Now Appearing in an Extended Engagement! Join Dave Robison as he takes you into his world and his daily life of reviving a stand-up comedy career. Prepare for side trips exploring Public Relations, marketing and business ethics. Enjoy some frequent detours describing his observations on life. Read the exploits of this self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and blooming blogger as you go
On The Road With Dave.
About Me
Name: Dave Robison
Location: Mobile, Alabama, United States
From Mobile, Alabama comes Dave Robison, a confessed Internet-aholic, middle-aged-married-man, who's generally a nice guy--he just has one or two issues.
Stand-Up Comedy by Dave Robison is available for corporate events, college campuses, and nightclubs.
"On The Road With Dave" will be experiencing technical difficulties over the next few weeks as we migrate to a new blogging platform. I apologize to all my readers, (Hey! you two, over in the corner..listen up!)
No posts will appear here until migration is complete and there will be minor glitches after that and design issues that will need to be resolve. Please stay tuned and check back for the re-appearance of "On The Road"
In the meantime, my ventriloquial side-kick is granting me writing privileges at his blog, "Skyler's Gravel Road" and I'll do a a few posts at "Comedy This Exit". Check the newsfeed under the banner here at "On The Road" for updates.
I'll be back here as quickly as possible. Please Stand By and feel free to talk amongst yourselves.
This blog is experiencing a contemplation of future articles, writer's block, and an author's hectic schedule. Please stand by. Future activity will resume shortly.
Since Blogger announced it was no longer supporting FTP blogs and abandoning me, I've been researching my options. Originally, Blogger announced a March 26th date for their date of non-support. Recently they announced they would give us poor saps until May 1, to make the necessary changes.
I've received some good informative comments on my last entry about the issue and a few friends have offered to help me with the upcoming move. I've been procrastinating. I'm glad the deadline was extended.
Blogger is trying to make the move as easy as possible with updates and instructions, but they have said if I follow their procedure, I would not be able to go back to FTP/private hosting with any entries after making their specific changes to their new format. I'm not sure I like the sound of that.
Other options presented to me have obstacles such as downloading some blog format software to my current computer. My current computer is an older model that I had to press into service and it does not support a lot of sites out there on the "Internets". Even YouTube has told me that my current system is out of date and updates are no longer available. (Yeah, it's that old)
So in order to follow some's advice, I'd have to invest in a new computer, too. I'm not ready to do that just yet. So, I'm still procrastinating and still searching for options. I'll figure it out.
I've been dumped by girlfriends, had friends no longer hang with me, and horror of horrors; I have even had people "unfriend" me on Facebook and "unfollow" me on Twitter. But today, I think I have suffered the greatest indignity of all--Blogger.com has decided not to support me.
Today I read an email from the blogging service that as of March 26, it would no longer support FTP publishing. For those not hip to the jargon, it means I'll no longer be able to use the simple Blogger software to write my blog entries and then have them seamlessly upload to my www.ontheroadwithdave.com domain hosted elsewhere.
When I first started my blog, "On The Road With Dave"; its design was a Blogger template and written at Blogger and hosted by Blogger with Blogger's BlogSpot address, daveontheroad.blogspot.com.. Most Blogger-hosted blogs have the "blogspot" as part of the URL address. I was extremely proud when I purchased my own domain and was able to still write "On The Road With Dave" with the easy to use Blogger format, but have it hosted at my very own domain with no "blogspot" address. Moving the blog had it's problems, but it was worth it, to call it "My own".
I'm faced with a host (get it? Host..web hosting...forget it) of problems. One problem for me is that they will not support a directory extension like .com/example. I created my DAVEWEAR page like that. Blogger will insist on subdomains like example(dot)mydomain.com. I hate subdomains.
Another problem is I kinda like having my files at a hosting site that I have some control over. And, if I go elsewhere I want to keep my current website look. Some of the borders and style are taken from adjusted rewritten original Blogger styles. I have no expertise on designing a new style sheet or template. Also, there'd be massive linkage breaks and images to reload. I already did that once. Most of my readers know, I'm limited in my "techy-ness". It takes me hours of looking at my template and figuring out where I insert some HTML piece that I copied from somewhere and inserting it into my design. Once it took me two hours to figure out how to change a background color.
Anyway I have until March 26 to decide what to do and complete the changes. I may go back to Blogger and use their solution, or migrate to another service such as WordPress. (Geez, another learning curve) Either way, I fear change and the probable pain and expense that will ensue.
Blogger may abandon me, but I'm not abandoning blogging or writing. Stick around and enjoy my suffering. You know you like it.
Stu Baker is falling down funny. Well, he's pretty funny when he's falling down. Okay, I've never seen him really fall down, but he has Muscular Dystrophy so I'm guessing it could be a problem. And, he is even older than me and still trying to become a famous comedian, so I'm guessing he may drink a lot, too; which in and of itself could promote falling down a lot. I like the guy.
Damn, Dave--if you like him, I'd hate to see what you say about people you don't like.
When I first started following people on Twitter, @StuBakerComedy was one of the first comedians I started to follow. Occasionally I'd comment on one of his "tweets" and he'd always reciprocate with something clever. He's one of those rare comedian Twitterers that aren't just publishing bits and pieces of his act, but he genuinely talks about everyday topics in his life, he replies to his followers, he engages in conversations, and he's pretty damn funny at times. And that whole Muscular Dystrophy handicap? He clearly advertises he needs a ramp to do stand-up; so back off on my insensitivity.
Now Stu has a blog. His title banner proclaims Stu Baker--He Needs A Ramp! with a picture of the Grand Canyon; and yeah, I though of that Hoverround ad when I saw it.
Stu is blogging about his life, his upcoming, "Cheeseburgers of Comedy" tour, and what ever else crosses his ADD-riddled mind. And it's all pretty damn funny.
And by now you've guessed it...Stu Baker Comedy is my newest, "Links I Like". Look for it under Comedians' Blogs.
I wanted to make sleigh tracks in the front yard when the kids were young so they would know Santa Claus landed on the yard. I was disappointed when my last son stopped believing in Santa Claus and I'm happy that I have a grandson that now believes in Santa Claus.
I watch The Walton's TV series pilot, The Homecoming every Christmas Eve. I also cry when John-Boy Walton's Dad gives him the writing tablets and says "How do you suppose Santa Claus learned all the way up there at the North Pole that you wanted to be a writer?"
Hell, I was married on Christmas Eve and dance with my wife under the Christmas tree every year on our anniversary to Neil Diamond's "You Make It Feel Like Christmas". (I know, you're so jealous at my romantic side)
So it seemed natural, that for the month of December, I should change my page banner to something "Christmas-y". I couldn't find a good panoramic Christmas photo featuring my standard "road" theme, so I opted for a banner with a Christmas tree theme. For the month of December you can read "On The Road" Under The Tree.
I got a special request for you amateur photographers out there.
I need a few panoramic photos of--you guessed it--roads.
Deserted roads, freeways, country roads, gravel roads; if it would make a good photo for my title banner and I can place my "On The Road" chevron on top of it, then I'd like to have it to use occasionally to change up the look of "On The Road With Dave".
I can't pay you for it, but if you send me a copy and permission to use it, I'll certainly give you credit in a blog entry and your contact info for others.
