The Serendipitous Thread

1. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

   Tax paperwork rant:
   
   "Still at it."
   
   Rant concluded.

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   1. 91

      Rochelle Frankposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Can't give yourself permission to quit on that one.

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      1. 59

         paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Actually I have already done so at least a dozen times.  That really is the secret. Instead of being an impossible project, it is instead just a series of irritating tasks that eventually and inevitably end up being a project successfully completed.

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2. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

   Around 4:40 am for me. Another day begins.
   
   Wrapped up the taxes yesterday. Another monster paperwork project begins today. Plus, yesterday I discovered that Google has been messing up the indexing of my website; got to get that fixed somehow.
   Writing? Who has time for writing? I miss writing.

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   1. 84

      k@riposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Great job wrapping up those taxes!  I hope you find more time soon.  Did you look under the rock? 

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      1. 59

         paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Speaking of looking under rocks, Google takes absolutely forever to update their blasted index. Turning into a real pain in the neck. Other than that, having a good day and getting things done.

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3. 59

   Childrens Tv Funposted 6 years ago

   Awesome

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4. 0

   threekeysposted 6 years ago

   Mizbejabbers I would be keen to hear your description of a bad writer?

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   1. 91

      Rochelle Frankposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I am sure there are many variations of bad writing. Often they involve  style, form, usage and composition. They might include overwriting, lack of clarity, misuse of words and grammatical errors.Mizbejabbers may have a different or longer list.

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      1. 86

         DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         "Yes, well, like, really, it is HUGE when you see it, and you can be sure we will look at it, and then, well, we just will.  I mean, like, to the max, man, groovy and all. Besides, no one ever said it wasn't and that you can take to the bank and bob's your uncle."
         
         ....That would be one example of bad writing (and speaking!)

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         1. 80

            snakeslaneposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Groovy man, you can say that again. Ain't it the truth.

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5. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

   Hark! I forgot it was HP pay day! Yee-haw and happy hot dog!

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   1. 86

      DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years agoin reply to this

        Woo-Hoo!

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   2. 80

      snakeslaneposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Nice. Congratulations Para.

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6. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

   Pro or con, don't forget 9:00 pm EST tonight. The American adventure continues.

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7. 92

   FatFreddysCatposted 6 years ago

   A scary looking death metal band just sent me a link to check out their new album and review it on my page.
   My jokes about "doing Satan's work" around here by writing exclusively about heavy metal music and horror movies are starting to pay off.

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   1. 59

      paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      WTG!

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   2. 95

      DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Hey, I have a hub about that:
      www.why-fatfreddyscat-is-going-to-hell- … basket.com

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      1. 95

         DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

         (Sorry, if you are a true beleiver that was in really bad taste!)

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   3. 92

      FatFreddysCatposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      ...and now another band has contacted me about reviewing their album. They're coming out of the woodwork all of a sudden.
      
      I must say, the timing is excellent because I was just thinking that I am WAY overdue to post some new stuff!

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      1. 59

         paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         An idea...
         
         I might as well make some money off this hot topic. If so inclined, email me a list of your Death Metal URLs you would like me to link to; the more, the better. Include the title you want associated with each URL. I'll see what I can do. It's a long shot and will take some work to make the list; so if not interested, that's ok.

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         1. 92

            FatFreddysCatposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Ummm... I have no idea what you're proposing. Links for what?
            
            The funny thing is I'm not even a death metal fan... the "WOOOORRRRRGH" vocal style annoys the heck out of me... I even warned the first band about that and their response was "That's OK, we need press," so I'm like "Oooookay, I hope they're good sports," haha

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            1. 59

               paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               All I can say is I've had some success in this regard before. If you don't like the results, I'll immediately take it down. However, you say you're not a Death Metal fan; so sounds like making that list would be work, not fun. That being the case, probably not worth your time; oh well.

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   4. 92

      FatFreddysCatposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Scary death metal guy was very pleased with my mostly-clueless, totally uninformed poser review of his album. So hey, it doesn't hurt to go "off the reservation" every once in a while.

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8. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

   I just stumbled across this. Serendipity indeed.
   
   "Steve Jobs Knew How to Write an Email. Here's How He Did It"
   
   https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/steve … email.html

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9. 60

   mom101posted 6 years ago

   Its been awhile. But I think ill hang around a little bit this time. Dont see many that were here then but havent looked much yet.

