Life Online

I was just watching CNN and one of the “people on the street” men that was interviewed about the election said that he believes including Palin on the ticket will help McCain because “women who would have voted for Hillary will vote for Palin.” My first thought was “spoken like a man.”

I would be extremely disappointed in any woman who was going to vote for Hillary Clinton and would now vote for McCain/Palin just because Clinton and Palin are both women. It’s actually distressing to me that 1) women would vote that way, and 2) men think women would vote that way.

Why am I so up in arms about this? Because no one should vote for anyone for any office because of their race or sex. They should cast their votes in any election based on the character, beliefs, and experience of the candidate.

It would really surprise me if any woman who was going to vote for Clinton because they have “similar experiences” and now wants to vote for Palin because they have “similar experiences” as well. These are candidates with completely different upbringings, ideologies, and platforms. The fact that they both gave birth does not make them so similar as to say that their political beliefs are the anywhere near the same.

I could be totally proven wrong in November and women may flock to vote for Palin for that reason alone. And if I am wrong, I will be extremely disappointed in the women of this country.

I’ve been on the fence about using Twitter for some time. I can see how it can be useful in some instances, but I just haven’t gotten into it like a lot of my friends.

Interestingly, I have heard more about Twitter in the last few hours than I have in a year. Apparently CNN is using Twitter to communicate with people as Hurricane Gustav approaches. With still 12 hours before it makes landfall, literally thousands of people are following CNN’s coverage via Twitter and sending Tweets back about the status where they are.

As long as cell phone coverage stays consistent, I can absolutely see how Twitter will be useful in the next 24-48 hours. If someone gets stranded, they can send out a Twitter with their location. Those without television access can receive Tweets from CNN as the storm approaches and passes. Families can stay connected as they evacuate. Viewers are sending Tweets to CNN asking specific questions that they would like to see answered during their coverage.

I’m anxious to see how all of this plays out and if Twitter really can be used to help keep people informed and saved throughout Monday and Tuesday. Do you Twitter? If not, now might be the time to learn.

I’m going to get a little bit contraversial today. I’m not going to go all “Ashley Madison,” but I do think it’s a topic that deserves some attention. My question for the readers is “Is it okay to have adult secret crushes when you are married?”

What I mean by “adult secret crush” is that high school-like feeling that you get when you see a certain person. It has nothing to do with truly knowing them and wanting to date them or sleep with them or whatever. It’s not having too much to drink and making a mistake. It isn’t sexual or even spiritual. It’s more that feeling you get that makes you blush a little bit when you think about the person or see them. Maybe you just think they have a cute personality or are attractive in some way.

I would argue that adult secret crushes are totally normal and nothing to worry about. They don’t threaten a marriage or a relationship because they aren’t based on substance. If they DO threaten a marriage or relationship, it speaks more about that marriage or relationship than the validity of the secret crush.

So what is your take? Leave me a comment, and it is totally okay to be judgmental. It’s an interesting topic that I am curious to see some discussion about. Or blog about it yourself and leave me a trackback so I can see your side.

You know that old saying “You are what you eat”? I have come to the conclusion that my daughters are what I eat. Now, don’t read that to sound like I am a cannibal. What I mean is that when I eat healthy, my kids LOOK healthy. When I eat unhealthy, my kids look unhealthy. How can that be?

Take this scenario. In a given month, I am short on time. I don’t cook the right foods (too much processed stuff, not enough veggies) and we eat out all the time. At the end of the month, I have gained a few pounds and feel bloated. Then I look at my kids and realize that they are looking a little round and bloated as well. They are eating what I am eating.

The next month, I take great pains to cook almost every night. I balance all of our meals with good fiber, protein, and fruits and vegetables. I start feeling good and looking better. I look around at my family and realize that THEY look good and feel good as well.

So the next time you as a mom start thinking that you are having a bad month and don’t care if you eat poorly for a few weeks, think past yourself and think about your kids as well. Do your whole family a favor and stay on track with making healthy food choices.

I was sitting next to a friend at a session at the recently held Affiliate Summit East. Throughout the entire panel discussion, I saw her taking copious notes. I actually wondered how she could be writing so much more than I was!

Last week she announced that she would be starting a new blog site based heavily on the notes that she has taken at industry events in the last couple of years. Judging by the notes that she took in the session that I was in with her, I have no doubt that her posts will be thorough.

Today I checked out her first couple of posts and was very impressed not only by the amount of information but also the even handed way that she discussed issues such as coupon codes. In addition to her own writing, she is already getting comments from industry big shots like Scott Jangro.

Congratulations to Stephanie on her new blog! If you want to get an insider view of affiliate marketing (and see it through the eyes of someone who truly has fun with it), visit Stephanie Lichtenstein’s blog.