Domain Name Partnership from a Land Down Under

As one of my fave 1980's bands, Men at Work, might say, "Do you come from a land down under? Where women glow and men plunder. Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder? You better run, you better take cover." I don't blog from the land down under, but several of my blogosphere buddies do, including Buffy (you'll find Buffy's Blog listed here in my Roxiticus Best Blogs sidebar). Nooice!

Aussie bloggers may be interested to learn that Australia's biggest domain name registrar, Net Registry, has taken an equity stake in NetFleet, Australia's biggest domain aftermarket. If you come from a land down under, what do you think the implications of this new partnership will be for the .au domain name aftermarket? Will this deal create a vibrant and profitable domain trading industry in Australia? Should I look into Aussie domain names to buy with a plan to develop the content and resell them for a fortune in the future? I've never been on the cutting edge of technology, and I came along too late to ride the dot com boom by hoarding those URLS, so the dot au market may be my chance. The prices are intriguing to me, from Steve dot com dot au seeking $21,000 to mail dot com dot au seeking a cool million. Perhaps Roxiticus Desperate Housewives dot au? Or how about Roxy's Best Of... Australia dot au?

Dear Susan

I love to get comments from my readers. I'm truly envious of my blogosphere buddy Mariuca, who frequently receives triple-digit comments on her posts. However, I'm not so desperate for comment luv that I need to include comments from spammers who come to my blogs looking for no follow links back to their own pathetic splogs (spam blogs). Here's a sample from "Susan," who says, along with an embedded link to an insurance sales web site:

"This is my first visit to your blog. I don't really know what to say, but I'll be coming back often."

Dear Susan, thanks for stopping by with your spam today. You know what my mother taught me? If you don't have anything (nice) to say, don't say anything at all. So, since you don't have anything to say, I have rejected your comment. But I'm sure you'll be coming back soon.

Update, an hour later:

Loyal readers, you will not believe this! Less than an hour after I wrote this post, Susan's sister Ruth visited my Roxiticus Desperate Housewives blog and left this comment, along with a link to her infrared sauna splog:

"I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often."

Roxy's New Year's Resolution Blogosphere Buddies Support Group

As if I don't have enough blogs to keep me busy, I'm pretty sure I'm going to create one more, within my Roxy's Best Of... WordPress MU Community: Roxy's Best Of... New Year's Resolutions.

I know I make resolutions every New Year's Eve, but I rarely stick to them past the first few weeks of January. This year, I want things to be different... for me and my blogosphere buddies. So this year, raise a glass, write down your goals, objectives, wishes, hopes and dreams for 2009, and get ready to share them with Roxy and your support group of blogosphere buddies. Don't worry, I'll have the new blog up and running and ready for action by midnight on New Year's Eve.

Who Doesn't Need A Bail-Out? Let's Get Out of Debt in the New Year

It goes without saying that 2008 was a year that many of us, from Wall Street to Main Street America and around the world, would like to put behind us. With the New Year 2009 fast approaching, now is the time to make a resolution to get out of debt... and do what it takes to change spending habits and make a plan and family budget that lasts over the long term. Our family has cut back on spending on unnecessary luxuries... London and Maddie help out with clipping coupons and watching for sales at our local supermarkets and retailers. We're also "living off of inventory" by using what we have. I only partially joked about re-wrapping last year's unused Christmas gifts... when Rex received a free replacement for a broken wrist watch in early December, I intercepted the FedEx man and wrapped that Breitling knockoff up and stashed it under the tree. The personal effects of having too much debt can make things challenging at home, at work, and with your credit rating and ability to get a good rate on financing significant purchases like a car or home. IVA offers services that can help you to get a handle on debt, so join me in making a resolution to reduce our debt in the New Year.

Good luck and best wishes for a happy, healthy, debt-free New Year!

Music Monday: Time in a Bottle

It's almost New Year's Eve, time to get nostalgic with one of my favorite songs from Jim Croce: "Time in a Bottle." I dedicate this Music Monday to the loves of my life -- my husband Rex and my two daughters, London and Maddie. This week, leading up to New Year's Eve, our family is working on a Time Capsule Project... literally trying to save time in a bottle.



If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.

