Joelle said around mid-afternoon on October 2, 2007
Taken at AIDS Walk 2007 with my D80.
So, AIDS Walk was on Sunday. I wasn’t sure if I was even going to make it out of bed to get to the Walk. Truth be told, my back was not playing nicely and I was having trouble getting up and down, let alone walking over three miles. But, it’s AIDS Walk and I figured even if I hobbled and took 3 hours, I was going to do it! And, of course, I did… in about an hour. Just like Lenscrafters.
It was really an interesting time. I walked the first mile behind two drag queens so that was entertaining. There were also dogs all over the place so I was having a great time with them, snapping photos. I also took lots of shots of the crowd. I should have the majority of them posted in the next day or two. Mostly I took about 300 shots of a bunch of crap with a dozen or so gems in there somewhere. Just like a real photographer.
Honestly, I think I may have a knack for photographing pets. My “people work” isn’t all that and there are only so many hibiscus you can take photos of… but dogs? Dogs rule. And for some reason… I don’t know, I seem to get good animal shots, better than normal. Unless I’m just getting better with my Nikon all around. Who knows?
I think it’s time to start investigating new lenses…
Joelle said around lunch time on October 4, 2007
Our book is coming! Our book is coming! We have been up the collective keister of our editors lately (sorry, Katie!) asking when we’re going to receive a copy our book. I received some notices via email that those of you who purchased the book via Amazon would have it arrive around the 19th of October. The initial launch got pushed back due to some promotions and good stuff that will be happening with good ol’ Borders. If you happen to live near a Borders and want our book tut suite, that’s where you’ll find it starting October 16th. Look for it on one of those fancy promo racks. Or, if you want to pre-order through Borders.com, you can get it for Amazon’s special price plus an additional 5% off at checkout. Thanks, Borders!
If you’d like to pick it up via Amazon, you can still do that as well and have it shipped to you as soon as it is released, which should be on October 15th, according to their website.
Kathy and I had planned to relaunch our new sites on the 1st of the month, but decided to coincide with the book release, so stay tuned mid-month for a veritable extravaganza of Moxie. 
I realize it’s a tech book and not Middlesex or anything, but it feels like so much more…
Joelle said in the early morning on October 5, 2007
A few months back, I was out having breakfast with my good friend mikey, taking photos at the local mall. We were approached by a security guard who gave us a bit of a hassle about taking photos of mall property. He gave us the whole “Since 9/11...” song and dance. So apparently because terrorists flew planes into the WTC 6 years ago all the way across the country, the Mickey Mouse kiddie ride at the local mall is a threat to National Security. Whatever.
Anyway, so that particular mall is kind of a “go-to"… we have a minimum of seven major malls in this city, but that one has a a two-story Target and the place I get my nails done, so it’s kind of hub of commerce for me. Since that incident with the security guard, I can’t seem to shake him! He’s always there and he always remembers me.
“Ooooooooooh! Heeey, hellooo! It’s my faaaaaaaaaavorite customer!”
He is from… honestly, I’m not sure if it’s Haiti or Africa. He’s got a cool accent. I could be totally wrong and if it is Africa, I couldn’t tell you where. I suck at accents from that whole area. He is very tall and thin with really lovely deep black skin and a great big happy smile. He’s also got a bit of an eye condition… kind of milky. He seems to be a very nice guy, but my dance card is full and I’m just not interested. Anyway, his accent when he says, “My faaaaaaaaaaavorite customer!” reminds me of The Count from Sesame Street (even though he was Transylvanian — not even remotely close!) and I expect him to say, “Ah ah AH!” at the end every time.
It’s like he’s got some kind of radar. I was hustling down the mall to Michael’s to pick up a picture frame and he waved. I heard “… my faaaaaaaavorite customerrrrrrr....” as I zoomed past, waving back. Then, I saw him again on my way to Target one day and again, I was his favorite customer. As I speed through the mall (because I don’t like to linger), he pops up from behind columns, corners, kiosks… it’s like having Geoffrey Holder from those old 7-up commercials pop up from behind things and I have to dodge him lest I get hit on… like a mad, accented video game. Only blacker and smilier.
