Notes

This is another "Thank you for letting the TexNetMaine Blogging Network occupy some of your valuable time" posts. I'll  never tire of doing these types of posts, because when I do them, it means good news for the dedicated, professional and otherwise Dumbass Staff (that would be me) at TexNetMaine.

The first 2 1/2 months of 2011 have been a time of some pretty impressive figures for all of the TexNetMaine member blogs. Day by day we are seeing more and more new readers at least stop by to take a peek at Three States Plus One, Dumbass News and Because Toby Said So. Thank you. I am humbled.

If you read a story that you like, please pass it on to your friends and family. Heather and I are working on a podcast and a live internet radio show where you can call in and we could talk about anything you like. You can bet the farm that I'll let you know about it in advance.

I have so many ideas for the TexNetMaine Blogging Family that I am working on in addition to the podcast, that I can't even begin to tell you about. I want to make TexNetMaine your alternative to the media you watch and listen to. Some of you reading this have already heard me on the radio, so I feel fairly confident that I can put something good online that you'll want to hear at your convenience, live or podcast. Also, as I have said many times, I'd love to have you write a Guest Post for any of my blogs. Just shoot me an email at texnetmaine AT gmail DOT com.

Thanks, y'all!

Adios,
Toby

Issy Launches Blog on Sunday!!!

Grand Opening Tomorrow!

A couple of days ago, I wrote this piece about a big announcement to take place soon on TexNetMaine. The big news is that my 8 year old daughter will be blogging on her very own site starting tomorrow (Sunday, 2/20/2011) !!! I am very excited to welcome her into the TexNetMaine family, even though I see her every day at home. :) I will, of course, monitor everything that has to do with the blog, Because Issy Said So. Let me assure you that I will be very diligent in monitoring the blog, so that my child and your children will not exposed to any material that is not suitable for kids. I am the only person that has the password and control of all tools, especially the security tools, that are used to make the blog appropriate for all kids.

Let's have fun together and enjoy the posts that Issy writes and some of the future feartures that will be added as time goes by. As always, please feel free to comment on the blog. ayour feedback can only help us improve things. See you tomorrow!

Because TobyI Issy said so.

A REALLY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I am adding yet another blog to the TexNetMaine Blogging Network! Read on for all the details!

Following in Daddy's Footsteps

I was talking to my eight year old daughter this morning as she was geting ready for school and I came up with a brilliant idea. A little info first: Isabella (my 8 year old) is a very smart little girl. She is a leader when it comes to her class at school. She works and studies diligently and is always bringing  home some sort of Classroom Award for the school work she does. Her mother and I are very proud of her. Issy also a very creative child. She's constantly drawing or writing a story, usually about her family.  :) It's her creativity that that I think will serve her well a she grows up and in fact one day it's that creative streak in her that could make her very successful in whatever she chooses to do in life.

THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Issy is going to have her own blog! I am going ro put it together for her over the next day or two and then Issy is on her own to write about whatever she wants to. I think it will a great tool in developing her writing skills as well as honing the tremendous gift of her creative abilities. Also, I think it will be a great way for adults to see what an eight year old mind observes in the world around her, and maybe those parents who read Issy's blog will talk to their own children about the subject of  that particular day. It's a win-win situation for everybody. The subject matter of Issy's blog will vary from day to day, thus offering a variety of things for kids to read and maybe even learn from.

IMPORTANT STUFF FOR PARENT TO READ: I am going to supervise every key stroke that Issy is posting to her blog. I understand the potential dangers a child could face on the internet, so I'll be like a duck on a June Bug when it comes to making sure that Issy is safe from these potential dangers. Therefore, by extension, your child will be safe in reading the stories Issy posts. My child and yours are the number 1 concern when it comes to internet safety. Rest assured that what is posted on Issy's blog will be closely monitored personally by me. Issy won't even have the password to her blog, so there's one safety measure in place right there. I'll also set the blog to be family friendly with certain filters that will block any material unsuitable for children. The bottom line is that I am asking for your trust in me that your child will be 100% safe when reading Issy's blog.