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   1. 59

      paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Hello, fellow 8-year person. It's a whole different planet here now, be forewarned.

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10. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Meanwhile, from an email....
    
    WHAT CAUSES ARTHRITIS?
    
    A drunk man who smelled of beer sat down on a subway next to a priest.
    
    The man's tie was stained, his face was plastered with red lipstick, and a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket.  He opened his newspaper and began reading.
    
    After a few minutes the man turned to the priest and asked, "Say Father, what causes arthritis?"
    
    The priest replies, "My Son, it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, contempt for your fellow man, sleeping around with prostitutes and lack of a bath."
    
    The drunk muttered in response, "Well, I'll be damned”, then returned to his paper.
    
    The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?"
    
    The drunk answered, "I don't have it, Father.
    I was just reading here that the Pope does."
    
    
    
    
    MORAL: Make sure you understand the question before offering the answer.

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    1. 86

       DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       

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11. 86

    DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years ago

    Along those same lines:
    
    A little boy comes in the house and asks, "Dad, where did I come from?"
    The father squirms a bit, but sits his son down and launches into an explanation of "the birds and bees."
    The child sits patiently, if somewhat confusedly until his father finishes.
    Dad then asked him, "Did you understand that, and what brought that up?"
    The little boy said, "Oh, yes, well, Jimmy across the street said he comes from Ohio, so I wondered where I came from."
    
    
    
    Yes, indeed--check in to make sure you understand the question...

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    1. 90

       Natalie Frankposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Laughing!

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    2. 84

       k@riposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Hahahaha! 

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12. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Thought I'd start the day on a happy note. Been having internet connection problems for the last several days. Finally bit the bullet and called the ISP tech support. The problem did indeed turn out to be them and not me. Bless their hearts, they had the problem fixed before the end of the day. As a side note, if you happen to have a phone landline, DSL will save you a fortune in internet costs. Handles video/etc. just fine; up time 99%. I've become fond of them over the last 2 years.

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    1. 84

       k@riposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       I used to have DSL through my phone company.  I always thought it worked well.  Glad your internet problem is cleared up! 

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13. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Friday. Friday. A messing around day.
    
    I wrote an article called "Stuffed Groundhog Day". The internet is completely ignoring it. Thanks, Google.
    
    Oh, well. Not exactly a first.
    
    Meanwhile, planning on a pleasant and possibly even adventuresome day; still undecided.

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    1. 95

       DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Sounds delishably.
       You have heard why it takes two hillbillies to eat groundhog, right?
       One to eat while the other watches for traffic.

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       1. 59

          paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          You are as evil as I am.

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14. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    I find it amusing how whenever I edit an article, ads then follow me around relating to the topic of that article. Too bad there isn't some way to get AdSense to poke Google Search with a stick about it.

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15. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Got to give myself the Dorkmeier Award for the day. I suddenly realized there was a way to have a static homepage on Blogger. This is something I should have picked up on a long time ago. Oh well, not a big deal; I win that award all the time anyway.

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16. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Uh-oh. Going to be a very nervous weekend for a lot of folks. Just the beginning?
    
    "Dow drops 666 points and posts its worst week since 2016"
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/business … 5aaed0d557

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17. 92

    FatFreddysCatposted 6 years ago

    

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18. 92

    FatFreddysCatposted 6 years ago

    I have three new articles in various stages of pre-production as we speak. These would be my first new works of 2018. I would like to get at least one of 'em done and published this weekend.
    
    ...all I need to do is pack the wife, kids and dog in a box and ship them to Antarctica so I can write without constant distractions/interruptions...

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    1. 59

       paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Maybe bring up the word, "Mall", in a conversation...
       
       Meanwhile, I am hereby glad to brag I now and finally have a decent homepage on my site. I've already alerted the media.

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    2. 92

       FatFreddysCatposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Just finished banging out one of the three new Hubs...and I didn't have to ship anyone to Antarctica after all Yay! I'm being productive!

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          DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

          I was hoping you would send them to the mall or a dog park.
          It is summer down in Antartica but still pretty harsh that way. No way to treat your dog.

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19. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Google Analytics is becoming downright awesome these days. Not talking about my stats; I'm talking about the actual software.

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20. 92

    FatFreddysCatposted 6 years ago

    Fancy a bit of vintage '80s German Synth-pop?
    
