Crystal Clear

Mozy On Over to Online Backup

I am excited to share Mozy Unlimited  remote Backup for $4.95/Month!Crystal Clear  , Mozy is the best remote backup service available and they even offer 2GB of backup for free. I am using Mozy to backup all the files on my computer including all my photos, music, video, and financial documents.

For those of you like myself always on the look out for a great affiliate program, sign up right here with Mozy. I understand they have excellent conversion rates to both their free and pay services and the commissions are really good.

 

CleverKeys

CleverKeys is my gift to you tonight and not a PPP.  I just downloaded this nifty free little program and wanted to share... After all I am such a giver...Tee hee...This software provides instant access to definitions, synonyms and facts via websites...a great help when you are looking for the word to make your ideas...Crystal Clear.

Live Keyword Analysis Help | Keyword Density, Search Engine Optimization, Marketing, internet keyword ranking analysis analyze marketing or submission keyword optimization optimisation search engine keyword

 

Live Keyword Analysis....is my newest nemesis and friend as I venture into writing articles. Tonight's articles were on of all things .... California tourism and some related terms. Writing for key words is a challenge for sure but honestly I don't think it makes for the best writing. Ah well... add that to the list of things I would change if I were in charge of things.

Bloggers Never Forget and Always Like a Nice Banner

  In Bloggers Never Forget, Jack Lewis shares with bloggers another of his nifty banners. The guy never ceases to make me smile with his thoughtfulness for other bloggers!

C Channel Network Update

THE C CHANNEL NETWORK
  The C Channel is building a multi-interest website that brings together 3 distinct sites - Travel, Shopping and Weddings. Each one features articles, destination profiles, vendor profiles and a whole load of new tools to attract a global audience. This includes the still young Travel Forum, and the Wedding Agenda, a promising tool that will be completely free and is due out  in late 2006.

The C Channel network has also recently introduced The C Directories, 5 user-friendly  directories of websites, blogs, online retailers and other sites categorized under thousands of differnet subjects.   Only a month old,  it attracts new registrations every day of eBusinesses eager to become part of The C Channel Network. For example, in the Entertainment category, you can find a great site about Mahjong, for music-lovers there's Hip Hop 100 and New York nightlife, keeps you up-to-date on the local party scene. You'll also find a site about Indie rock musician Danielle Elvin, and Rakeback for poker lovers. But there's even links to Famous quotations and the Silly stuff blog. And game buffs can check out the Games Directory.

There's plenty to see, so pay us a visit.

Another Crystal Clear Classic for Free

here for free for an email sign up from Success University. The sign up also includes two free weeks access to a ton of other advice and articles from over 50 other experts. Think and Grow Rich is a classic in every sense of the word. It resonates in all areas of life and is truly timeless. The tenets set forth so long ago are still valid and working today for highly successful people. You may remember another of my all time favorites is As a Man Thinketh and also offered it  for free a while back. 

Typepad R O C Ks

    I just wanted to take a moment to share how pleased and great I think Typepad is and has been over the past year. Over the past year I think there has at the very most been one or two times where my blog wasn't up and running. This past month a few things happened that really made this even more Crystal Clear to me:

• My credit card on file was denied and they kept my account completely up and running and just sent me a very nice polite reminder letting me know I needed to change it before my next billing on April 3,2005
• My bandwidth allotment is 5 gig a month. Earlier this month my projected usage was estimated at 137%. I emailed Typepad asking them what would happen if my blog did indeed go over and what would the cost be for extra bandwidth. I received an immediate reply telling me they had no plans as of yet for costs going over the allotment and that my blog would remain up and functional! WoW!

    Yes, they most certainly R O C K in my corner of the blogosphere...

Not Exactly Slacking Off

    I have not exactly slacked off on my blogging for Terri Schiavo.Yes indeed there was not tecnically a post today about saving her from murder by her husband via starvation and dehydration but I have been allowing a number of thoughts and questions from recent comments to percolate in my brain if not outright on my blog.
    In addition to the obvious issues of facts and truth all Blogs for Terri are working hard at to get out , I reflected in a an earlier post , there are a number of issues regarding this case that professionally disturb me. I am highly anxious to see if the Tampa Tribune was able to get the DCF filings concerning alleged (Ha & Blech) abuse released.
    Still yet to come  in my blogging for Terri are some more personal issues I have with her story...Not quite ready to put it out into the blogosphere but it is percolating away...
    In the meantime, may I suggest you take a look at my blog  Crystal Clear Reads which is linked over at the side under bloggity blog blog...and has a multitude of great sparkling gems of blogs to read and is more recently updated with some traffic generating sites.