Baby It's Cold Outside... Time to Start Planning for Summer Vacation

Brrr.... winter officially just started about a week ago, and the Roxiticus Valley has already had our share of snow days, icy rain and cold cold weather. While Rex, London and I have been busy making our New Year's Resolutions and laying out plans for a successful 2009, I'll admit that it is hard to think about summer vacation rentals when there's snow on the ground... and on the deck... and covering up the swimming pool. However, for those who are looking for savings and bargains, there are plenty of benefits to be had by booking your vacation early in the New Year. Whether you're dreaming of an island in the South Pacific or checking out hilton head vacation rentals, you'll find a variety of affordable vacation packages online now. I can take Rex and the girls (and BEAR-iuca) overseas to visit Mariuca or book at trip to Lady Java's Lounge in Malaysia. I've always wanted to get back to Austin, Texas, and since Erik probably doesn't have room for us at his place, I should book early to get the best rental rate for a condo downtown. If you're coming to visit Roxy this summer, we don't have enough room for all of my blogosphere buddies at our beach house in Bay Head, so shop now to find the vacation spot that suits you best. Even if we're only dreaming, it's nice to plan a vacation someplace warm cuz baby, it's cold outside! Happy New Year to all of you.

Let's Keep Blogging Out Hunger: Stop and Shop Contributes $1.00 Per Comment at This Full House

As part of the Blogging Out Hunger campaign for the Community FoodBank of NJ, one of my fellow New Jersey Bloggers -- Liz, from This Full House -- has gotten Stop and Shop to pony up $1 for every comment left (up to $300) under the blog post linked below. It's a way all of you can help and it won't cost you anything. Please take a second to click the link below and comment. Let's see how quickly we can raise $300 more bucks for the FoodBank.

http://www.thisfullhouse.com/this_full_house/2008/12/blogging-out-hunger-we-cant-let-this-bank-fail-the-big-give.html

Just Another New Year's Eve

Even though there's a full week to go until next Music Monday, I'm starting to evaluate potential New Year's Eve themed songs. Here's a fave from Barry Manilow... I think I remember LadyJava posting a Barry Manilow tune a while back, I'll have to check the Music Monday archives.

Just Another New Year's Eve -- Barry Manilow

Don't look so sad, it's not so bad you know.
It's just another night, that's all it is,
It's not the first, it's not the worst you know,
We've come through all the rest, we'll get through this.

We've made mistakes, but we've made good friends too.
Remember all the nights we spent with them?
And all our plans, who says they can't come true?
Tonight's another chance to start again.

REFRAIN
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Another night like all the rest.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Let's make it the best.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
It's just another Auld Lang Syne,
But when we're through this New Year
You'll see, we'll be just fine.

We're not alone, we've got the world you know.
And it won't let us down, just wait and see.
And we'll grow old, but think how wise we'll grow.
There's more you know, it's only New Year's Eve.

If you're out and about celebrating New Year's Eve, be smart, don't drink and drive. Take a cab home, pay for a designated driver to drink Diet Coke all night, but don't drink and drive. If you don't want to listen to Roxy and you get in trouble in Southern California, you're going to need the phone number for a good bunch of Los Angeles Criminal and DUI Defense Attorneys. Call Kestenbaum Eismer & Gorin LLP, a top 5% United States law firm specializing in criminal defense. (877) 781-1570. They're available 24/7, whenever you need them.

Music Monday: You Are My Shining Star

This week's Music Monday post is in recognition of a great honor bestowed upon me by Matt over at Meltwater. Torrents. Meanderings. Delta. Matt has given me the Pulsar Award: "A pulsar is a brilliant flashing star in the sky. The Pulsar Award honors those who add a bit of brightness to life. If bloggers everywhere can find pulsars, other beacons of hope and friendship and display them on their blogs, then we all can make this world a better place together."

Thanks, Matt... I will continue to do my best to live up to your great expectations! Please enjoy the video and lyrics of You Are My Shining Star... a classic by the Manhattans.



Honey you are my shining star
Don't you go away
Oh baby, wanna be
Right here where you are
Till my dying day, oh yeah
So many have tried
Tried to find a love like yours and mine
Hmmmm mmmmm mmmmmm
Girl don't you realize
How you hynotize
Make me love you each time, yeah baby
Honey I know I leave you lonely
Give my love to you only
To you only, to you only
Honey you are my shining star
Don't you go away
Oh baby, wanna be
Right here where you are
Till my dying day, yeah baby
Feel so good when we're lying here
Next to each other lost in love, yeah baby
Baby when we touch, I love you so much
You're all I have with me now, yeah baby
Honey I know I leave you lonely
Give my love to you only
To you only, to you only
Honey you are my shining star
Don't you go away
Oh baby, wanna be
Right here where you are
Till my dying day, yeah baby
You are my shining star
Don't you go away, oh-o-o baby
Honey you are my shining star
Don't you go away, oh-o-o baby
Honey, right here where you are
Till my dying day, ahhhh yeah
Honey you are my shining star
My shining star
Honey you are my star
Don't you go away, yeah baby
Honey you are my shining star
Don't you go away, oh-o-o baby

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.