    Peter Schilling's classic "Vollig Losgelost" (aka "Major Tom") has been stuck in my head ever since I heard it in the movie "Atomic Blonde" yesterday.
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkmcNOJoiVI
    
    "Atomic Blonde" was a badass movie, by the way. Charlize Theron beats the crap out of the entire East/West Berlin underworld, circa 1990, set to a killer Euro-pop soundtrack incl. Schilling, Nena, Depeche Mode, David Bowie and more. Recommended viewing.

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21. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    There is some sort of rumor about something called a super bowl today. Not sure what that's about.
    
    Meamwhile...
    2018 Super Bowl Commercials Compilation! (Funniest Superbowl LII Ads)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3iTXTHc8u8
    
    Just thought I'd mention it so folks won't be alarmed when their traffic drops dead.

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    1. 80

       snakeslaneposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks! cool link Para.

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       1. 84

          k@riposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          I agree with Verlie.  I would never have seen them if not for your link, lol.

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    2. 95

       DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Traffic will drop dead on the same day that our CPM skyrockets to $100? Hardly seems fair, does it?

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    3. 93

       Beth Eaglescliffeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Me neither.
       
       Six Nations Rugby is where it's all happening.
       http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/video

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22. 94

    EricFarmer8xposted 6 years ago

    I need to stop being lazy and finish my next Hub. I just didn't want to this week I guess. At least my "older" stuff is getting more views.

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23. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Well, well; Monday morning here. I just checked Sunday stats and the traffic drop wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected.

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24. 92

    FatFreddysCatposted 6 years ago

    I prefer the Superb Owl.
    

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    1. 84

       k@riposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       LOL, me too. 

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    2. 86

       DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, a very fine bird, indeed! 

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25. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    
    The perfect bio. Now I just got to figure out how to get it into that little, tiny box.

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    1. 84

       k@riposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       LOL   

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       1. 59

          paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          Couldn't figure out a way to get it into the bio, so I put it at the end of each of my hubs. I'm sure HP will be fine with it. After all, it's a win-win.

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26. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Well, my impression is that traffic was indeed a little lower this entire week than last week. Nothing to get excited about, just kind of odd. I guess Sunday must have had some sort of multi-day effect. Oh well, next week awaits.

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27. 86

    DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years ago

    Q.  What do you call a group of birds on a volleyball court?
    
    A.  Fowl play!

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    1. 85

       gmwilliamsposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       You made me laugh.  This is a great joke.

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    2. 59

       paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       You should hear the fowl language I hear coming from the trees around here all the time.
       
       Meanwhile, just ambling by. My main writing frustration these days is not about the actual writing, but where to post the blasted things.
       
       The HP deal-breaker is the vulnerability to the editors and possibly future Maven bombshells. Actually, the vulnerability to the editors is the main one.
       
       The deal-breaker as to my website is its traffic and earnings are less this year than last year and I have no idea why.
       
       What a mess.
       
       The best course of action seems to be to do nothing until something changes or more information becomes available.

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28. 87

    NateB11posted 6 years ago

    Either on this thread or the other one I had talked about needing a job because my Mom had been put in a nursing home after I'd been taking care of her for many years. Can't remember if I followed up, I think I did mention I'd gotten a job.
    
    At any rate, I had gotten a job, was night shift and partly on the weekend, wasn't enjoying those aspects; so, got another job, which I still currently have. It's not ideal, but it's tolerable and pays the bills. It's in the line of work I've done for years, teaching and taking care of people with developmental disabilities in a day program. Been a bumpy ride, ran into some weirdness on the job  quite a few times but I'm at least partly happy that I've got something that pays rent and bills (barely).

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    1. 94

       Solarasposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Are you still supporting your mom in the care facility?

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    2. 59

       paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       I see you live in California.
       
       On the one hand, California will pay for everything that Medicare doesn't.
       
       On the other hand, California will then seize all your Mom's assets to recover their costs when the time comes.
       
       Here's a Job Resource to maybe find a better job.

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          DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          Here's our plan to avoid California's grab:
          Stay in our home as long as possible, then, either transfer the title to my kids, or sell the place, and go into an apartment for the remainder of our days.  They will have nothing to seize!    So there!

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          1. 59

             paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

             Can't even blame the politicians for this one. The idiotic general population came up with this law via one of the propositions decades ago.
             
