V-Logging - the next book promotion tool

I usually leave company matters out of Boomer Chick's blog, but I can't help but to be excited about a brand new book promotion device we at Pump Up Your Book Promotion are trying out. It's called v-logging.

For those who don't know what v-logging is, it's simply blogging using video. There are quite a few v-loggers out there who are doing nothing but videoing instead of writing the text out in their blogs.

While it might not be for everybody, for the owner of a book promotion company relying solely on online book promotion for her clients, this is like a gift from heaven and a dream come true. Now, our audience will be able to "see" our clients talking about their books which will take their Internet experience to a new level, a virtual level.

When I discovered this great online book promotional tool, it was like a lightbulb went off. Why can't we do this with our books?

I immediately emailed all my clients who are virtually touring in December and got some pretty enthusiastic responses. Lloyd Lofthouse, author of My Splendid Concubine, will be v-logging with not just one v-log, but 4, and promises more on the way. Kelly Epperson, author of When Life Stinks, It's Time To Wash The Gym Clothes, our first guinea pig...errrr...willing client....will be v-logging at The Writer's Life tomorrow. Dean Briggs has finished two v-logs, with more on the way. There's no stopping these guys!

V-logs are fun, innovative and what a wonderful way to put not only a voice, but a face, to someone whose work you admire!

Did you spend more on Black Friday than last year?

I'm down with I'm assuming is bronchitis. It could be something horrific like the plague or something but who's going to quibble over illnesses? Bronchitis, the Plague, it's all the same in my book. In other words, I feel like I'm going to die either way.

So, daughter is at work and I'm lying in bed and I got to thinking about Black Friday. I didn't go, I had to work which is one reason why it's turned into the Plague. But anyway, I digress.

So who went? Did you go? Everyone in their mama at work went which is why I was the chosen one to keep the ship afloat and my daughter scoured the Internet preferring her Black Friday shopping be done online.

But, I wondered with the economy is bad as it is, did shoppers go out in droves like Black Fridays in the past? And if they did, did they spend as much as they had in the past?

So, I went to Google and find out.

According to this website, early data showed a strong turnout and they say consumers spent more than 3% than last year. I'm not getting it.

If we're as poor as the news tells us we are, then how did we spend 3% more? Are we not listening? Hello?

But you know, on the Boomer Chick's homefront, I am spending more this year than Christmas' past because I want to get this cool gift for my daughter and it's not because she's 7 and pleaded for it and it's not because she's spoiled. She's 30 and does so much for me, you wouldn't believe and besides, I plan on playing with this special gift myself.

I don't feel guilty about it because I had planned for this months ago and saved for it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have ever been able to come up with that much money that fast.

Did you go out on Black Friday and did you spend more or less than last year?

Barack Obama's Thanksgiving Weekly Address

Thought you might like to see this if you haven't already...

And this is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is such a lovely time of year. Not quite as hectic as Christmas, it's a time for feasting on Thanksgiving turkey and visiting with friends and relatives on a calmer basis - not like Christmas with all it's rush rush rush rush.

However, my family is not quite...how do I want to put this...the norm.

I'm not going to call us dysfunctional because despite all our handicaps, we're quite functional and have no idea what we are doing is a little bit odd. I'm sure there's a name out there in some of those medical textbooks for us, but for now, let me give you the story of how my Thanksgiving in my new digs is shaping up this year.

We moved to the island last March. The most beautiful place we've ever lived. Sunsets over our dock every night, all the clams and oysters you'd ever want to eat just beyond our front door, cool breezes off the Atlantic...it was paradise.

At first, it was BF, my daughter and I until BF and my daughter got in a little name calling in-your-face confrontation, and it's now my daughter and I, and our three pooches. Oh, don't feel sorry for me. She'd been wanting to get rid of him for some time, only it took a damn showdown where the cops were finally called for it to happen. Turns out BF called the cops because my daughter dared him to and the cop that came out was actually friends with my daughter, even had the hots for her, so that worked out pretty well. And they said it could only happen in the movies. Pffft.

Now, BF still comes over but there are strict rules. He cannot be here when I'm not here, a rule we broke and I caught hell for so that will not happen again. Daughters, don't underestimate their ruling power.

