Update to WordPress 3.0

Posted by sterndal in a discontented booger, blogging career on Jul 23rd, 2010 | 1 comment

Should I update my blog to WordPress 3.0? I really want a new look for my blog but most of the available themes today are compatible only with the latest version of WordPress. I just saw this Basic theme from Elegant Themes and I think it’s perfect. Its layout is more or less similar with my current theme. The web design is simple, classic and there are different colors to choose from. It’s just disappointing because it wouldn’t work in version 2.5. I spent sleepless nights just trying to make it work – couldn’t count how many times I downloaded the theme and uploaded it to my FTP. I really had a hard time uploading the files because I’m officially blocked from my CPanel. The technical support told me my IP is not blocked but he’s lying. I couldn’t log on. I think they’re already pissed off with me because I asked for a password reset a hundred times already. So, now I have no choice but to use Filezilla. Anyway, I’m not sure if I could update my WordPress version by myself. I’m scared that I’ll just ruin everything. The instructions are complicated. I wish there is a better way to update to the recent version of WordPress.

Writing about all types of loans

Posted by sterndal in a career booger?, blogging career, money desperate, money well spent on Jul 21st, 2010 | 0 comments

I never imagined my self to be writing about different types of loans because honestly, I don’t have any idea about those things. But I really want to become a freelance writer. It’s my dream and so when I was asked to write about personal loans, I immediately grabbed the opportunity. The hourly rate is not that much but this could be my stepping stone to becoming a certified freelance writer. I researched about the topic and I learned that even those people whose credit background is not perfect are qualified to apply for bad credit loans. This type of loan is actually designed for them.

I’m learning a lot from this writing assignment. The person who hired me is very patient and has always been helpful from the start. He is training me to write fast, as in very fast. I was asked to download a timer/clock and the challenge is to write a 300-word post about personal loans in 30 minutes. Which means to say I have to write 10 words very minute. Well, I’m not good in Math but … more or less 10 words, right? To tell the truth, I couldn’t write that fast. He said he is not expecting me to meet the speed requirements as of now but he expecting improvement as we progress.

I miss my Manila Street

Posted by sterndal in a career booger?, a discontented booger, blogging career on Jul 21st, 2010 | 1 comment

My heart is aching, I’m dying to renew Manila Street. I know my posts there are crappy and non-sense but I still want to have it back. As in now, today, I can’t wait for tomorrow. But since my Paypal account has been suspended for more than a month, I have no choice but to wait until August. It’s really funny because Paypal said I had unusual account activity which is unbelievable. I just forgot my password and then I requested for a reset. A few days later, they are already asking for my credit card to verify my account. Problem is I don’t have one and I have no plans of getting one. I don’t need it. What I actually need is a webhosting guide to get a better understanding of web hosting plans that would suit my needs at the lowest possible price. I really don’t have a problem with my current web host. They’ve been very reliable from the start and the technical support team is always ready to assist in times of trouble especially every time I need a password reset. I just think I should have chosen a cheaper web host plan since MS is just for personal use and I might not be able to submit it in get-paid to blog sites. Perhaps, a one-dollar-a-month web plan will do for Manila Street.

Blogging for nothing?

Posted by sterndal in Consider This, blogging career on Jun 27th, 2010 | 7 comments

Almost two years ago when I was still a beginner in the world of blogging, still consider my self a beginner but after two years?! haha, my only wish was to be able to buy my own computer. I only wanted to stop renting in computer shops because it’s very costly. Also, I made a promise to my self that if it will happen, and I knew it’s going to happen, I’m going to write a lot of sponsored posts to earn money. I planned to make this simple hobby into a part-time job. And as an old saying goes: be careful what you wish for, what if you actually get it?

Luckily, I did get it. For the first time in my entire life, I got a laptop and an unlimited access to internet. This means I can blog my heart out, chat 24/7, surf till I drop, and visit my facebook account anytime I want. Take note, though, that the main purpose of this laptop is to earn money. But what am I doing? I’m spending so much time on Youtube and watching music videos will not give me money

It’s more than slightly disturbing how I’ll manage to find a way to chat with friends while watching the video of Pyramid by Charice but will not even bother to update my blogs. I can be a multi-tasker if I want to, but I just can’t do it in blogging. Battling lack of time is not the only problem. My laziness is always getting in the way, too. Worse, it seems that I’ve already lost my interest in submitting my sterndal.com to get-paid to blog websites. Okay, wait a minute, let me rephrase that. I think I’m just not doing my best to meet the requirements of PPP. I should be hurrying by now to finish that 20 required posts to start earning the soonest possible time, right? Yeah.

This is just foolish. What’s the use of having a laptop and an internet access if there are no earnings? It’s like investing my hard-earned dough in a business without profit. It’s just a waste of time if you will ask me. I mean, of course, I do love blogging. Reading has its own rewards, writing is another thing. I am genuinely flattered when people tell me they read my blog and some even say my posts are witty and interesting. I know you’ll find this hard to believe but there are about five persons who told me they like my blogging style

Having said these things, let me ask you a question. Isn’t it pathetic to blog for nothing? A lot of people will disagree, for sure, but please don’t get me wrong. It is quite understandable that most bloggers do it for the sole purpose of having fun. No money involved. Period. Besides, what is more liberating than to blog without worrying about audience interest, or traffic, or Page Rank, Alexa Rank and Technorati Rank?

Well, for me, blogging without earnings is disheartening. Wouldn’t it be nice to have it all? To be able to blog and earn at the same time? To have readers, visitors and advertisers as well? That is exactly my goal. So, I have to get real. I’m not blogging for nothing. I’m here in the blogosphere to do what I love, to earn money, and to socialize.

There isn’t always time for updating my blogs. I have a full-time job. I have no time. But I will make time. The trouble with me is that I’m not focused and I’m too lazy. Having a laptop is my biggest break in blogging. The opportunities are endless. One can never tell if this can change my life for the better. This is it! I’m gonna seize it!

Page Rank 1 is not so bad

Posted by sterndal in blogging career, personal thoughts on Nov 2nd, 2009 | 1 comment

The four long months of waiting is finally over. My other blogs got PR too. All PR1 but I’m fine with that considering that I’m not exactly deserving even for page rank 1. I didn’t work much. I was too lazy to write new posts and although I was able to get a list of high ranking directories from a friend, I didn’t find the luxury of time to manually submit all my four blogs. Thing is, I’ll have to register and confirm the submission through e-mail one by one and unfortunately, I can only stay online for less than an hour everyday. I got other important things to attend to. I also asked a number of bloggers to exchange links with me but either they ignore me or they’d add me only to delete me after a few days or so. I have no idea what went wrong. I made sure their links were visible in my sidebar. So, there, I was discouraged to fill up my Blogroll. Good thing, Miss Vienna, Miss Ruthi and Kaye offered to exchange links with me. Makes me wonder why it was a lot easier back then to ask for exlinks? It only took me a few days to get 80 exlinks for my first blog. Now it’s taking me forever to get 20! Mmmm. I have an idea. I have a bad record. Haha! I used to talk to a lot of bloggers, telling them “exlinks please” and most often than not, I got a shining, shimmering, splendid “Yes, sure” in my chatbox. But, you know, I easily forget about a lot of things. Like awards, tags, memes. Nobody really complained, but I have a bad feeling I wasn’t able to add them all. Could it be that they don’t want to add me now because they think I don’t keep my word? I hope not. Anyway, PR1isn’t that bad, I can always wait for the next PR update.