Over the past several months, I've had these photos as a change of pace.
And so far, this is my feeble attempt at a Halloween-related banner. You still have about 24 hours to send me something better.
Some of my readers may know that I first began "On The Road With Dave" with frequent commentary about Multi-level Marketing and in particular the Amway Corporation and it's then spin-off company, Quixtar. I was a frequent reader and commenter and later contributor to the website, Quixtar Blog. Quixtar Blog was sometimes a site where critics of MLM would gather to vent and rant about their experiences with Amway and Quixtar and other MLM companies. I provided "pro" arguments about the business and debated quite a few critics.
Shortly after Quixtar's launch back in 1999, (and I will always believe in part due to The Quixtar Blog) Amway Corporation began a concerted effort to build a web presence and began producing blogs of its own authored by various Amway/Quixtar staff.
One such blog, The Real Quixtar Blog was originally authored in pseudonym by a guy named "Kia". (Know it all) Later Kia, announced he was Robin Luymes, Manager of PR and Editorial at Quixtar. I liked Robin from the very beginning. He was making strides to write his blog with some authenticity and included personal stories, opinions, and events on his homefront as well as "corporate" PR writings and answering hundreds of questions in comments. When Amway Global decided to drop the Quixtar moniker and revert back to the Amway brand; Robin dropped The Real Quixtar Blog moniker and became "SuperDu".
SuperDu was an even more personal blog than corporate-ese and Robin excelled even more. I liked the slant of SuperDu even more. Then last year, I met Robin Luymes while on a trip to Prague to discuss blogging with some Amway PR folks. Robin was an excellent host, told some great stories, and I could see how he was genuine in his writings, because he was genuine in person. He was "real".
Last month, Robin left "SuperDu" and Amway Global. "SuperDu" is scheduled for what Amway Global calls a "sunset". You should pay it a visit, before it comes down.
But, the sun is not setting on Robin Luymes. Robin has launched a new website at Luymes Public Relations, LLC; complete with a new blog discussing Public Relations among other things.
Robin says,
"In this blog I expect to share about my views and experiences as a PR professional. That will include my opinions on best practices for the public relations profession, including use of social media by organizations. I likely will talk about my personal life as well, especially how that relates to my profession and my business. Many of my posts will draw upon past experiences, including those with Amway Corp., my employer for nearly 18 years, and as a reporter for the Grand Rapids Business Journal before that."
I want to wish Robin best of luck in his new endeavor and to let him know I'm rooting for him and, oh yeah; I'll be adding "Luymes Dot Com" to my "Links I Like"
In recent weeks, I've added a new widget and a new button in my "Links I Like" section.
The widget is the Google FriendConnect box. According to Google, "Google Friend Connect instantly awakens and strengthens the community that visits your site by enriching it with social features. Anyone can join your site and discover other members by using information from a variety of services, including Google, Yahoo, Twitter, AOL, orkut, and Plaxo, strengthening your community as visitors become members."
Although I know I have many followers/readers of "On The Road With Dave"; it'd be nice to see the box fill up with some faces, or avatars. If you got a minute, register at the widget and let me know you are out there.
The next link is a button that takes you to Blogged. Blogged is a site that lists current members' blog articles and other links that followers can comment on. It has a site feed similar to FriendFeed or Facebook.
Blogged says, "Blogged is a place where you can get reactions to major news events. No more tired old newspapers! With Blogged, you can interact with news like never before. Start sharing interesting news clippings and events with your trusted network of friends and like-minded individuals."
You can also rate the blogs. Currently I'm awaiting a rating from the site's editors. Being needy and constantly seeking approval--I'm hoping for a good rating.
Chip Martin has an envious 7.3 rating.
If you currently are a blogger, these two sites seem to offer some additional networking opportunities. We'll see if they help me.
Several years ago, after migrating my original Blogspot blog to it's own domain here at "On The Road With Dave", I was not able to make a hosting account payment and lost all of the blog; except the actual articles.
My only source for comparing my "fixes" to the original design was a small snapshot of the site saved by Technorati.The entire template and all photos and links were gone. It took me several months to restore the site to some semblance of normalcy.
During a recent search of a massive "Favorites" list on my AOL portal,(Yeah I still have AOL 9.0 for some features)I discovered a mock-up of my original "On The Road With Dave" design. It was large enough to actually compare colors and design. The only thing the mock-up did not have was the background gif image used in the Technorati snapshot. Unfortunately, the snapshot is too small to enlarge to see the GIF design clearly. The consensus at the Robison household is that the gif is a transparent weave, maybe thatch...maybe a tartan. We'll keep searching.
For now, I have "On The Road With Dave" looking as close as it has ever looked to the original design created by my blog mentor, Eric Janssen.
And in case you haven't noticed, the Title banner looks a little different this week, in honor of the Apollo Moon Landing anniversary. My youngest son gave me a "On The Moon With Dave" variation of the familiar blog banner. We'll go back to the old banner in a week or so.
I don't write much about the Amway Global company anymore, because I'm no longer affiliated with the company and its products. But I still stop by and read the numerous blogs on the "Internets" that keep up with the happenings at the Amway corporation and the activities of its Independent Business Owners(IBOs).
Sadly, my main resource for Amway controversy and discussion, Quixtar Blog, has sat dormant for many months; although I recently checked in at the Quixtar Blog Discussion Forum and found that conversations are still being carried on, despite Quixtar Blog's owner, Eric Janssen's absence.
Recently, I tried to pay a visit to the "Speaking Of Amway" site ran by IBO, Chuck Lia. Chuck had written and moderated the Speaking Of Amway" blog for about a year when I left Quixtar/Amway. I had maintained a link to the blog under the MLM section of my "Links I Like" in my sidebar. Chuck had been kind enough to link back to "On The Road With Dave" at his blog.
Chuck always opened up his blog entries with "Speaking of Amway"....and then he would include a question about that entry's topic.
Shortly, after I had dropped out of the daily Amway conversations, Chuck had been inviting guest columnists to write at his blog. It would appear that the site is now dead. Links to the site turn up a "Page Can Not Be Found" message and searches for the site only reveal cached pages with just text, minus any template style.
I suppose I could have missed the last entry announcing the site's demise, but a short search of other Amway-related blogs turned up no evidence that the end of "Speaking Of Amway" was covered by any of the other usual bloggers on the subject.
Chuck...if you are still out there....I want you to know you had a good site that gave voice to both advocates and critics of Multi-level Marketing and Amway and I'll miss ya. But, I also understand the challenges of keeping up a site on those subjects. It takes a lot out of you and takes you away from other things, even when you didn't want it to.
I'll be removing the link to the site, here at my blog. If "Speaking Of Amway" re-launches at some point in the future; let me know and I'll be sure to let my readers know.
The above lovely feet belong to my lovely wife. Those waves lapping over them are from the Gulf Coast waters of Dauphin Island Beach. A day at the beach is the subject of my lovely wife's first blog entry at "See Mobile Alabama".
After 5 years of putting up with a husband that blogs and lives on the Internet, Renee has decided to provide a service to vacationers, tourists, and local residents in Mobile, Alabama on the subject of "what is there to do here".
