Kurt

Sorry All!

2009-06-12T18:40:00.000-07:00

I don't know how this site gets hits.. but I guess it likes some google!

I can't really find time to post here anymore since I have BMXunion.com at full time, along with my job at Dig magazine keeping me extra busy also.

So if you are into what I had going here, check those sites. Sure, you might not be into BMX... but! I do a few random blogs here and there on BMXunion about stuff.

Thanks!

-Kurt Hohberger

What the Bitty?

2008-11-13T20:15:00.001-08:00

As much as I want to stay on top of writing stuff for this blog it is weird to think about what runs through my mind in a given day. I think this might be a good time to just give a little update with some projects of mine...

Numero uno, like always is BMX union. I need to start hustling on that to keep my stats growing. I love it.

Dos- This past week has been fairly exciting. I had been asked to do another contest at Renegade Skate park. I wasn't sure at first if I wanted to then I realized how many people were into the last one and wanted me to do another. I have been talking to Red Bull about the event and I think it could be badass. Also, I had been talked to breifly about getting involved with another contest with Bawls which would be really badass from the details I had been informed of. As much as I get stressed out organizing things like that.. I like to do it because the end product usually ends up being real good.

Trace- I am pretty sure I am going to San Diego January 5th-10th.. I just need to do it.. I know it will be a good time too so I really need to follow through with it. I would be going down there to chill and ride bikes with some buddies who live down there. Once again like Vegas, it is all convincing.

Quatro- School has been going well surprisingly enough as is.. I am getting all A's and B's which I didn't expect at all. I didn't realize how little homework there would be this semester too haha. I guess I got lucky..

I seriously just lost track of what I was going to say so I will just call this quits for today...

Economic Rebound Theory

2008-11-09T16:05:00.001-08:00

I am no economist or stock broker. I am probably not even qualified at all to be saying this... However, I think this little theory (idea) of mine should hold true.
Seeing as I have had stock literally all my life thanks to my mom, I learned at a young age how to follow the stock market.
Now that I am 20, a business major in college, and well aware of where my money has been going these last few months. I think it is time for a little positive motivation for how long it will be till the economy and stock market comes back.

When the Great Depression first happened in the 1930's it obviously had a huge toll on the country. When I think of it personally I see the images from all the history books I read in grade school. Pissed off farmers in a dusty cloud (no, I am not mistaking for the dust bowl.. even though that would be a similar image).
The biggest difference is technology, just compare the technologies of then to today. We were a national market at the time, now it is a global economy. Telephone service was weak and nothing. The word computer was basically a made up word, and the Internet is about 40 years away from becoming a word. People wrote letters and it took weeks for it to get across the country and to get a response sometimes. To get away from that depression it took years to fix. I doubt it will even take half the time to fix what we have gotten into this time.

Now fast forward to 2008, the global market is in crisis and people don't know what to do. People are going crazy because they sit and watch the stock market channel where they literally know exactly what is happening the very second it happens. People are making trades from their computer over the Internet every second, the United States government has groups working around the clock to figure out how to fix this financial crisis, and the world is following suit. Why is it that you can be having a conversation with somebody in Australia on AIM, while chatting with old friends on Facebook like they are sitting there with you but, it has taken a few months for this economic hic-up to even begin to be figured out? We have the technology to connect people, the brilliant people we need to make the discovery of what the hell is causing this downward spiral!

Sure, 98% of us are uneducated enough to make these big economic decisions, but don't you think that if the whole world is connected things will be happening a little more rapidly? Somebody is bound to have an answer, or at least a piece to this puzzle to fix it. Why don't we have a place to put all these ideas together? If we know the exact reason for why big businesses are failing and banks are hitting the shitter than why hasn't there been any solid solutions besides a great "bail out" where the government throws up this money that can be printed and made up that shouldn't even exist?

All I am saying to sum up these blasts of words is that this depression/economic crisis or whatever you want to call it is not even that bad. For the majority of the people who might read this, answer this question. How much has your life really changed because of this? Do you still go out? Do you still buy food and gas? Have you been running around on fire or being shot at for your wallet? Okay so it isn't that bad. I am saying that because of the technology we have, everyone should be coming together to figure out what the problem is... I am saying that because of technology this shouldn't take 5 years, shit this shouldn't even take until 2010 to be fixed. The world moves at a million miles an hour and isn't slowing down. Why should business? Get on it.

Halloween is Dead

2008-10-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

Technically it is November 1st, but that is just because it is 12:30 and Halloween just ended.
Did it ever begin?
Growing up every year Halloween kicked ass. I remember the great snow storm of 91' when there was a crazy blizzard that came through this city, and I still went out to fill my bags with candy.
I remember being Power Rangers, Scream, G.I Joe, and a ton of other things over the years. With age I obviously grew out of being able to trick or treat which is a bummer. The sad thing is, it seems like the Holiday has really died.
I was driving home around 6:30 tonight, and I remember seeing about 3 groups of kids out running door to door. I thought to myself "Well, that is a good sign.. it's early and they are already kicking ass" thinking that was just the beginning.
After a bit of screwing around the house, getting stuff done, it was time to go back out. I knew I had to drive slower and be extra careful because kids are not always the brightest and could bolt out in the road at any second.
At least, I remember when I went out there was so many people on the sidewalks sometimes the street was the best route.
Instead, I spent most of my time driving slow because I was trying to find out where all the kids were! zip, nadda, none. I didn't see a single kid in the 5 miles I drove! What is wrong with that?! Why am I so disgruntled that there isn't kids out running around raising hell on a sugar overload? I should be happy that it isn't happening and I don't have to worry about my car getting scratched or egged.
Where has the tradition gone!
I remember easily running 5 miles while trick or treating growing up. The theory that kids just aren't being born in this area is completley out the window and useless. So, what exactly is it that causes this? Are kids not allowed out past 5 p.m on a Friday night? I mean yeah, candy is bad for you.. but not so bad that you can't go out once a year and eat way too much of it. Where has this holiday gone!?

It seems like every year my mom buys less and less candy, and has more and more left over. It just doesn't seem right how all of this candy can exist to be given away for FREE and nobody wants it! Why?! Why!? Halloween is DEAD. Which it shouldn't be!

Someday, when (if) I become a parent I am going to make my kids love Halloween more than their birthday and Christmas... Simply because they will be the only kids who will be out on the streets going door to door past their curfew! I don't care if the people are sleeping, we are still ringing every damn doorbell on the block. I mean, that is if people even hand out candy by then. It seems pointless to buy any if nobody will come get it in the first place.

