Okay Everyone...you ready for this. Let's go!
I haven't been on because I was recently amputated. I'm about 3 weeks post op right now. Let me tell you what happened because I still can't believe this.
I developed gangrene on two fingers. Not from the cold. Not because I'm diabetic. I got gangrene from smoking! Freak me out! Now I always knew smoking wasn't good for me...but I never knew you could actually get gangrene and have to be amputated from smoking. It's really rare in North America and it's called Buergers Disease (I've found a few different spellings). The only cure...stop all tobacco products and after 28 years of smoking I put those things down so quick it made my head spin lol!
Now I'm not telling anyone to smoke or not smoke. I'm just letting you know the reality that this could actually happen to you because it sure as hell happened to me. So now you can make an even more informed decision on whether to be a smoker or a non-smoker. I know which way I'm going.
Everyone take good care.
Hollywood has left the building but not to have a smoke!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
It's Time To Tell All
Hey everyone. Ready to go. Let's do it.
When I first started this blog I told you all that I'm permanently disabled but the nature of my disability wasn't important.
I've been thinking about that and I think it's finally time to share the nature of that disability with you. I believe it's the only way for you to get to know me and it may also give others some hope that are in this same position.
I've been sober since Nov. 25th, 1997. Yes, I'm a recovering alcoholic and one that's very grateful to be alive.
During my 20 years of daily drinking I did some damage to myself physically. Of course, when I was drinking I never thought any of those things we hear about would happen to me. I was wrong.
I have partial Warnackies Encephalopathy (some brain damage) and Peripheral Neuropathy (quite painful at times). I've also messed up my digestive system and have the most wicked insomnia that you could ever imagine.
I don't tell you this for sympathy as I'm fully aware that these things happened to me because of my own actions. I tell you these things so it will give you a little insight into who I am.
As a last note, with all my physical problems I wouldn't want to be anyone but myself. I've been very blessed in my lifetime and have seen and done things that a lot of people will never have the chance to see or do. I've also been a part of a lot of awesome human lives. Some are still with me, some I've had to say good-bye to and others have passed away.
So do I ever wish I was someone else? Not for all the money in the world!!! This definitely wasn't the easiest blog for me to post but to tell you the truth, it may be the most important blog I post.
Everyone, take good care. I'll be back in January.
Hollywood has left the building.
When I first started this blog I told you all that I'm permanently disabled but the nature of my disability wasn't important.
I've been thinking about that and I think it's finally time to share the nature of that disability with you. I believe it's the only way for you to get to know me and it may also give others some hope that are in this same position.
I've been sober since Nov. 25th, 1997. Yes, I'm a recovering alcoholic and one that's very grateful to be alive.
During my 20 years of daily drinking I did some damage to myself physically. Of course, when I was drinking I never thought any of those things we hear about would happen to me. I was wrong.
I have partial Warnackies Encephalopathy (some brain damage) and Peripheral Neuropathy (quite painful at times). I've also messed up my digestive system and have the most wicked insomnia that you could ever imagine.
I don't tell you this for sympathy as I'm fully aware that these things happened to me because of my own actions. I tell you these things so it will give you a little insight into who I am.
As a last note, with all my physical problems I wouldn't want to be anyone but myself. I've been very blessed in my lifetime and have seen and done things that a lot of people will never have the chance to see or do. I've also been a part of a lot of awesome human lives. Some are still with me, some I've had to say good-bye to and others have passed away.
So do I ever wish I was someone else? Not for all the money in the world!!! This definitely wasn't the easiest blog for me to post but to tell you the truth, it may be the most important blog I post.
Everyone, take good care. I'll be back in January.
Hollywood has left the building.
It's Your Turn To Speak Out
Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and I hope the New Year brings all your dreams come true.
I'd like to hear from all of you about what you think the hottest Christmas gadget was for 2008.
Where I currently reside, hands down, the hottest gadget was the Wii console and the Wii fit. In fact, I still haven't been able to find the Wii fit and found the console on pure dumb luck.
Let me know what your favorite gadget was and if I like the sound of it then you know that Hollywoods going shopping! I'll admit that there's still one or two gadgets (I'm sure more) that I don't own and am not even aware of. So any comments would be vastly appreciated as I need some new gadgets!
On another note, I told you that Granny Gidget was on a cruise. Apparently, during a night of Salsa dancing with a very, very much younger gentleman she spun around and yes, she fell to the floor. She ended up breaking a hip and because it's snowing where I live then the weather isn't very condusive to her recovery. She's doing fine and her spirits are as high as ever (or she was high off of spirits...something like that) but I am going to try and fly her out this summer. Hopefully I can take some video of her so you can all meet her.
For all of you that leave a comment, I will reply to you as soon as possible.
Happy 2009 Everyone. Let's make it a good one.
Hollywood has left the building.
I'd like to hear from all of you about what you think the hottest Christmas gadget was for 2008.
Where I currently reside, hands down, the hottest gadget was the Wii console and the Wii fit. In fact, I still haven't been able to find the Wii fit and found the console on pure dumb luck.
Let me know what your favorite gadget was and if I like the sound of it then you know that Hollywoods going shopping! I'll admit that there's still one or two gadgets (I'm sure more) that I don't own and am not even aware of. So any comments would be vastly appreciated as I need some new gadgets!
On another note, I told you that Granny Gidget was on a cruise. Apparently, during a night of Salsa dancing with a very, very much younger gentleman she spun around and yes, she fell to the floor. She ended up breaking a hip and because it's snowing where I live then the weather isn't very condusive to her recovery. She's doing fine and her spirits are as high as ever (or she was high off of spirits...something like that) but I am going to try and fly her out this summer. Hopefully I can take some video of her so you can all meet her.
For all of you that leave a comment, I will reply to you as soon as possible.
Happy 2009 Everyone. Let's make it a good one.
Hollywood has left the building.