Lagniappe sponsors the "Nappie" Awards annually and I really thought I had a shot at the award. Besides, my article here at the blog, I also contacted people on Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. I received some feedback from many of my readers that had indeed voted for "On The Road With Dave" as Best Blog in Mobile, Alabama.
Next week, an awards show will be held at the historic Saenger Theatre, but unfortunately, I won't be attending the festivities and picking up an award.
It seems that there was a flaw in the published ballots. I contacted Lagniappe Editor, Rob Holbert, and was informed that the printed ballots published in the magazine did not include the "Blog" category this year, even though the online ballot did include the category. It had been decided to drop the category from this year's awards.
In response to an email I sent to Mr. Holbert, Rob apologized for "the snafu" and informed me that they will,
"definitely re-include it again next year as we try to keep up with the growing number of blogs and Web sites."
So, I'll try again try next year. If you happened to have voted for me at the online ballot, thank you very much for the effort. It was still much appreciated.
And congrats in advance to all of this year's winners. The winner's issue of the magazine will be published in the next few weeks; be sure to pick up a copy of the newspaper free at local Mobile and Baldwin county newsstands every other Wednesday.
Chip Martin, over at "Chip Martin's Blog" mentioned "On The Road With Dave" in his latest blog entry.
A few weeks back I suggested a new website to Chip that I thought he'd find interesting. He did. It's for an advertising agency, BooneOakley, and the entire site is done via YouTube
Last Sunday sped past me without any thought, but the date, June 14th is significant for more than just Flag Day. Five years ago on that date, "On The Road With Dave" began.
And they said it wouldn't last.
A special thanks to all my loyal, semi-loyal, and occasional readers over the years.
Seems like everybody is trying to get away from the standard 404 error pages that you get when you type in something wrong at a website and you get that message that says that Your Browser Can Not Display The Page.
So, I did some tinkering and came up with one for "On The Road With Dave". I hope this is the only time you see it.
YOU'VE RAN OFF THE ROAD!!!!
THIS IS A REAL 404 ERROR PAGE!
I'M SORRY BUT YOU HAVE WOUND UP HERE BY SOME MISTAKE THAT WAS PROBABLY YOUR FAULT IN THE FIRST PLACE!
I'm a fan of Mobile, Alabama's bi-weekly newspaper called Lagniappe. I was even interviewed by the paper back in March of 2007. Regular sections in Lagniappe are Commentary, Cuisine, Music, Style, Arts, and Classifieds.
Since 2003, Lagniappe has featured the annual "Nappie Awards", where favorite local people, places, and things are chosen by readers' votes. The next two issues of Lagniappe feature the ballot for the 2009 Nappie Awards.
One particular category--MEDIA: Best Local Website or Blog; is my interest.
If you are a reader of "On The Road With Dave" and live in the Mobile area. Please fill the ballot out listing all your local favorites and include www.ontheroadwithdave.com as your favorite blog.
Lagniappe is published every other Wednesday and is available free per person at over 300 locations in southwest Alabama, including Mobile County and Baldwin County.
Don't Forget--Vote For "On The Road With Dave.Com" Best Local Website/Blog.
But, there's a lot of activity going on behind the curtain here at "On The Road With Dave". There's dust, and construction and the floor is littered with "bad HTML code", trash, unused JPegs and sweat from my brow. My fingers are covered with blood and band aids from all the typing and there are patches of baldness on my head where I've pulled my hair out because I can't get something to work.
"See? If you could look right over there, there's a pile of hair, my wife has swept up."
But, as soon as I get all the kinks worked out and I go buy some Rogaine to make sure my hair looks okay, I'll let you in on the secret and open up the curtain. Right now, I have to go back to work and figure out why "Reason 503" is fast becoming a nemesis to me.
This is a special edition of "On The Road With Dave" with a Multi-level Marketing focus. It's been a while since I've written anything regarding Amway and Quixtar; but it seems I have been pulled into a conspiracy theory at Doug Wead, The Blog
Doug Wead is a presidential historian, motivational speaker, author, and former Amway distributor. He recently wrote a few articles regarding MLM and Amway. As is the norm; on an Amway topic, "Tex", of Tex's Amway Global Blog, visited the blog and made some comments. Tex is currently commenting to a "David Black" at Doug Wead's blog and the comments are heated.
David Black has assumed wrongly that Tex and I are one in the same, and he has "exposed" me on the blog. Those regular readers to "On The Road With Dave" might find that ridiculous, but I'm giving Mr Black the benefit of the doubt that he just did not read far enough in his research that "exposed" me.
Mr Black wrote me an email, that said he had "fixed my ass" at the Wead Blog. I didn't know Doug Wead had a blog and had to do a search to find out what he was talking about. Mr. Black, let me assure you that I take the statement that I am a "Internet performance artist" that has created the personae of "Tex" as some kinda joke--as a compliment to my sheer genius; it is in no way the truth.
Here's my email response to Mr Black:
It took me a few minutes to figure out what you were talking about.
But I'm afraid you are wrong.
I did start the Tex's Amway Global Blog. Tex is a real person. Others have met him, including folks at Amway.
Tex spent many months commenting at a variety of Amway blogs and forums and was banned by many if not all.
I started the Tex blog to get his comments out on the web for judgement, approval or disapproval. It was announced at many blogs and their authors were and still are well aware of that we are two separate people.
Your theory that we are one in the same, would greatly disappoint Tex's wife and kids as well as my wife and kids.
I'm sorry, but there is no joke. You judge Tex by his own words. You judge mine separately.
Dave
I think the real joke is that the Internet can spawn such controversy.
A year ago this week, I had the opportunity to fly to Prague, Czech Republic to attend a conference for Alticor/Amway Corporation.
It's trip that will live in my memory for a long, long time. And despite being sick on the trip, I managed to remember a lot of details and wrote about them when I got back home.
The Chronicles Of Prague ran for several days here at On The Road With Dave, if you are new here, or just wanna go back down memory road with me once again, I encourage you to take a look.
My best friend of forever owns a sporting apparel store, GC Sports. He knows I've been kicking around the idea of selling T-shirts after my comedy gigs or via this blog.
Today he sent me an email of an idea he had using my blog logo. He wants to send me a couple of shirts to see how I like them.
I'm spending a little time each day at Twitter following some interesting people and having them follow me. I really enjoy the micro-blogging, the news tips, and the article ideas.
I follow @sheckymagazine(that's how you identify and reply to a Twitter ID)and they led me to an awesome video by Comedian/Singer/Songwriter, J. Chris Newberg. Chris also writes the blog, Some Other Sucker's Parade.
The video features the song stylings of Chris, along with hundreds of comedians you may or may not recognize(Okay, not hundreds, but you'll need to take your socks off to count them all)and all of them are saying what we all want to say to some people on a daily basis when the "someone" just won't stop talking about stuff they talk about every single, bloody, day.
I think the video deserves lots more views than it has received so far at YouTube.
Watch it.
Then show it to that "someone" you've been wanting to tell, SHUT UP!!!!
If you agonize over what to write about yourself on an Internet forum or chat profile or if you can't bear to change your "Status" line on your Facebook profile; then maybe you won't like Twitter. But if you love communicating to hundreds, or if you are lucky, thousands of followers in multiple 140 typed-characters status updates and "mini-blogs" then you'll feel right at home.
