The Littlespot

I've always enjoyed experimenting with web-based business ideas. I have been tinkering around for a while, creating my own T-shirt/apparel business, Lippytees, my own website design company, aimed at small-business owners, JR507.com and now, a small-business advertising directory called The Littlespot. The site is located at www.thelittlespot.biz

I'd like to outline quickly exactly what the Littlespot.biz Small Business Directory is, in case someone happens onto this blog.

The Littlespot is a new approach to small-business advertising. It's really intended for the really small business, one that might just be starting out. We like to call those "Little Businesses."

Our idea is simple. The site serves two purposes. One is to solicit advertisers to purchase a spot in the Directory (A Littlespot, as we call it). The other is to invite consumers to browse the directory to find goods and services they need. The beauty of the Directory is, the advertisers are all small businesses, with links directly to their website or contact information. For small businesses, we offer the option of purchasing a Littlespot Page, which is a single webpage that contains the business' information.

And the best part is, the cost. A full year of advertising, with a banner and link is only $100.

This is a sample of a Littlespot banner:

For businesses with a tighter budget, we offer a text-link advertisement for $50 for a one-year ad.

This is a sample of what a text-link ad looks like:

Your Biz here

Once your ad is placed, it stays in the same place for as long as you own it. If your ad places first on a particular page (ads are sold on a first-come, first serve basis) it will always be the first ad in that category.

Check out the site at www.thelittlespot.biz  We think you'll like what you see.

 

 

Tags: The Littlespot Small Business Directory, TheLittlespot, Small-business advertising

Isn't It Funny?

No, it's NOT funny. Well, depends...

Today three things happened. To me, you know what I mean. I got three things in the mail.

The first one was an invitation to my High School Reunion. I gotta be honest, I'm not in the mood to go traipsing around a bunch of ancient ruins, alright?

The next envelope contained a permanent Handicapped parking permit for my car. Imagine. They let me drive still.

Don't know how useful the permit is going to be around here; every single driver in NJ has a Handicapped permit. We fight over the "regular" people's spots instead.

The funny thing is, my "permanent" handicapped permit is only valid for three years. Maybe they think I'll get better by then. Or maybe they figure I'll die.

The third envelope contained a invitation for a free eye exam. Out of the blue, unsolicited, personally addressed to me. Or the current resident. That's really stupid, if you think about it, like those ads they mail you that say, "Learn To Read."

So yah, this was a great day for the ol' Ego. I get reminded how I'm part of Ancient History, that I'm a busted-down, broken old lunchbox, and that I'll soon need glasses. I can hear them now:

You're OLD Lippy. That dust on the floor around you is YOU.

A couple of years ago a friend told me that I'm technically old enough now that my death wouldn't be a tragedy anymore. (yeah that's why I blog a lot - my friends are the worst! Friends like that, who needs a plague, right?) I guess I can expect the birth of my first great-great-great grandchild soon, huh?

AH, it's alright. I don't mind being a fossil. Sometimes people don't realize that I'm being tongue-in-cheek when I write like this. Tongue-in-cheek is a pretty good accomplishment for me, considering I'm eligible for carbon-dating. But really, it's all good. I hear Moses is going to attend this year's reunion, and I'll be able to park really close if I get there 'cause it's somewhere else. And I'll just go to the eye exam to make the doctor cry. I'm a little nervous about wearing glasses though, because then I'll be able to read all the barf I type in here. Who knows what that will lead to.

And The Trophy Goes To...

We take our food responsibility very seriously here. We got a sick man to feed, my friends. We've consulted people from all over the globe, pastry chef from Paris, chefs from Italy, Germany and Switzerland (English food bites - trust me, I'm English) and oh, a couple of guys from Sheboygan. So after months of searching for recipes, experimenting and tweaking them to get them just right, last night Pop said this to me:

"You know, I have to say, for the first time in quite a while, I really enjoyed a supper. And I felt good, too."

So what was the culinary masterpiece that finally hit Pop in the Sweet Spot?