Looking Ahead to Springtime Projects in the Roxiticus Valley

Whew! Things sure are busy here at Roxy's place as Rex, London, Maddie and I get ready for the holidays. On Friday, we've got a holiday singalong with the girls at Mendham Township Elementary School in the morning, then we'll have a couple of business phone calls from the home office, and head back to the school in the afternoon for Maddie's class publishing party. All of the kids in Maddie's first grade class have been hard at work over the last month or so, writing their autobiographies to proudly present to all of the parents. The big day is almost here, and it should be a lot of fun.

Meanwhile, Rex and I have been in the process of applying for a home equity line of credit to make a few improvements around the house in the springtime. We really haven't done much since we bought our house five years ago, and now it feels like we should let London and Maddie choose a new color of paint for each of their bedrooms from a selection of paint chip samples. We'll probably add a new carpet in the family room after we take this year's Christmas tree out in January. I've been waiting for the girls to get a bit older to minimize the spills on a new carpet, and we've also decided we can't get a dog due to London's allergies. The biggest change would be to put in a new patio door to walk outside from the gym in our basement. It would be nice to let a little more light in by the elliptical trainer and weights to inspire my back-to-school turned New Year's resolution workout plan. As the new year gets closer, I'll be sure to post my weight loss progress and goals in true Bridget Jones style.

My New Women's Blog at Today.com

I posted about a week ago that I was signing up for yet another new blog over at Today.com, and I'm now up and running over there, complete with daily posts and an EntreCard widget. The URL for my new blog is http://desperatehousewives.today.com, and I hope you will all drop in and check it out. Today.com is actually a paid blogging service, but instead of paying bloggers to write about particular advertisers, at least for the first month of posting and getting your audience to follow you, Today.com pays bloggers $1.00 per day to write at least 100 words about the topic of your choice. I picked "Women" and I've decided to try my hand at a little bit different style of writing... another side of Roxy that you haven't seen before. I'll leave it to my loyal Roxiticus Desperate Housewives readers to determine whether I know anything about the subject of WOMEN.

Since I joined Today.com, I've started to notice the number of other bloggers I know via BlogExplosion or Entrecard who also post there...sports blogs, celebrity blogs, you name it and you'll find it there. If you're feeling Blogalific, you can click the Today.com icon below to get your very own new blog and start earning a little money on the side:

Ah, Looking Back on Roxy's Good Old College Days

I just got an e-mail about my upcoming 25th high school reunion, which got me thinking about my high school and college days. It feels like things were easier for college students back then. Even though we didn't have the Internet, so there was no such thing as blogging, it seemed easier to get into the college of one's choice, and easier to deal with things like finding a place to live...although I have more than a few college roommate stories that would make your skin crawl. Just the other day, I read on another blog about a criminal using Craig's List here in the U.S. to rip off college students seeking apartments. I won't go into the details, but I will say that if you're seeking student flats in leeds, you're lucky to have access to Pickard Properties, recently voted the number one student landlord in Leeds in the United Kingdom.

Farewell to The Painted Veil?

Over the past few months, I've had the pleasure of visiting Jackie a.k.a. Shinade at her site, The Painted Veil. Self-described as "a place to seek peace and harmony.In hopes of reaching out across boundaries that seek to destroy harmony from within and also globally. I do this through the use of art, photography, writing and humor. A bag of diverse content always reflective of positivity." I've found some beautiful photographs and writing there.

Just today, I stopped by The Painted Veil and found "The Long and Winding Road: My Farewell." Say it's not so, Jackie!!

March Madness Starts Now: Prescription Eyeglasses for College Basketball Referees

When the leaves fall from the trees and there's more than just a little chill in the air in the Greater Roxiticus Valley, New Jersey, a young girl's heart turns to.... college basketball! While I know the bracketology and the real madness doesn't come into play until March, I'm looking forward to building a fire in the fireplace, snuggling up on the couch in front of my big screen TV with Rex and the girls, and getting into all the best weekend NCAA action. This afternoon I received an e-mail from the sports authorities at my alma mater, Syracuse University, letting me know that the Orangemen will be taking on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in January right over at the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) in New Brunswick, but I'll be happy to watch the game in the warmth and comfort of my own home.