I think Kathy excels at these type articles and she gives some good advice for the would-be Tweeple out there.
"Write something meaningful about yourself, your interests and/or your work in your profile. Include your blog or organization's website url. It can make a big difference when others are deciding whether you are worth following. Remember, you're trying to build two-way relationships here. If you won't give up anything about yourself, why would others want to interact with you? I, for one, will not follow anyone who doesn't offer a clue about who they are or what they're about in their profile."
After you get through reading the article, sign up at Twitter and Follow Kathleen. And while you are at it--You can follow that comedian, Dave Robison, too.
Kathleen Vandervelde, author of "Things I've Seen" has moved her site to a new domain.
Kathleen, to me, is the epitome of an "online friend". We've never met and yet we know a lot about each other. Our families, our jobs, our frustrations have all been talked about through email, Instant Messaging and blog entries for about 5 years now.
I first "met" Kathleen while she was working for Quixtar in marketing and writing a blog called "Quixatic"(no longer around). After she left Quixtar, she found a job at Davenport University, but she continued to blog at "Things I've Seen". We shared links and gave each other proverbial pats on the back for entries we each would write.
Kathleen is a great personable writer and photographer and her photos often tell the story a thousand words can not.
Congratulations Kathleen on your new domain and the transportation of the contents of "Things I've Seen" to it's new home. I look forward to new content, new photos and as always, a peek inside your life in Michigan.
Go see Kathleen at KVandervelde.com and see why I like the "things I've seen'.
If you currently google the phrase, "Bloody Monday"; you'll read countless media stories about the some odd 71,000 people that lost their jobs this past Monday and this week. It was like all of the nation's employers got the same memo and decided to downsize en masse.
Oddly enough, my employer got the same memo. No, I didn't lose my job. I lost my position. I'm not unemployed, I've been re-employed. The option of lay-off was presented to me matter of factly; and the alternative was a new position in my employer's business partner's other business. I had little choice at the time, except to take the new position.
So this week, I've been learning a new job, while staying in the same building with my former employee friends. We pass by each other, still talk, still take "smoke breaks" together or go to lunch--except now we don't really work together. We are in different parts of the building and my new position is far removed from my old position. It's not like I was "down-sized", but rather "re-sized". Suffice it to say, it's been stressful, different, and challenging. The week seemed as if it would never end and frankly I'm glad it's Friday and I have the weekend to breathe and evaluate what just happened. But, I am grateful that "Bloody Monday" only wounded me, and that I was not a fatality.
On a "up" note, I checked out a nightclub here in Mobile, Alabama called The Blind Mule that offers an "open mike" night and I am gonna schedule a night in a week or two to tell a few jokes. I may even invite my bosses, as long as they remember I'm not on their time when I'm doing stand-up comedy and every topic is fair game.
Speaking of "every topic" and lastly for this entry--I discovered a new blog this week and I've added it to my "Links That I Like". The Gun Toting Liberal has enough controversy and opinion to suit anybody. For me, I can agree with one entry and then in an instant, think the author is way off base. The author(s) are "Liberal-tarian". So, they say stuff that will both infuriate and inspire residents of both Blue States and Red States. And the site owner is a fellow resident of Mobile, Alabama and has had an interest in Quixtar and Amway like myself; so that's a plus. Go take a look and comment, if you dare.
As most readers of Tex's Amway Global Blog already know, the blog was started and written by yours truly, Dave Robison. I take comments made by "Tex" at other blogs related to Amway Global and Quixtar and add them as individual blog entries at "his" blog.
"Tex" then responds in the comments section and adds his points. In the beginning, I called it, "surrogate blogging".
Today, "Tex" has posted his very first official blog entry. He is now a full-fledged contributor to his own blog. While I will still be the blog administrator and will still make blog entries(and edit them); Tex now has the power to write an entry under his own moniker and publish it to his blog.
Congratulations, Tex, and welcome to blogging from the inside.
It's been over a week since my last blog entry, and that has to stop now.
A lot has happened. My computer is fixed. It's down-time was one of the major reasons that blog entries were sparse.
My boss at my "8-5" job bought me a new cell phone. It's an LG Shine minus the MediaNet service, but still with a cool camera capable of all those "self portrait through a mirror" shots you see on the social networking sites. I miss my old circa 2003 Nokia that was built to withstand a semi-truck rolling over it, but it finally developed so many problems that it was beyond any practical use.
I've increase my usage at Twitter and have a few followers. The Twitter service and a Twitter user was the first to send photos of the recent US Airways crash on the Hudson River.
And if you didn't already know; today The United States inaugurated the 44th President.
The one thing that amazed me about today's celebrations, rhetoric, comments, commentary and news was not the history-making event in Washington D.C but the event that happened at my "8-5".
Whether my fellow employees voted for Barack Obama or not, at 10:45 CDT, we all gathered around a few computer screens and suspended work for a while and watched the Presidential Inauguration and Speech together.
As I watched the live streaming video via MSN.com, I noticed the video stop and stutter or delay several times and could only imagine the number, in the millions, of other viewers logging on and watching and the volume of data being transferred across the Internet at that time.
While the new President spoke of the future and the challenges ahead for our country, I realized just how far we have already come and how the future is now. We take pictures with our phones, we watch televison on our computers, and citizen journalists inform us of news as it happens through social networking sites and blog entries, even before traditional media outlets.
And even though, when our computers fail, we tear our hair out in frustration until they are fixed; they serve us well. They inspire creativity and produce just as much as a tractor, a steel mill, or an oil well.
I can't go to YouTube, I can barely surf MySpace without the computer freezing. Any website with a Java app or Flash won't display properly. The Internet acts as if I were on a dial-up connection in 1989 trying to post a message to a BBS. And to top it all off, forget about opening two windows at once. I'm asking myself, "Did this computer ever really serve a purpose when it came out?"
But, in its defense, it is at least allowing me to check my email account(Well, one of them, the other one won't display) and make this blog entry.
My other computer has crashed or been invaded by a terrible virus and will not allow me to even log in after turning it on. So, I can't complete my travelogue about New Orleans because I don't have the photos to access.
"What about scanning them or taking them off your CD, Dave?"
Yeah, well this computer won't run my 21st Century printer/scanner nor will it run my Wal-Mart Photo CD.
So, I'm stuck in a computing Time Warp for a few days, but I am online; so I haven't broke out in hives or started hyperventilating...yet.
Slava Yaryshkin(I tried saying it three times real fast, to no avail) is a stand-up comedian born in the USSR and living in NYC. Slava got on stage for the first time back in 2006.
In January 2008, He began a blog, Stand-Up Comedy 101, to help beginner comedians survive their first year in stand-up comedy. Slava says, "My purpose is to write the kind of blog I wish was available when I was starting out and the reason I want to help is because your first year of stand-up is the toughest."
I discovered Slava's blog through a Google Alert. Slava had written an entry about Google and MySpace blog search results.
I left some comments.
After that I decided to read more of Slava's blog and it's got some good stuff on it. I have added it to my "Links I Like" under the COMEDIANS section.
