Well, it has been rough few days with the computer’s the gremlins struck big time.

First off my trusty HP notebook slowed nearly to reverse, my own fault for not keeping an eye on downloads. I spent a full day moving files and programs onto a new 500gig external hard drive including my IM Index (organisation system). After re optimising the notebook was running sweet, just as good as taking it out of the box.

Thennnnnnnnnnnnn……..

The gremlins took over the new hard drive failed. The light went to RED the drive started clicking. When did this happen? Immediately, on my return from buying the new pack of DVD’s to run the backup. All my source files, video and audio, GONE. Thankfully, the majority of files are also on the desktop computer and the ones that aren’t are recent downloads, I can replace, I just have to wait for the replacement hard drive to arrive now.

Gremlins 2

My information site officiallifestyle . info showed as going over quota on checking, I found it was a vulnerability in the partner link exchange program well taken advantage of by a link spammer, the main problem after locking out the spammer, the server software stooped me from removing any files. Being over quota I did not have the space to create a trash bin, No great problem I thought as this is my own server just increase the quota and clean up. GRRRRRRRR quota increased by 250% still no trash bin. still working on that one.

Gremlins 3

Then just to cap it off today one of the grandchildren managed to download something onto the networked computer I have set up for them that froze the wireless connection to the desktop system. A simple reset and running the spam check did not work.

So at this moment in time I have a computer full of business files that wont talk to the net and a notebook with no business files that will and a server that won’t let me delete files.

I have pest control coming tomorrow to remove a wasp nest in the house wall I wonder if they have a way of removing gremlins? I wont hold my breath

As it’s about midnight, I think a couple of whiskeys and an early night I will de grmlinise in the morning.

Wednesday night saw the AGM of LourdsFC the local junior football club young john plays for, this club is now 2 years old and growing fast, 16 teams of youngsters in all age groups up to 16 years old.

This club is going for charter standard registration this year, a lot of work still to be done in the next six months but with a great team of volunteers I am sure it will achieve the goals set. Over the holiday period I will be working on a web site for the club to provide a central easy access news and fixtures area. My sponsorship of the under 14s team will see them with a full strip for playing competitive games for the new year.

Presentation evening at Bolton Wanderers Football Club was a great night for the children who like young john had been attending out of school extra education over the last 10 weeks, this scheme run in conjunction with the local council is very popular. About 200 children from all over

The school trip to the pantomime went well with 64 children enjoying Dick Whittington at the Lowery centre Salford, a great day out with a packed lunch, no incidents to mar the day and returned back to school by three pm.

Young John had bought a stress ball in the theatre shop, on the way home in the car he decided to see what it tasted of just as we hit a bump in the road, well I nearly had an accident laughing, his teeth had punctured the skin resulting in a gush of green slime covering him instantly, just a shame I hadn’t got a camera running the look of shock as green slime driped from his chin was a site to behold, after he finished laughing he told me it tasted of lemonade. Thank goodness the stuff was none toxic.

The school Christmas fair was a great success we work it so the children have at least half an hour to work the stalls before we let the adults in, this gives the children a chance to pick up Christmas presents if they want as a surprise for mum and dad. By the end virtually everything was gone once again razing a good sum for the school.

After that lot I could do with a rest J not much chance as we move into the last week of school before the holidays, oh well back to the grind till next time John 

Fundraising and good causes are the subject of this weekends post.

Friday morning saw young John and myself arrive at school early for our monthly fundraiser the Tea and toast event. Always popular with kiddies and parents which does add to the school funds.

The rest of Friday morning I spent ticketing and packing bottles for the forthcoming Christmas fair. Another good fundraiser for the school.

Arriving home the first job was to check email, the first one I opened immediately got the blood boiling, You can read the story hear http://grinchfund.chipin.com/grinch-fund-christmas-for-kids some people do deserve to be strung up if they get caught.

Saturday was somewhat busy as we attended two fairs, the first at the local collage and community center. This is the main fundraiser for the year. Very vibrant with a wide range of stalls, tom bolas, raffles, Santa’s grotto, you could even chill out with a head massage.