As I get older, I start to realize why the older people always tell you their old "war" stories of walking both ways up hill 5 miles in the snow to get to school with no shoes. It is because as you get older things change so much from when you were a kid that you almost feel like you had it bad! Maybe kids don't walk the sidewalks because their parents drive them door to door? I don't know! Maybe they are afraid some creeper is going to jump out of the bush and get them. Wasn't that suppossed to be expected on Halloween? Scary people jumping out at you.. That is when you kick their ass with your awesome powers you obtain when you put on the masks.

All I am saying is that if Halloween is dying, at least let it go out in style and not fade away. I would much rather have the government prohibit it because there are too many riots, and crazy stuff happening than to see it just go out of style.

Maybe, that is just me, but maybe I am right? I sure as hell hope not.

I am going to be God

2008-10-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

So... I am pretty sure if this blog ends up getting read someday, and somebody see's this somebody will be offended. Why? because people take religion way too far. Why? well, I have no idea. To be entirely honest I am not the most religious person simply because I feel like everyone has a different view on what is right and that in reality we are all aiming in the same direction.
With Halloween a few days away everyone keeps asking me "what are you going to be?" I respond with "what am I in 5th grade?" since I am soooo mature. Then I got thinking about it and I kind of sort of made up a joke.

With all this trying to figure out what I want to go to school for I got thinking, what kind of a degree do I need to become god? haha.
Somebody had asked me what I was going to college for the other day and without thinking I said "everything". They had a puzzled look on their face and immediately after that, still not thinking, I responded again with "I am going to college to be God"... "I am going to take every class ever and know everything, so then I can be God." LOL, anyone offended yet? If not, I am glad you aren't pissed.

Then after that I got thinking about it, the perfect costume for Halloween! I am going to be God. Walah! funny, interesting, and cheap! Why cheap? Well what does God wear? Can you prove it? Who says he doesn't wear what I wear everyday? Well, since you can't prove me wrong then why can't I wear what I wear and be God? ZING.

So, if you see me stumbling about on Halloween (actually I won't be stumbling at all due to this thing called being sober on a holiday) and I am not all slutted out like every girl out there, or dressed up all cool, well it is because I am just a little more ahead of the curve.

Happy Halloween. ZING!

What to be when I grow up?

2008-10-28T20:40:00.001-07:00

So today was interesting... Not only have I slowly been losing intrest in school.. I have been getting some major confusion on why I should go to school, as in what for. I had a little push from a teacher who I think made school the most fun for me. Next to my english teacher, it would be my graphic design teacher. He basically told me do what your into. You can't get to your senior year and change majors. Obviously.
However this is my delima...
I want a business degree because I like business and I get it. Plus, the jobs out there for those degrees are great. However, I just never see myself working for somebody all my life, and that is where I start questioning if I really want that degree. However, the things I learn are beneficial to that ideal goal.

Then I got thinking, what do I wish I could do. That is where it gets rough. I love doing artistic things like graphic design, video editing, photography and editing. Then I love to write. I may not be amazing at it, and I have two different sides to things. On this side nobody really reads this, and it is pretty much an available to the public private journal. Then on the other side my other site is hitting about 25,000 page views a month. So obviously people are reading my stuff.

Okay, so this means I want a degree in Business Administration, Graphic Design, and Writing. Shit. Haha, I mean obviously once I have my generals out of the way it would be so easy to get associates degrees in all of those. It is just associates degrees really don't do much these days. So, now I am just sitting here wondering what it will take for me to really figure out how I want to go about college.

Where will I go in life, what will I do. I don't know. Everyday something new happens and every decision I make leads me in a new direction. So, what happens next.

This is just the thoughts going through my head right now and it is so rediculous. That would be that.

A Sober Man's Thoughts are a Drunk Man's Words

2008-10-25T00:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard that before? A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts? I remember when I first heard that saying. It was from somebody pretty close to me. When I heard it I was young, and sober. I didn't believe it. I just believed "Oh, they are just drunk and angry" and never realized what exactly it means.
Obviously, I drink. It is a very rare ocassion though. So, if you get the chance take advantage of it. It litterally is about twice a year. Well... maybe 2 or 3 more occasions than that even. But that is it really, I rarely ever drink.

However, I was thinking about it and realized how tempting it is to text and call people when you drink. You just want to express how you feel about somebody and before you know it you are getting a soboer response where you just know that they know you are drunk. It sucks because it is always that "okay" or something that you don't want to hear. I realize then why I never drink.

It is because when I drink I make a complete idiot out of myself and then I end up getting into stuff I really shouldn't be digging into. It has happened to all of us, well... At least all of us guys who drink. We always want to be right and win so we aim for our ex's.

I need to delete those numbers for sure because it ends up getting me in trouble everytime. I always find a way to get them involved in my night and why it ended as badly as it did.

Don't get me wrong though, if I am at a party or something, nobody can tell I am making this idiot of myself. I tend to do it on a silent un-noticed level that just semes to always tempt and remind me of my past. I hate it. I wish it was something I couldn't remember even if I tried. It is just hard when you aren't this amazingly good looking guy who works all the time and cares way too much about school. You tend to lose track of time and before you know it, it has been 2 months and you haven't even had an oppertunity to go on a date.

I won't lie, I am sure it is obvious of my state that I am writing in right now. It just sucks becuasue we are trying to revamp this website. It just isn't as smooh as I like.

That is all. I doubt this will make sense in the morning.. but whatever.

Too Awesome

2008-10-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

I hate how I have some awesome ideas of things to write about. I hate it because these awesome ideas come when I can't write them down. Eventually the ideas fade, and then I am sitting here just staring at the screen with the cursor blinking, just waiting for it to spill out of me. These awesome things don't come back, and I don't know why. My mind works so weird, it multi-tasks at a high level, and some how manages to start thinking about things I don't want to think about. So ideas come in, they stick, and then slowly fade under all these other thoughts.

I need one of those old school voice recorder things, so whenever I have a good idea I can just talk into that. I would be able to describe my idea and then I could come to this and get awesome.

I am sure I am just driving you nuts by using the word awesome so many times but their really aren't too many words that are more awesome than well, awesome.

So random idea that just happened to pop into my head. I am sitting here watching this video of on youtube of DJ Tiesto. If you click that link and watch the video, you will be able to see what I am about to talk about. How crazy would it be to stand infront of thousands of people that all dig what you are into? Like, thousands of people just coming to see you do something. I want to figure out a way to experience that some how. I doubt I ever will because well, I don't really do anything that amazing that would attract that many people in the first place. I just think it would be cool to have that many people react to my actions at one time.
Also, I wonder how much money he makes from doing something like that! Even if tickets were like $5 per person and he only gets a percentage of that, that is still A LOT of money. I wouldn't mind living that guys life at all. It would be so awesome... ;)

I don't know why, but as of late I have been obsessed with Youtube for listening to music. It is like google, if you can think of it, it is already there! Millions on top of millions of people use and contribute to Youtube everyday, it is insane to imagine the amount of data that is stored into that. OOH! OOOH! That just reminded me of a thought I have had a few times while driving.