Friday, October 31, 2008
I'm Back
Hey Everyone,
Sorry I've been gone so long but I was a little under the weather. First off.. Happy Halloween.
If you guys are ready...lets go!
I know the economy really sucks right now (which is another benefit of owning your own internet business) but when I was laid up for awhile Granny Gidget sent me a new gadget. She's not here yet..she's on a cruise doing some salsa dancing.
I had actually banned Apple after the 5th generation IPod thing...if you have one you know what I'm talking about. My 160GB is now a paperweight! But I got to say that Apple got their poop in a group with the 2nd generation touch. So if you want to treat yourself to an awesome little gadget for Christmas or something then splurge a little and pick one up.
And by the way, I personally forgive Apple and want to say keep up the good work. I'm glad you worked the problems out.
If you don't know what happened with the 5th generation IPod...just take my word for it and don't waste your money on it. Get the 2nd generation touch and you won't have any problems with it at all.
Also, Zign Track is really cool motion capture software. Just make sure you have a really good videocam or webcam and no worries. Works like a charm. Whoever developed it I want to say I tip my hat to you because there's no more fooling around with animating phonemes! And you can't beat the price of it either. So for all of you into animation it will make your life much easier.
I'll keep you posted.
Peace out everyone.
Hollywood has now left the building.
Sorry I've been gone so long but I was a little under the weather. First off.. Happy Halloween.
If you guys are ready...lets go!
I know the economy really sucks right now (which is another benefit of owning your own internet business) but when I was laid up for awhile Granny Gidget sent me a new gadget. She's not here yet..she's on a cruise doing some salsa dancing.
I had actually banned Apple after the 5th generation IPod thing...if you have one you know what I'm talking about. My 160GB is now a paperweight! But I got to say that Apple got their poop in a group with the 2nd generation touch. So if you want to treat yourself to an awesome little gadget for Christmas or something then splurge a little and pick one up.
And by the way, I personally forgive Apple and want to say keep up the good work. I'm glad you worked the problems out.
If you don't know what happened with the 5th generation IPod...just take my word for it and don't waste your money on it. Get the 2nd generation touch and you won't have any problems with it at all.
Also, Zign Track is really cool motion capture software. Just make sure you have a really good videocam or webcam and no worries. Works like a charm. Whoever developed it I want to say I tip my hat to you because there's no more fooling around with animating phonemes! And you can't beat the price of it either. So for all of you into animation it will make your life much easier.
I'll keep you posted.
Peace out everyone.
Hollywood has now left the building.
Monday, September 8, 2008
I Made A Boo Boo
Hey Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that I made a boo-boo in my last blog about the software. Now I could've went back and just edited it but to let you know I'm not as perfect as it might seem I'd just tell you I made a mistake! Even Hollywood makes a mistake, especially under extreme excitement.
The software isn't called Zing Talk...it's called Zign Track. I still haven't had a chance to download it yet and was wondering if anyone else has tried it. If you have post a comment and let me know how it works.
And when you guys catch me making a mistake then let me know. I'm a tree...I can bend!
So remember, Zign Track by Smith Micro available at Content Paradise for sure.
Hollywood has left the building.
Just wanted to let you know that I made a boo-boo in my last blog about the software. Now I could've went back and just edited it but to let you know I'm not as perfect as it might seem I'd just tell you I made a mistake! Even Hollywood makes a mistake, especially under extreme excitement.
The software isn't called Zing Talk...it's called Zign Track. I still haven't had a chance to download it yet and was wondering if anyone else has tried it. If you have post a comment and let me know how it works.
And when you guys catch me making a mistake then let me know. I'm a tree...I can bend!
So remember, Zign Track by Smith Micro available at Content Paradise for sure.
Hollywood has left the building.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Awesome Software
I hate to tell you guys this but I still couldn't get enough results for the survey. So I give up.
Anyway, how many of you are into 3D animation? I'm talkin' serious 3D animation like Lightwave. If you are then you're going to love this. Remember when e-frontier owned Poser and they started making Poser Pro but right before they launched it Smith Micro bought them out? I was just grateful that Smith Micro had left it where Poser Pro was Lightwave friendly because if you need a quick model then whip it up in Poser Pro. I've been using Lightwave since V7.0 so I was quite happy that Poser was finally going to be compatible in case I needed a quickie model. Well, I have to give Smith Micro some credit because now they've come out with Zing Talk. I haven't personally got to use it yet as I just got the email yesterday but I'm buying it today after going to You Tube and watching these people use it. Here's what Zing Talk does.
If you don't want to pay $15,000.00 for some GOOD motion capture equipment and you don't have time to be messin' with phonemes all day long then this is for you. All you need is a camera (it can even be a webcam) and either some white stickey dots or makeup and the software. Take the dots or the makeup and you put it on different spots on your face that move (like your eyebrows, cheek bones, around your mouth, etc..) as long as it's where it is on your software. So far it only works with Poser V4 and up and Animation Master. Okay, so you have your model that you made, lets just use Poser as my example. You have your model set up in Poser and it's a monkey face. It has the dots on its face from Zing Talk. You put the dots on your face (yes, it's a very attractive look) and you look in the camera and start to talk or make faces and the model of your monkey does exactly the same thing. This is the closest thing to expensive motion capture equipment that I've ever seen and there's no wires or anything. Just you, your dots, your software and your monkey (or whatever).
I went to Smith Micro to go buy it but couldn't find it there unless I hit the link from the email they sent me. But since everyone didn't get the email then you can get it for 15% off (I think it's about $135.00) at Content Paradise through the month of September.
So for all you mocap fans out there...buy it, download it, dot your face up and have a blast!
Til next time.
Hollywood has left the building.