Slava also has a website for comedians listing Open Mikes in the NYC area and a few cities beyond at Bad Slava.
He's already accepted me as his friend on MySpace and Facebook, so you know he's "aces" in my book. I'm so needy.
I'd venture to say that I have a friend that could trump you on just about any trivia involving any movie, anywhere.
When I first met Van Roberts, he was a reporter at WCBI-TV in Columbus, Mississippi. I was a "kid ventriloquist" that happened to give performances at local civic clubs, festivals, and birthday parties. I received the usual local media from the TV station and newspapers when it was a slow news day and they needed some 14 year old kid talking to a group of 50 year old lawyers eating roast beef at the local Holiday Inn.
Fast-forward to my late twenties and I decided to finish my college degree. Lo and behold, my degree required me to take more than a few courses from a new professor named Van Roberts.
During my first class, with Mr. Roberts he warned the other much younger students that they needed to be on the lookout for Mr. Robison. He may try and put words in their mouth. Yep, he remembered me. Over the course of the next three years, Van became more than just a teacher, but also a friend.
But he made me write. And write some more. He made me do radio shifts. He made me record silly commercials and audio projects. Oh...and he made me watch movies.
He made me watch movies and write about them. He made me watch classic movies. He made me watch foreign movies. He made me watch funny movies. He made me watch great movies. He made me watch extremely bad movies. Really, really bad movies.
And all the while, I had to write about them. Do you know how hard it is to write a "good" review about a bad movie? It's no picnic trying to find one redeeming value about the movie "Zardoz".
Our friendship has continued all these years, even though for the last 6 years or so, it's been through email.
Recently I discovered that Van was on Facebook and has a blog of his own, about--what else? The Cinema. Film. Movies. I'm counting over 160 reviews.
Of course these days, I have to refer to Van as DOCTOR Roberts, PH.D. But besides, that, nothing has change; Van is still the expert in movie-going. Stop by his blog, Van's Cine Blog. Leave a comment, agree with him, disagree with him, tell him you hate "Zardoz" too.
From Van's Bio:
As an Assistant Professor of Communication at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi, I teach Speech, Images of Women in Film, Introduction to Film, and Video Production. I am a member of the Professional Link Toastmasters in Columbus and I also belong to PRAM, Public Relations Association of Mississippi. I received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in English Literature with a minor in Communication from Mississippi State University (1976), a Masters of Arts Degree in Speech, Theater & Filmmaking from the University of Mississippi (1978), and a Ph.D., in American History from Mississippi State University (2006). My favorite pet is the cat, preferably solid black. I have three cats. I enjoy a moderate amount of exercise, but most of my time is spent in the classroom teaching, in a cinema sitting on my brain or sprawled on a couch watching television.
Oh yeah, and that Ph.D. in History...the concentration is on World War II propaganda films. Still think you're a movie buff? Van has you beat.
I just received word from Dino Baskovic, blog administrator for the Alticor Media Blog that the last blog entry for the Alticor Media Blog has been posted.
"In 2006, our public persona was divided among four companies – Alticor, Amway, Quixtar and Access. Going forward, however, we will do most of our communicating to public audiences under the Amway and Amway Global flags; continuing an "Alticor" blog seems out of place. So we'll lock up the place, flip out the lights, and pack the old threads and recipe cards in archives."
I always liked the Alticor Media Blog, even though in its early days, it was used to discuss Michigan politics and Amway's President, Dick DeVos' bid for the Gubernatorial seat in Michigan.
Later on, the blog pulled no punches with its commentary regarding terminated Quixtar-affiliated business owners. I recall many Independent Business Owners miffed over the tone of the blog entries. I, personally, read those entries with a smile on my face. I was thinking, "Finally, they are cleaning house".
I had the chance to meet Dino Baskovic while attending an Alticor conference in Prague. He's a cool guy, that I think has brought a lot of good to Alticor during his time with the company. Dino understands PR, Business, and the culture of being a MLM business owner. Since, the Amway Media Blog will continue, I can only hope that Dino will still have a hand in its direction.
And according to the last entry of the Alticor Media Blog:
"We expect it to remain a place for breaking news, public statements and straight talk. And the OZone blogs are of course alive and well. We hope you visit them early and often.
And away we go."
Okay, I'm sure somebody will say, "Just GO". But it won't be me.
It appears that my recent changes here at the "OTRWD" site are finished. Everything seems to be in working order.
The only problem I was having over the past day or two was not being able to see my favicon on Firefox or Internet Explore 7. It would show for a millisecond and then was replaced by the Blogger icon. I think that is fixed now. I don't have IE7 but the Firefox browser is picking it up. Ya'll let me know of any other problems.
From time to time, you may notice that the "Feed Box" for Comedy This Exit and Skyler's Gravel Road sometimes does not appear or is slow to load. That's a problem with the code that I'm using. It's a good code, but is used by several people and may fail to respond at times. I'm assuming it has to do with traffic load.
(On a side note--Both "Comedy This Exit" and "Skyler's Gravel Road" have been tweaked in the last six months with some different colors and images added that were not in the original template. "Comedy This Exit" features a new green exit sign-type title)
I've had some fun doing this as well as some frustration, but I think it turned out pretty good.
In keeping with the whole "Road" theme, I've gone with red links...cause, you "STOP" on a link...yeah I know--pretty cheesy. If you don't want to think about it that way, then it's also a homage to my blogger mentor, Eric Janssen, and his site The Quixtar Blog, One Man's Perceptions. Eric uses red links, too. I like them.
I wasn't able to find the old background wrap pattern that was once used on the site, but the blue color is almost exact.
So, tell me what you think. Better? Worse? Who cares?
OK, Now I've added color...but it was supposed to only wrap the border and not cover the entire blog. It appears that I have to "border off" some separate elements of the page and then make sure their corresponding backgrounds are white, so you, the reader, can actually read the blog with some ease, while having the splash of blue on the edges of the page.
I'm still looking for the border gif that my website designer originally used along with the blue color. If I can't find it, I'll just use the blue color.
I'm tinkering with the HTML of "On The Road With Dave" trying to re-capture some borders and color that were part of the site a couple of years ago. I've messed with the stylesheet and things look different.
The borders are a bit off and the color hasn't been added yet. I can add the old blue color on a "test" blog ran by Blogger; but I haven't seemed to be able to figure out where I make the blog template react to the stylesheet change for the color. Also, the Archive Listing is whack.
But, I'm learning and they say "change" is good. So hang in there with me and we'll see if I get it right, or revert back to the way it was.
Chip Martin is no dummy when it comes to advertising. That's why I read his blog on a regular basis. So when he wrote about an advertising company out of Durham, North Carolina called The Republik; I had to go take a look.
"Dave, why did you not link The Republik website?"
Have you ever seen a website that makes you wanna just pick up a gun and shoot your monitor? Well, now you have the choice of .44 Magnum, Sniper rifle, or shotgun. The Republik invites you to blast holes in their old site, reload, and blast again, before taking you to their new whiz-bang website, The Republik.
These guys look pretty good. Their website sells their service, or as they would call it; "pulls" their clients in. It's tongue-in-cheek, serious, informative and there are a few surprises to keep you on the site.