I guess that's about it. Be looking for a big announcement when Issy's blog goes live! now it's off to Blog Design Land!

Adios,
Toby

Number 1 With a Bullet UPDATED: Scroll Down

Success!

It's been a wild week here at the TexNetMaine Headquarters, better known as my living room, and I have reached the point of physical and mental exhaustion. But it's a good kind of exhaustion. The kind of exhaustion you get when you've taken your kids out to do something special, like a carnival or fair. When you get done, you are dead ass tired, but in a good way. That's how I feel today. Tired, but gratified. As you'll recall, a couple of days ago, I told you of some new writing opportunties I have. I have been steady at that plus doing all the Daddy things that are a part of daily life.

I am still in the process of trying to get some loot for giveaways on all my blogs, but I am sad to report that no company wants to play nice. Still, I sally forth in a valiant effort to secure booty (not that kind of booty, I am a married man) for you, my dear friends and readers. That's just how I roll. Besides, what ever free shit I get for you guys, I get some too! is my way of saying "thank you" for your unwavering support.

I would once again like to remind you that if you'd like to write something for any of my blogs, I will be more than happy to review your submission and post it where applicable. Please just make sure you keep it to my usual low standards and feel free to use "colorful metaphors" liberally. I do have a reputation to live down.

I also wanted pass along some blog stats to you. Take a look at this:

• Three States Plus One  is now read in seventy-four countries, all 50 states and Washington, DC.
• Dumbass News is showing remarkable growth. It has followers from seventy-one countries around the globe, all 50 states and the nation's Capital.
• Because Toby Said So is gaining readership every week and is now read in nineteen countries, 42 states and Washington, DC.

As you can see, I have big dreams for the TexNetMaine Blogging Network and with your support, those dreams will be realized. Thank you all for making this a labor love.

UPDATE: I am a dumbass, which many of you already knew, but I forgot to give you my email address for your Guest Blogger submissions. It's TexNetMaine AT gmail DOT com.

My Blogging and Writing Empire Extends Its Reach to Other Venues!

Writer's Block

In my last post I made a point of telling letting you know how well all of my blogs are doing. And doing well they are. Several of my posts have gone viral, meaning that they have been shared and have become very popular on the web. Other than writing the posts, I had nothing to do with them going viral. The credit for that belongs with you, the reader. Let me say how grateful I am that you would stop by to read what I write, much less make the effort to send it out to your friends and family. Thank you.

Over the last few days I have been looking around the internet for other forums in which to "showcase" my writing. Yesterday, I signed up with a couple of them that pay me to write stuff for them. As a matter of fact, I wrote my first piece for one of them last night. If you are so inclined, go on over and give it a read and even rate it if you like. I am always the optimist, so I know that these new opportunities will, at the very least, be beneficial to me and my family. FYI, the things I'll write about on these new (to me) sites, will be quite a bit different than what you read on my blogs. The new stuff will be <GASP> a little more serious in nature. I think I can handle it though.  :)

I am still looking for some cooperative companies to trade out some giveaway merchandise for free ad space on one or more of my blogs. Wish me luck on that. I have a couple of ideas on how to make this work and I'll be checking on them later today.

Here's a list of all the sites, including my blogs, that am writing for and the Pen Name I use:

• Helium.com - Toby Shoemaker
• Seed.com - Toby Shoemaker
• Technorati.com - Toby Shoemaker
• HubPages.com - FishFearMe
• ConstantContent.com - Toby Dillon
• Three States Plus One
• Dumbass News
• Because Toby Said So

I haven't published to all the new sites yet, so you might want to give me a day or two to get up to snuff with them. Please keep in mind that I am doing all of this by myself, so I've got my plate full every day. This would be a good time to remind you that if you want to write a guest post for one of my blogs, just drop me a line at TexNetMaine AT gmail DOT com, and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Thanks to all of you for making what I do worthy of doing. God bless and take care.


Toby, Blog Administrator
Three States Plus One
Dumbass News
Because Toby Said So