Anyway, how many of you are into 3D animation? I'm talkin' serious 3D animation like Lightwave. If you are then you're going to love this. Remember when e-frontier owned Poser and they started making Poser Pro but right before they launched it Smith Micro bought them out? I was just grateful that Smith Micro had left it where Poser Pro was Lightwave friendly because if you need a quick model then whip it up in Poser Pro. I've been using Lightwave since V7.0 so I was quite happy that Poser was finally going to be compatible in case I needed a quickie model. Well, I have to give Smith Micro some credit because now they've come out with Zing Talk. I haven't personally got to use it yet as I just got the email yesterday but I'm buying it today after going to You Tube and watching these people use it. Here's what Zing Talk does.
If you don't want to pay $15,000.00 for some GOOD motion capture equipment and you don't have time to be messin' with phonemes all day long then this is for you. All you need is a camera (it can even be a webcam) and either some white stickey dots or makeup and the software. Take the dots or the makeup and you put it on different spots on your face that move (like your eyebrows, cheek bones, around your mouth, etc..) as long as it's where it is on your software. So far it only works with Poser V4 and up and Animation Master. Okay, so you have your model that you made, lets just use Poser as my example. You have your model set up in Poser and it's a monkey face. It has the dots on its face from Zing Talk. You put the dots on your face (yes, it's a very attractive look) and you look in the camera and start to talk or make faces and the model of your monkey does exactly the same thing. This is the closest thing to expensive motion capture equipment that I've ever seen and there's no wires or anything. Just you, your dots, your software and your monkey (or whatever).
I went to Smith Micro to go buy it but couldn't find it there unless I hit the link from the email they sent me. But since everyone didn't get the email then you can get it for 15% off (I think it's about $135.00) at Content Paradise through the month of September.
So for all you mocap fans out there...buy it, download it, dot your face up and have a blast!
Til next time.
Hollywood has left the building.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Social Security Survey Update
Hey Everyone
Apparently there's been a little confusion on how to run this survey (see The Best Kept Secret in Social Security). I was trying to make it informal and just have everyone email me at an address I set up just for this survey. I was recently told by someone that they couldn't find the link to the survey and that's because I hadn't set up a form for all of you to fill out. So I've now made it easier. Just click on the link and it will take you to an actual form that you can fill out. I need a lot higher numbers then I have so I need everyone to please, take 1-2 minutes out of your life and fill out the survey because I want to send the results to congress. I'm not asking anyone to do anything I haven't done and I'm not asking anyone to do as much as I have. Are you so busy that you can't spare 1-2 minutes out of your life to try and make a difference? I hope not.
Since the numbers were so low on how many people responded I've decided to run the survey until August 31st at midnight PST. I hope I get a lot more results this time because if I went to Congress with what I have right now, I'd be laughed out of the building.
By the way, I personally have nothing to gain by everything I've been doing the past 4-5 years in trying to get a bill passed or the law changed. They decided my case years ago. So if anyone thinks I've been working my butt off on this issue for personal gain then you would be highly mistaken. I'm doing all of this because I care. How many of you care enough to take 1-2 minutes out of your life to try and help me help others? How many of you are there? I guess I'll find out because right now I'm very disappointed and I'm hoping that the lack of response was due to confusion about what I was asking you to do. There shouldn't be any confusion anymore. Click on the link and it'll take you right to the survey form.
For the few that already took the survey, I'm so grateful to be able to call you my "brothers and sisters". It's people like you that don't just sit around and hope that someone else will step up to the plate and do it instead of you. I hate to ask but would you mind stepping up to the plate again and fill out the survey on the form I've set up for you? From the comments you sent me I'm sure that you'll be the first to fill it out and I thank you for that.
Let's all step up to the plate this time. Nothing in this world will ever change for the better if we all just sit back and hope that the next person is doing something about it but I can assure you from what I saw the past few weeks the next person is doing exactly the same thing...NOTHING.
I'm putting my trust in the American people to please do the right thing. I can't do this by myself. I've tried for about 5 years now and no bills have been passed and no laws have been changed. I know deep down inside that there's millions of people that care about what happens to family, friends, strangers and future generations.
How 'bout it? Will you be one of the people that helps me help others?
Thank you for your time.
Hollywood : Click Here For Survey
Apparently there's been a little confusion on how to run this survey (see The Best Kept Secret in Social Security). I was trying to make it informal and just have everyone email me at an address I set up just for this survey. I was recently told by someone that they couldn't find the link to the survey and that's because I hadn't set up a form for all of you to fill out. So I've now made it easier. Just click on the link and it will take you to an actual form that you can fill out. I need a lot higher numbers then I have so I need everyone to please, take 1-2 minutes out of your life and fill out the survey because I want to send the results to congress. I'm not asking anyone to do anything I haven't done and I'm not asking anyone to do as much as I have. Are you so busy that you can't spare 1-2 minutes out of your life to try and make a difference? I hope not.
Since the numbers were so low on how many people responded I've decided to run the survey until August 31st at midnight PST. I hope I get a lot more results this time because if I went to Congress with what I have right now, I'd be laughed out of the building.
By the way, I personally have nothing to gain by everything I've been doing the past 4-5 years in trying to get a bill passed or the law changed. They decided my case years ago. So if anyone thinks I've been working my butt off on this issue for personal gain then you would be highly mistaken. I'm doing all of this because I care. How many of you care enough to take 1-2 minutes out of your life to try and help me help others? How many of you are there? I guess I'll find out because right now I'm very disappointed and I'm hoping that the lack of response was due to confusion about what I was asking you to do. There shouldn't be any confusion anymore. Click on the link and it'll take you right to the survey form.
For the few that already took the survey, I'm so grateful to be able to call you my "brothers and sisters". It's people like you that don't just sit around and hope that someone else will step up to the plate and do it instead of you. I hate to ask but would you mind stepping up to the plate again and fill out the survey on the form I've set up for you? From the comments you sent me I'm sure that you'll be the first to fill it out and I thank you for that.
Let's all step up to the plate this time. Nothing in this world will ever change for the better if we all just sit back and hope that the next person is doing something about it but I can assure you from what I saw the past few weeks the next person is doing exactly the same thing...NOTHING.