If for some unbelieveable reason Youtube was hacked or something, and every single file ever uploaded to it was removed. What do you think would happen? I am sure this is impossible and they probably have the data super protected and backed up multiple times. I am just saying, what if?
It would just be gone and non existant. How fast do you think it would recover? What would happen to all those Youtube famous people? Would new people take over with that fresh advantage? I have always wondered what would happen at least. It just seems like youtube has become like myspace and facebook, addictive and apart of our lives.

There you have it. In all its awesomness. My post for the day.

Am I Falling Behind?

2008-10-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

Today I had a realization while having some coffee with my friend Kate. Time is flying.
It was funny how when the topic of people we graduated with had been having kids, getting engaged, and even married was brought up. We both had similar thoughts and views that maybe we were falling behind. Now, obviously being 20 years old this isn't true, it is just some people are moving faster/ready sooner/able to do these things. To be entirely honest, I don't think I would mind being engaged.. The married and kids part not so much obviously. However, when some of your closest friends are getting engaged, or even already married you start to feel like maybe you should be trying a little harder. Well, at least I have felt like that for a while now. I don't think that I really need to be trying harder but sometimes I feel like I should be.
It is so crazy how as each year of life passes, time begins to move faster and faster. The things you experience become almost like a timeline of lifes pattern. It's like, your growing up, people start "dating", then it gets into the partying, then the drinking, then some people fall victim to drugs, then graduation from high school and life really kicks in. People go off to college, some people end up having kids, some people get engaged and married.. then as time keeps going more and more people start repeating the last few. Then before you know it your 50-60 and your kids are having kids, then people you know start dying of old age. Now, obviously this timeline is long and doesn't happen over night. I am just saying that it is a timeline that seems to be moving faster and faster as time goes on. I seriously feel like I blink and it has been 2 months.

Obviously I am not falling behind.. Just my interesting thought for the day!

I am BACK

2008-10-18T21:05:00.001-07:00

Wow, one month and one day later I finally make the motivation to update this blog of joy. Time has flown, litterally. I cannot believe how rediculous my life has become. I love it, but honestly... I can't believe half the stuff I have done in the last month.

First of all since my previous posts I blabbed forever about going to Las Vegas.
I will just sum it up in three words. It was kickass. I feel like the whole trip really opened me up to new experiences and I feel like in my life I will do a lot of traveling when I get the chance. I really enjoyed my time down there, meeting so many people I have worked with through BMXunion and just catching up with people I haven't seen in a long time. Oh, by the way I am going again next year.
The flying part was pretty crazy, I wasn't really all that nervous which surprised me. It was actually pretty cool and I wish I had a window seat now. I am really happy I had the oppertunity to take that trip.

Let's see, I have been living the single life again for a little over a month now. Yep, I hate it. I really wish I had more time to go out to parties and get some dating done. However, I am just so busy with school and work I just can't seem to motivate myself to try all that hard. I guess that is all I really care to say about that topic right now.

Speaking of school, apparently I haven't been doing all that bad this year. I am pretty shocked since I felt so overwhelmed with everything when the semester had started. I guess it was just planning that trip, leaving my old jobs, the break up, and all that stuff mixed in that just didn't help. However, I have had the chance to really focus and I think that it is real good. I feel like if I wasn't in school I would have more oppertunities to travel but I really want to at least get my degree even if I don't end up using it.

Oh, have I mentioned I have fully committed to wanting to be a writer? I am sure it might just be a phase, but I have honestly been into writing for some time. I guess with all these oppertunities lately I feel like maybe I can make it a reality? Who knows, just have to wait it out and see where life takes me I guess.

I have also been working a bunch at my new job. I have been working at this trucking company in the shop just doin odd jobs like cleaning trucks and trailers. However, it also involves a lot of other random jobs. For instance, this previous week we spent ripping a roof/deck off so we could rebuild the roof and deck. It's weird because I am actually really into going to work just because I have no idea what I might be doing.

Life is a weird thing, I always felt like everyday was almost pre planned and just going to happen without really much of an unexpected twist. Throwing in all these changes really made me realize that I have no idea where I will be tomorrow. Where I will be in 5 weeks. Where I will be in 5 years. I can only aim for what I want and make it happen in the best way I can. I am going to make things happen, I just need to do it. I will too.
Check back for more from me.. I promise it won't be a month.

College Study Skills

2008-09-17T20:26:00.001-07:00

This actually has nothing about College Study Skills. Infact, it is Anti College Study Skills. I am actually writing on here instead of studying for the tests I have to take in the coming two days before I leave for Vegas.

However, my point of this post! I am not sure if what has happened lately is some sick joke or what. I don't get it, but I like it.
Ever since I had put in my two weeks notice at my jobs my life had felt less and less stressful until last saturday when they had come to a final end. After that, it got even better faster.
Maybe I should explain this one... I obviously have been stressing this trip to Las Vegas if you haven't noticed haha. The thing is though, I don't have to work as much anymore! It is so crazy. I can focus on my goals and get to them...
Just that's the thing, ever since then all these funny things have been happening.

For example, today while leaving school as I was making my way through the parking lot I had decided to pause and just watch as a car was backing out. Why would I stop to watch a car back out you say? Well, that is because on the exact opposite side of this row of parking spaces a car was backing out also. Oh yes, you know where this is going..

BOOM! haha. That is the funny thing about fender benders, they are always funny if you or your property is not involved. Why is it always funny to watch other people get hurt? (not seriously, just small things like tripping on the stairs)

The worse part about this is it wasn't exactly both peoples faults. I watched, with no ability to do anything about the situation due to my position, as one car realized what was going on and slammed on the brakes while the other car proceeded to go kaboom. How funny is that? Just like Dane Cook when he talks about the runner who gets hit by the car and all he can do is make a weird noise. LOVE IT.

Another funny thing that has happened is my new work. I know it was "beginners luck" or something but my first week at my new job was literally the most fun I had at work in dare I say it... years.
I got to drive a truck around a gravel parking lot with a drag for an hour or so leveling out the rough patches. Today I got to help as the rest of them demolished an old cement shed out in the feild (which I guess we weren't suppossed to take down anyways? whoops! wasn't my idea) I mean I did do work like sweep, vacuume, and wipe down trailers and insides of trucks, but that is easy work. I love how the time actually moves since I am usually doing something that is actual work, and not just waiting for something to get screwed up to fix it ya know?