And what website these days would be worth it's salt without a blog? I can't think of one and The Republik agrees with me. After blowing their old website to smithereens and then perusing their portfolio, you can keep up with their ideas on advertising by reading their blog, Change Or Die.
So, pick up your weapon of choice and destroy The Republik...consider it your Saturday Diversion.
I use a free service call Site Meter to track my visitors to On The Road With Dave.
Currently, this service seems to be having problems and the meter code was causing an Internet Explorer Abort error. It seems to be caused by a script error in the site meter code.
I've removed the code temporarily which might affect the actual count of visitors to my site.
I have also removed the meter at Tex's Quixtar Blog.
We corrected a compatibility issue with our SiteMeter tracking code and IE7 and IE6 browsers that started last night.
The problem was related to some work we were doing on the backend system for our upcoming website launch.
We’ve identified and resolved two separate but related issues -
1 - IE Users viewing pages - The error occured when the SiteMeter tag was not a direct child of the body tag (e.g. if the tag was within a table or div). Recent changes we made created a failure for visitors viewing sites using Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 6.
2 - Accessing SiteMeter and Stats - Individuals trying to access or view their SiteMeter stats by clicking on their SiteMeter logo/icons were unable to gain access. This again appears to have affected only individuals using IE7 and IE6.
At this time both problems have been fixed and our services are fully operational.
For those who removed the SiteMeter code from your pages please be assured that the problem has been resolved and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
If you have any questions please let us know by submitting a support ticket at support.sitemeter.com.
Lately, I have become a huge fan of chef, traveler, author, and TV personality Anthony Bourdain. So much so that for the past week I have been trying to write about my most recent trip to New Orleans in a "travel writer" style. I know exactly what I want to say, but have no "fricken" clue how to write it.
Well, that's not exactly true; I write a bit of it and then get distracted or frustrated or tired. It's been a long week at my "day job" of doing things totally removed from the life of a travel writer or comedian or even a lowly blog writer; and after I have arrived home, it seems that the inspiration can't break through the fatigue.
But, now it's the weekend and I'll be finishing that travelogue, so keep a look out for it.
Also, for all my readers still interested in my opinions about Multi-level Marketing and Quixtar there's a new entry brewing for next week.
If you read any of the Quixtar Opportunity Zone blogs, or Chuck Lia's "Speaking Of Amway" blog or even "On The Road With Dave"--you might have read comments from a lady named "Bridgett".
Bridgett is a Quixtar-affiliated Independent Business Owner and her comments can be funny, thoughtful, and to some; infuriating. Her comments even led to her being invited, along with me and others, to Prague last March for a meeting with Alticor's Communications team.
At the meeting, I suggested numerous times to Bridgett that she should start her own blog--even if it wasn't Quixtar/Amway related. Bridgett had some issues with the idea that mostly revolved around maintaining a certain amount af anonymity.
I received an email from her over the weekend announcing she had decided to take the plunge into the blogosphere. Normally, I wouldn't link to a new blog until the author has posted several weeks of blog entries; but since this could be some breaking news for other bloggers writing about the Quixtar/Amway business; I felt that since she let me know, I should go ahead and let my readers know.
Although, she will still probably maintain some anonymity, I think her new blog will be an interesting stop in your daily Internet surfing.
Back in August of 2006, I wrote a scathing rant about the IP Casino and Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. You may recall, "The Imperial Palace Casino Sucks!"
Today, I received another comment from an IP casino patron about his experience at the casino.
Anonymous said...
"I and my BOSS decided to have a father's day supper of crab legs and enjoy a bloody mary at the Palace this evening. Another customer complained about our language, and the manager along with three security guards acompanied us to the front door. This after paying $18.99 per plate for two buffets. I will never allow my money to inconvenience them again. Richard. Biloxi MS."
But, that comment did not spark today's entry at "On The Road With Dave"; somebody named Paco Hope did.
Paco gave his opinion about my experience at the IP Casino back in February 2008. I just discovered his blog entry today.
Paco wasn't exactly kind to my writing style, my rant, or my opinion about my experience. He felt, as another commenter at my original entry did, that I wanted to make trouble.
Paco summarizes:
"So, in summary, two points:
Set your expectations right. Mississippi is not Monte Carlo. Ten dollars in slots play does not get you James Bond treatment. If you show up to a popular restaurant on a Saturday night without a reservation, you will wait. Casino employees with shitty lives, shitty paychecks, and shitty jobs may actually be rude sometimes. Amazingly, some of these folks are really decent and rise above every excuse to be rude and are really pleasant. Still, if you catch one on a bad day, don’t be so shocked. It happens.
People deserve second chances, even when they do rude things. There was no value in berating or confronting that cashier. There is no value in boycotting a casino based on a single unpleasant night. There is no reason your wife deserved rude treatment just for asking a simple question. She deserved a second chance, and so does everybody else."
Paco makes his case, and I don't believe that he is a "nut-job", either; (he mentions that people who rant often come across as "nut-jobs" in his article).
It seems over the past few weeks that I have had little time to do anything other than work my "8-5" and pray for a weekend to do anything.
I can't specifically recall the things that I felt were taking all my time, but I just seemed not to have any hours left at the ened of the day to enjoy.
In the past, blogging was a top priority. I HAD to get something written in my blog everyday. Something would be amiss; if I wasn't able to blog--life would be unbalanced. And maybe that's one of the reasons the last week has seemed unbalanced. I simply wasn't logging in to Blogger and venting to my readers. (If I still have any)
This is not to imply that life has been sucking since I last blogged; just that I haven't made time to blog about life.
So, today I plan to organize my thoughts on recent events, news, and topics in my life and offer you my commentary in the coming days.
On the "Comedy" scene; I was recently contacted by a booker completely unsolicited--which is a good thing and proves my Internet existence is working. I also will be in Anniston, Alabama next Saturday at The Smoking Moose. If you live in North Alabama, come check out the show.
Full Details of the show will, of course, be written at "Comedy This Exit" after the performance.
Anyway, thank goodness it's the weekend; and I finally have some time to write.
I don't want to be accused of following in the footsteps of the Alticor Media Blog and falling behind in updating my blog, so I'll let you in on what's coming up next week.
I have several entries I'm working on.
I attended my first Mobile Bay Bears game last week, and took a few photos. You might have surmised that something like that influenced my "Sunday Thoughts" last week. So, expect a summary of my trip to the "Hank".
I was contacted last week by Nashville publisher, Turner Publishing to write a review of a pictorial history of Mobile, Alabama. I received my copy a few days ago and plan to share my thoughts on the book.
Friday night, I performed here in Mobile at "30 Something" with a group of fine comedians and a small audience. That story will be coming over at "Comedy This Exit".
I have a birthday coming up this week, and you can pretty much expect that I'll be in one of my contemplative and reflective moods on that day. I really hate birthdays.
I posted a few comments over at Chuck Lia's "Speaking Of Amway" blog regarding should "Quixtar" bloggers start to blog less and concentrate on actually building a Quixtar business. Nice discussion.
Special thanks to those that attended the mock press conference last week; that entry is still open for more questions.
No Theme, no real sense of purpose. Just a few things rambling around in my head.