I'm putting my trust in the American people to please do the right thing. I can't do this by myself. I've tried for about 5 years now and no bills have been passed and no laws have been changed. I know deep down inside that there's millions of people that care about what happens to family, friends, strangers and future generations.
How 'bout it? Will you be one of the people that helps me help others?
Thank you for your time.
Hollywood : Click Here For Survey
Monday, July 7, 2008
The Best Kept Secret in Social Security
This is probably one of the most important blogs you'll ever read if you're an American citizen. If you're not then please read this anyway so everyone can learn something. I did and I learned it the hard way so it's finally time to reveal the best kept secret in the Social Security system.
Back in the early '80's I served my country in the U.S. Air Force and was very proud to do so. After that, I worked at General Dynamics and also did some contract work building Naval generators. Both of these were Department of Defense contracts. I worked for some other electronics companies after that and if you're in the biz then you know that these smaller companies and even some of the large ones can close their doors just as fast as they can open them. Like I built radio studios for awhile. That was pretty cool but how long is it going to be until the radio stations have their studios and the company lays off down to a skeleton crew just for support? I know you people in electronics know exactly what I'm talking about! I veered away from electronics twice. Once to be a security guard at a psychiatric institute (probably the most fun job I ever had and the worst pay I've ever made) and another time to work in an animal hospital. I love animals and this place was huge. It even had an elevator in it. There were a lot of animals there on a daily basis. Anyway, there's a little work history background and through the years I've learned a lot because of the different companies I've worked for. I enjoy working. I always have and I always will.
About 10 years ago I became permanently disabled. The nature of my disability isn't what's important. What happened afterwards is.
The first thing I did was to teach myself everything I could about computers and graphic design and opened up my own graphic design business. I ran it from home and that way I could set my own hours for when I did the actual work. I did have business hours for people to call in orders but if I was up all night then I could work then. I did okay but after two years I knew it was going to be too much of a struggle to keep up with the "big boys" and it was only a matter of time when I'd have to shut it down anyway. So I cut my losses after those two years and finally had to admit to myself that I am disabled and that I needed some help. I had began to reside in Canada which is where I had started that business (love has a way of making you land in places that you never even thought about putting roots down in). To my amazement I felt like I was still in the States except the crime rate is lower, they use the metric system, colored money (with one dollar being a coin called a "looney" and two dollars being a coin called a "tooney"), the Prime Minister election is held whenever the Prime Minister wants to hold it, they have National Healthcare so everyone can see a doctor, lawyers have to wear funny over-garments in court and everyone has to walk backwards when leaving the courtroom (so you don't turn your back on the emblem of the Queen), and a lot of people say "eh?" because one of the Prime Ministers said it once. Okay, so it's nothing like the States! Everyday life is like in the States. This is just my guesstimation but I would say that about 75% of the stores are from the U.S. Almost all of the television stations are from the U.S. (a lot of their news is about what's going on in the U.S.) and things like that. So it's very Americanized with a government based on England. Back to my story.
I decided that I was going to file for Social Security Disability. It really hurt me to have to admit that I had limitations and that I couldn't work a "regular" job. I can only work from out of my home and I have to be able to set my own hours. Not because I want to but because of the nature of my disability dictates certain things to me. I put my pride aside and filed my claim for disability. I wasn't eligible for SSI because I would have to reside in the States to collect that and since it only pays a little over half of what disability pays then I'd also have to have about 50 roommates!
I knew it would take awhile to get the decision back on my claim because they would have to get medical records from California and Canada. To keep myself busy I wrote a screenplay and taught myself 3d animation. I really got into that and got some software that they actually use in Hollywood and that has won quite a few Emmy awards. This isn't software that you just buy in a store either. With it being such an intense program I decided to take a correspondence course with someone who has many credits to his name and has worked for quite a few studios in Hollywood. He's been in the business for 20 years and has this course set up...well, it's just awesome and he's an awesome guy. While I was learning this new software my decision on my claim came back.
Are you finally ready for the big secret? I'm sure you've been saying "Hollywood, do we have to know all of this? Just tell us the secret!". My claim came back denied. It didn't come back that way because they don't think I'm permanently disabled. No. They have no problem saying that I'm disabled. Here's the secret that I was unaware of. They denied my claim because my claim was filed after "my insurable period of time". I've talked to a lot of people in the States since that first denial and asked them if they knew about this insurable period of time and I haven't received a "yes" one time. In fact, it's so well hid that one of the people that I was dealing with at Social Security said that he/she (don't want to get this person in any trouble) wasn't aware of it until they went to work FOR Social Security. They have a formula to figure out your "insurable period of time" so everyone is different. I would have had to file by Dec. 31st, 2002 for them to accept my claim but instead of filing I was still trying to earn a living with the graphic design business. I shut it down in 2003 and since I hadn't made enough profit to file an income tax claim, I never filed. The business itself wasn't even mine on paper since I'm not the one that put the money into it. I was considered an employee...the one and only employee but an employee. And since I didn't make enough to file a tax return then I didn't pay into Social Security either so they don't consider that I worked for that time period. So those two years never figured into the equation to figure out my "insurable period of time". I asked the question once, "What if someone has cancer and all they know is they don't feel good. They don't have enough money to have a bunch of tests run and by the time they do find out that it's cancer their insurable period of time has run out. Do you deny them?". I had to pick my chin up off of the floor when I heard a "Yes" come across the telephone. So here I had served my country, I worked my whole life and paid into Social Security until the time I became disabled and then I still tried to work, and I felt like I was being punished for it because I wasn't aware of this insurable period of time.
I appealed the decision. In fact, even though I knew it would be denied I appealed it 2 or 3 times.