   

Is This Like Pod-Casting or Videoblogging?

    This is what I have planned in the next day or so... well or at least as soon as I find my webcam and microphone which are somewhere on this desk...so I guess I better clean up my desk as well!
    Kind of like having my own personal magazine turn into my own personal editorial mini-show....Sounds like fun...I am open to topics....or I might just put my kids on for you to Ooh and Ahhh over...

Oo Oo Oo!!!!

    Well I knew this day would come...yep... I bit... I am now starting to use an RSS aggregator and it is simply like having a new toy... I feel all giggly and goofy and just wish there was someone here who could appreciate all of this!!!! I  tried some radio RSS thing but although it might be terribly powerful and worth the 39.95 after my 30 day trial I find the other one I decided to start working with much more user-friendly...So the one I am using is RSS Reader . It so far leaves Radio whatever in the dust as far as fun and easy... I will keep you updated. I am off to play with it for 10 minutes or so before Bryceton and I have our Yoga hour and then I am watching ...you knew it...American Idol....

Holy Cow!

    Holy Cow! What the heck happened in the past few days that I now am so greatly overwhelmed by email responses! I am excited to see so many personal and thoughtful responses the  past day or so as well as  the TrackBacks and comments. Then again... it is a bit difficult and uncomfortable for me to leave any email, comment, or TrackBack unanswered without a return email of gratitude and appreciation.
    I love the thoughtfulness and sincerity in the comments and e-mails that don't agree with me as well as those that do agree with me and value my blog. Really terribly gratifying to know  my respect, sincerity, and value of respectful opposing opinions as well as thoughts that add something to the dialogue  are obviously coming through Crystal Clear to readers. Please keep it up but please also understand I will answer as I am able...
    I also feel a bit weird in that having blogged so much about Terri and other current events that I have left a part of my blogging, my personal part, a bit on the sideline. I don't know if writing  this  tonight is a way of trying to kind of stem the tide or dramatically switch gears to catch up, but I do know I really felt like writing a post about my ever-growing passion concerning blogging and the pretty much as I see it narcissistic gratification of having a brilliant audience of readers from both sides of the issues I write about.
    Perhaps, let's put it this way.... I spend the greatest part of my day listening to people who are in need of my greatest concentration and assistance. After work, I have the boys to care for and although I love most every moment of it, they don't and shouldn't address this need of mine to be respectfully listened to on issues of personal and social relevance. I am not a big fan of talking on the phone to family or friends to even catch up on what is going on with our respective chaotic lives. My blog is a wonderful way for me to address my need to speak my mind, clarify various issues and values, and be listened to...without being interrupted! To top that juicy piece of beef off.... I now am in contact with some of the best minds and most well-spoken people I could ever hope to meet...all the while in my pajamas or various stages of undress. Just how ,as Bryceton and his entire class is fond of saying, AWESOME is that ?
    I personally thank you right now for taking your personal time to read what I have to say. It really means so very much to me. You truly are making a difference in my life.
    I also have been in the spirit of play and Crystal Clear blog promotion been trying to come up with a way to thank readers as well as  inspire more comments,TrackBacks, and spreading the word about my blog. Recent thinking has me offering a t-shirt or something from Cafe Press with a Crystal Clear banner on it for the blogger who TrackBacks the most number of posts in a month. Not wanting to forget those readers who don't have a blog, I feel kind of stumped. My thinking continues, so if you have any suggestions please email me or comment.
    Blogging about matters of personal and social relevance would mean very little to me if it were not for those of you who spend your time here and let me know it through email and comments. Again I say...Thank you very much. You not only make it all worthwhile but you inspire me to continue to do my best to challenge myself and you.

   

People Sometimes Ask

    People sometimes ask, increasingly so, how I manage to do all I do with regards to blogging. This lunchtime post is to share a number of email newsletters I subscribe to on a daily and weekly basis. Additionally, if there is enough time I will share how I go about exploring and gathering information.for my blogging and writing in hopes it might show people it really is not as time consuming as it first appears. I also am hoping other bloggers will share in the comments section or in an email ( new email address specifically for blog related) things they have found useful in managing the amazing amounts of information we all have at the disposal of our fingertips 24 hours a day...365 days a year...
    For the most part, I have provided a direct link to subscribe to the alert if you so wish.
 

