth
But what does the Bible say about Christianity? Jesus said:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’~ Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus didn’t say some, He said many. Many Christians will be deceived about their salvation.
Christianity= Following Christ
What Christianity is Not
It’s not about going to church.
It’s not about religion.
It’s not about being a good person.
It’s not about how many prayers you say.
It’s not about the music.
It’s not about the way you dress for church.
It’s not about how many Scriptures you can quote.
It’s not even about love (love is not enough to be a Christian).
What Christianity is About
It’s about a personal dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about believing in Him, trusting Him, and submitting your life to Him. And for most of us, that’s not an easy order to fill.
Walking the isle, making a profession of faith, and being a good person is not enough to make you a Christian. There is no such thing as “Fire Insurance” for your soul. It’s all about Jesus Christ.
Judas knew Jesus, he did good works in the name of Jesus Christ, yet he still wasn’t saved. He looked good to everyone around him, but he still missed Jesus as the central element of true religion.
Pastor Perry Noble asks the question: You go to church. Are you still missing Jesus?
Do you really know Jesus? What about that person sitting next to you on Sunday morning? Do they need a personal introduction to Jesus Christ instead of American Christianity?
Are we living in an age of Christless Christianity?
The deception runs deep in our churches. Your local church pew is the new missionary field. Are you willing to introduce your family and friends to Real Christianity?
Show them a better way of life. Show them Jesus.