I worry about the vision of the referees, though, so I thought I'd take a moment to point out that Optical4Less.com offers high quality prescription eye glasses for a nice low price ($15). At that reasonable price, each ref could afford to wear a different style of cheap eyeglasses at every game and ensure better vision and accurate calls. So if you're an NCAA referee, before your next game, why don't you visit Optical4Less.com and check out their virtual try-on system. You'll even get free worldwide shipping (if you order more than 1 pair), and all of your trendy, fashion, and stylish new glasses will arrive within a week.

Roxy's Got A Brand New Blog

I was relaxing with a pumpkin spice latte last night at LadyJava's Lounge when I read that she had started yet another blog. I think that makes 4 billion and twenty seven blogs for my friend LJ! Of course, I couldn't let LJ get ahead of me, so just like the blogalific LadyJava, I have started yet another blog. I think the URL is http://desperatehousewives.today.com, but I'll have to get back to all of you with the details after I start posting. It is actually a paid blogging service where today.com pays bloggers $1.00 per day to write at least 100 words about the topic of choice. I picked "Women." I'll leave it to my loyal Roxiticus Desperate Housewives readers to determine whether I know anything about that particular subject.

You can click the icon below to get your own today.com blog:




Thanks for reading!

Roxy

Can't Keep Up On My Television Viewing

I can't even use the hectic holiday season as my excuse, but I haven't been able to keep up on those other Desperate Housewives on network television, never mind Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice or Dirty Sexy Money. When I visit other people's blogs, I'm amazed at the number of shows my friends Mariuca and LadyJava seem to keep up on every week. Then there are the shows I can't even get started on... I bought the box set of Sex and the City last year to get ready for the movie premiere, and I haven't watched episode one. I have friends who like Prison Break and other shows about jail, but really, if I needed a daily dose of criminals or an Alaska Inmate Locator I needn't go any further than the Internet to see today's news about the criminal charges against the Governor of Illinois!

The Spirit of BEAR-iuca

-START COPYING HERE-
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a powerful Genie Princess named Mariuca who was known throughout the land as the friendliest, most popular blogger in the blogosphere kingdom. Adored and admired by international visitors and commentators from around the world, the Genie Princess travels the blogosphere on her magical flying carpet, always looking for ways to share her good fortune with others. Over the past two years of blogging, Mariuca has met so many new people, from all walks of life and all over the world, each one bringing a little of their culture and lifestyle when they visit and comment on Mariuca’s two sites. So on her 2nd Blog Anniversary, Mariuca wanted to celebrate with all of her international blogosphere buddies by hosting bear-naming contests at Wishing On A Falling Star and Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery and to pass her two lucky, cuddly teddy bears along to the winners who came up with the best names.

On the opposite side of the world, from the moment Roxy (the prolific Roxiticus Desperate Housewives blogger) and her sweet daughters London and Maddie saw the teddy in his personalized t-shirt and blue muffler at Wishing On A Falling Star, they knew that he needed to come to live with their family in Mendham, NJ. The three New Jersey girls named him immediately and burst into a wonderful song for BEAR-iuca:

BEAR-iuca, BEAR-iuca, amazing teddy cheer
BEAR-iuca, BEAR-iuca, we’d love you to come live here!

Mariuca received 16 possible names for the Mariuca Teddy Bear, making it hard for the Genie Princess to choose just one…then Alakazam! A bolt of lightning delivered the perfect way to share BEAR-iuca’s good fortune to bloggers around the globe. While the soft, stuffed, cuddly BEAR-iuca is on his way to live with Roxy, London, Maddie and Rex in the Roxiticus Valley, the Spirit of BEAR-iuca is racing through the blogosphere to bring happiness, holiday cheer, and beary best wishes to everyone who welcomes him into their online home and passes along the BEAR-iuca good luck charm to ten friends.

Please play along with us by following a few important rules:

1. Add your site(s) to the list once you have received the Spirit of BEAR-iuca badge of teddy bear cheer.
2. Pass along the Spirit of BEAR-iuca and his cheery badge to as many people as you like.
3. Leave a comment HERE once you’ve passed on the Spirit of BEAR-iuca.
4. Once Roxy and the Genie Princess have visited your site to make sure your links are complete and proper, you will then be added to the Master List.

To ensure everyone receives equal link benefit, please UPDATE your list regularly!