First Google, Then the World, & THEN the Housework

    In an e-mail conversation Will  informed me if one Googles "Crystal Clear" , my blog is the very first result. Additionally, the "I'm Feeling Lucky search brings you straight here to Crystal Clear! A Crystal Clear search over at Yahoo also lands you here with me! Prior to the blog traffic exchange explosion, my  simple little ol' goal was to achieve the top spot with Google, so I could just tell family and friends "Oh just go do a Google or Yahoo search on 'Crystal Clear' to find me". I keep thinking I want to change my blog design and want to find something that would fit with the whole Crystal Clear thing but I still pretty much draw a blank as I don't want it to be too girly girl but I also don't want it to be too..._____. I don't know...I want it to fit with the Crystal Clear theme and tag line.
    Nevertheless,  this really is quite rewarding fun and I am having a blast. Now if I could just find keeping the house presentable enough for unannounced visitors this rewarding and fun!

Evolution Update

Have come to check my evolution a bit less lately as I seem to be plateauing, but I do hope I make it up to  Mortal Human or Playful Primate at some point for more than a day ...Until then

and am having a blast exploring the blogosphere, making some great friends, and getting a great deal of wonderful and needed support...Thanks!

Does Anyone Get Anything Done?

 

 
    Crystal Clear I can not be the only one asking whether the blogosphere is in need of yet another traffic exchange. Nevertheless, the idea does seem to be spreading quickly and the banners for this one are simply adorable... so if you haven't done so yet...here is your chance

Back to Slithering...

Boo hoo...it seems like I am evolved to flappy bird only to regress yet again..Nonetheless I am quite confident I will eventually make it up to at least a rodent...

Which Came First the Blogger or the Ecosystem

Flap Flap peck Peck peck I have evolved another level!

Excuse me while I go soarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Crystal Clear Buys

In the interest of expanding my internet and blogging time, to hopefully put some very much needed moola into our coffers, and to engage in helping Holiday bargain shoppers like myself, and to lessen the load of moving  to Hawaii next summer,  I have listed some books on Half.com and Ebay  (eBay View About Me ). Although Bryceton has requested and been assured he can bring all of his "chapter books", we have far too many books to ship to Hawaii. I will also be adding some books of my own. All books and items  I put up will be of gift-giving quality and I will Holiday wrap if you request. I am not sure if there is a way to link to my Half.com inventory but I assure you if it is a child's book I probably have it....So please ask and perhaps you can have it before I get around to listing it... Let the shopping begin....
UPDATED: Since the first month of an Ebay store is FREE I decided to go ahead, save on listing fees, and open Crystal Clear Buys for at least a month.  If you read the previous post you know my snapses aren't fully working this morning so if you can help me come up with a better name for a store I would greatly appreciate it... I will be offering books, toys, clothing, and stuff.

Make Your Own Web Kaliedscope

Link: dtoy_vs_byokal.

Starting as an Insignificant but Smiling Microbe

Even with all those wonderful smiles I received and spread around over the weekend I still am starting out at the bottom with The Truth Laid Bear....Ah well...Thanks for all the bloggers and readers old and new alike who helped make two very special days for me. I hope Blog Explosion has helped find some new readers who will find this an enjoyable and thoughtful read on more than one occassion...Not sure exactly why I am enjoying having a growing audience so very much but I definitely am enjoying it and getting a great deal of personal satisfaction out of it. In my mind building a blog audience is akin to growing a garden only I know I will take better care of my readers than I do my garden. Along with being known as Wrongway S**** in my family I also am infamous for my brown thumb!
I wrote, drew and typed a personal journal from about the age of 10  for several decades. Although this is clearly not a private journal like the one I wrote and cried in throughout adolescence, college, graduate school, first marriage, divorce, graduate school again, and all the time I wasted with Peter Pan while looking for Mr. Wonderful, I am finding this a great deal more rewarding. When I returned to blogging earlier this year it was primarily about sharing the arduous journey towards a diagnosis for Nethan. Then I really believed  Nethan would be completely healthy and running around by now. Then I really believed I couldn't make it this many months without a diagnosis and solution and knowing he was going to be healthy. Guess I was wrong. We have made it. Yet I continue to push and push and push along this path as best I can and will continue to push and push and push along this path as long as Nethan needs me to push.

If It Were Only This Easy

A bit of fun while we await those returns...
Ham in the Fridge Presents - The Political Circus

YUCK

Voting on Issues and NOT Personality Alone

Hat tip to the Latino Pundit Blog for linking to this great quiz which asks you questions regarding 20 issues. Really worth the time.

Supporting Our Troops!

Proud and pleased to be able to offer this link

Hey I Can Do That Too!!!

