SURFING: 2010

I keep hand-written notes daily, from which I get my blog ideas

Keeping Journals is one of the best things you can do for your mental health and well-being. And a blog is no more than an online journal.

And…

It’s unbelievably easy to get started with a blog on Blogspot. Plus, it’s absolutely FREE!

What is a blog? Blog is short for "web log" or "web diary". Some people call writing in this diary or log: "journaling" and journaling is good for you. It can be good for others too... if you go public and they like what you write.

Here are the steps:

Go to www.blogspot.com or search “blogspot”. Either way, it will take you to Blogspot’s Home Page. You will also see a link to Blogger.com. What is the difference between Blogger and Blogspot? Read Isaac Yassar’s concise but informative article here:
http://isaacyassar.blogspot.com/2009/03/difference-between-blogger-and-blogspot.html

If you don’t have a Google Account you will need to create one. But it’s easy. Just fill in the blanks. Don’t worry if you use another account for your emails. I use Yahoo Mail and have never had a problem.

Once you’ve created your account, sign in, and then click “Get Started” on the Blogspot Home Page.

Then all you need to do is follow the prompts. Decide on a name for your blog and use it as part of your URL (your blog’s address on the web). Learn more about “URL” here:

http://websearch.about.com/od/dailywebsearchtips/qt/dnt0526.htm

To decide on a name for your blog, consider your subject and then do a keyword search. If the top keywords for your subject are in the title of your blog and also in your blog’s address, you’re doing great. It will place you higher in search results, thereby giving you more hits (readers of your blog!).

If you don't want to share your blog, you can set it to Private. Watch this video:
http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42673

How to add video to your blog post. Adding video to your blog is easier than you think. If you have videos that you like on YouTube or have uploaded there yourself, just go to YouTube and find the video you want to transfer. Underneath the video you will see several buttons: Like, Add To, Share, and Embed.

Click on the one that says Embed. A code will pop up. Make sure it is highlighted then copy and paste it to your blog. To do this, make sure that your Edit Posts page is set to Edit HTML. Then place it where you want it and hit Save Draft or Publish. Your video should now be on your page.

How to find keywords. To find popular searches using keywords and phrases, search “Google Keyword Tool”. It’s free and easy. At the top of the page you will see two ads that look about the same. But one is in pink. This means it is a paid advertisement. Below it, in the white part, is another one.

The white area is called “The organic listing area”. This means that these items have popped up based solely on your search criteria. They did not pay to be at the top of the page. Most people click here first because they believe, whether it’s true or not, that these items will give them more genuine results, more honest businesses, etc.

So, the “Keyword Google Tool” at the top of the page in the pink reads “Get Qualified Visitors To Your Site Place Your Ad On Google Today!”. That is not what we want. We want the one that reads “Enter one keyword or phrase per line to see what related word searches your ad will show on”.

So click on that one and it will bring you to the Google Adwords page with two boxes at the top. We are only concerned with the one that says “word or phrase”. Type in the word or phrase you are searching for and voila! It will bring up a number of search terms divided by global monthly searches and local monthly searches. Depending on your business, whether you are seeking global contacts or just local business prospects, look in that section.

Then take note of the search terms from highest to lowest number. This should help you, not only choose the name for your site, but also in selecting the words you use in your articles (to bring a greater number of readers to your site).

Now, you’ll need to have more than one option for your title and address, in case it is already being used by someone else. So plug in your choice and proceed. Blogspot will let you know if your blog address is taken, and offer up a couple of alternative selections.

On the page that is Step 2, click on a template that looks nice, hit continue, and you have your blog. If you don’t like your template, you can change it any time.

Click on “Start Blogging” and it will take you to the posting page. Now you will want to click on each of the tabs and highlighted areas to learn more about your blog. If you have questions, click on the HELP tab in the upper right hand corner of the page. You will be able to do searches here regarding any area in which you are having trouble. If your question is not answered to your satisfaction there are also Video Tutorials and a Help Forum. Plus, there is always, what my husband and I call “the Brain”… just do a regular search on the internet. Guaranteed, someone somewhere has already asked your question and received an answer.

Comments and corrections welcome.

Journaling as Therapy:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/40281/journaling_as_therapy_getting_to_know.html?cat=5

How Effective Journaling can Minimize Anxiety:

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2009/01/22/how-effective-journaling-can-minimize-anxiety

Start Journaling Regularly to help Reduce Anxiety:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2283427_reduce-anxiety.html

The Anxiety Panic Attack Journal:

http://www.easycalm.com/blog/

And for the Best Blogging Advice Ever:
http://futuretwits.blogspot.com/2010/12/5-tips-to-grow-blog-to-1000-visitors.html

While watching the episode of professional surfer Anastasia Ashley on World of Jenks, I had to remind myself that it's probably not as easy as she was making it look. There's many factors that a surfer must be aware of, for instance, water conditions. Another big factor that must be addressed before surfing is to ask yourself the question: Am I a good swimmer?

I would consider myself a decent swimmer, but mind you, I'm talking about in a pool. Swimming in the ocean is an entirely different beast that can be quite unpredictable. I would imagine one would have to be a great swimmer if they're going to be swimming out to deep parts of the ocean, but Camp Surf, a program in California that teaches surfing to all ages and levels, said a gold medal in Olympic swimming is not needed to surf. However, they advise to novice surfers it would be a good idea to be a decent swimmer before taking lessons. As long as the waves aren't like the ones Jenks encountered on the day of his surf lesson with Anastasia, I'd like to strap on my wetsuit and give it a swirl! Below are some pointers for beginner surfers. Enjoy!