So last week, I was at the mall and ran into mikey, who was there getting a venus fly trap. We decided to grab a bite to eat outside the food court and as he’s inside getting a refill, Mr. Security Guard saunters up to my table. “Helloooooo! It’s my faaaaaaaavorite customerrrrrrr...How are youuuuuuu?” (Smile. Smile. Smile. Cleavage scope. Bigger smile). He asked me, “Is that your boyfriend?” I stupidly say, “No.” He asks, “Is that your husband?” And again… I’m freakin’ George Washington all of a sudden and I cannot tell a lie. “No,” I say and keep eating my sandwich.
Don’t get me wrong… I’m really friendly to him. I think that might be the problem. He’s super nice and you can’t help but smile when someone smiles that big at you. But he wouldn’t go away! He asked what I do for a living and when I tell him I design websites, he begs me to hire him, even though he doesn’t design websites. I said, “Well, that’s not going to help much, is it?” and we laugh and he says, “Teach me,” pausing to give me a suggestive look, “Teach me everything you know!”
I laughed and said, “Ok, I’ll keep you in mind!” and did the whole revert-to-the-sandwich move. “Thanks for saying hi! Have a really good day,” I said and smiled at him. I meant it, too. He’s a very nice man, and hey, now every time I got to the mall I get to be someone’s faaaaaaaaaavorite customerrrrrrrrr. And that’s not so awful. 
Joelle said around lunch time on October 8, 2007
So… it’s here! I just opened up this box with Kathy on the phone and the book exists in the form of… well, a real book and not just a bunch of Word documents full of chicken scratch.
I’m trying to get work done today and not get distracted by it, but it’s so shiny! (No, really, it is. The silhouette and the title are embossed and glossy and everything else is matte.)
I’m very excited. I am very, very excited.
Joelle said in the early afternoon on October 9, 2007
omg, we wrote this.
Um… Amazon.com has our book in stock and ready to ship. Get your shop on. 
So, we’re hearing reports that our book is trickling in now to those who have pre-ordered. I’m happy to see that it went out early, even though Amazon told everyone it wouldn’t arrive until the 19th or so. I’ve read the whole thing by now and it’s pretty damn good, if I do say so myself!
Seriously, though, I think it’s a good read and definitely didn’t feel like a tech book. It was weird reading it at first because Kathy and I have merged our brains and I seriously can’t tell who wrote what anymore. That’s good, in my opinion. It flows and while it’s laden with cheeky turns of phrase and recipes for face masques, it’s still chock full of info! Somewhere around the middle of the book, I not only laughed out loud, but I found myself thinking, “Dude, that’s handy information!” as though I’d never seen the chapter before. It definitely reads differently when it’s in your hand and not on-screen full of edits.
We’d love to know if you receive your copy and/or have read it. In fact, if you’ve bought or go out to buy a copy, take a photo of yourself with it and let us know! Post it on Flickr or email it to us. We’re working on some promotions… maybe there’ll be some schwag in it for you…
While I have the floor, I’d like to extend a thank you to our editors at Wiley — especially Ellen and Katie who have had to listen to us gripe and ask questions because, being true first-timers, we totally have no idea how publishing a book goes. We think we’re getting the hang of it (even if that meant we had lots of questions) and look forward to writing more! They’ve been really supportive of us and patient throughout the process and have gone to bat for us on more than one occasion. Without them, we’d still have that old cover. For that alone they deserve copious amount of chocolate. Thanks. 
I know it’s been Book Central around here lately and I haven’t been the usual dazzling hostess that I am (heh!). But, I’ve not had time to stretch my social butterfly wings so I have nothing to report other than security guards with crushes.
Kathy and I will have been in business together for five years in February and that is an important milestone for us. Her mom says that the hardest part of owning your own business happens in the first five years and that’s when most companies fold. While all that hard stuff finally showed up toward the end of those 5 years, I think we’re doing just fine… exceeding our expectations really. It’s not worth having if it’s not worth working for and we couldn’t be more proud. But, we’ve been a little wound up, trying to provide personal attention to our clients along with working on a marketing our book and rebranding our company (stay tuned for that over the next week or so… things are afoot!), not to mention the unexpected that are completely out of our control. We regrouped yesterday after hashing out some ideas and things are starting to feel more exciting than stressful. So yay for that!
Happy Friday, Internet! There’s Frangelico in my coffee. Don’t tell anyone.