2 Oscar Meyer low-fat beef hot dogs on toasted buns, macaroni salad and potato salad. Store-bought salads, by the way.

I know. It was the Gulden's mustard that made the difference. None of that foofy Grey Pooped On for us, pal.

Take that, Food Network.

Tonight,

I'll make Chicken Lippy. Here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar


• 10 fluid ounces white wine


• 1/4 cup minced shallots


• 1 tablespoon wasabi paste, or to taste


• 1 tablespoon soy sauce


• 1 cup unsalted butter, cubed


• salt and black pepper to taste


• 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed


• 1 cup chopped cilantro leaves


• 6 (6 ounce) fresh tuna steaks, 1 inch thick

Yeah.

I'm still Stupid at times.

Let's Get Stupid!

I know I'm not supposed to be "StupidJimmy" anymore, but...

The last few days have been chock full of stupid. It just sort of goes with the territory.

I had the rare opportunity to stop at my favorite diner for my favorite breakfast. Being that I was a little pressed for time, I ordered it to go. Swiss-cheese omelette, side of bacon, and french fries. (It's probably good that I don't get it too often, huh?) Anyway, when it was ready, they handed me the bag and I rushed home to eat it. I got home, opened the bag, opened the tray and WHAM! Blueberry pancakes, sausage and corn bread. I'd say that was close, right? I ate it anyway, but I still want that omelette.

My buddy indicated an interest in this season's American Idol show. I invited him over to watch it with me tonight.

It's on tomorrow, not tonight.

I played 20 dollars worth of MegaMillions lottery this past Friday. I didn't match a single number. On any of the tickets. I thought there was a prize for 0 numbers. There's not. They just call you a "loser".

But the piece de resistance came about 3 hours ago.

It was one of those days where ol' Lippy deemed it necessary to have that second shower. I was a tad grungy. The way it's worked out here, Pop and I share a bathroom, and his daughter and my kids battle it out for the other. Well tonight, it was just necessary for me to use their bathroom to shower.

I went in the shower, and of course, seeing how it's a mostly-girl shower, there's 34,000 bottles of shampoos, conditioners, bath gels, exfoliators, defoliators and a Buick. I needed shampoo, of course, so I started sorting, dropping bottles, grumbling. I saw a white bottle with a familiar green-chalky residue on the cap. I figured dandruff shampoo was better than strawberry-melon-smell-like-a-sissy-for-two-days shampoo. Mission accomplished.

I came downstairs to wait for my buddy to come by and not watch American Idol. My daughters were sitting in the living room. My oldest became aware of something. She said, "Who washed the dog? Dad did you give Toby a bath?"

"No..."

She said, "It smells like Toby had a bath."

As she started to laugh, she said, "Daddy, it's your hair!"

Turns out, the "Head And Shoulders" was something called "Sulfodene". For dogs. Not for Lippy's.

Well, I'm not itchy, and I have no fleas or anything.

No harm, no foul.

In my defense, the dog shampoo had no label. It came off.

I know, I'm still Stupid.

Musicale

While I was writing about missing simpler times the other day, I was reminded of something else I miss.

I miss music. Good, solid, creative music. Music that required genuine musical talent to produce. Music created by people so rich with talent that hearing them performing live was nearly as perfect an experience as listening to the recorded material.

I miss the days when an artist's entire album was all on the same level creatively. Each song was better than the last. These albums (later CD's of course) were months, if not years in the making, and they were unbelievable expressions of talent. I remember waiting years between the releases of some artists.

The market came to the music. The music wasn't aimed at the market. If you appreciated incredible music, your place in the demographic was unimportant. You bought the music, you listened to the music.

I was never one to have taste specific to one genre. I loved so many different kinds of music, because I appreciated artistic expression, but I adored creativity that was the product and expression of talent. People spent years honing their craft, developing skills, polishing their writing abilities.

For the serious, talented musicians, the concerts, the performances were all accessories to the music. The stars got into the spotlight because of the music they produced, not by the size of their entourages, or frequencies of covers on People magazine.

