Forget about it!

Did you want to read a good book? Maybe buy one--one that was affordable and self-published?

Too bad.

Read this:
http://www.fonerbooks.com/2008/03/new-amazon-mandate-say-it-aint-so-jeff.html

Problem is that self-published books, (aka vanity publishing) are actually out-performing traditionally published ones. Well-written e-books and POD books are available for everyone...well they used to be.

Read this:
http://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/004597_03272008.html

Happily ever after: the BUY button on Amazon.com will work for all the books YOU want to read.

Let it snow?

The snowiest place in the US is a record still up for grabs. The National Weather Service uses averages to declare one city or area as having the most snowfall.
And the measurements have to be documented by an observing station. It's possible there's a an unmeasured "winner" in the Rockies.

To-date, however, the snowiest place in the U.S. is Valdez, Alaska with an average snowfall accumulation of 326 inches or 27.2 feet!
Next is Blue Canyon, California with 240" per year. Then Marquette, Michigan--141" with rival city Sault Ste. Maire coming in at 117".

Syracuse, New York rounds off the top 5 snowiest places in the U.S. with a very close 116" of annual snowfall.

Source: The National Climatic Data Center

Correction...

The 2007-08 New England Patriots did not have a perfect season...
it now stands at 18-1, thanks to the New York Giants.

Superbowl XLII was considered one of the biggest upsets in football history.

Super Bowl Craziness

Some odd facts about football and the Big Game:

The Dallas Cowboys have gone to the Super Bowl more times than any other team--8
(and the winning-est--they won 5 of those contests.)

The Denver Broncos are the losing-est team, going to the Super Bowl 6 times but only winning twice.

Three teams in the history of American football have had perfect seasons (no losses, no ties):
1948 Cleveland Browns 14-0
1974 Miami Dolphins 16-0
2007 New England Patriots 19-0

The Chicago Bears are one of the 2 orginal teams to remain in the NFL. All the rest are new or revised franchises.

Source: NFL.com

New Year's Resolutions

While no one knows for sure, the tradition of making resolutions on the first day of the new year may have stemmed from the prayers that were said on the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary (a.k.a. circumcision of Jesus)--celebrated on January 1.

According to the U.S. Government, top 10 resolutions include: losing weight, reducing stress at work and at home, getting a new job, saving money, reducing debt, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake (a result of hangovers?) and taking a trip.

According to goal experts in order to be successful, a resolution-maker must do 2 things: First, be specific, second be realsitic. Best to say losing 30lbs by June for daughter's wedding, rather than just "losing weight this year."

Sources: U.S. Gov't, Making Goals 101

The Last Blog of the "Year"

In honor of the New Year -- 2008, here are some facts about Leap Years:

Technically, non-leap years are not true years--they are 8 hours short.

After 4 non years, the calendar adds a full day to make one bonus or leap year of 366days

The year is not measured in chronological time, but in distance, the distance it takes to revolve around the sun is aproximately 364 days and 8 hours.

Golden Leapers are those born on February 29 who celebrate their 29th birthday (although they are 116 years old).

--Source: LeapZine

I'm It... A Blog Meme

Thanks to Hal Manogue, I've been tagged. Here are the "IT" questions:

1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING?
Since Jan 2007. So not long at all.

2. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START A BLOG AND WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS?
The Writers Group as well as other professionals in the writing community.

3. ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE, OR JUST DOING IT FOR FUN?
Has to fun, because the money is in someone else's bank.

4. WHAT 3 THINGS DO YOU STRUGGLE WITH ONLINE?
Developing a larger community of friends (the nice people are cyber-shy)
Keeping up with the latest technology
Fighting pop-ups, downloads, and sifting through the eJunk!

5. WHAT 3 THINGS DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING ONLINE?
Meeting new people.
The speed with which news and information comes at you.
Learning...it never ends.