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
Joelle said during prime time
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 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 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 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
I’ve always loved vintage marketing, advertising, product packaging, story books… anything retro. I especially love the blatantly un-P.C. advertisements of the 40’s-60’s that basically portray women as nothing but baby makin’, soup cookin’ robo-wives, smiling blankly at their Frigidaire while her husband heroically comes through the front door, weilding a briefcase and a look that says, “Honey! You’re inferior!”
Yesterday, Ross and I were trading links and ads we liked and he sent me this one, which absolutely cannot be topped. At least not today. Zonite: For Newer Feminine Hygiene! Newer? Hm.
So, using something that sounds like engine coolant in your hoodie-do is supposed to somehow charm your husband into not going to poker night. Despite it being their quiet evening in, Bill is giving his loving wife the same look you give the weird smelly kid in kindergarten. His poor wife. “An odor she may not detect herself, but is so apparent to other people.” Good god! It makes it sound like she’s walking around with fumes coming off of her like Pigpen. What do her friends say? “Here comes, Betty. Make sure you’re upwind!”
And it’s not poisonous! This product doesn’t mask the natural scent of a woman, it DESTROYS IT. Rawr! Down with vaginas!
Really, there’s nothing I can say that tops this ad. I couldn’t write copy that glorious.
(view it bigger)
Joelle said in the early morning on October 18, 2007
I’m like a little Moxie machine today, as I’m on a very, very tight deadline, but I wanted to take a second to share some of the props we’re getting. I like love.
Received your copy yet? Just want to go be a dork in the book store? Take photo! We’d welcome not only your review (hopefully positive — haha!) on Amazon and/or your blog, but we’d love to see photos of you and our book. If you post them on Flickr, please add the tags “The IT Girl’s Guide to Blogging with Moxie” or “The Moxie Girls” (and throw it into our Flickr group). If you’re feeling adventurous, whip out the video camera. No need to get crazy, unless, of course, you want redo this video to include the book. Because seriously… I could be into that. haha!
Joelle said in the early morning on October 19, 2007
So last night, I was standing near the checkout of a local grocery store (Ralph’s on Friars if anyone is wondering) and I only had three items. I decided to go to the self-checkout… like ya do. There was a guy standing in front of the only self-checkout station available, which was marked “15 items or less”, with a cart half-full of groceries, yapping on his cell phone.
He stood there chatting, kind of hemming and hawing. At first, he looked like he was going to move. I saw him look up at the “15 items or less” sign, acknowledge that he had more and make a move like he was going to go somewhere else, but when he turned around and saw me standing here, he turned back, like he was going to use the station, all the while still on the phone. After a minute or so of standing there. I finally said, “Are you going to use it or...?” and he replied, “Oh. Yeah.” then told his friend, with a bit of a groan and a definite tone, “Dude. I have to go, dude.”
As he hung up, I was standing there with my three items, watching as he sloooooooowly figured out how to put his phone away and turned back to his grocery-stuffed cart. So I said nicely, “Um, do you have 15 items?” Yes, I could have let him go through, but I’d been waiting for him to make up his damn mind and I only had three things! He looked down at his stuff and then looks at the sign, waffling… “Uh… yeah. Oh, is this one of those lanes?”
You knew it was one of those lanes. “Yeah, it is. I don’t mean to squabble, but...,” I said cordially but before I could finish, he grabbed all his stuff and drove his cart out of the self-check out area in a huff, muttering, ”Yeah, you do.” Which pissed me off, so I called politely and quite clearly after him, “Oh, well in that case, yes. Yes, I did!” Then I just bitched and muttered about the nerve of that guy under my breath while I scanned my three measly items.
What is wrong with people? Seriously! I can’t count the number of times I’ve let someone go ahead of me in line because I had a cart full of groceries and they only had a few. Hell, if I have 10 items and the person behind me has one, sometimes I’ll let them go through. It’s called courtesy. And if that’s not enough he had to hog up the only available self-checkout express lane in the store with his “dude"-laden phone call, then try to pull a shiesty fast one, like I don’t know how to count.
People are jerks. May the fleas of a thousand camels infest his pubes.
Happy Friday.
Joelle said in the late morning on October 20, 2007
posted from my cell phone
posted from my cell phone
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