From there we travelled to Yorkshire for the church fair my mum and sister support, this one was much smaller with a few stalls selling goods and several games to compete for the top score. Cream tea’s followed by carol singing to round off the day.

The marketer in me took notice of the vast differences in the set up of each fair, they each catered for there target market. Each of these fairs are successful year after year, new things are tried as a test and if successful kept for the next one if not you don’t see that part of the fair again. It is exactly the same with internet marketing target and test for the best results. Once you have a proven base formula DON’T try to re invent the wheel, DO try little additions to improve on the base.

We finished the day off with a couple of hours with mum, then home to unpack the goodies picked up from the fairs.

Sunday mornings email check, one from Dr Many caught my eye, a real inspiration if ever there is one Laura Stockman will go far check it out hear http://www.twentyfivedays.wordpress.com/

To finish off the weekend I took the kids out to lunch and off to the cinema watching Fred Claws, great entertainment but if you go to see it watch for the marketing lessons embedded in the storyline it is also an education.

Until next time John

It got me the dreaded chest infection bug has had me laid up for the last five days.

It has been quite an effort just to get on and sort email still something good has come out of it.

Good old fashioned pen and paper comes into play, between sleeping and coughing I have been using a technique for writing I haven’t used in a long time. The results are amazing. Without really thinking about it just start to write one sentence at a time then see what comes out in the end.

The secret to this method is NO distractions, just a quiet time to let the power of the mind do it’s thing. From my own quiet time I have now the catalyst of three new products.

Ok there is still some research and refining to do but I have one book well on the way to completion and two more with a good start.  

I will keep you updated on the progress.

John

Ok I am a little behind with the promised BritPack reports. I have NOT put them back in the roundtooit you will be pleased to know, I got a little swamped with other work after all taking 5 days out to attend the world internet summit is bound to impact on time management a little.

I hope you will forgive the lateness; a good friend of mine has a super new program due for launch on the 4^th December. I have just installed the software and will be taking some time to give it a good test. Once my test is complete I will also review it hear on the Blog.

Although I am a Brit I too join in with thanksgiving, even in the face of adversity when you truly look at life there is so much to be thankful for. My personal belief is when life gives you a kicking you need to kick back, overcome the problem then grow from the experience.

Not always an easy task, people in general tend to let the negative side of life dominate, thanksgiving is a time to bring the positive side of life to the for and really take stock.

My words may seem a little strong but having had possibly more than my share of adversity, being in the position I am in today and being truly thankful I think I am qualified to make this statement.  

As you don’t know my personal story it may be a little hard to believe, if there are enough request in the comments I will make the story available to all.

It’s not a holiday hear in the UK but I have prepared a nice meal for this evening, the kids know we are having a family night. The rest of today belongs to the family.

Until next time happy thanksgiving John

All sorts of events can and do disrupt your daily routine. Some pleasant, some not so pleasant. The last couple of days fall into the pleasant category.

Although today is Halloween young John (my grandson pictured hear) had his school Halloween disco yesterday. That created a lot of extra work for me as I am a Friend at his school. After finishing my own collage course in the morning the afternoon was taken up decorating the school hall. That left about one hour before we had to be back for the party.

Two hundred children all in costume had a terrific night with dancing, games and plenty to eat. The night went well without incident or injury. Back home for about nine o’clock young John came down to earth with a bump.

He still had his maths homework to do L he went to bed very tired and very late still that could not remove his cheeky smile from the pleasure of tonight.

This day was a golden day to be a part of the joy and pleasure enjoyed by not only young John but the other two hundred children.

Education comes in many forms. From the structured lessons at school or collage. To using instruction manuals or even simple observations at home or work.

Life itself is an education.

This Blog will follow my journey and the lessons learned with life on the internet.

My three major passions Family, Helping Others and Internet Marketing are intertwined, these subjects are so integrated the post’s to this Blog will have elements of all aspects in them.

If reading about my journey gives you even a fraction of the pleasure I have living it then this Blog will be worth the time I will devote to it. If you learn something new and find it helpful that also feeds one of my passions.

Your comments and feedback both positive and negative will be welcome, BUT please do not use abusive language or profanity this Blog is open to all and may be viewed by young and old alike.

John Austwick