Anyway, so basically, it's just my daughter and I living in our little island paradise and I wanted our first Thanksgiving here to be special. The tree is up, the turkey is bought and except for a few supplies, it's going to be a great Thanksgiving.

But....maybe not.

I learned yesterday that we're we're going to have house guests which I'm guessing looking to the future, this is going to make a good American Lampoon holiday movie.

BF is coming. BF's daughter (demon daughter) is coming. My son is coming. My ex is coming. A girl who used to live with us years ago is coming.

But...listen to this...

My daughter doesn't get along with BF, his daughter or the girl who is coming. My son hates the girl who is coming, hates BF and hates BF's daughter even more. The ex hates BF, too, probably would hate his daughter and doesn't know the girl who is coming who used to live with us before and he's probably better off. Any more hate on our first Thanksgiving and I'd have to get an exorcist.

So, I'm throwing this all at my daughter as she was taking me home from work last night and that's when she started throwing the "I want my own place" speech. I don't know why she wastes her time with that because she's not going anywhere.

Since I hate people hating each other and I hate being in the same room with people hating each other, I have it all figured out. We will be having our special Thanksgiving holiday dinner in shifts.

The ex, the son, the daughter will eat at noon before she goes to work. They will leave when she goes to work. The next shift, BF, demon daughter and the girl who used to live with us. The girl who used to live with us will go back to her father's house before daughter gets home, BF's daughter should be snoozing on the sofa bed and BF will be up in the bedroom watching football.

But you know, it's not fair. Why can't people just let bygones be bygones?

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving. Are you planning on cooking, visiting, refereeing?

Open or Closed?

My daughter was coming out of the post office today and across the street was an old storefront called Duck Duck Goose. She said she had to grab her cell phone and take a picture...look in the windows...if you look close enough, in one window it says open and the other one it says closed...

Horny Old Lady

Okay, this has got to be the most hilarious video I've ever seen...(thanks to Miss Cellania!)

And this is why I get up in the morning...

"In my career so far, I have worked with several Promotional
companies. None have shown the professionalism and dedication that
Dorothy Thompson & Pump Up Your Book Promotions! have. For a fourth
of what I paid some of the other companies on the market for no
actual results, Pump Up Your Book Promotions! has delivered the
results they advertise, and give you a great tool for marketing your
books. I endorse them without any hesitation, and they will continue
to represent me in all future endeavors. With class and heart, they
are an important part of my team. I am sure you too will be impressed
with them as well."

-- Joel M. Andre, Author Kill 4 Me

Marketing Online is the Answer to Stores' Shutdowns

A friend of mine just sent a long list of store closings and it made me think of the perfect solution all these stores might want to consider if feasible.

Online storefronts.

Why in the world don't they realize all the money they will save? All they have to do is learn how to market online and it's not all that difficult. I do it and if I can do it, why can't the bigwigs of these companies below do it, too?

Here's the email my friend sent me and a few words of warning just in case you're using store money cards and gift cards:

It seems there are lots of stores that are closing due to the "recession" and the fact that people are not shopping. If you have any "gift cards" from these stores, make sure you use them, or you will
lose them.

Watch those store money cards and gift cards.. and credit slips! Stores that informed the Security Exchange of closing plans between October 2008 and January 2009.

Circuit City stores... most recent (? how many)

Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide are to be shuttered

Lane Bryant,, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide

Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January

Cache will close all stores

Talbots closing down all stores

J. Jill closing all stores

GAP closing 85 stores

Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January

Wickes Furniture closing down

Levitz closing down remaining stores

Bombay closing remaining stores

Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January.

Whitehall closing all stores

Piercing Pagoda closing all stores

Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.

Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ (New Brunswick)

Macys to close 9 stores after January

Linens and Things closing all stores

Movie Galley Closing all stores

Pacific Sunware closing stores

Pep Boys Closing 33 stores

Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores

JC Penney closing a number of stores after January

Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.

Wilson Leather closing down all stores

Sharper Image closing down all stores

K B Toys closing 356 stores

Lowes to close down some stores

Dillard's to close some stores.

Pfaltzgraf (Hope I spelled that right) all stores & outlets to close (mail order business will continue)

Faberware to close all stores & outlets (will do mail orders only )

The secret to staying afloat if you are still able to do it at this point? Low prices and online storefronts.

And, I'm wondering, of the stores mentioned above where there will be still some afloat, where in the country would they be located? Would we have to drive for miles and miles to buy something from them or rely on the few remaining stores left in our neck of the woods?

