General Life | Smuggle Me

August 6, 2009

Writing a Novel

Written by: Juanchito

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General Life

A week or so ago I got an interesting email from my little sister. She wanted to borrow our Asus eee (basically a little computer) since she really wanted to finish a novel she’s been working on for a while. I don’t know if my sister knows what she’s getting herself into. I think I might need to ask my friend in New Orleans to talk to her about writing a novel.

Anyway, my sister isn’t giving me many details about the novel. I think it’s because she’s writing some smutty romance that she knows I won’t like. That said, I do love seeing people live out their dreams. So, we sent our little computer to her. This should be interesting. I’m going to tell her that in return for borrowing the computer I want 20% of her book sale royalties. Seems reasonable to me. I wonder what she’ll think.

June 22, 2009

New Savings and Making Money Website

Written by: Juanchito

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I have a friend that is really good at scouring the internet to find all sorts of ways to save money or even make money in many cases. His wife would always make fun of him for how much time he spends online looking for deals and ways to make money.

My favorite is when he combined a whole bunch of deals from credit cards and ended up with a stack of cash, miles and other benefits. Although, the funniest one was when he made his wife wait 30 minutes to go to dinner so that he could get a discount which would save him $0.80. Shows you how serious he is about saving money.

Well, I was talking to him the other day and told him he should start a blog about all the various deals he finds. After our discussion, I helped him out and setup Mound of Money. He’s already created a post talking about getting discount hotels and Obama’s Cash for Clunkers program. Watch that site and I think you’re going to really like what he posts.

Also, if you like what he’s written do him a favor and stumble some of his posts. Thanks!

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June 17, 2009

Vonage Thinks Their Sly in Raising Prices

Written by: Juanchito

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I got the following email today:

Dear Customer,
At Vonage, we’re committed to providing our valued customers with the best experience possible through meaningful updates to our services. To ensure that we continue to deliver top-notch service and quality, we will modify two of our existing fees as follows:
The Emergency 911 Cost Recovery will become the Emergency 911 Service Fee, which ensures we maintain nationwide E911 service in compliance with FCC regulations. Our customers’ safety in an emergency is our primary concern and this update allows us to continue delivering reliable emergency services.

The Regulatory Recovery Fee will become the Regulatory and Compliance Fee, which covers our regulatory-related and legal compliance expenses. For example, this fee pays for charges associated with benefits like procedures to ensure customer privacy, identity theft protection measures and phone number porting.
These fees will each increase from $0.99 to $1.49, effective July 15, 2009. This change allows Vonage to maintain our commitment to safety, innovation and customer service.

If you have any questions, call 1-VONAGE-HELP and speak to a customer service representative. We’re always available, 24 hours a day, everyday.

Thank you for your business,
Vonage

Does Vonage really think I’m that stupid? They aren’t raising prices in order to “deliver top-notch service and quality.” They’re raising the prices so that they can make more money. Call it what it is. Don’t try to blow wind up my skirt.

May 19, 2009

Better Solution to All Those Forwarded Emails

Written by: Juanchito

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I really hate when people forwarded me an email. Most people only do it once, because when they do I politely ask them to stop sending me a forward. Some people don’t like it, but luckily most of them are good with it. I just don’t usually have time to read forwards. Not to mention, I hate getting duplicates of something I’ve seen before.

I’ve always thought a nice alternative to the email forward would be to create a website which took the best things from these forwards (since some of them really are funny, interesting and enjoyable). Turns out someone else had the same thought and created a website called Mostly Safe For Work: A compendium of interesting miscellany from around the world.

Turns out it’s a great idea. As a website you can go when you want to take a break so it doesn’t interrupt your work like a forward could. You can also get it through RSS if you’d like. You also don’t have to worry about getting the same thing over and over.

As a side note, anyone that would like to buy me this blogging house, I’d appreciate it.

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April 2, 2009

Huge Clearance Sale at Sears

Written by: Juanchito

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Do you like clearance sales? Well I just found out about a great one! Sears is having a HUGE clearance sale until Saturday, April 18, 2009. They are offering 75-80% off original prices on most fall and winter apparel.