Oh well, I like it and my life is a whole lot less stressful.. In fact it is just pretty entertaining to see where things will go as time goes on.

Hope you enjoyed this installment of randomness.

The Influences of Life

2008-09-16T20:48:00.000-07:00

This is going to be fairly obvious. Some recent influences on my life as of recently.

First of all maybe I should raise a question... Is it just me or as you get older does time go by faster and faster? I feel like I blink and it is a whole new week or even month now days. I don't get it!? I mean it is the fourth week of school already.. Yeah!? I sware I was just writing about the fact that school was starting and I wasn't sure how ready I would be. I mean don't get me wrong, I LOVE how fast school is going... I wan't it to be done so I can get off into the real world and make something big out of myself. Shit, I seriously can't wait.. These are suppossed to be the years you enjoy the most and I seriously do enjoy it, just I don't get all hammered on thirsty thursday or something. I do my own thing, you know this!

Let me get back to the point of this little blog of love. I realized with this time going on I have had some pretty impressive influences on my life, no matter what... Anything and everything that makes any sort of contact with you will impact your life.
For example, a very close friend of mine's (sp?) sister is going through a really really tough time with cancer. However, not once in the last 3 months or so have I ever once saw her upset, or angry. I should also mention for a while, including the day she found out, I was there almost everyday, and never once upset. I don't get it! When you are told about a condition like that isn't there a law that says you are allowed to be pissed and upset? I don't know.. All I know is that, that person has really greatly impacted my life lately. It has shown me that no matter how bad the situation might be, you need to be positive and happy. Don't get pissed about things that are out of your own personal control, just deal with it and make the best out of it. I try and put my stresses of life into perspective and then take a walk in her shoes. I don't know how I could ever be pissed off again, I really have no reason to be. I just pray everyday that it gets better and everything works out. I feel like her attitude should be a cure enough to get past this. Lets hope somebody out there gets that and does a little miracle work.

Speaking of that, this girl who has played a pretty big role in my life lately.. Even though I don't think she can handle believing that, I think so at least. She really has opened my eyes up to my abilities and pushed me to make sure I don't take them for granted. I mean I was pretty blind [note: I just spelled bling instead of blind] to some of my accomplishments. I am pretty modest, I was told that and it has stuck in my mind ever since. She really has thrown me out of my comfort zone and made me experience new things. I appreciate that and I am sure she doesn't even know it. Now we are a few hours apart due to school and it sucks because I know if there wasn't the distance things would be different. However, this is a good example of how life challenges people. Maybe someday it will work, maybe she will find somebody new. That I will never know, but I know I won't forget her. I just know that I am chasing my dreams and not giving up as easily as I used to. There are a lot of other things I don't think she even realized that I experienced because of her either. Simple things like going to the Zoo not involving school, or what it is like to go for a long walk in the woods with somebody else. Yeah, you get the point... I will save you the pain of me continuing. Plus, I doubt she will even see this haha.

The next big influence on me lately is my two best friends who have both been enlisted in the millitary. One for over a year, another for about two months now. I never realized how big of an influence these guys have been on me until lately. They really did get me to be pretty social and just have a good time. I have a lot of respect for the things they do. However, if I may say I do get pissed every time the one who has been in it for a while posts pictures on his Facebook of recent trips. I am beginning to wonder if the air force is just a new thing to be able to travel the world and make people think they are working haha. I mean honestly, since when is flying the President's car to Hawaii work? Okay, I am just bitter but whatever he got his ass worked and beat to get the priveledge so I will just take it. However, not a day goes by that makes me think about when they both will be back and we can go out or do something together again. With time flying it will be before I know it. At least that's what I would imagine.

This next one is very broad. BMX. Without the people involved with that would I be where I am today. I get together with my friends to ride bike and anything wrong with my day is replaced with laughs and good times. I am very greatful for the people who keep me motivated and know how to have fun on two wheels. I was super nervous about going to Las Vegas but seriously, I have been promised that I will have an amazing time more than 20 times so I can't imagine all these people will let me down. =) I am sure there will be a pretty awesome blog post about that trip. I am sure I will even do a little while I am bored the firs two days waiting for the rest of the people to show up on Tuesday. I love the feeling I get after learning a new trick, kicking my own ass, anything that has to do with it.. I love it.

Family, well this will be short. For all the shit that has happened it is still nice to have somebody there to tell me to follow through and just go out and experience the world. Experience the world I will do. At least that is the goal right?

There are so many more things that influence my life, I mean I come in contact with so many things everyday. I just think that it would kill you to have to continue to read this and get jealous of my life. Oh settle down, you know you aren't jealous. If you are let me know in the comments ;)

Some Sunny Day

2008-09-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

I bet you can't guess where I came up with that title. Well, "some sunny day" which is from Simple Man, which I am listening to the accustic remake of it from Shinedown. Good stuff, love both versions!
So, today is my last day of work at my two jobs I am leaving. I finished off one this morning and am just chilling between when I leave to work at 5 at my other job. It is pretty crazy the feeling I got leaving my job today. I felt this pressure just leave me, but I was still bummed because so many people seem pretty upset about me leaving. I don't know what that is all about.
So I will be going to this other job here in a bit, I can't imagine much will happen since it is the mall on a saturday night, with a part time assistant manager who wants to quit too. I can't imagine what might go down tonight for work. Probably nothing which is cool I supposse.

As I am talking to one of my best friends I was just realizing I have tomorrow off. Which hasn't happened in a long time. I litterally have had two saturdays off in a year, and not too many more Sundays off. Ahh that's so crazy to think about haha.

Now, heres the deal. I can focus on school! then my internet work, and my new easy ass job that is like 2-3 hours a day if they need me.

In a week I am going to be freaking out. I am going to Las Vegas, I am sure I said this in other posts. I am going for Interbike which is a huge trade show for the whole bicycle industry. Then I have gotten on the list to go to Nora Cup which is a big BMX industry award show thing that is just a big party. I am so excited to go to this. I have the flights all lined up, stuff to do, and other cool shit. I even get to meet and ride bike with my idol at some point. HELL YEAH.

That is really all I can think of right now.