It's getting crazy and scary.

Give Me Your Eyes

Love, love this video!



Have a nice TGIF, everyone!

Down Under with Saturday Night Live's Gilda Radner

Okay, so I felt bad all day long yesterday. I wasn't feeling it just before noon, then when lunchtime hit, I suddenly had this craving to sink into my living room couch, crank up the heat and throw a blanket on top of me.

And there I lied, slept and groaned.

I'm not sure what was wrong with me except maybe a 24-hour thing because I feel great today. I took the dogs out for their morning walk, found a really neat trail in the woods down someone's lane (yeah, I tiptoed through there) and got some well-deserved fresh air.

But while I was playing dead on the living room couch yesterday, I had the TV on and it - okay, are you sitting down - was a day-long marathon of the top 101 SNL shows. I'm sick right, but through one eye, I saw the characters who I hung out with in the early 70's again - Roseanne Roseananadana (video below), Buckwheat (anyone remember him getting shot?), The Ladies' Man (I don't remember him very well), Cajun Man and Canteen Boy (get'em Adam Sandler!), The Coneheads (loved'em!), Baba Wawa (Gilda Radner at her best!), The Blues Brothers, Church Lady, Lyle, the Effeminate Heterosexual, Mr. Bill, Pat (girl or boy?), Sumarai Man, oh too many to name.

Back in the early 70s, every single Saturday night, my newly wed husband and I would visit his sister's house just down the street. There'd be a party most times with people spread out all over the place (and wasted) just waiting for SNL to come on.

Of all the characters I loved to watch, Steve Martin had to be at the top of the list with his rendition of Happy Feet and Gilda Radner with her Roseanne Roseananadanna sketches. Remember them? We would HOWL.

Anyway, I was watching this show on TV yesterday with one eye opened and they showed a piece from one of the early shows (which to me were the best) and it was Gilda Radner playing Roseanne Roseannadana. EVERYONE in their mama knew who Roseanne Roseannadanna was. But, in case you never heard of her (shame on you), I found a video of an audition of hers which I'll let you watch while I get back to work. I'm not sure if this was to audition for SNL, or what, but it's funnier than hell. I tried to find a Roseanne Roseannadanna sketch (if you know of where I can find one, let me know and I'll post it), but this one is great, too.

Gilda Radner is no longer with us, but she is remembered by all boomers in the fondest and most enjoyable way.

Nothing is better than revisiting SNL when you're sick or otherwise, so enjoy the show. ;o)

YouTube Goes Hollywood

I thought this was an interesting find. You know how much Boomer Chick just LOVES YouTube. Well, now they're getting ready to offer full length movies from MGM Studios for FREE right there at the YouTube's website.

According to this article from NY Times...

"Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios will kick off the partnership by posting episodes of its decade-old “American Gladiators” program to YouTube, along with full-length action films like “Bulletproof Monk” and “The Magnificent Seven” and clips from popular movies like “Legally Blonde.” These will be free to watch, with ads running alongside the video."

They're saying the initial lineup might not be too compelling, but I figure if it catches on, they'll be in a better position to offer more.

Why did Jesse Jackson Cry?

I've got to admit, seeing Jesse Jackson cry on the night of Obama's victory was great but I think he went a little overboard with it. I mean, there were lots of people crying that night for the simple reason it was such a historic night and it meant a lot to the people whose family members who died in the fight for equality weren't here to see how they carved a way for a man, a skinny Chicago senator, win the highest office in the United States. What a run on sentence if I've ever seen it. But, America was moved (or most of them) not just because the one they put trust in won, but...well...the same reason Jesse Jackson was crying. Watch this video to see why Jesse Jackson was really crying and if that doesn't make you misty-eyed, nothing else will...

Campaign Withdrawals?

For months, Obama supporters have walked, slept and dreamed Obama. If you look anywhere on the Internet, there are support groups all over the place talking Obama. Obama this, Obama that. People were blogging Obama with a vengeance (me included) and no one would have expected what has happened afterwards.

Now that the campaign is over, there are people drifting around, with no purpose in life. They had a drive. Now that drive is over and until something else comes along that will take up all their days and nights, they are walking zombies with nothing to look forward to. Reminds me of the aftermath of the American Idol competition. Now there's no real reason to sit by the TV every Tuesday and Wednesday night and root and holler for your favorite contestant.