You see, I don't want this to happen to one more American. I've been in contact with a couple of Senators because something has to be done about this. I fought the system for 4 years and lost every single time but based on principle alone I kept on fighting. Now my goal is to try and help get the law changed but if I can't do that then at least I can warn my fellow Americans about what the policy is on Social Security Disability. If you find yourself disabled DON"T TRY AND EARN AN INCOME. File your claim right away so you're not filing after your insurable period of time.
There is an upside in my story though. After my claim was denied the first time and I found out why then I knew I'd have to find some way to earn an income. I wasn't going to remain a victim of the system. I decided I'd try to work from home on the internet. I thought I had done some pretty good research but was scammed a few times before learning how to really research which places are legitimate and which ones aren't. You're probably wondering why I just didn't go back to making my movie. Well, I'm only one person so it'll take a long time for me to complete and I needed to start earning an income quicker then that. I finally hooked up with a company that's been rated the #1 most legitimate internet business today. Not only did they train me to become a Certified Media Placement Specialist but I also earn a steady income. This company is so sure of my success that they have a GUARANTEE in writing which is almost unheard of with these places. In fact, the lady that runs it and employs a staff of about 150 people was once a victim herself. She was the victim of the Justice system when she was left with no income and 4 kids to feed. She knew that for the survival of herself and her children she couldn't remain a victim and she'd become a survivor. Her story is very interesting and I've found a great respect for her. Although I've never met her (she lives in Arizona), I hear from her almost daily and that means the weekends also. She doesn't go around bragging that she's some big internet guru and she doesn't lie to you and tell you that you're going to become a millionaire overnight or even at all. She does tell you that you'll get the best training possible and if you follow what she and her staff suggest that you too will be making a steady income within a few months. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day so don't expect your business to be built in a day. I'm very grateful to her because she showed me that I don't have to be a victim of any system.
If you can relate to my story in any way at all or if you're just sick and tired of the rat race and trying to get ahead then check out my website www.24hourwebcash.com/havighorst5832 or give them a call at 1-800-719-8268 Ext. 22550 (Outside the United States? Dial 1-480-355-5612 Ext. 22550) and one of my coaches will be more then happy to give you the details about this program. There is a way out if you're a victim of a system or you're just not satisfied anymore with what you're doing. Remember that there is someone that cares. I care. I care because it happened to me and if I can help just one person out of a bad situation then everything I went through...the disability denial, the appeals being denied, the being scammed out of money time and time again with the get rich quick internet businesses, buying all the eBooks because the scammers work together and promote each other so they can become richer and richer...then at the end of the day it was all worth it.
But I don't want to turn this blog into some kind of sales pitch. That wasn't my intent. I wanted to inform my fellow Americans about what I consider the best kept secret in the Social Security system. If you don't walk away with anything else from this blog then at least you'll walk away with the knowledge of what you need to do if something ever happens to you.
In fact, I'm very curious about how many of you knew about the insurable period of time on Social Security disability. Even if you're disabled and you know about it now I want to know if you knew about it before you filed? So I'm going to run a survey until this Weds. July 30th at midnight MST. If you work for Social Security and you want to take part in this survey then I want to know if you knew about it BEFORE you went to work for Social Security. Here's what I want you to do. I'm going to give you my email address and I want you to tell me if you knew about the insurable period of time with Social Security disability. Also, if you were denied your claim because of that reason I'd like for you to tell me a little about it...especially how long you missed your ending date by. Leave your first name and last (optional), your email address, and the state that you reside in. I only want serious people to jump in on this and only one email per person. Did you get that? Per person...not per household. And please add your age also because I only want people that are ages 18+. Okay? I'll tally up what you all send me and if you have comments I'll take a few of the most unique or interesting ones and post them on Monday, August 4th along with the results. So again, the survey starts now and ends Weds. July 30th, 2008 at midnight Mountain Standard Time. And please, pass this information on to anyone that you know so they, too, will be informed. Start at home first with your children because they're never too young to start learning how things run with our government.
Send your emails to hollywood5832@yahoo.com
By the way, Granny Gidget is expected in about two weeks so we'll be getting into a lot of gadget information then.
Thanks everyone and peace out.
Hollywood has left the building!
Back in the early '80's I served my country in the U.S. Air Force and was very proud to do so. After that, I worked at General Dynamics and also did some contract work building Naval generators. Both of these were Department of Defense contracts. I worked for some other electronics companies after that and if you're in the biz then you know that these smaller companies and even some of the large ones can close their doors just as fast as they can open them. Like I built radio studios for awhile. That was pretty cool but how long is it going to be until the radio stations have their studios and the company lays off down to a skeleton crew just for support? I know you people in electronics know exactly what I'm talking about! I veered away from electronics twice. Once to be a security guard at a psychiatric institute (probably the most fun job I ever had and the worst pay I've ever made) and another time to work in an animal hospital. I love animals and this place was huge. It even had an elevator in it. There were a lot of animals there on a daily basis. Anyway, there's a little work history background and through the years I've learned a lot because of the different companies I've worked for. I enjoy working. I always have and I always will.
About 10 years ago I became permanently disabled. The nature of my disability isn't what's important. What happened afterwards is.
The first thing I did was to teach myself everything I could about computers and graphic design and opened up my own graphic design business. I ran it from home and that way I could set my own hours for when I did the actual work. I did have business hours for people to call in orders but if I was up all night then I could work then. I did okay but after two years I knew it was going to be too much of a struggle to keep up with the "big boys" and it was only a matter of time when I'd have to shut it down anyway. So I cut my losses after those two years and finally had to admit to myself that I am disabled and that I needed some help. I had began to reside in Canada which is where I had started that business (love has a way of making you land in places that you never even thought about putting roots down in). To my amazement I felt like I was still in the States except the crime rate is lower, they use the metric system, colored money (with one dollar being a coin called a "looney" and two dollars being a coin called a "tooney"), the Prime Minister election is held whenever the Prime Minister wants to hold it, they have National Healthcare so everyone can see a doctor, lawyers have to wear funny over-garments in court and everyone has to walk backwards when leaving the courtroom (so you don't turn your back on the emblem of the Queen), and a lot of people say "eh?" because one of the Prime Ministers said it once. Okay, so it's nothing like the States! Everyday life is like in the States. This is just my guesstimation but I would say that about 75% of the stores are from the U.S. Almost all of the television stations are from the U.S. (a lot of their news is about what's going on in the U.S.) and things like that. So it's very Americanized with a government based on England. Back to my story.
