10/17/09

The Question of the Day




Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with questions swirling around in your head? I know I'm not the only post-hysterectomy woman who can't sleep past 3:00 in the morning no matter WHAT time she goes to bed. Okay, so I don't get the hot flashes (any more) that radiate from somewhere inside you and make you feel like that volcano out in Hawaii that is constantly erupting - but I still can't sleep through the night.

It's in these wee early morning hours that my brain goes CRAZY! These are the questions that kept my up last night. Hopefully some of you geniuses out there can help me.

1. Has anyone EVER gotten paid from Google Adsense? I know I'm making a few bucks a month, but I've been doing it for 15 months and have never received a check. Have any of YOU?

2. How do I make a vlog? Do I record myself on my Photo Booth? Can I record myself on another application? Can I make it look like I've lost 20 pounds? Can I photoshop myself?

3. How is it that my widget says that I have 1130 followers, and I only have 281 votes over at Blogger's Choice? Is it too much trouble to take 5 minutes to sign up? It only took me 15 minutes to sign up myself, Tightwad, Bitchy, Sassy, The Golden Boy and my two dogs. (Perhaps I'm just not that *&%^ funny.) (By the way- It's under my OLD name of Waitress Where's My Martini... perhaps THAT was the problem all along!!!)


4. How can I get more people to enter my two contests to benefit Dove's Self-Esteem promotion? I'm enticing them with Vampire stuff and Phil Done!! Should I promise a copy of the movie "300"? Wait, if I do that, I'd have to enter them myself. (Now I've gone and distracted myself.) (And how can I make these images BIGGER when I upload them?????? Never mind on that one- someone just taught me HOW!)




5. How can I jump-start my metabolism? I am going to the gym, watching what I eat and STILL not losing weight. What the hell is wrong with me? (Sassy, hide those chips.) Frankly, I think I'm going in the OTHER direction.








60 comments:

Anonymous said...

#1 Nope
#2 Dunno
#3 Dunno
#4 Dunno
#5 Still scratching head but leaning towards Dunno.

Gigi said...

I might be able to help you with #4 re: the picture thing. Two ways to do it; make them larger before you upload. Or, download Windows Live Writer. You can type in your posts, drop in pix and edit them to some degree and then just hit publish and it should post it all here. And if you want a really cool application to play with pictures (before you upload them) download PhotoScape. Both Live Writer and PhotoScape are free. Now maybe you'll be able to sleep at least until 3:30.

Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

I totally hear ya. Lately I have been lying in bed with a million thoughts swirling through my head. I really don't have an answer to any of those questions, unfortunately. Especially the metabolism one because I am facing the same thing, and I am only 30! I have resorted to drinking Right Size Smoothie shakes all day and a very small dinner. I am losing weight, but I might die of malnutrition within the next 5 years or so.

Eh, at least I'll get 5 summers of looking HAWT in a swimsuit, right?

Sue said...

If you can't sleep and wake up in the night EVERYTHING is worse! Try Advil PM, not only does it help you sleep, it eases that pain in your neck we all get from life. And as far as the rest, a day at a time my friend. Take care.

Angie Ledbetter said...

#1. No idea b/c I don't run ads.
#2. Sorry, no clue.
#3. & #4. Run a blog contest for some fantastic prize (NOT one of your family members, thanks) which goes to the blog owner who gets the most votes for you. These could be tabulated in their comment sections using the honor system. I'll kick in some Cajun goodies for the prize package. :)
#5. Jumper cables? *snicker*

ChiTown Girl said...

#1 - No, I've never received any moola, despite using Adsense since I started my blog. As a matter of fact, WTF!? Where IS our dough?!

#2 - No idea, but I bet my almost-16-year-old could tell us in a heartbeat. Too bad he's sound asleep, cuz he stayed up all night!! Little shit!

#3 - Again, no idea, but I voted!

#4 - um, not sure, no help on this one :(

#5 - Girl, if I knew the answer to THAT one, I would still have 80+ pounds to lose!!!

Brian Miller said...

i dont vlog..because it would take away from those that watch 300...really. lol.

Anonymous said...