BEAR-iuca LOVES 1. Mariuca 2. Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 3. Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery 4. Roxy’s Best Of... 5. Bay Head Blog 6. Roxiticus Best Blogs 7. Emila's Illustrated Blog 8. Metz - Empty Streets 9. The Spirit of Blogging 10. Speedcat Hollydale Page 11. Snapshot 12. purplefrogcat 13. Turn-u-Off 14. Simple Life 15. A Little Girl Talk 16. Life in the Lapadula House 17. Spicybugz World 18. The Mom With Brownies 19. Our High School Homeschool 20. Our Five Dangerous Boys 21. The Big Dog 22. LadyJava's Lounge 23. Moments of My Life 24. Life is too short to be ordinary 25. A Great Pleasure 26. Time Goes By 27. Life According To Me 28. Laketrees 29. This is a miracle 30. Porcelain Doll 31. Moms...CheckNyo 32. Wonderful Things In Life 33. Sweet Nothings 34. Hot Shit Form Here 35. Not Just a Mom Site 36. The Life of a Mom 37. Wiehanne Lounge 38. The Painted Veil 39. My Crossroads 40. Little Mermaid 41. LOVE's Haven 42. Also Mommy 43. The Journey 44. Comedy Plus 45. Making sense...(somehow) 46. The Modern Mom 47. Stay At Home Mom 48. Picture Clusters 49. Maiylah's Snippets 50. Sweety tots 51. My Discoveries 52. A Life to Remember 53. Rekha 54. Crissy's Haven 55. Crissy's Library 56. Crissy's Zone 57. Shopping Blog 58. Crafts and cooking 59. Asian Mutt International 60. A Simple Life 61. I AM KCAT 62. A Girl For All Status 63. Berry Blog 64. Carnation 65. Pinaymama's Diary 66. Life's sweets and spices 67. The Callalily Space 68. Butchay 69. Blessings in Life 70. Pinay Mommy Online 71. The Ruby Posts 72. Day Break 73. R...E...B...E...L?!? 74. VDAY CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY 75. Just the Tip of the Iceberg 76. Honeysweet Learning Center 77. Vsk8shop 78. A Diva's Hammer 79. Arlene - Joys in Life 80. Listening..Learning..Living 81. Mommy's Little Corner 82. Living one day at a time 83. Momhood Moments 84. SUPER INFO THAILAND 85. Life Ramblings 86. Samantha Ysabelle 87. Kikamz' Just About Anything 88. SigneSays 89. Normz 90. YOU Next!

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I’m sharing the Spirit of BEAR-iuca with BerryVox, Matt, Henson, and YOU! Come join the Spirit of BEAR-iuca and share your teddy bear good luck stories with us. Copy the complete post, including the BEAR-iuca photo badge and hyperlinks, and be sure to UPDATE your list of links regularly to ensure that all participants enjoy BEAR-iuca’s worldwide linky love. Add your own story, song or video about BEAR-iuca to personalize your post. BEAR-iuca is looking forward to a warm welcome into your blogging home.

What's Your Weirdest Secret Santa Gift?

It's been ten years since I've been in an office large enough to justify a Secret Santa gift exchange, but I can still remember some of the weird gifts my colleagues and I received. One year, at my first investment banking job, a stalker in a white lab coat from our IT department had me as his Secret Santa. My stalker took great pleasure in providing creepy clues leading up to the big day of the gift exchange, and grinned with glee as I unwrapped, of all things, some sort of duck horn or bird call. He later revealed that it had something to do with my move to the suburbs and my purported interest in bird watching. I guess I should be glad he didn't give me night vision goggles, binoculars, or one of those 5.11 Tactical Knives.

What's the weirdest Secret Santa gift you've ever received?

Music Monday: Just Another Manic Monday

There are still three hours left to Monday here in the Roxiticus Valley, and I'd like to end my Music Monday Trifecta with an old fave from the Bangles, fittingly named "Manic Monday." Enjoy!

Six o'clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can't be late
'Cause then I guess I just won't get paid
These are the days
When you wish your bed was already made

It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my fun day
My I don't have to runday
It's just another manic Monday

Have to catch an early train
Got to be to work by nine
And if I had an air-o-plane
I still couldn't make it on time
'Cause it takes me so long
Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear
Blame it on the train
But the boss is already there

All of the nights
Why did my lover have to pick last night
To get down
Doesn't it matter
That I have to feed the both of us
Employment's down
He tells me in his bedroom voice
C'mon honey, let's go make some noise
Time it goes so fast
When you're having fun



I'm also trying out a new web thingy called Smallaa... please drop by and vote for my post. Smallaa pays $10,000 each week for the most popular post. If I win the ten thousand bucks this week, I bet we Music Monday participants, EntreCard droppers, and BlogExplosion Battle of the Blogs voters could coordinate an effort for each of us to have a turn at the big win.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.