Music is for champs

2008-09-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

You know these titles are getting catchy. I am not sure why I have been writing on here so much lately but it is good.
I am not quite sure where this is going but I do know one thing. It might have a point.
I am one of those dudes who just likes music too much. I don't claim to be some sort of rockstar or know how to play instruments. I don't get all decked out to fit in with a crew of emos or head bangers. I just am me ya know? If that is even possible these days.
I always have my headphones on when I got a free moment. I walk from class to class with my music on, when I ride bike, when I lay in my bed writing this shit blog I am listening to music.
Why am I talking about music? Well, because today I snapped. I raged out and got everything I was thinking out to somebody. I know that is the last time I will hear from them too. I guess it was just the fact that you can only tolerate somebodies shit for so long before you really just need to vent it. Shit, I didn't want it to be this way, it just happened to be what happend.
I think it is amazing because for the first time in a long time I just went and rode bike, listened to music, and found myself feeling better again.
I haven't felt so ... fresh.. in this long. I let shit build up until I get to the point where somebody says the wrong thing the wrong way I blow all my shit off on them. Sure, it is a dick thing to do especially to your ex who is going through hell as is. Hear me out though! I was taking so much stuff, and blaming myself for things that shouldn't have been my fault. I have so much stuff going on with my life and that was just something that was ready to blow out and it happened.

I won't take it back or appologize for it either. I really don't feel like there is a reason to and I don't think that when you are dragged through shit you have to say sorry for it when you throw a little mud back right?

I am sitting here... I mean laying here in my bed listening to Flobots. For the first time in a long time I just feel relaxed, not paniced or flustered, just.. chill. I love it. I missed it.

Knowing where you want to be and what you want to be someday makes things a little bi clearer.

Till the next time!

Laughing like your on fire

2008-09-09T21:48:00.000-07:00

Where the hell do I come up with these titles? "Laughing like your on fire"? Really? Don't ask, I don't know.
I have been thinking about funny events that have happened to me in my life. It is weird when you get a idea of thinks you would like to remember, what will come up first.
For example, I was trying to think of a funny story, and the first thing that came to mind was from two winters ago.
Two of my best friends Josh, and Bryan were on this adventure. Living in Minnesota you learn to deal with snow. You learn how to drive in the worst of conditions and it usually makes for good times. This particular night was insane, something like 2 feet of snow fell. We first of all went to a movie... It was the Reno 911 movie haha. After we got out we had heard of some good parties on the far other side of town at our colleges "dorms". Rochester is a pretty big city, something like 50 odd miles around? Whatever, so we are on this trek accross the city. It first takes us about 20 minutes to get to Bryans house, about 3/4 the way to our final destintion.
This is when the storm really gets bad and of course Josh and Bryan decided they wanted to drink. So I was left up to be bus driver or should I say truck driver.

We venture back out into the snow and hop in the truck. I am driving, Bryan in the middle, and Josh at the window spot. We begin driving and it is litterally hell, we almost didn't make it up Bryan and Josh's street. We got there, then got out onto this main highway that is down hill the whole way to our final stop.
We get going and of course I cannot see the road. The road is covered in snow and it is coming down so heavy that there is no visability. Josh decides it would be proper to stick his head out the window to navigate.
I still remember this so clearly.. Josh peeks his head back in and drunkenly informs me "Dude, I think we are driving down the highway in the ditch?" Oh, how epic. I instantly realize where I am on this two lane road (4 lanes total) and get back on our road.
It took us 35 minutes to travel 2.5 miles that night. Full-speed ahead with nothing but laughs. I will never forget that night.

The drive back was even better..

Sure this story had nothing to do with fire, but it did have a lot to do with laughing.

When it rains it pours

2008-09-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

So, recently my life has been changing a lot.. If you read my posts below you would know this.
However, what I am blown away about is how things are slowly falling together in ways I never expected. Atleast in a sense relating to work.
I have worked only 3 real places before. A bike shop, a Pac Sun, and a Athletic Club (fancy name for a gym). I recently (2 weeks ago) put my two weeks notice in at Pac Sun and the club. I haven't worked at the bike shop for over a year now.

A year ago I started my website, no not this one... This one. It has grown pretty steadily over the last year and it is a great accomplishment for me. In the process I had been offered a job as a contributor/content updater for another website and I have been super stoked on that. I didn't think it would get much better than that. Except, it has. Today I recieved an email from a guy who has some power at a media network. I can't say what one yet, just because I don't want things to fall through and then look stupid haha.

I am pretty excited about this just because in the last year I really have grown a greater appreciation for writing. I by no means think I am this amazing writer. I just really like to do it while knowing a lot of people are reading it. Maybe it is just the fact that I like to entertain or get reactions of peoples thoughts towards my work.

I would kill to make a living as a writer. I mean sure, I obviously won't be rich doing it, I just enjoy doing it and it makes sense when I think about it as a "career" type thing. I guess that is one thing I never really knew I would get a shot at. I grew up reading other peoples work and wondered what it would be like to write, and now I am getting a few chances. I really hope I keep getting these chances.

That is all that is on my mind right now. I don't know if this was really worth your time to read to be honest. I guess if you made it this far you really can't take back the time you lost. Sorry haha.

How to get people arrested

2008-09-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

This is strictly just a funny story, it wasn't intentional.. It just happend and I am not making this up... How could I make this up!

So the other Friday night my buddy and I had gone to St. Paul to meet with a few of our friends to ride some BMX on the University of Minnesota campus. You know, doing our tricks and hitting up spots. Watching underage kids run abroad hammered and out of control. Wow, I am only 20 I feel like I am a 30 year old talking here.
Okay, back to my story.

So we are cruising along, flying past Frat Row where there had to be about 2,000 people partying. We notice when we come down a street a little "arguement" between a guy and his girlfriend I would imagine. There was another girl with them.
We hit up a spot for a few minutes then notice this guy and two girls pushing their car with the emergency flashers on down the road.
Being the nice people our group of about eight was, we offer to help. We are pushing the car along and somebody notices a cop turning the other way just a little ways down the street.
Without thinking we start waving down this cop thinking he could use his brush guard to push or do something to help this guy and girls out... Or not.
The guy starts getting a weird awkward look when we start waving the cop over, and he ditches the car and runs. The car goes rolling on by itself and the fun begins.
The cop turns on his lights, jumps out of his car and chases this guy down! He catches up to him and tackles him on the ground.. "What the police brutality!?"... Nope.

Turns out this dude was in a little trouble already, on the warrants list. Instantly this guy is in cuffs, along with the two girls.

Then back up shows up, but here is the kicker. 4 different cop cars came to the scene, but everyone of them didn't have their lights on and were not speeding at all until they got to the street. They then turned on their lights, FLOORED it down the street for 3 seconds, slammed on their brakes, and got in on the party. It was so funny. The cops apparently wanted to make it look like they were "urgent" or something.

