Metallman's Reverie is a Business

Hey there.  I just recently found out that that my blog, Metallman's Reverie, is considered a business.  How great is that!  This site has existed for over 2 years now.  The first year was spent experimenting on writing styles that ranged from all sorts of topics.  It was also spent trying our many of the social media networks that welcomed personal blogs such as this one.  I also tapped into the stream of online revenue but was not very successful that first year.  And rightly so.  It takes time to build a name, an audience, and reputation as a dedicated blogger.  So for that first year, Metallman's online income was not very much.  However, year #2 is a different story.

It may not be an amount to live off of, but I managed to make over $1,000 last year in online revenue.  That averages out to under $100 a month, BUT it's good enough to pay a few bills and have some "fun" money to use.  Not bad for someone in their second year of blogging, no?  Once I received my tax forms and handled that whole process, I was advised that my blog is considered a business and it is allowed to have business expenses.  Who knew!  I surely didn't so I was advised that if I have certain expenses that my business needs, I would be allowed to deduct those for next year.

I'm actually excited about this.  First and foremost, because I'm a business owner.  My own boss!  Second, because I'm able to deduct certain expenses to reduce my tax bill next year.  Now, I still consider myself a rookie here.  I just starting my third year (Earlier this month) with this blog and it's the first time I encounter the "business expense" aspect of it all.  So I'm curious as to how it will work.  I was thinking out loud the other day with my wife and we came across certain items that may or not be considered business expenses.  If I were to get a laptop, would that be considered a business expense since I would use it to work on my site?  What about the FiOS internet that I use to log online?  Or my cell phone which I use to receive and respond to Emails in regards to my site?  I have plenty of questions and if you're on the experienced side of it all, I would love your input.  In the mean time, I'll just keep tabs of those expenses, just in case I'm able to chalk them up to, "Metallman's expenses".  =oD   Later!

The Death of Entrecard

Hey there.  Today marks the day that Entrecard has died.  Well, at least to me it has.  It started off as a great tool, especially for a rookie such as myself, and it did wonders to my site.  It brought traffic, it brought readers, and it made me friends.  The downside of it all is that you had to devote quite a bit of time to drop your card on sites.  Now, this wouldn't be so bad until you realize that you can only drop 30o cards a day, minimizing the amount of credits that you can earn in a day.  Then it hits you, you need well over 1500 credits just to advertise on one of the popular sites.  That's almost a week's worth of credits to advertise on one site!  The time has come where I just don't have the time or the patience to continue with Entrecard.  I plan on leaving the widget on for a few more days.  I don't want to cheat out those that purchased ads.  Once those are done, Entrecard will be gone.

Entrecard, I thank you for the friends.  I thank you for the jump start.  But somewhere along the lines, you lost your way.  You promised cash outs, you introduced a market, and ultimately crashed down with paid ads.  My needs have changed and even though you've tried to accommodate some of them, it just isn't working out.  I'm sure they'll be others, I'm sure others still love you, but as for me, I just don't have the time.  Wish you the best of luck.  Later!

Motivational Sunday - Nintendo

Hey there. Back in the day, when I was a young one, the weekends existed for one purpose and one purpose only: To play as much video games as possible. Going to the mall? Nah, not me, Street Fighter has been calling my name all week. Going to the park? No thanks, I still got to get first place on Rainbow Road in 150cc class. Calling a baby sitter? Why, I'll won't do anything but play games. You don't need to worry.

Yup, that was the story of my childhood. If there was a Nintendo in the house, I was sitting in front of it. It taught me how to do everything!  From learning to drive (Mario Kart) to saving damsels in distress (Mario and Zelda) to learning to defend myself on the streets (Final Fight).  Parents... who needed those? Long as I had a few games, I was set for life!  lol  Later!

Pi: Coincidence? I Think Not!

Hey there.  Why do they call it pi?  I'm sure that there is some scientific explanation out there somewhere but I'm feeling a little too lazy to figure out.  But then... it dawned me!  Lo and behold!!!  The REAL reason it's called pi!

The Definition of Success (Age Intervals)

At age 4, success is not peeing in your pants.
At age 12, success is having friends.
At age 16, success is having a driver's license.
At age 20, success is having sex.
At age 35, success is having money.
At age 50, success is having money.
At age 60, success is having sex.
At age 70, success is having a driver's license.
At age 75, success is having friends.
At age 80, success is not peeing in your pants.

Today has Been One of Those Days at Work

Hey there.  Have you ever had one of those days where you feel as if the people you are working with are incompetent?  I don't want to bash anyone in particular, but it's frustrating when we're all part of a team and someone just doesn't give a crap and screws everything up.  I mean... we do work for the same company, right?!  I understand the segregation of duties, I understand that you should do your job, but if you know that you're doing something wrong, how about you speak up instead of saying, "I'm just doing my job". 

I've had to make several calls to the controller of a certain account several times today.  Each one outlining mistakes that were done by our people because they were being extremely careless.  And the frustrating part of it all is that we'll all experienced in the field.  This is not our first day on the job.  There are other accounts that are in a similar situation as this one and yet we can manage to screw this one up but not the other?  You knucklehead...  Can you learn by example?!  You're already doing it correctly with the other account... can't you apply the same techniques to this one?!?!?!  

UGH!!!!