Understandable questions! No answer on Addsense, never tried it. I will pay attention to signups in the future. You do have a large following, but maybe a lot of them don't go blogging as frequently as some of us do.

I like my VodkaMom!

Secretia

Anonymous said...

The first couple of questions are greek to me...I had no idea one could make money for this delightful obsession, and no.2 is right over my head. 3 I'd vote for ya but keep getting kicked out and for the sleepless nights, try listening to something really dull, like phoneins, where really stupid people who don't have any friends and who cannot parse a sentence without a 'you know' or 'innit' try to cure life's ills.
The photos are nice...hmm!

Mike said...

Well I did hear of a friend's cousin's roomate in college got a check. You have to pass the $100 mark in total collections to get paid or that's what I've been told.

Make sure you don't let 4 hours go by that you haven't eaten something. Everytime it goes pass 4 your body will drop into starvation mode and slow again.

Sprite's Keeper said...

Hey, you enticed me over with one question and end up with five!
Okay, here goes:
1. What's Google Adsense?
2. I have no freakin clue. I can't even upload video. I have to call the geek in.
3. I voted.
4. I entered. AND blogged about it.
5. More protein. Less carbs. If I can jump back on that, I'd stop stalling the weight loss.
xoxo

Linda said...

Well, I only have an answer for one of them.
*mumble* I got confused when I first went to the voting site, because the name of the blog was different. *mumble*

But, I went back today and figured it out! And voted!

Good luck with the no-sleeping. I try not to think about things that I could actually work on. I usually think about how I would spend a million dollars and that sends me off.

Mike said...

If I am awake at 3 am, it usually involves thoughts of porn! LOL!

I did a vlog through my web cam. I couldn't figure out how to upload it and then found out that I had to go to my Windows Movie Maker and publish it to my computer first!

I had ads for a week and then canceled it.

Vote???

Actually, I usually ponder dumb shit, like if Adam and Eve were real, then in order to keep the species going, Eve would have had to have done one of her sons, and then we would all be related. I know it is dumb, but those are really the thoughts that go through my head! :)

Ms. Sarah said...

I am new here visiting from sits.
1. dont know becasue i dont have adsense
2.Not sure I have never made one
3. I dont know but I will do that before I leave here
4.Not sure I am still asking myself how I get more followers and how to get people to enter my giveaways
5. i am a lap band patient I know for a week I do nothing but liquids biggest loser protine shakes, broths, jellos, sugar free fat free pudding. That usally keeps me goign for a few months and have to do it again. Good luck.


~Sarah~

Wendy said...

I have one answer to ALL of your questions:


Ambien (or a similar prescribed sleeping aid)
For years my husband could only sleep four, maybe five hours a night, "no matter what". He'd get up in the middle of the night and work, answer e-mail, cruise porn, etc. He finally got tired of it and talked to his doc. The doc suggested Ambien. "But isn't it addictive?" Doc said, "Yeah, but if you take it, you sleep. If you don't take it, you don't sleep. What's the difference? Take it once in awhile; sleep once in awhile. Or take it every night and sleep every night. I don't see the big dilemma."
So husband takes it every night.
We have conversations he knows nothing about, but big deal. It's like the ultimate lie detector for me. Heh heh.

Solves that waking-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-with-stupid-shit-on-your-mind thing!

Glad I could help! =-)

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Know clue about any of the answers. I have a head cold, so no clever comment here except-- I love Vodka Mom!

Anonymous said...

1.?
2.?
3.?
4.?
5. try taking L-Carnitine its all natural and did wonders in boosting my metabolism

ok, so I dont have hot flashes, but as of late it seems my mind will not shut off at night either, actually seems to go in a hundred more directions at night...drives me crazy!

Jan said...

I have never heard of anyone getting paid from AdSense.

I voted for you, honey. I really and truly did - and I don't think I'm one of your "followers" because I have a self-hosted Wordpress blog instead of Blogger.

I have no self-esteem so I can't enter your contest.

Other than that, I'm no use to you. I'm in the throes of completely natural peri-menopausal insanity and the only thing I seem to be able to accomplish right now is worry about dying from swine flu.

FRANNIE said...

