Joelle said before her coffee on October 16, 2007
Last night, I wanted to go down to Borders to see if our book was on the shelf yet. After finding the computer section, I was expecting it to be on a “cart” or a “display rack” as we were told that Borders was doing a “big push” or something, but it was stuck mysteriously in with some web design books, which was surprising. I’m not really sure what it’s doing over there, since there’s nothing in there about how to design anything, other than tips on successful blog design. If you have trouble finding it in with your blog books, be sure to check the web design section.
But, on the upswing, I was happy to discover that knowing they only had 3 books in stock, one was missing from the shelf. There were only two books there with a hole where one used to be, so I can only assume someone bought one. Hooray! Thank you, Person Who Bought Our Book!
Update: On a promo at Borders starting today! Woo! Thank you, Borders!
Joelle said in the early morning on October 15, 2007
If anyone is curious about what the inside of our book is like… you know, before you buy it (hint, hint), Amazon has recently added the “Search Inside!”
feature to our book, The IT Girl’s Guide to Blogging with Moxie.
You can check out the table o’ contents, the index, our gawwwwgeous mugs on the back cover and even read a bit of the book, if you’re so inclined. Hit “Surprise me!” if you want to see a page from inside the book at random, but click “Excerpt” if you just want to see the first few pages.
Then, after you’re all intoxicated by our charm, please click that little button that says “Add to Cart”. 
Added: Some of you may want to take a peek because many, many, many blogs were mentioned in the writing of this book. Sometimes, there were even screenshots. I don’t think the publisher notifies every single person mentioned in the book, so it’s entirely possible you’re in there, whomever you may be. Though, most likely, it will be a blog of the ovarian variety, considering the target audience. Sorry, guys! 
Joelle said around dinner time on October 14, 2007
I’ve been on a decorating kick lately. My bedroom has always come last in the way of decor since nobody really saw it but me. But, I’ve decided it’s high time I indulged a bit in a proper grown-up bedroom.
I’m thinking about investing in a sewing machine so that I can make pillows and hem drapes and other such things, but I really have no clue what to look for in a sewing machine. I’ve only sewn things like pillows and duvet covers… you know, square things. The most advanced thing I’ve ever done is a box-pleat bedskirt, but I had assistance and it was about 15 years ago, so I really couldn’t tell you how to even thread the thing without reading the manual.
I am not looking to spend a lot of money, preferably around $100 or less. Does anyone have one they can recommend? 
Joelle said during prime time on October 13, 2007
By some miracle, I got a kind and human response from [the wife of the owner of the domains]. She expressed that her husband saw my domain had expired and said “it is a rather typical thing to do to use an expired domain to help less-ranked sites achieve greater rankings”. Typical, but not ethical and I let her know that she might want to pass that on to her husband. It also violates many hosts’ terms and conditions. It’s just not cool. Period.
It’s one thing to snap up the domain. Fine, fine. It’s quite another to leave my content, identity and design up there, but put links to your wife’s blog placed stealthily throughout. What’s weird is that from the joking and casual way she addressed me, I got the impression she’s read my blog before… it was sort of familiar for response to a formal complaint. Perhaps it was her husband who has read me or maybe it was just a coincidence, but I still think it’s crappy.
But, I do appreciate her nice response and their immediate action in removing my content. Now I’m just torn: do I remove the previous post because they complied with my request or in the interest of full disclosure do I leave it up? Hm. They did comply and I don’t want to be a jerk… what say you?
Update: Decided to edit it for now, leaving the post up. if you want to know who it was, you can always look up who owns YetUpbeat.com or email me to ask.
Joelle said at some point on October 13, 2007
Dear [Guy Who Stole My Stuff],
Next time you decide to use my content and index page as a link dump for your websites, you might want to reconsider.
I am so sick of this crap. This time, you didn’t just take my design, you took my content. My old domain, YetUpbeat.com, was released into the wild only to be snapped up by you, the owner of the following websites: [some urls which I’ve since removed]. (A few more quick searches found a bunch more “link dump"-type “marketing” websites for mortgages and hosting and other shilly things.) You then proceeded to nab my old index archived in Webarchive.org, leaving all my content including posts from May 2006, my name and my photos, but slapping a link to your [redhead] dating service and that [blog name removed] woman’s blog in the footer.
YES, I released my domain. That’s fine. TAKE IT. But that doesn’t entitle ANYONE to my content or use of MY FACE AND NAME. I am absolutely livid.
I’ve done my homework. This is the internet, people. Did you think you wouldn’t get caught? There’s this thing called Google. Your company claims to be an internet marking provider? A host? A design shop? What a crock! Your contact form didn’t work and if you were legit, you’d know that WE CAN FIND YOU. And I won’t let this go as “language barrier” or “cultural differences” like I do when I see this stuff pop up in Indonesia or India. You are from Michigan. Good ol’ USA. I looked you right up and now know your first and last name, address, phone number, myspace address (nice photo, by the way), and thanks to Google Maps, if I had my druthers I could find out exactly where and provide you with a satellite image. So you go on assuming that the Internet is this magical mystical place where everyone can run amok being a sheisty jerk-off and no one is the wiser.
I’ve sent an informal “cease and desist” email to every email address for every URL you own (that I can find). I’ve also left comments on your blogs and via your contact forms (at least the ones that work). I’ve also saved a copy of every page that has your address (both of them) and phone and registrar information and I even called you directly at the phone number listed. I tried every avenue before posting this. If this were some kind of glitch, I’d think you’d be bending over backwards to assure me that it’s not your fault. I’ve received NO response from you. Your host is next. THEY will remove the site if you won’t and I’d rather not have you banned from your host for violating their terms of service, but I will. I most certainly will.
It’s not like you had links up to Donkey Lovers or anything, but it’s the principle. That is MY name, my face, my rep, my ranking you are using. Take the domain… in fact, go ahead and put donkey porn on it if you want. Hell, run naked through the street with a garbage bag on your head screaming, “Joelle sucks Bea Arthur’s tomatoes!” for all I care. But take my content off, take my name off, take my face off or prepare to take this outside.
I have attorneys and I am not afraid to use them.
Hmph.
Joelle
Moxie Design Studios™