Eventually the cops pull out the dog, and let him go to town on this car.. Sure as shit, there was a reason they did this. The car had drugs in it.
The guy is taken into a car, the girls are too. The cops don't say a word to us even though if it wasn't for us they would have turned the other way and probably not even made the arrest.

You can't make that up and I wish "Cops" was on location filming! haha

Fear or Not

2008-09-07T21:01:00.001-07:00

It is fun to find your biggest fears in your life... It isn't funny when people know them and use it as a way to attack you for entertainment.
...
Okay, it is funny I can't deny that.
My biggest fears have always been really weird for the weirdest reasons too. Well, maybe not weird. Why do I second guess myself so much? Okay.

So, one of my bigest fears is snakes.. SNAKES ON A PLANE! wait.. shit I wll explain that later.
I don't know what it is about snakes but they scare the crap out of me. Maybe it is the fact that a lot of them are capable of killing with poison, or that they can wrap themselves around you to kill you, or that they are just gross and weird that scares me. I don't really know, I just know when I see them I get shivers down my spine thinking about what would happen if there wasn't glass or a T.V between myself and that particular creature.

I don't know if I am actually scared or that I just never have really had a reason to attempt this next one. Flying.
I have never flown before, for a few reasons, most that are just too personal for me to write it down here. I just have that "what if" fear where my mind thinks about possible outcomes for anything I do. However, September 21st I will fly for the first time and I can check it off my lists of things I might be afraid of but never done, I hope I am not scared haha. Oh, and the snakes on a plane thing. Think about that mix, planes and snakes.. I would be a disaster haha.

A stupid fear of mine that I guess is a personal issue/common issue is that fear of being alone. I have never really been one to open up to people in the form of relationships ever just because my lack of trust. My lack of confidence. My lack of a lot of things has always prevented that one and it had always made me question how I am going to end up NOT alone. I guess that one is all I can do is hope for the best right?

Roller coasters... Oh man people don't get me for this one. "How can you ride BMX, jump in the air, do all those tricks, but be afraid of a roller coaster!?".. Well, I figured that one out. I have this thing where if I am not in full control over it then I will always have this uncontrolable urge to do anything in my power to control it. If that even makes sense? For example, when I am driving with somebody and they are one to be a little slow on the brakes and almost a little "wreckless" I tend to push on the floor like I am trying to push on the brakes. I don't know why I do this, I just do. I just like to be in control I guess. My other reason is, how many times have you heard stories of stuff like that failing. Once again, my mind just playing out situations that don't need thinking about haha.

Failure. Everyone fears failure, it is inevitable that at some point in your life you have failed. I know I have failed plenty of times but I am looking more down the road. I know I will do something cool just because I know when I am at a dead end and get out of it if it doesn't work. I just hope I can find a real job that pays real good and doesn't allow me to fail at life.. I don't want to be broke! I am going to college for a reason.. I hope. Haha.

I really can't think of too many other things I am afraid of. I am sure there is a whole bunch more but it just doesn't click for me right now. Maybe someday I will be able to add to this list. Who knows, maybe someday I will be able to remove some from the list haha.

If I could fly

2008-09-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

You never really realize exactly how complex life is until you step back and see it from a different perspective. You get so set in your daily life and ways that when a major alteration is made you find yourself confused and unsure what you want.

In a short amount of time, litterally about two weeks. I have altered my life in so many ways I doubt I will even realize it till I put it in words..

Lets start out simple.. After a year and a half I have decided to leave both jobs.. Why? Well, because oppertunity arose and instead of just saying nah.. I took it. I stepped out on a ledge and jumped. It sucks, because the reactions I got from my bosses were what made it hard to leave. I mean I really do work hard and try my best to make sure I am getting what I am suppossed to be done, while having a good time. It was hard when they both were disappointed, yet understanding enough to let me go. I mean I even got offered a going away party.. That shouldn't happen in retail.

With that, I have had some oppertunities to work online and really get some work done with my real true love of writing. Sure, I don't always write the best but that doesn't mean I can't do it right? I also have been offered a job doing real work around a trucking companies shop where my brother is a mechanic. It will be good to just do something new and crazy.. and probably make more money. I say probably because it is up to me to make things happen, not the other way around like usual.

The next big twist to life is back to school. My second year of college! It is weird to think that it has already got that far in a blink of an eye. I think I will like my classes and should be able to focus on it better than last year. Sure, it was real hard getting back on schedual these last two weeks but it is good to have structure and keep things organzied. My god was it weird to think it has been 3 months since I had seen a lot of people who I see and talk to on a daily basis last year and this year. I like it, it has really helped me keep myself going.

I will keep this one short, basically I lost the girl who meant a lot to me and that through me off. I expected it to happen and I am doing my best to just move on. You can't expect all good things to last right? Add it to the lists of pressures in the last two weeks.

The stress levels I haven't been bad enough yet. You better believe I got more. I am going to Las Vegas September 21-28. It will be a lot of firsts for me. First time flying, first time farther south than Chicago, first time I will meet a lot of people who have helped me get into the BMX industry. The first time I will party like a champ in months. I am scared, but I at least have my mom to keep me motivated since she truely believes it will be a good experience for me. I believe that 100% and cannot wait till the 28th to say thanks for keeping me on track. It is and will be an amazing oppertunity.

I have been realizing a lot of things I want in my life someday too. I have started setting goals for myself and I am going to try hard to stick to it. Here are a few things I want to accomplish: Once college is done, buy a house. Yes, that is an expencive thing but it will be needed. I got time to save up and figure out what I truely want. I want to figure out exactly what I want to be when I "grow up"... I always keep coming back to a financial advisor, maybe that is just my thing. I don't know who knows what I will want to be in a month. Keep myself positive and ready for whatever comes my way. Thanks.

Wrote the Book

2008-08-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

With school already a week in I am slowly getting myself back in the groove and swing of things. It just sucks being in school when you are doing just fine without it ya know? Well, okay I am doing okay now but in a few years that degree will be nice to have.
So what does the title "Wrote the Book" have to do with anything... Well, lone and behold I got shot in the foot this week, not litterally. On my first day of my economics class I am sitting there, in the super comfy chairs, looking at the cover of the book. I look at my teachers name on the board, look back at my book, look back at the board, back at my book. My jaw drops. Why?
Well, let me as you this: What is worse then having a teacher that knows what they are talking about?
Answer: A teacher who wrote the book! Litterally. My teacher is one of the writers of "one of the best selling economics books in the world" according to him that is.
Sure! I know college is suppossed to be hard, and being a business administration major I need to understand economics but seriously? How does somebody get stuck with the teacher who wrote the book! Backfire.

