Calling All Coders

I know all the really cool people are using Opera, Mozilla and Firefox to search and surf the Internet these days, but I'm still "old school" and use my trusty Internet Explorer.

Lately I've notice with IE 7, if I go to certain pages; I can see a small logo of the website in the search bar of IE 7, just before the displayed website address.

Well, I think that's cool. I want "On The Road With Dave" to have that. So I contacted Eric over at Quixtar Blog and he was able to send me a .png file of my OTWD chevron road sign.



Soooo, all my computer savvy friends out there...please tell me the code I need to embed on my blog template, that will display this nifty roadsign in the address bar of Internet Explorer, AND not be visible on the blog page itself.

I await the wisdom of my readers.

Salute!

"Sunday Thoughts"

"I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did."

--Benjamin Harrison

"Sunday Thoughts"

"I learned a long time ago that minor surgery is when they do the operation on someone else, not you."

--Bill Walton

The Time Is Tooth-Hurty

Last Wednesday I had 3 jaw teeth extracted from my mouth under an anesthesia called "twilight sleep". And yep, the appointment time was 2:30.

Now let me say this, if you gotta get three teeth pulled and you don't want to feel anything during the surgery; I highly recommend the "twilight sleep".

If you also don't want to remember the day following the surgery, the stumbling up your apartment stairs, the fright you gave a small child at your drug-induced intoxication, or the statements you made repeatedly ad nauseum to your wife...then I would still recommend the "twilight sleep".

It seems I was quite a lovable, but obnoxious patient during the 24 hours post-surgery; but I have no recall of the events. I am told that I talked incessantly for an hour or two following surgery about the same things over and over again. I also frightened a neighbor kid who was confused by my strange walk and talk up my stairs to my apartment. After that I went to sleep and slept soundly for about 18 hours. The drugs kicked my butt.

The next few days following surgery were/are no picnic. I missed the rest of the week's work. I had a LOT of swelling, and a LOT of pain. Heat packs, cold packs, pain pills, and saltwater rinses prevented me from driving, which IS the biggest part of my job. Mainly, the pain pills placed me at home.

I really thought after the teeth were pulled; I would feel so much better, but that was a misconception on my part. Post surgical pain has been bad. The stitches in my mouth are painful...my jaw bone hurts...my cheeks hurt...and oddly enough, my EXTRACTED teeth hurt. I guess it's like an amputee that swears the missing limb is still there; but I still feel like my teeth hurt.

The other annoying thing is that my mouth just feels different. As a ventriloquist, I am aware of where my tongue and teeth are placed during the pronunciation of words, and it seems that everything is a bit "off", when I speak. My tongue tends to wander to the empty spot in my mouth now. I'll have some work to do rectifying that, I'm sure.

I return to work Monday, and my stitches come out Wednesday, and maybe by next weekend I will back to normal. Until then, I need to go rinse some stray food particle from the remaining hole at the back of my right jaw.

Yeah, it's as bad as it sounds.

The Art Of Selling

Rich DeVos, co-founder of Amway talks about selling.

Courtesy of Amway Corporation, Amway Media Blog and YouTube.

"Sunday Thoughts"

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

--Elizabeth Stone

What's Up, Dave?

Lots of stuff going on right now.

First thing I should talk about is the recent news from Amway regarding business practices by distributor leaders in the United Kingdom. I published a copy of the email over at Quixtar Blog. The email was sent to me by one of my readers. It was also available at Amway Critic Scott Larsen's site.

An Internet search should prove that it is now at most MLM news blogging sites.

I've been saying for years now, that eventually the corporate folks at Alticor should bite the bullet and put a real stop to some of these questionable practices. I realize that there will be some "leaders" in the field will "jump ship" and leave Amway and Quixtar if sanctions are imposed. Most likely the bottom line at Alticor will suffer in the short-term. BUT, ten years down the road, the profits, the credibility, and the overall opportunity will be stronger than ever. Alticor must be willing to weather the storm.

Second, I am most pleased with another great blog from Alticor that appears to be a result of the email story. Amway Media Blog launched May 7th. This blog currently is covering the corporate stance on the United Kingdom situation and a flurry of comments are being posted. Amway/Quixtar are being true to their word and being completely transparent to the readers with forthright statements and responses.

I'm also pleased to say that during all of this "hub-bub", I sponsored yet another Independent Business Owner. Just another person looking for a business opportunity, willing to merchandise some products, and willing to learn a simple system of

"Gotta Question? Ask."

I want to thank the guys in IT at Quixtar for the great job they did on the new Ribbon Gift and Incentive websites they upgraded for Quixtar IBOs. All of the personal IBO website templates offered by Quixtar are customizable in text, graphics, and products offered. And the websites are FREE for all IBOs.

Personally, things haven't been all that nice. Well, I exaggerate.

I turned 45 years old last week, much to my dismay. I really hate birthdays. I hate getting older. And yeah, I know what the alternative is; and I've heard the "not older, better" phrase, too. It doesn't help. I still want to be perpetually 19...I know it's childish, immature, and unrealistic. It's my "hang-up"; don't judge me.

On top of turning another year older, I also have been suffering a dental crisis. I have had three abscessed teeth for about four weeks now. The pain has been intense.

At first, I tried over-the-counter remedies, extreme doses of Orajel and Ibuprofen, and lots of peroxide and toothbrushings. Eventually, a trip to the dentist was arranged and waited impatiently for the day to arrive.

Antibiotics and prescription strength painkillers were prescribed and a referral to an oral surgeon. That really galled me. Dentists just won't pull teeth these days. You have to go to an oral surgeon and spend more money. By then, the pain and the painkillers prevented me from working for several days. The painkillers prevented me from driving for my job.

So now, I have surgery scheduled for Wednesday. I'm still on antibiotics; but they are working and the pain is manageable with ibuprofen again and less often.

I'll miss another two days work next week. Not good, but I'll put in for two "personal days"; and so the paycheck won't take a hit; but the bill is gonna be huge.

That's part of what is up here at Dave's. Have a great weekend.

Outside The Fire

I thought this was some pretty good work from a YouTuber. I've always liked the original Garth Brooks video; but this was pretty cool.

"Sunday Thoughts"

"Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself."

--Tom Wilson

My Perfect Audience Member

If you haven't seen this video, then you haven't laughed all week. It's the "laughing baby" video.

I just know that when this kid grows up, I want them in my audience at a comedy club.

Dangerous And Suspicious

I found this little news item on AL.com under a section called Yesterdays News.

It's news blurbs from The Mobile Press Register from years gone by.


Thursday, May 2, 1907

"Officer Lott Tuesday night arrested J.F. Wilds ... who claimed to be a ventriloquist and was about to display his skill at the corner of Royal and Dauphin streets when stopped by being arrested. He was placed on the docket under the charge of dangerous and suspicious.

I'll now have to remember this news item when I'm performing on Dauphin Street. I admit carrying a ventriloquist dummy looks suspicious...but I'm doubting the "dangerous" charge.