The Porno Password is: T2FMV9MB66HX
Until last week, if someone would have said “technorati” I’d have shot them a look of “really guy?” But no, this isn’t some illuminati… oh wait, it is an illuminati reference. Or not. I don’t know.
http://technorati.com is a blog search engine. I have no idea why Blogs need there own search engine, I just “need to be apart of it.” Part of the process involves posting a new blog with a specific token. Let’s call it the porno password. In order to confirm this is my blog I have to allow some minor hijacking.
So, for the good of the world, I submit.
David J.
A few days ago I visited one of my favorite cities with my family. As usual, the landscape was littered with scum. All of us, even the children, had become so use to their ornamentation no thought was given toward their helpless looks, change shaking cups, or smell.
That was until we began the walk home.
From a ways away a thin elderly black man, in a cheap but presentable suit, with white hair could be heard wailing on a harmonica. In front of him was an old coffee can close enough for people to know it was his, but far enough away where anyone could take it unopposed.
There, in a corner between large stately steps and stone walls, he stood in a makeshift amphitheater. Dancing around, playing with his whole being, one could sense his power of worth. A feeling that if this was the only thing that man could do for the rest of his life, that it would be enough. He played for the joy of playing.
As I slowed and reached for a dollar I didn’t know my seven year old cousin was examining my every move. As we continued walking, and the harmonica faded, she asked in a confusing tone, “David, why did you give that man a dollar?”
“Because unlike the rest of the bums begging for money, he was providing a service.”
That spark people get in their eyes as an idea blazes through never gets old.
For a while everyone was quiet, I’m not sure how the group took that interaction. But the fire of an idea sparked from a pure and natural foundation is a powerful thing. Something that should be encouraged, endorsed, and supported by all of us.
Ask Questions. Seek Guidance. Live with for the joy of life and learning.
The Black man playing the Harmonica was worth supporting. He didn’t care if anyone put a dollar in the can, but he provided a service worth acknowledgment. Presentable. Full of life and energy. I felt compelled to support his survival and playing another day. By the amount seen upon dropping the bill, others felt the same.
The child, who had seen us and those around us completely disengage from the filth laced street, had to know what made this man different from the rest. In her mind if that man was worth a dollar then it couldn’t make sense, and wasn’t fair, that the others also didn’t deserve one. This child in particular has shown nothing but kindness toward me and I was far from surprised by her questioning this selective action, but this line of thinking is so what makes children as a whole so awesome. That spark, at the sacrifice of a little purity, served to broaden her view of the world. While less pure, the world became more real, more understandable. More curious.
All I did was embrace myself. Live life as I believed. Treated those deserving with respect. Encouraged actions of worth. Answered questions with direct honest truth. I answered her question as if it deserved to be answered as a way to encourage more questions.
I lived just to live. By doing so I unintentional became an example to someone of importance.
What an impact we all could have on the world by doing something so simple. Such a small moment… Guess “you guys” where right. To the rest, my you never lose that childish curiosity, live for the joys of life, and lead by example.
David J.
Apparently… I just can’t seem to finish what I start. I have so many ideas I want to finish, and none of them can get to the end point.
I know that if I was able to post just one new piece a week that would be a substantial accomplishment. But by doing what I always do, and biting off more ten I can chew, I slowed down the progress of everything by wanting to to all of it and more.
Well, There has been lots of background changes. From now on when linking to a book, movie, or song, the link will take you to an amazon store. You don’t have to buy it, but if you do a very small percentage goes into “the cage.” Also I’be been talking with a few websites about linking to them for several different purposes.
The project will never ask for a donation. I don’t want a penny. What I am working on, and trying to setup will require something more valuable then money…
Still, all of that should have gone live by now. The feeling of being behind schedule sucks.
David J.
January would prove to be a mixed month. The intent was to finish everything started in 2012. The first week would prove to be a strong start. Then in the middle of editing I had a computer crash. Something I’d been working on for sometime was permanently destroyed.
I used real life as an excuse to sideline the website, but really I just didn’t want to redo this particular piece. I did other productive things, but what could have been a month of possibility turned mediocre.
September 2nd 2012 is finally completed.
As for the rest, it should find the light of day shortly. From there the introduction of new ideas and features are exciting to think about. Completing my next tattoo removal session is WAY over due!