After remarking about websites that make it easy to express your views and email or fax your representatives I realized I could also provide links myself and be helpful!!
So here you go...Go for it! I just want you to express yourself and get involved...Even if we sit on different sides of an issue I am glad you have the right and exercise it!
United States House of Representatives, 108th Congress, 2nd Session: Homepage
United States Senate
Nope I won't provide a form letter for you like many sites do but I trust you to know how to express yourself...

One Thing is Certain...

I came away from tonight's debate with a clear and yet disturbing thought...
No it isn't that President Bush's faith inspires me (but it truly does) and no it isn't that Kerry could get my vote on some issues (but he clearly could)...It is the thought that
I will never be outsourced and never short of work to do as a psychotherapist. I suppose I could have some sense of job security from that thought but I don't. While I indeed have a neverending supply of mental health cases ahead of me and it is highly improbable mental health services for troubled/at-risk youths will ever be completely eradicated from city, county, state, or federal budgets...it looks like I am bound to be some knock-off Sisyphus...More and more illegal aliens will come from Mexico and yes work diligently. They work very very hard. I see them laboring in the fields everyday. I often point them out to Bryceton as an example of hard work and dedication to do anything to take care of family. Frankly I am glad though that the Mexican flag isn't waving over one of those fields anymore as I found that terribly offensive and wanted to scream at them "THIS IS AMERICA, NOT MEXICO". Anyway, more Mexicans will come, of course they don't just work in the fields but wherever they are..they indeed are working hard for their US$ and to achieve a better life for their families. While they are working hard, many of their children attend our schools. I am confident our schools are another reason Mexican nationals choose to become illegal aliens. Some may need to take a day off work to take a sick child to the Emergency Room. I am also confident the available medical care is another reason Mexican nationals choose to become illegal aliens. Unfortunately when these illegal aliens come they don't assimilate very well into American culture and society. Not enough learn English which is clear by the number of organizations that offer Spanish as an option. When they don't learn English it often puts their children into a very dysfunctional role. With all the hard work and being away from home, their children are often not adequately supervised and join gangs. And so it goes...I end up getting involved with their children or even more likely a few generations later and so it goes on an on...I have had many many cases where a family tried to handle their snotty little drug-abusing-alcohol-drinking gang-banging brat the beating way and ended up in mucho trouble. Please don't think I am advocating child abuse but it is another example where assimilation goes terribly awry. Child abuse begets child abuse and substance abuse begets substance abuse and so it goes and so it goes...Don't kid yourself into believing illegal aliens contribute enough to America to offset their costs...and I am not just talking about financial costs...

Amazing...

The internet truly never ever ceases to amaze me....SITE Institute - The Search for International Terrorist Entities

Not Sure

if this is me or not...Kind of makes sense but I wasn't crazy about the questions...

You are mRNA. You're brilliant, full of important,
interesting information and you're a great
friend to the people you care about. You may
have sides to you that no one understands. But
while you understand more than most people,
you're only half-there most of the time.


Which Biological Molecule Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I Can See This

You are the Moon card. Entering the Moon we enter
the intuitive and psychic realms. This is the
stuff dreams are made on. And like dreams the
imagery we find here may inspire us or torment
us. Understanding the moon requires looking
within. Our own bodily rhythms are echoed in
this luminary that circles the earth every
month and reflects the sun in its progress.
Listening to those rhythms may produce visions
and lead you towards insight. The Moon is a
force that has legends attached to it. It
carries with it both romance and insanity.
Moonlight reveals itself as an illusion and it
is only those willing to work with the force of
dreams that are able to withstand this
reflective light. Image from: Stevee Postman.
http://www.stevee.com/


Which Tarot Card Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Most Certainly Do

A9.com

I am not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing...Definitely appeals to me but I dunno....I still gots that paranoid side ....A9.com Home Page

Kind of Makes Sense!

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

This is Such an Unusual Site to Visit...

I wish not only did I know how to create stuff like this but that I had the creativity to even think it up in the first place
...t.y.p.o.r.g.a.n.i.s.m...

Donut Dollar

Donut Dollar, originally uploaded by CrystalClear.

Bryceton's first attempt at a "doodle" and I thought it was quite clever to come up with a "Donut Dollar"...

Did I Ever Share about Flickr?

Take a look on my about me page and you wil see a photo stream that I have set up via flickr. If you do end up wanting to sign up with Flickr please let me invite you so I can get credit towards a pro account with more storage space!

Doodlebug...Oodles of Doodles

Fun, Fun, Fun Stuff!
Once again stumbling around aimlessly while avoiding paying bills led me to this site called Doodlebugs. Just giving it my first shot I came up with this original piece of art...I was inspired by their challenge of Split Personalities...If you create your own account and/or own doodles please let me know! Also check out the other real pieces of doodling and you will be amazed at what some talent can do with a mouse...