I did some karaoke last weekend at a bowling alley lounge, no less. One of my friends' and coworkers' Dad and Mom run a Karaoke night. Her dad mentioned I was a stand-up comedian and was going to give me a chance to do "5 minutes". I wasn't really prepared, and another friend started talking to the crowd; giving them hints at my material. (Who wants to hear about MySpace, Midgets, and Mayonnaise?) She "worked" the crowd's curiosity up; but I declined and offered to come back another week when I was prepared. Some audience members were actually upset that I didn't perform right then and there. Maybe I should have.
I got a form email from Steve Hofstetter saying he's going to be doing his "Business of Comedy" seminar in Atlanta, Georgia on May 3rd. I wanna go. The seminar is inexpensive and is chocked full of relevant, useful information. Steve is a top-notch comedian's comedian and I'm sure I would get lots of "good" from it. I just gotta figure out how to afford the trip. Not just the seminar cost, but gasoline costs, meals, and whether I can make it a one day trip with a tired trip home or a possible hotel stay.
I joined Twitter. I'm not sure why. Do I really want to make little updates of day-to-day activities for my online friends to read? It's just one more thing to experiment with. Do I want people to follow me on Twitter? Will anybody figure that it'll be worth following? Who knows; but I am all a twitter. Maybe I'm "twitter-pated" as well. If you wanna see Twitter updates, then they are in my side bar.
I wanna win a Bloggie. Or a Blogger's Choice award. But, "On The Road With Dave" doesn't exactly fit into any of the categories to nominate it for consideration--Unless of course it happened to be "greatest blog of all time" or greatest Blog Writer. I envy blogs that I find on the Internet that have the little banner that proclaims they have won the coveted Best Blog award in a particular category. Also the prize money of $20.08 seems to be enticing me.
I've been reading IBOFIghtback's Blog and Forum, The Truth About Amway, almost since he started the site.
Recently, I got the chance to meet the author and while he was controversial on sites like The Quixtar Blog Forum and earned the name "Spinsider"--when it comes to his Line Of Sponsorship, Network 21--I found him to be a pretty cool guy.
No, I don't agree with all of his opinions, but then again, not everybody agrees with my opinions, either.
His site provides feeds to breaking press releases from the world of Amway and Quixtar and I think he must have a hundred "Google Alerts" going through his Inbox to keep up. I personally like his slant of covering Amway/Quixtar business in the European and Asian markets.
He's been sending his readers to my blog over the past couple of weeks to catch up with my exploits in Prague and his readers have caused a little spike in my traffic.
By The Way, Welcome to all the visitors from "Truth".
I can't really return the favor in numbers, but I can surely return the favor by adding "The Truth About Amway" to my "Links That I Like" in my sidebar.
Welcome "IBOFightback" to "On The Road With Dave".
I slept terribly, Wednesday night. The codeine cough syrup I had been using to quiet my cough had began to make me itch. It was a side effect I had experienced before. Usually I can live with it, but at the same time my bronchitis was worsening and the codeine wasn't even helping the cough. At about 3AM, I got up out of bed and decided that since I couldn't sleep, I might as well pack my bags.
By 4AM, I was tired and miserable--but if I went to sleep--would I wake up in time to check out and make it to the airport? I chanced it, and slept until around 5:30AM.
I was to meet "TEX" downstairs in the lobby for breakfast at 6AM. I carried my bags down, checked out, and received my deposit back. (I had to put up a $100 dollars deposit, because I didn't have a credit card to secure purchases from the mini bar or if I had decided to watch some hotel satellite porn) For the record I got back all my money, except the price of a Pepsi.
"Tex" and I had a nice breakfast and caught the shuttle to the airport. I have been telling the story, since I returned from Prague, that I saw Air Force Two( maybe One) at the Amsterdam Airport and now, as I write this, it might have been at the Prague Airport. I was told after I returned from my trip that Condoleezza Rice had been making a trip to the area.
Again a nice flight to Amsterdam. At the Amsterdam Airport, I said good-bye to Tex and began the long security check. I was randomly selected for a more extensive security check. No Rubber Gloves were involved but they did open my carry-on bag and wave a metal detector wand over me and pat me down. I passed the test.
Then it was 10 hours on board a way crowded flight to Memphis, TN. I'm sure that my fellow passengers were happy to land in Memphis, after listening to me cough the entire trip. I think I might have started a trend before the flight was over. I heard many others cough right along with me. Maybe, we were all suffering from the "Prague Blah"
But, me and my fellow flight mates were not just going to land in Memphis. We had the opportunity to land somewhere else first.
As our flight trajectory brought us near the USA and home, a passenger began experiencing a medical emergency. The pilot made that familiar announcement that you hear in the movies. "If there is a qualified medical professional on board we ask that you report to a flight attendant." or something to that effect.
About thirty minutes later, another announcement.
"We have a passenger experiencing signs of a heart attack, we are making an unscheduled stop in Toronto, Canada to assist the passenger. Please remain in your seats as medical personnel board the plane."
We land. We stay on the runway. Fire trucks, ambulances, and other official airport vehicles surround the plane and Paramedics board the plane. We sit. I cough.
Thirty minutes later, they wheel an elderly gentleman from the plane under oxygen and his "vacation" in Canada begins. The trucks leave. We are informed that our flight connections will be informed of the delay and that most of us should make our next leg of the trip in plenty of time.
And I do. I arrive in Memphis with about 45 minutes to spare. Just time enough to pass through Customs, receive my SECOND stamp in my Passport, and board my plane to "Sweet Home Alabama"
My lovely wife greeted me at the Mobile Airport with a hug and a kiss and a container filled with some cold Milo's Tea. (nectar of the Gods)
Unfortunately, my luggage had taken a side trip to Shreveport thanks to the Customs official in Memphis who I handed it to on my way to my flight.
"Mobile, right?" he said.
"Right." I said.
Undoubtedly, "Right" means send it somewhere else. So I didn't get my bags until the next day, but I was home. Who cares?
But, it bummed me out a bit, because I couldn't show off my handmade marionette to the family that night. He's a Scot, I bought him because I have some Scot in me and I think I may look a little like him after a few shots of Tequila.
Well folks, there you have it. The entire Prague, Czech Republic experience. Thanks for taking the trip again with me.
Thanks again to David Steadson, Bridgett, "Tex" and "Big Apple" for being a part of the Bloggers 5. Thank you, Rob Zeiger and Alticor Corporation for thinking I had something intelligent to say to your Staff. Thank you, Robin Luymes and Dino Baskovic for putting up with us, hosting us, and doing all that walking in the city with us.
It was a trip of a lifetime, and I'm glad I was "On The Road" to do it.
Here's the blog entry that you've all been waiting for.
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE ALTICOR GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE?
Or at least, what did they want to know from all the bloggers invited.
Shortly after I returned from Prague, I wrote Rob Zeiger, Director of Communications with Alticor and Dino Baskovic, Alticor consultant and moderator of our panel discussion, and asked for a copy of the questions asked of the Bloggers 5.
Let me say, that at no time during the conference were we told NOT to blog about the conference. It was pretty much expected that we would. But, although I took a few notes, I was more intent on answering the questions as they were ask. So I was happy that Dino sent me a copy of the questions when I requested them. This conference really convinced me that Alticor/Amway/Quixtar really wants to be transparent in its Internet presence.