I decided that I was going to file for Social Security Disability. It really hurt me to have to admit that I had limitations and that I couldn't work a "regular" job. I can only work from out of my home and I have to be able to set my own hours. Not because I want to but because of the nature of my disability dictates certain things to me. I put my pride aside and filed my claim for disability. I wasn't eligible for SSI because I would have to reside in the States to collect that and since it only pays a little over half of what disability pays then I'd also have to have about 50 roommates!
I knew it would take awhile to get the decision back on my claim because they would have to get medical records from California and Canada. To keep myself busy I wrote a screenplay and taught myself 3d animation. I really got into that and got some software that they actually use in Hollywood and that has won quite a few Emmy awards. This isn't software that you just buy in a store either. With it being such an intense program I decided to take a correspondence course with someone who has many credits to his name and has worked for quite a few studios in Hollywood. He's been in the business for 20 years and has this course set up...well, it's just awesome and he's an awesome guy. While I was learning this new software my decision on my claim came back.
Are you finally ready for the big secret? I'm sure you've been saying "Hollywood, do we have to know all of this? Just tell us the secret!". My claim came back denied. It didn't come back that way because they don't think I'm permanently disabled. No. They have no problem saying that I'm disabled. Here's the secret that I was unaware of. They denied my claim because my claim was filed after "my insurable period of time". I've talked to a lot of people in the States since that first denial and asked them if they knew about this insurable period of time and I haven't received a "yes" one time. In fact, it's so well hid that one of the people that I was dealing with at Social Security said that he/she (don't want to get this person in any trouble) wasn't aware of it until they went to work FOR Social Security. They have a formula to figure out your "insurable period of time" so everyone is different. I would have had to file by Dec. 31st, 2002 for them to accept my claim but instead of filing I was still trying to earn a living with the graphic design business. I shut it down in 2003 and since I hadn't made enough profit to file an income tax claim, I never filed. The business itself wasn't even mine on paper since I'm not the one that put the money into it. I was considered an employee...the one and only employee but an employee. And since I didn't make enough to file a tax return then I didn't pay into Social Security either so they don't consider that I worked for that time period. So those two years never figured into the equation to figure out my "insurable period of time". I asked the question once, "What if someone has cancer and all they know is they don't feel good. They don't have enough money to have a bunch of tests run and by the time they do find out that it's cancer their insurable period of time has run out. Do you deny them?". I had to pick my chin up off of the floor when I heard a "Yes" come across the telephone. So here I had served my country, I worked my whole life and paid into Social Security until the time I became disabled and then I still tried to work, and I felt like I was being punished for it because I wasn't aware of this insurable period of time.
I appealed the decision. In fact, even though I knew it would be denied I appealed it 2 or 3 times.
You see, I don't want this to happen to one more American. I've been in contact with a couple of Senators because something has to be done about this. I fought the system for 4 years and lost every single time but based on principle alone I kept on fighting. Now my goal is to try and help get the law changed but if I can't do that then at least I can warn my fellow Americans about what the policy is on Social Security Disability. If you find yourself disabled DON"T TRY AND EARN AN INCOME. File your claim right away so you're not filing after your insurable period of time.
There is an upside in my story though. After my claim was denied the first time and I found out why then I knew I'd have to find some way to earn an income. I wasn't going to remain a victim of the system. I decided I'd try to work from home on the internet. I thought I had done some pretty good research but was scammed a few times before learning how to really research which places are legitimate and which ones aren't. You're probably wondering why I just didn't go back to making my movie. Well, I'm only one person so it'll take a long time for me to complete and I needed to start earning an income quicker then that. I finally hooked up with a company that's been rated the #1 most legitimate internet business today. Not only did they train me to become a Certified Media Placement Specialist but I also earn a steady income. This company is so sure of my success that they have a GUARANTEE in writing which is almost unheard of with these places. In fact, the lady that runs it and employs a staff of about 150 people was once a victim herself. She was the victim of the Justice system when she was left with no income and 4 kids to feed. She knew that for the survival of herself and her children she couldn't remain a victim and she'd become a survivor. Her story is very interesting and I've found a great respect for her. Although I've never met her (she lives in Arizona), I hear from her almost daily and that means the weekends also. She doesn't go around bragging that she's some big internet guru and she doesn't lie to you and tell you that you're going to become a millionaire overnight or even at all. She does tell you that you'll get the best training possible and if you follow what she and her staff suggest that you too will be making a steady income within a few months. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day so don't expect your business to be built in a day. I'm very grateful to her because she showed me that I don't have to be a victim of any system.
If you can relate to my story in any way at all or if you're just sick and tired of the rat race and trying to get ahead then check out my website www.24hourwebcash.com/havighorst5832 or give them a call at 1-800-719-8268 Ext. 22550 (Outside the United States? Dial 1-480-355-5612 Ext. 22550) and one of my coaches will be more then happy to give you the details about this program. There is a way out if you're a victim of a system or you're just not satisfied anymore with what you're doing. Remember that there is someone that cares. I care. I care because it happened to me and if I can help just one person out of a bad situation then everything I went through...the disability denial, the appeals being denied, the being scammed out of money time and time again with the get rich quick internet businesses, buying all the eBooks because the scammers work together and promote each other so they can become richer and richer...then at the end of the day it was all worth it.
