Chuck Smith’s home on the web.
I just found this video of a new touchscreen interface. Without a doubt, this is the coolest thing I have seen in quite some time. Check out the video at the Fast Company web site by clicking on this link.
This is where human/computer interaction is going, and I for one am ready for it.
I’ve become interested in using blogs to run my internet business web sites. So, over the next few weeks, I’ll be doing some research, and will report on the best I’ve found.
If you’re looking for ideas for websites, then you should check out www.SitesForBusiness.com. Noel Byrne has some great free information, and also some additional membership levels that provide even more. If you want to keep up to date with the latest on niche marketing, check out Noel’s site.
Trying Out Some New Things and the Pats
I’ve just started playing around with a new tool called SmartOPTINPages from Stephen Pierce. It allows you to create some great, optimized pages to get people on to your email list. Here’s an example of one of the
Quilting Business opt-in pages in action.
Seems to be pretty cool, and I’m excited to test the results. I’ll let you know how it goes.
On a more personal note, how about them Patriots? What a gutsy win last week in Pittsburgh. But, my heart was almost broken when Rodney Harrison went down. Looks like he’s out for the year, and may be done for his career. That would be a real shame because the Pats really needed him for his energy and leadership this year. But… you can count on him being there - with Tedy Bruschi and Matt Light - cheering on the team and providing guidance for the younger guys. And Brady and Belichick will help keep the team focused. The Pats thrive on adversity (although I’m sure they wish they had the fallen teammates back), so I think we’ll be OK.
Happy Fall,
Chuck
After my vacation in Florida, I had put on at least 8 or 10 pounds on my already large frame. I was feeling like a bloated tick, and was thoroughly disgusted with myself. So, I decided to start the process of getting back in shape.I’ve been working out on my Bowflex and jogging the past two weeks, and quite frankly, I’m a little disappointed with the results. I do feel a lot better, and my clothes aren’t quite so snug, but the amount of weight I’ve lost is insignificant (I’m not quite down to what I was before my vacation - which was already way too much). I think my age is finally starting to catch up with me as far as metabolism is concerned.
Or maybe it’s all the time I sit in front of my computer screen working on new sites. The latest is a site about tenant screening and background checks called www.APMTenantScreening.com. In addition, I just finished a site about computer memory and camera memory called www.DBMemory.com. It’s been a long, strange road that has me cranking out so many sites.
But, back to the weight thing. I’m about the biggest I’ve ever been in my life, and I’m really going to have to watch it because it is so hard to lose weight now. 10 years ago, I would drop 10 pounds in a week with the amount of excercise I’m doing right now. But, I guess times, and bodies, change. I’m going to have to really watch what I eat and expect a slower weight loss pace than when I was younger.
That sucks!
I’ll keep you posted on the weight loss as I move forward. I’ll start trying to post some milestones as I venture into new realms of fitness and exercise, trying to get back to a reasonable weight.
Have a good one,
Chuck
I went to a film expo at Northeastern University the other day to check out the break-out sessions and to meet up with Kevin Anderton of Midnight Chimes Productions. Andy Grant (of AFGrant.com) and I had a great meeting with Kevin, and we’re looking forward to working with him in the near future. We should be able to make some funny short films, and it seems like he’s got the right sensibility for our sense of humor (or is it senses of humors).
I’ve also been wrapping up a long visit from my parents. They were in town for my nephew Geran’s graduation, and stayed to enjoy our company (right, really the kids and Michele), and also to set my Dad up to do some work with me. I don’t think I’ll be winning any training awards in the near future, but we got our first site up - Drive Copier. It’s a site dedicated to copiers and office equipment.
It’s been hazy, hot, and humid - the typical New England summer - over the past week, which is big change over the crappy weather we’ve been having. Luckily, the pool is open and we’ve been enjoying the cool water. The kids love it, and it cools off my largely bloated body.
Have a great weekend!
Chuck
Well, Troy Brown is back in Patriot’s uniform, and I for one am a happy man. Troy Brown has been a favorite ever since he cracked the opening line-up, and he personifies the kind of player that seems to make up the Patriot’s roster, and fills the rest of the organization - from the coaching staff to the ownership. Now, if we can just get Tedy Bruschi healthy and roaming the field like a human heat-seeking missile. Both of these players (and many more - Willie McGinest, Rodney Harrison, Richard Seymour, Tom Brady, and on-and-on) are part of what makes the National Football League the best-run professional sports organization on the planet.
This weekend, we had Memorial Day here in the States, and both of the kids (and I) walked in the Memorial Day Parade here in town. Marissa was part of the marching band (she’s tried out for and made the flag patrol) and Carson marched with his Little League baseball team. As one of the coaches, I was also lucky enough to march as well. The parade ended up near the Town Hall, and there was a short, very touching Memorial Day ceremony outside at the Community Church. A number of veterans were in attendance, and the marching band played “God Bless America” and “Taps”, and one of my nephew’s friends sang a lovely rendition of the National Anthem.
Plus, I was lucky enough to have my parent’s in town. My Dad is a veteran of the Viet Nam War, and it made me proud to have him as a father and as a grandfather to my kids. I don’t usually like to get mushy, but I was touched by the simple ceremony and the number of people who stayed after the parade to attend.
In other news, I’m still cranking on new sites. I’ve almost finished up a new site called Yo! Cell Phone which will have cell phone, mobile phone, and cell phone service information and resources. I’m using a pretty cool little web site application called xSite Pro that makes developing a full-featured web site pretty easy. I’ll do a little review about that application soon, and let you know where you can purchase if you’re looking for something to help your web site building efforts.
Hope everyone had a great weekend, and I’ll talk to you later,
Chuck
I’m pretty psyched - I’m going to be going to the Green Day concert at Gillette Stadium on September 3rd with a good group of people. I’ve been listening to their latest album, American Idiot, non-stop for the past month. It’s a kind of punk opera, and a great themed album. I suggest you go pick it up if you like good, loud rock-and-roll.
I’ve also been working on some new sites (again - can you believe it?). One of my latest is a plaque and award site called MVP Plaque. It’s still in the early stages - I need to add a lot more “meat” to the site, but it’s kind of cool.
Tonight, I’ve got the kids and we’re going to the local carnival. You know, small hands. Smell like cabbage. This same carnival comes to town twice a year, every year. I’m pretty sure it’s the same one that came to town back in the 70s when I was a kid. I’ve always loved the carnival - the sites, the smells, the bad teeth - but as a parent, I worry like hell about the safety of the rides. At least this carnival company seems to be doing something right or they wouldn’t be coming back every year. At least that’s my theory and I’m sticking with it.
Anyways, I hope all is well with everyone, and I’m looking forward to summer vacation in Florida soon. I’ll keep you posted on the plans, and will post vacation pictures afterwards.
Later,
Chuck
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