The conference session opened with Dino giving a short Powerpoint presentation on what Blogging is, What blogs can do, and how Quixtar, Amway, and Alticor are using blogs. The ease of setting up a blog was mention and different Blog platforms like WordPress and Blogger were mentioned.
The Alticor Media Blog and the Amway Media Blog were began to address questions from, who else, but the Media. At the time, Dick DeVos, son of Amway Founder Rich DeVos was running for Governor of Michigan and his connection with Amway was an issue during the campaign.
After the campaign(and DeVos' loss) the two media blogs began to address Alticor lawsuits and troubles with terminated Independent Business Owners affiliated with Alticor.
Dino then introduced the invited bloggers and briefly explained their blogging efforts.
Although, the conference organizers knew all the attendees' real names, each blogger was introduced as their Internet personae. Their anonymity was important to the organizers.
Our audience consisted of Public Relations and Communications staff from Quixtar; Alticor Global; and Amway in Europe, including China. The China delegation had their own interpreter. (My personal nightmare was how the Interpreter might handle my Southern colloquialisms)
I will answer the questions here at "On The Road With Dave", but it's my hope that the rest of the bloggers invited will answer them as well in the comments AND ANY OTHER Quixtar/Amway blogger(critics, too) can give their answers.
I'm sure Dino and Rob Zeiger will read your answers.
1. When did you first start blogging about Amway, and why?
I began commenting at the Original Quixtar Blog back in 1983 2003. I was a frequent contributor to the blog's forum, as well. I even guest blogged at the site. I was then challenged by Eric Janssen, the site author; to start my own blog as an IBO with a positive, but objective view of the Amway/Quixtar world.
2. Many blogs have their own ground rules, and certainly the blogosphere has many rules of the road. What rules—if any—do you govern yourself by when you blog, and for what reasons?
I don't have any set rules other than I do not actively recruit potential IBOs or sell Quixtar products at my blog. I do not accept advertising at my blog, although like any blogger, I "link exchange" with other blogs I like.
As for my readers, they are welcome to leave their comments. Moderation is minimal, only to delete SPAM and illegal or libelous material. Opposing views are always welcomed, but ultimately my blog is my "show".
3. In your opinion, what do you think of our company’s approach to blogging? If you could, what would you change about the way we blog?
At first, only a few blogs like Beth Dornan's had a real "voice. A blog must have a personal voice, even if it is a corporate blog. That problem seems to be on the mend. Also, at first there seemed to be more "PR" than "blog".
Currently, the Alticor/Quixtar/Amway blogs remain "static" too long. Updates can be sporadic. If a particular blog entry elicits numerous responses from readers, then the corporate bloggers need to update with another entry addressing those responses in detail. The conversation among commenters goes on without much more response from the corporate blogger.
4. How has blogging helped you as an individual, as an advocate for the company, and as an "online citizen"? (In my notes, this question was "Has Blogging made you a better person?)
I'm not sure blogging has made me a "better" person; but it has made me a better writer and a better thinker. As an "online citizen" it has afforded me the opportunity to meet good people with diverse opinions and I have online friends and new "offline" friends that I have met as a direct result from blogging and "social networks" online.
5. Do you participate in other online venues, such as with sites like MySpace or Facebook, or do any podcasting? Do you feel that our involvement in these venues makes sense given the nature of our business? Please explain your answer.
I started my Internet life in the early 90s with AOL. I was in chatrooms, message boards, forums. When I discovered the Internet, it was like I injected the modem line directly in my vein. I am hooked.
I participate in blogging, commenting at other blogs, I have a MySpace page, A Facebook page, a Comedian's Community, I'm also LinkedIN. I have a big ego; I want people to know who I am. (This response got laughs, The Chinese people smiled)
As far as Alticor getting involved in "social networking" sites, I would say that employees or IBOs should feel free to join, if they have the inclination and time. I am already friends on Facebook with Dino, Beth Dornan, and Robin Luymes. The Corporation, itself, doesn't really need a site like MySpace.
6. Our bloggging presence – the way we blog, how we blog and what we say – is evolving over time. We are still in the learning stages. Many of the audience members here are professional communicators from our Amway affiliates all over the world. What advice can you give our audience members as they continue to embrace blogging as a tool of communication?
Be authentic. Use your name. Write what is on your mind. Be Personal. A blog reader wants to "know" the author. Don't rely on the company name "tagged" in all your posts to build your readership. If you have diverse content in your blog, readers will find you doing many different type "searches". They may find you because you did a post on "little league soccer" and then stick around to read other things you have written; including things about the company.
There was a follow-up question to this regarding other Quixtar and Amway IBOs starting a blog and if Alticor should encourage this. I stated that while many IBOs may have passion to write positive things about the company in a blog...not everybody can write a blog or even "string" three coherent sentences together. I'm a blog snob, not everybody can do it, even though anybody can start a blog in as little as 5 minutes.
7. Do You Make Any Money Blogging?
Not directly. I have gained comedy gigs from blogging and of course, a major global Direct Sales company paid me to discuss blogging. (I think the Chinese people smiled again)
8. Many of the people in this audience primarily deal with reporters and are just now beginning to deal with bloggers. There has been much debate in recent years whether bloggers carry the same rights and privileges, as do traditional journalists. Do you feel bloggers and journalists are one in the same, and should we treat bloggers with the same level of professional courtesy as we do with reporters?
This question didn't get answered at the conference by me in detail, another panelist answered it. (I forget who). But Dino, my answer would have been--Bloggers and Journalists are the same when the Blogger is covering an issue that is newsworthy. Bloggers are "influencers" if their readership is influenced by them and in turn make a decision about a company. But, a company such as Alticor should treat ANYONE online with respect and professional courtesy, simply because you don't know what the ripple effect they may have on the online community.
I am trained as a journalist; so you can treat me like one. And needless to say, I did hear a couple of "This is off the record" statements.
9. As a global company, we must cooperate with different governments and respect their laws and customs as a rule of doing business. That said, how has blogging impacted the global marketplace?
Blogging as well as the Internet itself, has made the global marketplace more open. A person in another country that might not have access to certain information about a company in a country other than their own, need only perform a "Google search" to find information, market data, profit and loss, and litigation results. Plus, word-of-mouth advertising and personal testimonies via blogs hold weight across international borders.
10. Do you think that blogging has changed the direct selling industry as a whole? Why or why not?
Yes. Information travels faster via blogs and Internet forums, than knocking on doors and doing cold calls. Therefore, a direct seller and Direct Sales companies have to alter their methods of presentation in an online society.
FINALLY, Dino said that over the past year or so; Alticor was trying to transform itself and its companies and its online reputation. In a one-word, "Yes or No" answer; Do you believe the company is already being transformed?
We all answered, YES.
And I do believe it. Not Overnight. Small Steps. But the transformation is happening.
That's it. There was "give and take" and debate among the panelists during the answers and the audience attendees submitted other questions as well. Some personal.
Dino did asked me what kind of material I did in my comedy act...and I hesitated and then told him, he needed to come see me perform; and I left the audience with my blog URL and the address to my MYSPACE page and told them I would gladly accept them as a friend. YEAH, I got an ego!