I've never been paid from Adsense, we should start a support group or something. I'm pretty sure one comment is correct, that you have to accumulate $100 before you get paid. So, at that rate I just be paid in 2050.

I signed up for infolinks, that works alittle better.

The Mind of a Mom said...

Ya, yum sorry but it doesn't get any better! The questions just get harder! I had my hyster about 10yrs ago and have not slept all night since. Oh and the hot flashes stuff and weight and sweating like a pig, it can come back if they did not take EVERYTHING. Just saying... Hence the reason we ponder over at my blog at least once a week

Mary Anne said...

On the sleep thing, try some melatonin. I swear by it. I don't take it all the time, but when I do have a night that I wake up and can't get back to sleep (too much thinking about things that should be thought of in the dark at 2AM), I start taking it again for a few days and it really seems to help.

I did leave comments for the vampire stuff, and am very aware of the self esteem issues, as I'm trying to make sure my 10yo daughter doesn't end up like me! So far, so good, but we've got a long way to go.

I'll see what I can do about voting. I think I started it once, but had issues, but that may have been because I was at work, and they block everything . . .

On the weight thing, I feel your pain. I just can't seem to get it moving in the right direction, either!

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

1. Never bothered to try because I figured I'd never earn anything and I guess you just proved I was RIGHT!

2. I've made a few video clips accidentally when I thought I was taking a picture... but so far, none vlog worthy.

3. Now that you have reminded me, I voted for your blog that's LISTED UNDER ANOTHER NAME... how was I supposed to know. Sorry!

4. Entered already!

5. It's been 15 years since my hysterectomy and I've been hysterical ever since trying to lose weight... but then I don't try as hard as you do so it's my own damn fault. (And I also watch what I eat... donuts, Dr. Pepper, chips, pasta... let's see, what else is on the high carbs & fat menu?)

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

Otin did a lovely WTF Wednesday vlog.... I highly recommend it!

Kim said...

I am so effin' cold all the time I am looking forward to hot flashes!

Anonymous said...

MamaKat had a post about Google Adsense sometime this past month or so, you should check it out. Apparently, if you even subliminally mention clicking on your ads or anything like that they totally screw you. And they don't TELL you they aren't paying you until they have used your vlog for a long time and gotten what they want from you and then they're all like "oh yeah, you asked people to click so we aren't paying, sorry". Jerks.

And I am up at night, too, (mostly b/c of our baby), AND I am having hot flashes. So I guess I'd better get used to it, huh?

Anonymous said...

I meant BLOG, not vlog. 'Cause you don't even make vlogs. Lol.

Irish Gumbo said...

Holy s*&t, woman...let me catch my breath, then maybe I could answer some questions (wheeze)...

Angheiz said...

I'm up to about $6.50. Apparently when I hit $10, I can request a check, but I haven't decided if I'll use it for a Lamborghini or Cadillac Escalade. The decisions.

And FYI, having any pictures of Gerard Butler posted is just ASKING for trouble. Apparently, there is a huge group of ladies that follow him around together. I say follow because it's much nicer than stalking. They call it a club. I think it's more of an estrogen-overloaded mob. A friend of mine is one, and I think she might be on a most wanted list.

Ann Imig said...

As always I'm of little help.

Except I can tell you that there is no place to vote for you on Humor Bloggers, and it certainly won't help your tally over at Blogger's Choice.

(thwack)

Oops, sorry Ms. Vodka. I deserved that.

Sara said...

Adsense is crap. I, too, have never received a dime.

SkylersDad said...

My once amazing fast metabolism ground to a halt a couple years ago.

Dirty damned metabolism...

Suzy said...

The Daily Coyote told me she gets 250 $ a month from Adsense. She gets 15,000 hits a DAY.

You have to amass $50 before you get paid. It's a rip off and only helps the people whose ads you're running for free. Dump them.

Get a flip camera (115 $), upload to youtube, embed on your site or use Vimeo.

flutter said...

I think you and I need to go have coffee and ponder these deep life questions

Desert Songbird said...