So that is my story of the week. This guy below kind of looks like him.

That looks firmiliar

2008-08-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

"That looks firmiliar" .. "Where did you get it?"
"I found it..."
What am I talking about? Well, probably the new game I am all for doing now days.
I don't know if you are aware of this, but skateparks attract shady people. Esspecially young kids who steal... kids who steal bikes...
So what I am a cruel person who has way too much fun messing with people, this is entertainment!
So, today some shady little asian kids who are on a bike covered in spray paint. They are my target for torment. My two buddys Tyler and Sean mention how they are willing to bet the bike these kids roll up on is stolen. I am positive it is.. So I decided this game needed to be tested. So I roll on over by them and look at the bike like it looks real firmiliar and I am not sure why... This is the conversation:

Me- "Hmm, that bike looks super firmiliar and I don't know why?"
Asian kids- "Oh, well.. thats cool."
Me- "My little brother actually had a bike just like that... It got stolen not too long ago. Where did you get it?"
Asian Kids- "I uhh.. it's mine"
Me- "Weird, it looks just like my brothers."
Asian kids-"Oh, well what kind of bike is it?"
Me- "I don't remember, it was a cheap bike he got at Target.. Just like that one."
Asian kids- "Oh, well this is a Next, so it isn't it"
Me- "Next's are sold at Target, and they are cheap. I worked in a bike shop I know these things."
Asian kids-"Oh, well I see.."
Me-" Yeah, it is that bike.. I put that quick release seat post clamp on there.. it is just covered in green spray paint now.."
Asian kids- silent, just look at each other pretty worried they are busted.. then they say "Well, we found it at the park right over there one day it was there for a few days, so we didn't steal it"

I roll away just to get the full reaction effect I was looking for and sure enough I got it. The kids took off out of the skatepark pedaling at mach 10 and they were gone.
I only did that for a few reasons, one they were punk kids all decked out looking gangster as hell trying to be tough. Two, they made the bike look stolen by covering it in spray paint. Three, I was bored and that is pure good entertainment.

So that is my excitement for today.. while were on the topic of bike theaft, here is a video...

Obesity and Shoppers

2008-08-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

I have worked retail for a little over two years now and one thing that has really bothered me in that time is the mess left behind by shoppers. Especially the ones who are just a little.. bigger. That is an oxymoran right? Little bigger? Sorry it is the A.D.D

See the problem really isn't the size, it is the way people shop. I mean if you have worked retail it is obvious because those people usually don't flip over a whole stack and leave every piece touched and mangled to get to your size destroyed in anger that you had to do a little work to get the one you want. I mean don't get me wrong those extra small and small people do that it just doesn't leave 20 extra shirts to be fixed.
I was also thinking about how easy it is for those smaller people to shop since if you didn't know retail standards suggest going smallest to largest which makes obvious sense I would hope. Especially because they didn't build the pyramids of Egypt smallest to largest on top. That would be cool to see though right?
So back to my point...
These smaller shoppers save a lot more time then these bigger shoppers because they really just have to grab whatever they want off the top, or the front row of stuff hanging. It is pretty simple and easy. Where as if you are the larger sizes you have to dig.. and dig.. and apparently flip over and mangle every size you can't fit into to make youself feel better? I don't know why they do what they do. I am just the dude who comes in behind them and has to re-fold all of it.
I am sure this might cause some issues but seriously, it is funny if you think about it.
"Why do bigger people have to shop like they eat?"... I in no way shape or form came up with that. I seriously heard a customer who was mad that all the smalls and mediums were flopped and destroyed so don't be pissed at me.
This post isn't a attack on the over weight or anything I just think it is super annoying what happens to the clothes I have to deal with almost daily.

Another thing that bothers me is when people take off the top shirt to look at the logo, flop it all up. Throw it on the shelf, and then grab their size. Then to realize they don't want the shirt anymore. TWO for the price of NONE wow. Good deal eh?
Or even in some cases the people who take the size they need out, look at it and flop it all up.. then grab the next nicely folded one in their size and buy that one. Really? Is your shirt destroyed after you unfolded it. Well, yeah it is destroyed but that is just for me because I have had to fold that specific shirt 20 times today because the pretty colors attracted you.

Ah while I am on that topic. What is it with people who see me fold a whole shelf and get it all nice that attracts them to litterally grab the stuff I just folded and mess it up again to see what all the excitment was over those shirts that just got fixed. Seriously people, I am going to freak out.

Finally, my attack on the skinny people. The ghetto, and those little white punks who think they are black. What is with wearing XXL! really? come on we have dresses over there if you want a dress. I don't get why somebody would want a shirt that is five sizes too big. I mean sure I understand why they have that size, but that is for those people who are a little big and that is cool if they wear it. I just don't see how wearing that stuff makes you a gangster, or hardcore, or whatever the hell your trying to be.

Then again I guess your not wearing girls or super skinny jeans... stupid EMO kids.

A Thrown Fist

2008-08-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I finally remembered to go right to my laptop after waking up from a pretty rediculous dream. I normally forget stuff if I take my time.
So! If you know me... You will know that I am really not much of a fighter at all, not very strong, not very coordinated, usually pretty worn out after that kind of physical activity. Don't get me wrong I am not out of shape...much...but I just have never been one to want to fight or do anything along those lines I guess.

So last night there was a pretty weird situation happening to somebody really important to me and it made me mad because of how unfair he was being and I really wanted to punch this guy... So now the dream begins..

For some weird reason I was driving down the highway except it was pouring rain. It was really bad and I couldn't see the road but I kept going which clearly made sense. Well, since it was a dream and everything nothing could go wrong.
Eventually I, or we, I don't remember if anyone was with me or not but I feel like there might have been. We pulled off at a McDonalds. If that isn't weird enough because I haven't eaten there in close to two years. If you know where I am from there's a town in Minnesota called Cannon Falls just off of highway 52 with a McDonalds and I think that was the one I stopped at.

Here is the weird part, the place turns into a house. We are standing infront of this house in the rain. I look to my left and here comes this guy out of the corner saying "Where are you!" I just remember saying "Shit, I need to take this guy down" and I took after him.
The first thing I do is jump on the guys back and put him in a head lock, and flop him to the ground. I give him a few good cracks to the face and get him a little loopy.
For some reason in my dream I was the one who knew what I was doing if that makes any sense, he just kind of slapped and pushed and would miss when he swung.
Eventually, out of no where there was rope (which obviously happens in dreams that "out of nowhere effect"). So I tie this guy up except I don't think I did it to Boy Scouts standards. I tie him up with his arms to his ankles so he is in a scorpion kind of ball like knot mess.
So he is craddled up rocking on his belly yelling some pretty rediculous stuff. You know, those unbacked up threats to scare people into doing things when in all actuallity they would end up in more trouble then what they originally would be in. Especially for somebody on parole.
So the cops come and hear the story of his latest threats and harassments and he is taken away. The rain stopped, and it was weird because right as that happened...

