March 2008

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Cashing out with Opinion Outpost

March 31, 2008 in Paid Surveys, Uncategorized by admin | No comments

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Just a quick update: I earned another 15 points with Opinion Outpost, which brings me to a total of 64 points, or $6.40. Yeah, I know that’s not much money, but it took very little effort to earn it. Since I passed the five dollar minimum for cashing out, I requested a check for the entire amount I’ve earned. The process was easy: a couple of clicks and an address verification.

Opinion Outpost says to allow four to eight weeks for “processing.” I assume they are waiting to get paid before they pay me. Anyway, the check is supposedly on its way, and I’ll post when I receive it.

Update: Payment received.  See this post.

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What dogs do when we leave (Video)

March 31, 2008 in Uncategorized, Videos by admin | No comments


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I haven’t posted a video for a while, but I thought this one was pretty good. A small dog is left at home while his master goes out. He is given only one instruction, “Stay out of the trash.” Here’s the result:

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The Burglar in the Rye

March 31, 2008 in Crime, Humor, Mystery, Uncategorized, Whodunnit by admin | No comments

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Author: Lawrence Block

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Humor

Subject: Murder

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)

Summary:


The Burglar in the Rye is one of Lawrence Block’s many “Bernie Rhodenbarr” novels, which are set in Manhattan. Bernie is a burglar. Not just any burglar, he is a highly skilled burglar, who prides himself on never leaving any sign of his presence in a home, except for the absence of valuable items of course. In fact, he has nothing but contempt for smash and grab artists who clumsily force their way in, and leave messes in their wake.

Bernie also owns a used bookstore, which he runs during the day. He rarely makes much of a profit, but that’s all right with him. It provides good cover for his real source of income.

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Survey Update, and Four Reasons I Like Opinion Outpost

March 23, 2008 in Paid Surveys by admin | No comments

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Since my last paid survey post, I’ve joined several more sites, and filled out a few surveys. I have not yet earned enough points to cash out with any company. Here is where I stand:

  1. Opinion Outpost: I have 49 points, which is worth $4.90. I need $0.10 more to cash out. It took me either two or three surveys to reach that point. The shortest took less than five minutes, the longest took about fifteen. This site has taken the lead in my estimation.
  2. Greenfield Online continues to sent me the greatest number of surveys. I usually receive at least one for a sweepstakes entry every day, and every third or fourth day I’m offered one that is worth one or two dollars. I don’t bother with the “sweeps,” and I haven’t qualified for any of their paid surveys yet. That seems odd to me, because I filled out an extensive list of screening surveys when I first joined. I would have thought they would do a better job of prequalifying before offering me a survey.

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Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less

March 18, 2008 in Crime, Humor, Uncategorized by admin | No comments

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Author: Jeffrey Archer

Genre: Crime, Humor

Subject: Conning the Con Man

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)

Summary:


Harvey Metcalfe is the son of Polish immigrants to the U.S. Through hard work, ingenuity, and a lack of scruples, he has become quite wealthy, mostly through shady deals and con jobs. The story begins when Harvey pulls off a stock scam that nets him one million dollars from four previously well-off British professionals: James Brigsley, an earl; Stephen Bradley, a mathematics professor at Oxford; Robin Oakley, a private physician; Jean-Pierre Lamanns, an art dealer.

After learning of his financial ruin, Bradley, the professor, contacts the other three victims and persuades them to dine with him. Over dinner, they agree that they are going to take back their money. Each of them is to generate a plan to con Metcalfe out of a portion of the million dollars, with the understanding that they will take only what they have lost, plus expenses.

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Special Feature: Harry Bosch in Chronological Order!

March 18, 2008 in Blog, Crime, Uncategorized by admin | 6 comments

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Update (1/27/2012): I’ve updated this list to include several books I wasn’t aware of when I first published this post.

I noticed recently that I’ve been getting search engine referrals with the search terms “Harry Bosch chronological.” I assume that means people are looking for a chronological list of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels so they can read them in order. I don’t think that’s necessary, but who am I to deny my readers the information they want? I did a little research and put together a list. I haven’t read all of these yet, but I’ve commented on the ones I’m familiar with.  This list can be verified at Michael Connelly’s website.

  1. The Black Echo (5 stars)
  2. The Black Ice (Click here for my review)
  3. The Concrete Blond (4 stars)
  4. The Last Coyote (5 stars)

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Cold Mountain

March 12, 2008 in Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, Uncategorized by admin | No comments

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Author: Charles Frazier

Genre: Historical Fiction

Subject: Events surrounding the U.S. Civil War

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)

Summary:


Cold Mountain tells two stories in parallel. One is the story of Inman, a wounded Confederate soldier who deserts and spends some months walking home to Cold Mountain, North Carolina. At the same time, Ada, the girl Inman left behind, is struggling to cope with the death of her father and manage his farm.

On his way home Inman encounters a host of strange experiences and dangers, including marauding Federal troops, Confederate Home Guard searching for deserters, betrayals that are downright weird, and wanderers with their own stories to tell. He goes days at a time without food, sleeping at the mercy of the elements, occasionally finding shelter with civilians who are tired of the war.

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Survey Update: Earned my first dollar!

March 8, 2008 in Paid Surveys, Uncategorized by admin | No comments

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Since my previous post, I’ve joined Opinion Outpost. So far, they’ve offered me four surveys, one of which I qualified for. It took about two minutes, and was worth 10 points, which equates to $1. In order to cash out, I need to have at least 50 points.

All surveys come with a set of screening questions to make sure you fit the target demographic profile. If you qualify, you are allowed to complete the survey. If not, you will typically receive a sweepstakes entry, but no money. The exception to this is Global Test Market, which gives you 25 cents worth of points even if you don’t qualify.

Greenfield Online continues to send me surveys, most of which only offer a sweepstakes entry for completion. I’m not wasting my time on those. Today, they offered a 20 minute survey worth $4, but I didn’t qualify for it.

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My Survey Experience and Top Pick…so far…

March 5, 2008 in Paid Surveys, Uncategorized by admin | No comments

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Most reputable sources caution that you won’t get rich filling out surveys online. There is no guarantee as to how many surveys you will qualify for or how much they will pay. However, if you have internet access, a little free time, and enjoy giving your opinion, it can be an easy way to make a little money on the side.

In the past few weeks, I’ve signed up for the following paid survey sites:

  • Greenfield Online
  • Lightspeed Consumer Panel

My wife is a member of:

  • SurveySavvy.com
  • NFO My Survey
  • American Consumer Opinion
  • Global Test Market

Greenfield Online and Lightspeed have sent more survey opportunities than anyone else, but I am not impressed with their rewards structure. Most of the surveys from Greenfield offered nothing more than a sweepstakes entry. A few more offered one or two dollars if the survey was completed (20-30 minutes), and I was once offered a seven dollar, 15 minute survey that I didn’t qualify for.

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