Misquoted Follow-up

Having visited the bank today, I was pleased and disheartened to find that the sign had been changed. The same message remains but the quotes had been erased. And although this is closer to the meaning they are actually seeking, it really takes away the enjoyability of my banking transaction.

What to Expect When You're Expecting

Lately, I've been doing some work for an up-and-coming magazine based in Beverly Hills and they've asked that I take on more responsibility and create a personal website for readers and professionals perusing their website to access. And so I set about staking my claim on the world wide web---it isn't land on the moon, but I'm gaining on Mr. Cruise. I'm still not all the way out of the woods on this project, but I've done a bit and here's my advice to others looking to do a bit:

1. Nothing is free. If a website offers to provide a free personal website, they will tack on their name in the address, and/or graffiti your site with a banner advertisement of their name. Prepare your wallet for a beating. Lay it out; string it up; talk trash to it, the works.

2. Wear a headset. You will inevitably be on the phone with some tech-y, at some point, and for some undetermined amount of time. Plus, it looks wicked. Quite stylish.

3. Listen to the Monkees. You'll have lots of stepping stones in this effort. Providers, hosts, layouts, design, etc. etc. etc. etc. Remember, the internet is nothing if not complex and potentially confusing.

4. Pay someone else to do it. Strangely enough, there are people, many people, who know how to do this stuff rather effectively. It will be worth the effort (which is far less than trying to actually create a website) to contact a few others to see who you know and who they know who know how to do what you don't know.