But I don't want to turn this blog into some kind of sales pitch. That wasn't my intent. I wanted to inform my fellow Americans about what I consider the best kept secret in the Social Security system. If you don't walk away with anything else from this blog then at least you'll walk away with the knowledge of what you need to do if something ever happens to you.
In fact, I'm very curious about how many of you knew about the insurable period of time on Social Security disability. Even if you're disabled and you know about it now I want to know if you knew about it before you filed? So I'm going to run a survey until this Weds. July 30th at midnight MST. If you work for Social Security and you want to take part in this survey then I want to know if you knew about it BEFORE you went to work for Social Security. Here's what I want you to do. I'm going to give you my email address and I want you to tell me if you knew about the insurable period of time with Social Security disability. Also, if you were denied your claim because of that reason I'd like for you to tell me a little about it...especially how long you missed your ending date by. Leave your first name and last (optional), your email address, and the state that you reside in. I only want serious people to jump in on this and only one email per person. Did you get that? Per person...not per household. And please add your age also because I only want people that are ages 18+. Okay? I'll tally up what you all send me and if you have comments I'll take a few of the most unique or interesting ones and post them on Monday, August 4th along with the results. So again, the survey starts now and ends Weds. July 30th, 2008 at midnight Mountain Standard Time. And please, pass this information on to anyone that you know so they, too, will be informed. Start at home first with your children because they're never too young to start learning how things run with our government.
Send your emails to hollywood5832@yahoo.com
By the way, Granny Gidget is expected in about two weeks so we'll be getting into a lot of gadget information then.
Thanks everyone and peace out.
Hollywood has left the building!
Monday, June 23, 2008
2 Great Money Making Business Ideas to Build Your Cash Flow
Every business person knows how important cash flow is to their continued success. It is the lifeblood of every business, yet many online entrepreneurs do not understand how to factor it into their business plans. You cannot operate your business without money; real, ready-to-spend cash. Money making ideas come in all shapes and sizes, but not all of them will put cash in your quickly enough, even if you make sales immediately. Because as you know, sales is not equal to cash.
Whenever you evaluate money making business ideas, there are at least two three critical components you should look for in order to qualify those business opportunities. Whether you will operate online or off-line, your new business should pass these three tests. Mind you, many solid businesses today are not judged on these criteria, but for a new business owner without a large budget, these two things are critical.
1. Your Business Must Generate Immediate Cash Sales, not Accounts Receivable
Look at it this way. If you are starting out on a budget of $200.00 and you expect to make a profit in the first 30 days, your business is going to have to generate spendable cash within those 30 days. This is not unrealistic, in that there are many workable business models online that will generate cash in one to three days. Accounts Receivable, even from the most reliable debtor, is a huge cash flow killer and not a money making business idea to be considered for this business model.
Your business must be able to generate enough sales to replenish your original cash in that short time. This means, that your business should pay you your money immediately you generate the sales, and that money must be transferable into your bank account, be it PayPal, AlertPay, SafePay, or any other bank account immediately. Many affiliate programs do not qualify as a workable model in this sense because most affiliate managers will not pay you immediately. You usually have to wait 30 days or more, and then you will only get a check. That is not good enough when you need spendable cash in a hurry.
2. You Should Be Able To Convert Your Money Into Spendable Cash Right Away
There is no sense having sales without having access to the cash. This means that when you are paid, you should be able to convert those sales into cash within a few days at the worst. Many large companies can generate huge cash flows for your business, especially those Network Marketing Companies. The bad thing is that you will have to wait a full month to be paid and then another two to four weeks for that money to become cash in your bank account. That is not good for cash flow. If you are depending on this type of business to put food on the table, you will have a huge problem.
Even the great Clickbank does not qualify as a quick cash flow facilitator in this regard. The reason is simple. They will pay you a check every two weeks. Where I live, that two weeks turns into four weeks due to long mail delays, and then it takes another four weeks for my local bank to make cash available to me. ClickBank can be part of a great business model, as it is for me, but a lousy facilitator for quick cash flows.
Here is a better scenario. What if you could get into a business that allowed you to put your money directly into your online bank account, then transfer that money to your local bank any time you want, with only a 3 - 5 day delay?
This would provide a better solution for the many persons who want to start online businesses without a lot of money on hand. The next benefit of using one of these money making ideas is the reduction of financial risk. It is not a great financial risk for you to put in $100 to $250 into a business in order to test out whether it will work or not. That is a much better proposition than plunking down $600 to $1000 in an MLM for three months before you discover that you are not able to make it work.
So there you have it. These are two things you should consider when you are evaluating money making ideas. Find a business that will generate immediate cash into your online bank account. Ensure that your money can be transferred into your local bank account in a matter of days. It is easy to check these things before you start your business, by going to the online processor(s) and check their FAQ's.
Anthony Chambers is an expert writer and entrepreneur. To prosper on the Internet, you need to take bold action right now! But how do you stir your creative juices and turn your passion into cash? Discover the best kept secret of successful online marketing experts and learn how to control dozens of income-producing systems in a matter of weeks: Money Making Ideas
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Chambers
Whenever you evaluate money making business ideas, there are at least two three critical components you should look for in order to qualify those business opportunities. Whether you will operate online or off-line, your new business should pass these three tests. Mind you, many solid businesses today are not judged on these criteria, but for a new business owner without a large budget, these two things are critical.
1. Your Business Must Generate Immediate Cash Sales, not Accounts Receivable
Look at it this way. If you are starting out on a budget of $200.00 and you expect to make a profit in the first 30 days, your business is going to have to generate spendable cash within those 30 days. This is not unrealistic, in that there are many workable business models online that will generate cash in one to three days. Accounts Receivable, even from the most reliable debtor, is a huge cash flow killer and not a money making business idea to be considered for this business model.