2013 has the potential to be something extraordinary! And for the first time, in a long time, there is no plan for the future accept to embrace it. To smile at death saying “You fool! Do you know who I am? To escape your grasp yet again? One day victory shall be yours, but that day, is not today. Today is mine and I own it!”
Try and Stop me
David J.
December has been a tame month for new material. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been working on new content. The first week of January will have a wave of rules posted. Starting with “The Rule of 72″ there should be four more to follow. Wednesday January 2nd through Sunday January 6th @ 10:30:AM the plan is to have a new rule posted a day to break in the section.
Those of you, who have had any interest in my “live audience” rantings, who would like to see a rule thought out and written in a manner that can be easily examined, are free to contact me. The rules were not designed to be “written into a book.” There isn’t an organised list to check off or a particular order they have to be done.
As for the rest of January: If I can finish editing, stop trashing content for rewrites, and focus on real personal deadlines all 2012 concepts should be closed out. I can’t wait to start Phase two of the Tattoo Removal process and bring on new ideas for 2013.
Unfortunately the analytics for the site are sub-par. There isn’t a way to know exactly how it happened, but I can say that the site started in the middle of September and has 484 views and climbing for 2012. Averaging 125 page views a month with sporadic and minimal posting? I’m surprised. This has been quite the experience.
May you all crush the New Year and end 2012 with a bang.
David J.
EDIT: 12/30/12
Two of the rules are being scrapped for a later date. The ideas are not coming across very clear. I’m taking the time to polish the three worth posting. So January 2-4 will see rule releases. Other things are still in the works.
I thought about this for a few days before posting. It is a bit ridiculous. Not just on the part of Domino’s but that I spent any effort trying to “resolve” an issue with a company who is easily replaced. It was just so irritating I couldn’t help myself.
I hadn’t had Domino’s Pizza in a long time. In the last few years the company has tried to do a major over haul of it’s product and it’s reputation. Long gone are the “Avoid the Noid” commercials. Flavors for adults.
“We (Domino’s) spent three years perfecting our fresh dough”
“It’s easier to do things faster and cheaper, we’re (Domino’s) not interested in that”
Okay, I’ll bite. Hunger had gotten the best of me. Many months ago I had contacted the closest store to home and had either the manager or the owner talk to me about why they can’t deliver. The explanation was “corporate policy” but they have received a lot of calls and where hoping the situation would be resolved soon. So I left it and just forgot about it. As I said earlier, there are a lot of places to order pizza from.
When I went to their website to order online it informed me that it was still pick-up only. Seriously? So I wrote a message, I don’t have it here OR I would post it. It asked why their competitors on the same street would deliver but their company would not.
The response I received was:
David,
I am really sorry to hear about your disappointment and frustration with a Domino’s Pizza experience that was less than great. We appreciate you contacting us and giving us the opportunity to fix the situation. My name is Joshua and I will be happy to help resolve your issue.
The <redacted> location where you ordered is locally owned, so my first step is to report your concern to the owner. This will give their office the opportunity to hear your feedback firsthand, and do what it takes to keep you as a loyal customer.
David, your feedback is a gift and we appreciate you contacting us. Once again, I am really sorry that we let you down. If you do not hear from a local supervisor in 3 days, please contact us again so that we can make sure this is resolved for you.
Most sincerely,
Joshua
Domino’s Pizza Customer Care
Um, no. That wasn’t the issue. Again, I wish I had the actual response I sent. But I told them not to bother the Holt store. That they had wished they could server me as a customer but corporate would have an issue with it. There response was:
David,
Thank you for contacting us at our World Resource Center. As one of our valued customers, your concern is extremely important to us.
We do apologize for any inconvenience not having a store that delivers to your area may cause you. Every Domino’s store has a specific delivery area that is measured by the drive time from the store in all 4 directions. This ensures that we provide timely delivery service to our customers. This is a trade area that each individual franchisee is granted. As a result, they are unable to deliver anywhere outside of that trade area. Someday we may open a Domino’s store in your area, as we are always looking for great locations for new Domino’s Pizza stores.
We sincerely hope that you will allow us to serve you as a carryout customer. Please don’t hesitate to contact us atwww.dominos.com or call 1-800-DOMINOS for us to locate your nearest carryout location.