Freecycle

Check out Freecycle ... If you like it please spread the word! Most people have heard of Craig's List but if you haven't then check it out as well...

Crystal Clear Stuff to Buy!

This is just the coolest thing...Having my own store and well the possibilities are just endless... and oh so fun to mess around with...Also you too can have your own store so check it out! I will be adding stuff as I think about it but wanted to just see what it looked like and well looks great! Check it out and let me know what you think or what you would want to buy...After you set up your store link back to me so I can see what you came up with too!!!!
Come visit my store!!!

Yet Another Reason to Love the Internet

Register to VOTE! Yep...Frankly I don't care whether you are a Democrat or Republican or Independent and I honestly hate discussing politics with people who try to change my views...I may some day throw in a political rant or two or more just because I want to share my view not because I want to debate it. Most people are shocked to know I am registered as a Republican...But like I said I don't care what you are I just really want everyone to vote!
Yet another funny thing is that I think Politics are a lot like Religion. Once again I really don't care that much what religion you are, I just really hope you have a faith and practice it genuinely. Most people are not shocked to know I am a bonafide member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura. Unfortunately, I have not attended as often as I used to over this past year but when I do attend I am still welcomed and still known. I am sure when Nethan gets a bit older we will attend regularly again. I am probably one of a very very few registered Republicans at the UU church. Sometimes I wonder how I am a "religious liberal" and yet a "political conservative" and other times I am certain it must somehow explain how and why I am single and never remarried...Yep I am quite a paradox...

My Unky Mood Is...

My Version of the Olympics

Until the opening ceremonies were actually happening I honestly had no idea it was even an Olympic year. Yes I know I should probably be embarassed or ashamed to be so out of the loop but I just have no interest and actually could go off on quite a rant about all that is very very very wrong about the Olympics...Instead I will share Yeti Sports with you. I found them on Fej's Blog and they really are quite a hoot in addition to being able to suck an hour out of you before you even know it...Clearly I should have followed Jeff's example though and made Bryceton's lunch for the first day of school before I started playing...Guess I just send him with a Lunchable since I still have to clean up dishes from dinner and get the video camera and digital camera ready for the First Day of 2nd Grade footage...

Not Really Surprising & Not Reassuring!

Are you Addicted to the Internet? 62% Hardcore Junkie (61% - 80%) While you do get a bit of sleep every night and sometimes leave the house, you spend as much time as you can online. You usually have a browser, chat clients, server consoles, and your email on auto check open at all times. Phone? What's that? You plan your social events by contacting your friends online. Just be careful you don't get a repetitive wrist injury... The Are you Addicted to the Internet? Quiz at Quiz Me!

Mama Don't Let Your Sons Grow Up to Wear Swim Trunks lined with Mesh/Netting/Little Holes

Stumbled upon this instead of sleeping right now and had some fun...this is what I came up with...and and Pretty nifty fun, huh...Well vacation still does not quite feel like it has started...I do know it is getting more and more difficult to remember what date it is and what day of the week it is and that is definitely a very good sign.
We had an awful experience this afternoon after the beach. Right now I can kind of chuckle about it but at the time it was horrific and I am pretty certain Bryceton will never be able to laugh or chuckle about it. So we arrive home after a nice few hours at the beach and Bryceton tells me that his penis is stuck to his swim trunks. I am thinking maybe sunscreen or salt water or hell if I know but I never ever would have imagined what it was until I saw it and by that point Bryceton was hysterical and screaming and crying. Somehow a part of the tip of his penis or rather the foreskin had gone through the little hole of the white netting/mesh lining of his trunks. It was like twisted around it or something weird and he was screaming and yet wouldn't let me do anything...It was awful. So awful I don't think I want to write any more about it...I do know he said it was "The worst of my nightmare" and the worst thing that had ever happened to him and that it was even worse than almost falling into the campfire on the Open Classroom Beach campout trip. After he finally let me or rather I made him let me carefully snip it away with some scissors, we had Nethan to comfort as well. All the screaming and crying had really upset Nethan too and set him off and even though Bryceton was calming down while I held him on my lap, Nethan was going ballistic. It was definitely quite the scene here for a bit. I should feel more relaxed but I just don't yet. But yes it is beautiful here and I still have a while for things to turn around before we head back...but first I now have to go cut all the mesh linings out of all his swim trunks...

Aloha Soup

An Amazing Find for California Residents Who Have a Child with Special Needs

CPEI Resources-ES Library
I have not completely explored this site yet but it appears to be a fantastic resource for California residents who have a special needs child or who work with special needs children.