Your business must be able to generate enough sales to replenish your original cash in that short time. This means, that your business should pay you your money immediately you generate the sales, and that money must be transferable into your bank account, be it PayPal, AlertPay, SafePay, or any other bank account immediately. Many affiliate programs do not qualify as a workable model in this sense because most affiliate managers will not pay you immediately. You usually have to wait 30 days or more, and then you will only get a check. That is not good enough when you need spendable cash in a hurry.
2. You Should Be Able To Convert Your Money Into Spendable Cash Right Away
There is no sense having sales without having access to the cash. This means that when you are paid, you should be able to convert those sales into cash within a few days at the worst. Many large companies can generate huge cash flows for your business, especially those Network Marketing Companies. The bad thing is that you will have to wait a full month to be paid and then another two to four weeks for that money to become cash in your bank account. That is not good for cash flow. If you are depending on this type of business to put food on the table, you will have a huge problem.
Even the great Clickbank does not qualify as a quick cash flow facilitator in this regard. The reason is simple. They will pay you a check every two weeks. Where I live, that two weeks turns into four weeks due to long mail delays, and then it takes another four weeks for my local bank to make cash available to me. ClickBank can be part of a great business model, as it is for me, but a lousy facilitator for quick cash flows.
Here is a better scenario. What if you could get into a business that allowed you to put your money directly into your online bank account, then transfer that money to your local bank any time you want, with only a 3 - 5 day delay?
This would provide a better solution for the many persons who want to start online businesses without a lot of money on hand. The next benefit of using one of these money making ideas is the reduction of financial risk. It is not a great financial risk for you to put in $100 to $250 into a business in order to test out whether it will work or not. That is a much better proposition than plunking down $600 to $1000 in an MLM for three months before you discover that you are not able to make it work.
So there you have it. These are two things you should consider when you are evaluating money making ideas. Find a business that will generate immediate cash into your online bank account. Ensure that your money can be transferred into your local bank account in a matter of days. It is easy to check these things before you start your business, by going to the online processor(s) and check their FAQ's.
Anthony Chambers is an expert writer and entrepreneur. To prosper on the Internet, you need to take bold action right now! But how do you stir your creative juices and turn your passion into cash? Discover the best kept secret of successful online marketing experts and learn how to control dozens of income-producing systems in a matter of weeks: Money Making Ideas
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Chambers
The Pros and Cons of the Playstation 3 - PS3
With lots of hype and opinion on what's good and what's bad on the ps3, here is some unbiased information regarding this console. If you're thinking of buying a ps3 and can't decide, this may just help.
Ok, first of all I know I said "unbiased" but I have to say straight off that the ps3, in my opinion is absolutely superb and I refer mainly to its graphics. If you read other people's opinions, most if not all, will say that the graphics are outstanding.
Normally though, there are pros and cons with everything aren't there? If pushed, even a salesperson would have to admit that his or her product has down sides - nothing is perfect, surely?
The Playstation 3, or ps3 as it's very often known, is no exception. The pros first then.
I'll say it again - the graphics have to be number 1 on the list of pros. I mean they are just superb. If there are better graphics out there, I for one have not seen them.
With the ps3 there's an onboard Bluray DVD drive able to hold more information than a standard DVD disc. The Xbox 360 certainly supports Bluray but it doesn't come with the package - with the ps3 it does!
The games for ps3 are truly superb. Not my opinion only, just check on the internet for feedback.
The ps3 comes with a motion sensitive controller but this is not as advanced as the one from Nintendo. With the ps3 controller you are still really stuck on your butt doing much the same as if it were not motion sensitive.
Load of space on this thing with around 40 to 60 GB! Wow!
The cons?
Not many cons. Both in my opinion and in most reviews.
It is evident though that the first of the cons is the price at around £299. Its competitor, the Wii is around £179. £300 is a lot of money to fork out and of course you need the games to play the ps3.
Programming the ps3 might, if you're a newbie, be a little difficult to get your head around.
Many a person have stated in reviews and elsewhere that the lack of a rumble feature on the controller is a disappointment. It takes just a tad of excitement off the edge of gaming. It may not be a problem to you, especially if it's your first console and in the light of that you may not consider this to be one of the cons.
Some may argue that the pros and cons weigh each other out and that the bottom line is, the ps3 is just superb! That may be. But the decision now is yours.
John Milligan.
Ok, first of all I know I said "unbiased" but I have to say straight off that the ps3, in my opinion is absolutely superb and I refer mainly to its graphics. If you read other people's opinions, most if not all, will say that the graphics are outstanding.
Normally though, there are pros and cons with everything aren't there? If pushed, even a salesperson would have to admit that his or her product has down sides - nothing is perfect, surely?
The Playstation 3, or ps3 as it's very often known, is no exception. The pros first then.
I'll say it again - the graphics have to be number 1 on the list of pros. I mean they are just superb. If there are better graphics out there, I for one have not seen them.
With the ps3 there's an onboard Bluray DVD drive able to hold more information than a standard DVD disc. The Xbox 360 certainly supports Bluray but it doesn't come with the package - with the ps3 it does!
The games for ps3 are truly superb. Not my opinion only, just check on the internet for feedback.
The ps3 comes with a motion sensitive controller but this is not as advanced as the one from Nintendo. With the ps3 controller you are still really stuck on your butt doing much the same as if it were not motion sensitive.
Load of space on this thing with around 40 to 60 GB! Wow!
The cons?
Not many cons. Both in my opinion and in most reviews.
It is evident though that the first of the cons is the price at around £299. Its competitor, the Wii is around £179. £300 is a lot of money to fork out and of course you need the games to play the ps3.
Programming the ps3 might, if you're a newbie, be a little difficult to get your head around.
Many a person have stated in reviews and elsewhere that the lack of a rumble feature on the controller is a disappointment. It takes just a tad of excitement off the edge of gaming. It may not be a problem to you, especially if it's your first console and in the light of that you may not consider this to be one of the cons.
Some may argue that the pros and cons weigh each other out and that the bottom line is, the ps3 is just superb! That may be. But the decision now is yours.
John Milligan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)