The easiest way to make a vlog is to record yourself using your digital camera (if your camera has that option which most do I believe). Then upload the video using the video upload in Blogger or via YouTube. Then, embed the video and submit your post. Easy as that.

Expat mum said...

I'm very impressed that you can remember those questions. Whatever thoughts keep me awake during the night are always a distant memory next morning, no matter how brilliant.

Cora said...

I did a blog post about your two contests on wednesday, didn't anyone come over and enter?! Big bunch of slackers. *grumble grumble*

As for sleeping through the night, I walk on my treadmill before bed so I'm reeeaallllyyyyy tired when I crawl under the sheets. Thus, I sleep like the dead.

Joanna Jenkins said...

I have no idea what a vlog is and I gave up on AdSense a long time ago-- Oy.

As for entries to the contest-- For the only giveaway I did- I posted a new post every single day for 2 weeks with GIVEAWAY (all caps) in the title so it showed up a lot on Blog Roll. (ex: New Post Title & GIVEAWAY) I did not use the word "free" in the title. It generated a lot of interest.

I also offered extra entries for "Following" and blogging about the giveaway. And I allowed people to enter once per post each day during the two weeks with GIVEAWAY in the title so people kept coming back and building a readership habit (hopefully) with my blog.

BUT-- and there's always a "but", I got a ton of "one stoppers" from blogs that only list contest giveaways. (That's all they do, it's their only content-- every day is a list of giveaways on other blogs.) These bloggers and their followers all followed me to enter the giveaway but never came back again after the giveaway. So I got quantity not quality followers. I'd say half of my NEW followers were only there for the giveaway. Does that make sense?

As for Blogger's Choice-- I have had countless problems trying to sign up only to return on another day, with the same password and then I can't log in and have to start all over. I'll try again to vote for you under your old name.

When you find the secret to jump starting your metabolism PLEASE share!!!

xo

Christy said...

I totally voted for you (and so did my husband and daughter), and I don't have answers to any of the questions except the last one.

Do a google search for Time Magazine the Exercise Myth - it's a kinda long article, but worth it, so read it. My personal trainer made me read it.

Afterward I was like, okay, so I should quit working out and just starve myself to lose weight. Depressing, but really it's only 20% exercise - the rest is what goes in your belly.

My belly is full of snickers and apricot pastries, so I'm definitely not losing weight - but then again I'm pregnant so I don't really care right now! ha!

mo.stoneskin said...

42.
23.
65.
35.
21.

Helpful?

Well, I think you probably need to fill in your adsense payment details or request a cheque or something.

To be fair, your 1000+ followers should visit more often and even click on your ads more.

*click*

Anyway...

Ms. Witi said...

1. Never tried it.
2. Never tried it.
3. You have a ton of followers but not many doers. Typical of society huh? We all love ya and think your funny as well so maybe we just stop by to get a laugh for a day or to relate to a story you are telling and then get back to our busy lives. :o(
4. I usually never sign up for giveaways because I never win...go figure right?! Seriously, I never win at Bingo, scratch offs, number draws, door prizes...nothing...believe you me I have tried them all! So now to save the depression I quit entering HA!
5. Please find the secret to the metabolism thing and then make a drawing or giveaway and I WILL ENTER!!

Vodka Logic said...

I blogged about adsense a bit ago and asked the same thing. I still have gotten no checks either.. from what I hear you get near $100 and they find a reason to dump you.

Vlogs nope not for me.

And if you figure out how to jump start the metabolism let me know.

AiringMyLaundry said...

I've never gotten paid with AdSense. But I think I've only made like 7 bucks so far.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

I finally dropped Google Adsense cuz it didn't seem worth the space.
I found it so hard to lose weight as I approach 50, I had to go down to like, 1100 calories for a month before anything came off. But then it did start to work. Definitely I can't eat like even a semi-normal person anymore. Sucks.
I'm going right over now to vote for you because you're amazing!

Unknown said...

AdSense...do as I do..put it in the will for your kids to fight over cuz you'll never see it in your life time :)

Having my own personal summers lately...like sitting in the Devil's lap :)

For some godforsaken reason I am not able to vote...maybe they don't consider me a citizen of Blogspot.