I wake up to roofers pounding on my neighbors roof a few houses down and yelling about who has the best nail gun? Honestly, go back to bed people it is 8:21 in the morning and you are on a roof argueing about something that isn't even worth your energy, or mine to listen! As I hear the pounding noise in the background right now.

So, that is my dream... I hope your confused!

Changing Directions

2008-08-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been sometime since I have made a post on here. Which is sad because of how much time I spend online working anyways. What do I mean by "changing directions" well let me explain, this blog originally had no "direction" and the other morning it hit me. Every morning when I wake up, immediately come here and write about my dream the night before.
I don't know if anybody does that already, but I am sure somebody does. It is a pretty easy thing to write about at least. Maybe what I will do is spin off and add to the stories even if it didn't happen in my dream you know?
I don't know. I just know that it has become apparent I need to start blogging on here again and that is a good way to produce.
That is the "changing direction" of this blog. I wonder if it will take off? I don't know, I really don't care. It will just be fun to see if I can keep it up!

Check back soon for a dream. I will have a dream.

100,000 visitors and 10 things I learned along the way

2008-07-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

If you remember right a while back I made "50,000 hits and 10 things I learned along the way" which I felt personally was good advice for a starting blog. Well, a few months later and I am at 100,000 visitors and I think maybe some of the things have changed up a bit.
That is the crazy thing about the internet, you learn so much on techniques on how to keep the visitors coming and expanding.
Now to remind you, this is my personal blog. This is not my website that is doing the stats I am talking about here.
So here are the 10 things that I have learned along the way.

1. Original content- This is a given, but honestly I am going to be harsh here. There are going to be 10 websites in each niche that try and do the same thing. They go around to the other popular sites and repost links to these other original content websites and obviously 9 out of 10 fail because the original or at least one of them will become the more popular website. So my best advice is do all original content, reposting news to other peoples stuff is pointless if your not going to be the most popular.
Also in advice since I have seen this, DON'T half ass your "original content" I am serious! It will kick you in the junk downstairs in the end because I have seen some pretty desperate attempts to make news by some really bad YouTube videos.

2. Be consistant! Try and have stuff planned for at least twice a week to post that is fresh and ready. If I even drag ass for a day my stats drop like a rock but that is because I try and have something new everyday because I want to make the maximum amount of growth in stats, but you can still do this with about two posts a week just at a slower pace. Try and be consistant with what you are posting too. I've learned with this personal blog that random does you nothing when it comes to SEO. (If you don't know what SEO is I suggest you google it right meow!)

3. Be patient! Holy crap when I first started I was blind to how many websites would start up and then two weeks later they were gone and done for. This is why you won't see much for stats for at least a few weeks. I mean consistant stats from regular readers. You post, and you post, and you post. Don't give up because eventually it will catch on. If after 6 months and you are stuck at 300 hits to your site due to you coming everyday then thats when you re-think your strategy and start googling How to get more hits to my blog. My site is getting close to its one year mark and I have been hearing from some of the top guys in my niche that it is for sure in the top 10 websites in our niche. Which is a huge accomplishment because if you can do that it means something is clicking.

4. Be cheap- I mean it. Don't get involved in those "Pay $29.99 for a ton of traffic" websites. I have never tried it and I don't even want to know if it works. I don't want to know how fast you will be kicked off Google Adsense for "computer generated traffic" that you thought was real people that just happened to find your website magically after you spent money on something you didn't even need. I said this in my "50,000 hits..." post EVERYTHING can be done for free. E-mail is free, Video hosting is Free, Photo hosting is free, blog/website hosting is free. I have litterally only spent $9 on my website.

5. Buy a domain name- What? I thought you said everyting was free?! well, I bought a domain name because I am sorry having .tk, or .blogspot.com in your U.R.L will not have you taken seriously. If you have this then your site will be more professional, well that is if you can figure out how to code or get somebody to code your website so it looks pretty.

6. Layout- Have a clean website layout. If your site is a cluster bomb people will just give up. Keep things neat and organized. Stick to 3 colors on your website (that is the graphic design standard anyways and black or white is one of them!) You have so many options, just google "templates" for whatever your blog host is if you go that way or maybe you have a friend who you can throw $20 to get you a sweet design going so it looks more professional. I can spot a basic free template from blogspot from 100 miles a way and it is not pretty.

7. Make nice with the big dogs- Another one of my good tips from "50,000 hits..." that still is in effect. I happened to become friends with 3 guys who are all in charge of 3 of the top websites in my niche. What does this mean? This means my site is on their list of sites to check for content for them to post on their site! Links from bigger websites gives you more hits.... A LOT more hits. I have luckily been asked to be a contributor on one of those sites, I make a few posts about other stuff, slip in a post about something I did on my website, make a few more posts. That is a sweet deal to me. I have even been hearing things that two of the website guys were talking about me and the possible things I could become apart of. My website has turned into a resume in the industry I am working on. A lot of companies have respected what I have done, a lot of people have gained coverage from me, a lot of respect has been made. 95% of those people I haven't even met in person. E-Mail is a powerful tool.

8. Digg- Websites like Digg can be very powerful tools if your post hits the people just right. That website is like a "post your content and we will give you hits if it is good" website. Become apart of it, make nice with people, give your positive opinions, and maybe things will catch on for you. This is a great tool to get more stats for your website.

9. Have fun- If you aren't having any fun doing what your doing apparently you are in it for the wrong reasons. It is pretty unlikely you will start making bank off Adsense so don't do something just for the money because you will most likely fail and be one of those sites that are gone in two weeks like I talked about above. I love what I get to do, I love what I get to talk about. I don't make much money off it. I know it is possible to make a living off a website, but it takes a lot of time and it can be a very painful process to make it. If your having fun with it then it will become successful because fun is contageous.

10. Never stop learning- Everyday there will be new ways to get more hits to your site. There will be new information to learn about life. There will be new information to read or people to learn about. Keep up to date and maybe you will become a better person or live a better life. I know I have taught myself HTML, some Java, and a few other coding things and because of it I think my website has become better because of that!

That is my 10 things I have learned in the last year... I hope this helps you out in some way or another.. Good luck!