All that is gone.

No more Tina Fey (say it isn't so!)

No more watching McCain's funny arm jerkings and eye rollings.

No more hearing about Sarah Palins clothing expenditure, luggage purchases and "I can see Russia from my back door!"

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Someone has captured the Obama election results aftermath and it's not a pretty picture. Maybe something else will come along to give us focus. A reason to get up in the morning. Who knows. Meanwhile, enjoy this video. It's not a pretty picture. Downright pathetic. Please, if you recognize anyone in this video, give them a hug. Feed them supper. But keep them away from the TV. They need to get their lives back. Me included. Enjoy...

Barack Obama becomes first Black American President

Boomer Chick would like to make a statement. It gives me goose bumps to see how America has changed in the last 200 years and that it doesn't make a difference what color you are, you can become whoever you want to be. But, more importantly, how America, the land of the free, has come together to vote for someone who they believe will do this country more good, no matter the color.

Before I finish my blog post, please watch as Barack Obama thanks the people who voted for him last night:



Does that give you chills or what?

I was brought up by both my mother and grandmother. My mother instilled in me that it doesn't matter what color your skin is on the outside; it's what's on the inside that counts. Rosie Zimmerman was my first initiation into the African American heritage. Rosie was one of my mother's best friends; and at the time, the country was divided on the color issue. It didn't matter to her, she knew that Rosie would always be there for her as she was for Rosie. It didn't matter that she would be ostracized by her fellow white counterparts, she only knew that Rosie lit up her life.

I remembered visiting Rosie at her house in Burbank, California. We had been stationed at Fort Ord, California, back in the early '60s. Keep in mind this was a very violent time. Racial riots were happening, Martin Luther King was assassinated. Blacks were finally stepping up to the plate and wondering why they could not be equal and much violence ensued because of it.

From a white standpoint, I'm thinking the good old boys were afraid of the blacks overcoming the whites. This is the way their parents taught them and their grandparents before them. Not all whites thought this, but there was still a lot of bigotry and prejudice among white peoples.

The moment I stepped into Rosie's house (keep in mind this is the first time I'd ever stepped into a black person's house), being eight years old at the time, I was fascinated by the pictures she had hung on the wall and the African artifacts on the tables. I remember thinking of Rosie as "one of us" and it really made me stand back and realize that Rosie was an African American with an African American family and relics from the nation her parents and the parents before them made me also realize that despite my impression of Rosie, she was still linked to a group of people that many of my own race considered inferior.

But, that didn't change my feelings toward Rosie in the least.

Upon arriving on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in my tenth year, I saw prejudice for the first time. Blacks were sitting at the back of the bus and lived in the poor section of town. Integration happened in the early 70's and it was mandatory that all schools had an even amount of blacks and whites. Violence erupted among whites and blacks even on the school ground.

But we all had to grow and that was part of the growing process. In order to understand each other, both peoples have got to get rid of the bigotry and find out what it is you can learn about one another so we can all grow as a nation and in the right direction to make sure that this wonderful country can become a better place for our children and grandchildren. It doesn't matter what the color of your skin is. What matters is finding a way to join together to make this country the most powerful country in the world.

I never knew what happened to Rosie, but I thank her for helping a child learn more about peoples of other countries and that even peoples of other countries - while they may be different - can find a place in your life to help mold it into a person whose goals are to bring out the best in themselves and in so doing bring out the best of everyone.

I congratulate Barack Obama for winning the highest office in this country and I pray that his intentions to help the peoples of the United States of America will not falter and that everyone stands behind him and lets him carve the way to make this great country of ours a place that is safe, free from greed and poverty as well, and helps unify the country in a way that's never been accomplished before.

Election is tomorrow!

Can you believe it? Down to the wire. A very exciting time mainly because it will be history in the making - Obama being the first black man to become President of the United States and McCain the oldest man to become President of the United States. A very exciting time to be alive, but what makes it more exciting are the numbers of people predicted to vote this year. Young Americans are suddenly involved in politics, which I'm really happy to see.

I feel like it's the night before Christmas, don't you?

And Sarah Palin, watch out...Boomer Chick already has buttons made for 2012. ;o)

The Sunday Funnies