I miss music. I miss music that sounds as though it took longer than 15 minutes to create. I miss music with lyrics that are the product of educated minds, that aren't considered "lyrics" simply because the last word of each line rhymes. And I miss music that was enhanced by the studio magicians, not created by them.

Give me back my music, please?

Nostalgia

I think that nostalgia will do us some good when we look ahead to what's coming at the end of this year, with all the global market crises that are sure to unfold because of the irresponsibility of CEO's like Stan O'Neal at Merrill Lynch and Richard Fuld at Lehman Bros., who will continue to reassure investors right up to the minute where Lehman closes its doors. And after decades of being a major player, Merrill Lynch will disappear without a whimper.

I'm trying to imagine how much the world is going to change before 2009 gets a chance to come in the door. We've come to accept that the Dow being at 10,000 or higher is a right or a privilege. What's going to happen when we see it bouncing off 8000 in October?

We'll see just how ineffective our Government has become, and how clueless they are, Republican or Democrat. We'll hear, time and time again, how the economy is sound...right until the ship sinks. Our world will not be the same. We'll just have to see how capable the rescue teams are when its time to pick up the survivors.

In the meantime, maybe we ought to turn off CNBC and tune into the Care Bears, American Idol (yes I watch that, no making fun). If you're still watching the Ticker come October, let me know when you've had enough. I'll be an expert on cartoons...I can tell you which ones to watch.

Nice...

Today someone told me that I'm nice. Now, next to "sweet", that's one of the most flattering things I've had said about me. I'd really like to believe that some folks have that opinion of me.

Tressa, over at "Storms Whisper" is the kind Lady who bestowed that award on me today. You should check out the beautiful prose she lays out over on her blog. Coming from her, this is a genuine compliment.

I'd like to pay it forward now, and choose a couple of folks who I haven't tapped before.

Colleen, over at "My Life" is a very kind young Lady who is very involved in awareness efforts for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. I love generosity and kindness, both of which make someone nice, in my book.

Kristeee is a new Mommy, and she's also a blog friend who's always been very nice to me. She's over at "I'm Not Going Crazy"

Now I know that I said that I wanted to tap people who I've not given honors to before, but my conscience would never allow me to pass up this opportunity to cite a couple of people here today. They have been so utterly kind to me of late that I'm in the best kind of debt to them, that of gratitude. Kristen is a reader of mine who keeps a private Blog, so I won't link that, and Mamma, of course, is a "colleague" of sorts, who writes over at Love, Life and Logic. These two Ladies saw an opportunity to share some kindness and compassion, and they took it. My soul is in a better place today because of them. So thank you, Ladies, as always, for your friendship.

A Little LipService.

Blog pimpin', blog-plugs, yeesh. I find blogs that I like and I want to link to them, but of course, being me, I get hung up on what to call the act.

I'm just going to call it LipService. Just seems like a good fit.

Anyway, lately I've become a little obsessed with food. Not eating food, but preparing food. I record Food Network shows, I browse the Web, I read magazines I'd probably get laughed at for reading.

I have the fun job of coming up with meals that Pop can eat safely, while at the same time trying to satisfy the fickle palates of three kids. And there are only so many "healthy" meals you can prepare without a mutiny. Sometimes you have to spice it up, so to speak. You need resources, my friends!

Well, here's one that speaks to me. Real food that's really good is a huge attraction for me. This site, "We Are Not Martha", offers some great recipes and links to resources I can actually use. It's a really cool blog/website. Check it out if you get a chance.

Tell 'em Lippy sent ya.

No No No No

I had forgotten about that stupid website, "votefortheworst.com" and the idiocy that goes on there. They think they're influencing the voting on American Idol. Maybe they are, but...

Anyway, the people who like Idol and want the best to win are the ones I like to talk to. It was obvious that the show's detractors were having fun last season (Sanjaya, anyone?) and I really don't want to see a talent go home in favor of a circus act. How do you feel about that?

The show's fans have a "vote" site of their own now, courtesy of Lippy :) voteforthebest.org is our outlet. Go check it out if you want. There are episode updates, etc.

And no laughin' at Lippo for likin' Idol, ok?