Most sincerely,
Asia
Domino’s Pizza Customer Care
Cottage inn Pizza
<redacted>3.7 miles from my houseHas delivered several times to my house and excepts online orders.Domino’s Pizza<redacted>3.5 miles from my houseTalked to either a manager OR the owner several months back who said “we would love serve you, but it’s a corporate issue”There are only two factors I consider when I feel like ordering in:Can I do it onlineWill they deliverYesterday I saw a Domino’s commercial and said “I’ll give Domino’s another chance” – AND DOMINO’S FAILED. I went with a competitor who was just down the road from your store, further with a longer drive, because your system refused to take my order. Something that should be fixed.Or not. Of all companies Domino’s should understand the cost of dissatisfied customers. The franchised had to do a complete over haul because of it.
David,
Thank you for contacting us at our World Resource Center. As one of our valued customers, your concern is extremely important to us.
We do apologize for any inconvenience not having a store that delivers to your area may cause you. Every Domino’s store has a specific delivery area that is measured by the drive time from the store in all 4 directions. This ensures that we provide timely delivery service to our customers. This is a trade area that each individual franchisee is granted. As a result, they are unable to deliver anywhere outside of that trade area. Someday we may open a Domino’s store in your area, as we are always looking for great locations for new Domino’s Pizza stores.
We sincerely hope that you will allow us to serve you as a carryout customer. Please don’t hesitate to contact us atwww.dominos.com or call 1-800-DOMINOS for us to locate your nearest carryout location.
Most sincerely,
Ebony
Domino’s Pizza Customer Care
UM – wasn’t that the same email I just received? I think that was customer service saying “we don’t care. Why would we care. We don’t need your business.” So I gave them the same response back Except adding a third chain, Hungry Howies, also on the same street, less then half a mile away from their store, also delivers to my home. So that’s two competitors, who have online ordering, that deliver, and are less then half a mile from their store, on the same street, offering about the same product.
I also called them out on sending me the same cookie cutter e-mail. About a day later this is what they had to say:
David,
Thank you for contacting the Domino’s Pizza Customer Care Team.
We have received your additional comments and have forwarded them to the appropriate person.
Most sincerely,
Lisa
Domino’s Pizza Customer Care
Another brush off e-mail. I don’t understand. Knowing that every business runs on different models is one thing. In a competitive business where it’s hard to differentiate one product from another, to purposely ignore customers is crazy. So I decided that Domino’s hates customers. It’s easier to just send my business elsewhere. I’ve been told their pizza still isn’t as good as their competitors anyway. I was hoping to decided for myself.
*ShruG* I was curious for half a second about the company’s product. Now I just wonder how Domino’s stays in business.
David J.
As with most projects, plans change as parts set into motion. As I took the first steps toward removing my tattoos I had a choice on how in depth I wished to share the experience. Considering the project is a personal journey there was no need to ask permission before sharing this experience with the world.
Out of courtesy, before beginning the process, I talked with Monica about referencing Local Tattoo & Laser Co. in my writing. I wanted their approval for several reasons. One of those was to give them an option to become actively involved in the story and how it’s told.
Talking with Monica that first day, she was hesitant but willing. I can’t blame her, if a stranger walked into my place of business and asked what I did, it would raise quite a bit of suspicion. After seeing the photo journal and reading the intro article I was told “that’s kind of cool.” The proof of concept was a success! The shop, my friends and family, & people from Google all seemed to enjoy my approach.
But as the real work began I lost myself in the story. The days leading up to my first treatment and the creation of CagedSparrow.com were some of the darkest of my life. Trying to capture that time period has been troublesome. When I am able to sit down and focus, the flood of emotion that comes from reliving those moments often become unbearable.
So as I sat down a few weeks ago to complete a raw dump of that entire time period, I let the thoughts wander to where ever they needed. As I reviewed the scattered pages I realized there was too much to process for a single article. Playing with the text sparked an idea on how to proceed.
After some research I’ve decided to combine the first two removal sessions and divided the process into several smaller, focused, articles.
November 21st 2012 at 1030 the intro to phase one will be posted. The intro was ready a few days after the first laser treatment. Before I had a chance to dive into the body, people started to ask several questions and started to attack my removal decision. One even giving a disgusted look saying “You’re moving in the wrong direction my friend.”
As a giant projected middle finger I wrote a piece to reflect my stance on the matter. The plan was to jump back to the original article and complete it before the second treatment. I just couldn’t do it. So the updated plan should bring new life to the project and allow the story to be told in a manner superior to the original concept.
Time should prove this to be better for my sanity and easier to read for all who are interested.
David J.