I know that fall has been over for a while now and we are at the end of winter, but now is a great time to buy clothes for the next fall and winter seasons, especially when the clearance sale is this huge. The apparel can also be a great birthday present for someone who has an early fall/winter birthday.

I was quite impressed as I was looking through the online catalog. Every time I have shopped at a huge clearance sale, there was never a wide variety of clothing. However Sears is offering a “Clearance Clothing for the Family.” Their featured categories are for women, women’s plus, men, juniors, young boys and girls, and infants.

My favorite outfit was the Apostrophe Tunic top and pants.

It is on sale for $5.99 each, but is normally $36.00 each. This was my favorite outfit because it can be a casual outfit, yet it can also be considered business attire too. It also has a squareneck design and fits loosely, so it could possibly be worn during the summer as well. My wife will love it.

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February 20, 2009

Tickets to Las Vegas Shows

Written by: Juanchito

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There are a ton of great Las Vegas shows that have plenty of tickets available for those interested in catching some of the best entertainment in the world. Check out just a few of the most popular shows on the strip. Ticket prices start at $35 for a Las Vegas show. Click on one of the shows to buy your tickets now.

Penn and Teller (Las Vegas Shows Only)

Blue Man Group (Las Vegas Shows ONLY)

Jersey Boys (Las Vegas Shows ONLY)

Phantom – the Las Vegas Spectacular

Wayne Brady (Las Vegas Shows Only)

Comedy Pet Theater (Las Vegas Shows Only)

Fab Four Live (Las Vegas Shows Only)

Scarlett- Princess of Magic (Las Vegas Shows Only)

American Storm (Las Vegas Shows Only)

Mesmerized (Las Vegas Shows Only)

I’ve personally seen Blue Man Group and Phantom and they are both spectacular experiences. I’ll give the edge to Blue Man Group, because it’s so unique and different. Plus, it hits all of your senses in such a variety of ways. The ending of Blue Man Group also just can’t be described. I’ll leave it at that so I don’t give too much away.

The comedy pet theatre is done by a guy named Popovich that I first saw on America’s Got Talent. Nice to see he’s making a living with a show on the las vegas strip.

Anyone else have Las Vegas shows that they like on the list?

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February 18, 2009

Las Vegas Lunch Tweetup – Tuesday February 24th

Written by: Juanchito

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As I discussed at the first Las Vegas lunch tweetup, I’ll be trying to do a tweetup about every other week. We have a new location this week so make note. Everyone’s welcome so let me know if you’re coming so I can let the restaurant know.

This month will be at a nice little italian restaurant on Tropicana not far from UNLV.

Here are the details:
Location: Sergio’s Italian Gardens – website – map
Time: Noon
Date: Tuesday, February 24th

Send me a tweet or leave a comment if you’d like to come. Everyone’s welcome as long as we don’t get too big for Paymon’s.

Just for my reference more than anything. Here’s the list of people who are planning to attend (with a link to their twitter account of course):
techguy
JustJulie
PalidinLV
vegasgeek – Solid maybe
JessBerlin

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January 22, 2009

Obama Keeps Blackberry

Written by: Juanchito

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I know that one of the most intriguing stories of Obama’s administration (at least for a tech person) was whether Obama would be able to keep his blackberry or not. Turns out that Obama won the battle and will be able to keep it.

Of course, the interesting question is the security around this communication.

“The president has a BlackBerry through a compromise that allows him to stay in touch with senior staff and a small group of personal friends,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. “It’s a pretty small group of people.”

“The security is enhanced to ensure his ability to communicate, but to do so effectively and to do so in a way that is protected,” he added.

Can you imagine being on the small group of people list? My guess is that even that small group of people will have to use special technology to communicate with the President. Otherwise, it leaves a whole bunch of vulnerabilities. Can you imagine if you’re one of those group and you lose that special Blackberry?

How long do you think until we have the first story about something leaked from the blackberry? Then, will Obama get to keep it?

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