Lippy From Another Planet...

I sometimes have those moments where I realize that someone has no idea what I am talking about. It's partly because of local slang words or names (think hoagie, submarine sandwich, hero sandwich) and once we clear it up, off we go. It's also partly because I'm an imbecile, but we'll go into that another time.

So, short and sweet, I'd like to just get a couple of things cleared up so I avoid any more beatings, damage, insults, etc.

Let's start with the sandwich. Does anyone else in the country beside me eat a sandwich for lunch? Do you actually have supermarkets which have deli counters where you can buy the ammunition for a sandwich? And what do you call them?

That's what we refer to around here as a "hero" sandwich. (I don't eat them that big, it's the best pic I could find, ok?) What do you call them? (and don't say disgusting, alright????)

Another topic...

In another blog community I participate in, they do something called "pimping." If I see your blog, love it and write about it in MY blog to get others to read it, I would say I "pimped" your blog. What do you call it? Blog-plug doesn't seem to count because that's leaving a link to your own blog somewhere else so people can find it, so ejumacate me here will ya?

Blog-tiquette

Here's another thing. Usually, when I'm done with all my regular reads for the day, I like to go back and follow some links to blogs I am not familiar with. And if they're great, I like to comment, even if it's the first time. And if I really like the blog I will ask if it's ok to link their blog in mine. So here's what I'm wondering:

• Are you ok with comments from first-time readers?


• Do you like having comments that let you know that a reader "got" what you were saying? Maybe a little commiseration, or sympathy? Or are the standard "Great post" comments more your speed? You know, just so you know they were there?

Ok, now this is the last one...

Do you go back to a post that you've commented on, to see if your comment got a response from the author? I was working under some assumptions here, and you know what they say about when you assume...

Thanks my friends.

Bloggery

The Male Advocate is at it again. Come drop your two cents in.

The Day After

While I've always enjoyed Valentine's Day, the day after was always up there on my list as well. It was always fun to run into those people who had a good day together, hearing about all the smarmy romantic things that somebody's loved one did, and I have to admit that getting a few "aww's" from my friends for something I did was kind of nice too.

It's funny, my life is a little lacking in the romance department the last few years, but I don't react as I thought I would. I don't necessarily covet what others have, or begrudge those who have it. It's really nice seeing the look on the face of a happy person.

Believe me, I really miss intimacy, having someone lying close, listening to her breathing the kind of breath that only comes when she is sleeping; sharing a dinner from one plate, the silliness, those moments that require no words.

It's just not my time now, you know? The way life is these days just doesn't allow for it, and it would be selfish to be involved because I just don't have it to give right now.

But I wouldn't want anyone else to hide their joy from me out of feeling sorry for me or anything like that. I think there's so much bad stuff going on in the world that even though Valentine's might be over-commercialized, I don't think expressing one's love for another ever really qualifies as a bad thing, smarminess included.

I listen to a lot of what would be considered "pop". And while I most certainly don't want to be 19 or 20 again, the music of people that age is just ripe with the kind of emotion and expression that I don't think any of us should ever get tired of. There's just something about full-blown passion that lights me up, even if it isn't for me. I just like knowing my friends and loved ones are loved.

As I said, I do miss it. And I'd want another shot at it again some day when the time is right. I'd love to make someone happy, and I want to be that one that brings a smile to her face.

But until that time comes, thank you for sharing your happiness with me. This forum offers such a unique experience, peeking into the lives of others. It's a good way to reach out for support when times are tough, but it's also a great way to share the joy, and that's what I think I love most about it.

So, Happy Day-After Valentine's Day to all those who had a great one. And if you're in my situation, hang in there. I have to believe there are some good times out there for us too. It's all a matter of timing.

I Like It

Why I Hate MySpace

Lip Can Cook (no, really!)

I talk about making dinners and stuff, and I guess it's about time that I shared a pic or two (as in offering proof). So that was dinner. Roast tenderloin of pork, mashed potatoes, corn and gravy.

The kids had seconds, so I guess it wasn't toxic.