Peace~Rene

Laura H. said...

i voted for ya. which means i signed up for ya.

about the ads: i'd recommend switching your partnership to something like amazon. link to stuff you like, people buy it, you get $.

and i'd already commented on your dove stuff.

thanks for entertaining me.

Ellie Belen Ambrose said...

Hell, I didn't know that. I wake up every night at 3am too. Vodkamom, you have just enlightened me to read more about this menopause "thing." Hassay! I have been sleeping well the past week, winter is coming.
1. Getting paid was never an option. I'm friendless.
2. You mean actually putting yourself visually out there! Scary.
3. I'm an antithesis. I can't do anything anyone asks me to do, especially vote. Lost the voting gene in the Bush years. Sorry.
4. I definitely commented on one, but on the other, I'm just not your demographic for the other prize.
5. Sex, lots of it. I mean enough that multiple showers a day are necessary. Water is good for you. Odd hours, lots of sighing, and heavy DEEP breathing.

Kevin McKeever said...

I voted for you ... and it turns out 15 people I don't think I know voted for me in the Daddy Blog category. Awesome.

SweetPeaSurry said...

QUESTION 5: Try to eat 5 small meals a day ... about 2-3 hours apart, a couple of ounces of meat, 1/2cup of carbs and 1-2 cups of veggies ... and then a piece of fruit before bed.

You'll never be hungry and you're metabolism will be going strong all day.

Blessings!

Zip n Tizzy said...

So that's how you get all your blogging done!

I started when I was suffering from post partum insomnia... now I'm sleeping but my posts are suffering.

You entertain us by not sleeping. Thank you ;)

Gabriel said...

As a rookie blogger and a man (I think), I'm pretty much useless when it comes to your questions. But I wake up in the night with crazy questions and unexplained anxieties about everything from whether my boy's sleeping position is a cot death risk, to whether he is going to be a bully or be bullied when he's school age. The early hours are when the voice of unreason has its say

♥ Braja said...

All I know is I like your pics...

justmakingourway said...

Nice pecs...er, PICS!

I have no useful answers. Except maybe that you should meet my best friend, Tylenol PM...

Beth said...

I can only remember the last question and it had to do with metabolism and weight loss. If I knew the answer, I'd share. Somehow, I think Pop Tarts are not involved. Or maybe they are if they are the Fiber One ones. This is all so confusing!

TheFitDad said...

I can help out with #5 - shoot me an email.

You could also buy a flip video camera, film yourself, upload it and BAM you're done. Flips are cheap and easy.

Jill said...

Just found your blog...where the fuck have I been?! I used to think I had it goin' on, but apparently I've been missing out. Glad I found you! I don't have kids, but that vodka flows regardless.

Jennifer Juniper said...

Answers:

1. Yes, it was the big fat check made out to "Sucker"

2. For all you'd like to do with your vlog, I recommend you contact either Beyonce's or Britney's video team. Obviously, video editing can work wonders.

3. Just went to vote and apparently I already did. I even have a log in name and password I have no recollection of...can you pass the vodka?

4. 300, you say? Be right back...

5. Pass the chips.

Unknown said...

This is one of the best blog posts ever! Not only is it entertaining to read, but I just read the comments and was entertained too!
I have no answers that haven't been given...
I have a question though... HOW THE HELL DO I GET MORE FOLLOWERS? I follow others, but no one follows me... am I am bad leader? Do I suck? PLEASE TELL ME!!

Thank you vodka mom... the margaritas flow at my circus!

linlah said...

I can't do #4 from your site because I can only comment Name/URL which is not offered.

But I voted for you on BC.

jessica said...

just voted for you- it took about 4 minutes to sign up, figure out that i had to insert the entire year for my bday, figure out that i had to enter the code word, and then figure out that i had to wait for the confirmation email to come. usually things come fast around here...nevermind. anyway, it was a bit of a pain. i couldve checked facebook in that amount of time. but it's done so i hope you're happy. oh and i got my period today.which is always a good thing but makes me really grouchy.

Fifi Flowers said...

How do you expect us to answer your questions when you post photos of Gerard Butler's gorgeous bod? WOW... he is delicious!