             Meanwhile, I think I'm entering an all-things-writing-and-website burnout phase. Continually working hard and getting no results is destroying my motivation, especially since all the problems are because of others actions as opposed to anything I've done or failed to do. Contemplating dropping all activity altogether.

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29. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Sunday. Sunday. For some completely unknown reason, my subconscious has just served up to me there will be some sort of reasonably important announcement from HP sometime this week. I have no idea what. For me this is website work week while I wait to see if my subconscious is full of it or not.
    
    Traffic was not that great for me last week, both here and website.
    
    Still undecided where to publish my barn burner article about my recent medical experience.
    
    Meanwhile, planning on both a peaceful and productive week.

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30. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Ever need to know an extinct URL, even from years ago? Probably for DMCA purposes?
    
    Go to Google Webmaster Tools. Find your old HP Profile Name. Find the Crawl Errors page. You will find the URL there, which you can then refer to when doing the DMCA.
    
    Interesting how hubs deleted years ago are still being crawled for and the cache is still stashed somewhere. Nothing ever dies on the internet it seems. Gotta wonder if that old cache affects new location ranking? Looks like doing the Remove URL/cache process is mandatory, if you want a decent chance in SERPs.

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31. 95

    DrMark1961posted 6 years ago

    Do not let this thread die!
    (I have a lot I want to complain about but nothing important to say. I just wanted to bump this so that it would not fade off of the front page.)

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32. 94

    EricFarmer8xposted 6 years ago

    Not much to say myself. I finally finished writing something. Hopefully it gets approved and moved to LevelSkip. I feel like it is so hard to tell. Sometimes the editors leave my stuff exactly as is and move it over. Other times they mark it up all over. Either way here's to more views!

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33. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Definite drop in HP traffic this week. Am not amused. However, CPM continues to save the day. How are others' traffic doing?

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    1. 92

       FatFreddysCatposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       I've noticed a slight dip but not enough to push the panic button over.  I have had no time whatsoever to write new stuff or promote old stuff lately so I'm just letting things take care of themselves for the time bein'.

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          paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          As to HP. as am I; though probably going to drop a note to HP next week as to a problem hub that is not HP's fault.

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          1. 94

             EricFarmer8xposted 6 years agoin reply to this

             My daily views have been about the same recently. One of my Hubs gets almost double traffic on the weekend. I am wondering why this is?
             
             Also, some of my Hubs are pretty much dead trafficwise. I am testing some things to see if this will help jumpstart them. I most likely will just write them off as bad ideas for HubPages. At least I am getting an idea of what will work and won't work.
             
             It seems poker may be the niche I will stick with. Play chip/fun poker that is. I am testing this anyways.

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             1. 59

                paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                Rampant poker in my days. True serious and LOL. Pokerstars, Ultimatebet, the whole shot. Serious money. All dead re: USA blocked, blocked, and blocked. Tried Ignition; total failure.

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                1. 94

                   EricFarmer8xposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                   I know. Apparently US government doesn't want people playing poker outside of a casino and for cheap. It is why I just play poker for fun and have nothing to lose.

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                      paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                      Deleted
34. 85

    gmwilliamsposted 6 years ago

    

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    1. 59

       paradigmsearchposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Well now, I came here to post something else and I see this.
       
       Unlike my rants regarding FB, proactive with Pinterest still works.
       
       Back to the beach... I try.

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35. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Bookmark. Two posts deleted.

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36. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    "what"

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37. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    A curious life we lead.
    
    I sense playtime.

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38. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    I sense hardball will be allowed to be played here.

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39. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    I know what my next forum mess will be.

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40. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Rechecking poker. Year ago, no. Now, yes?

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41. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Critter not telling, downloading now.

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42. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Is it not fun how we are at the whims of others?

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43. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Still downloading. Still wondering if allowed to play. Why not tell me first?

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44. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Freeroll? Why? Worth a shot. Modem still blasting away.

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45. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    And this is why the singularity. Modem still blinking. And stopped. Green cats for those of the past.

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46. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Blue bar crawling across.

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47. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    I have access.

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48. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Second I make a bet, reporting stops.

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49. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Took a long time to tell me, but still dead. As to freerolls, no idea.

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50. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Still have a shot. Can't bet USA money, but still might be able with...

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