Did you come looking for The Monday Mission?
The 3-year mission is over.
Yet, all is not lost. You can always go back in time, start at the beginning and work your way up!
The Monday Misson began right here, will you accept the Mission?
As for me, I am gonna enjoy the break.
Catch ya later today!
Those of you on the Monday Mission Mailing List will get one last mailer after this week, telling you how to join the new PromoGuy dot Net mailing list. I felt I needed to start a new list, since there are over 300 members to the MMMailer. That old list will be purged and I will put up a new sign-up box for me to send out announcements on this site. OK? OK.
Welcome to the end of the line, folks. This is Mission's End. You accepted your mission like a pro, and now be proud that you have completed it.
I think I've gone over the "whys" of this decision, so I won't do it once again. I just want to thank everyone who has ever joined in the Monday Mission, whether it was one time only, stopped doing it years ago or just recently started taking part. It has been so much fun, and more than anything else, has been a great way to meet new people, read new blogs, and hopefully, help you get to know ME a little better.
When I began, I tried to make this "meme" (weekly Q&A) different from all the others. I don't know if I fully succeeded or not, but every week I put in my best effort to make the questions relevant and important.
"The meme that makes you go Hmmmmmm."
I always wanted you to think, to put some thought and effort into your answers because I always put some of myself into the questions. And what a lot of questions there were:
80 Comment Questions
110 Bonus
770 MM Questions
..give or take
Any wonder why I think I've done all I can with it?
I hope you've had fun, and while the MM is over, PromoGuy dot Net will keep on going.
So....
This is, at long last, the final edition of PromoGuy's Monday Mission. Sheesh, I actually have a lump in my throat....
2. What was the last audio CD you paid money for?
[ from MM 1.3]
3. Has someone you know ever told you they had a terminal illness? What was it like for you when you found out. How did that change your relationship with them?
[ from MM 2.45]
4. Do you have an accent? Are there any phrases or words you say that tip folks that you aren't from around these parts?
[ from MM 2.38]
5. What's the difference between being a Father, and being a Daddy?
[ from MM 3.25]
6. What is the most recent thing guilt has motivated you to do?
[ from MM 2.50]
7. How do you feel about tips and tipping? Do you feel obligated to tip even if your service is bad because you know the servers don't get paid much? If you've ever relied on tips for your income, how do you feel when you don't get any?
[This is a new one, had to throw in at least one more hot topic before I sign off]
BONUS: Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
Today's Comment Question: Your Mission is finally over, please file your report.
And all this could be
Such a dream, so it seems
I was never much good at goodbye
Goodbye....
˜˜˜ ˜˜˜ ˜˜˜
Well, well. Did you ever think we'd get to # 3.52? \
We did 52 Monday Missions! Amazing!!
Here we are at the end of 2003, and nearly the end of the Monday Mission. Next week, as you know will be the last Monday Mission and while it is time, it is bittersweet. I know, I know, you are tired of hearing me whine about it. Keep it going if it is such a big deal. Nah. I'll shut up about it.
Hope you all had a great Christmas/Holidays, and are looking forward to a fun New Year's Eve.
Next week, I will feature some of my favorite MM questions for the big finale!
2. Are you returning any gifts you were given for Christmas?
3. For me, the best part of Christmas being over is that there will be no more Fran Drescher "Old Navy" commercials. Ugh, bring back Morgan Fairchild! What is the best part of Christmas being over?
4. Used to be, we would always get together with friends and have Margaritas on New Year's Eve (though time has passed and friends drift apart, so not anymore, sadly). My Grandma always makes sure to eat Black Eyed Peas on N.Y.E. I know of another couple who "do it" on NYE, and time it to reach their "peak" right at 12:00 AM! Do you have any traditions each year for New Year's Eve?
5. If you could go back into 2003 and change just one thing, or get a "do over," what would you do?
6. Is there anything you want to accomplish in 2004 that seems within reach?
7. Is your online personality very different from what it would be like if I were meeting you in "real life?"
BONUS: What you gonna do when you get out of jail?
Today's Comment Question: Once the Monday Mission is gone, what meme (weekly Question and Answer) will you pick to replace it?
The end is near, just 2 more Monday Missions to go before I retire this long-running meme. January 5th is the last one, in case you were wanting to mark your calendar.
It is still hard to put it to rest, but the time is right. So, I am glad you are here for this final lap around blog land.
By the way, if the questions begin to sound familiar, it is entirely possible that after 2+years of this that I may be repeating myself. Yet another reason to cease and desist.
One last thing, I was considering revealing the answers to ALL the "Bonus" questions through the entire run on the Monday Mission once it is over. So, be sure to stick around for that next month.
So, to quote Ton Loc "Lez Do It..."
1. Last night, I had a nightmare that my car had been stolen. I and a female companion were leaving a party and my car, that had been parked in the street, was gone. It was so real, that my pulse was quickening. I panicked, and said to myself "It must be a dream, I have to wake up!" I crouched down on my feet, grabbed my head and with all my might fought to wake up. Finally, I did, and it really was a dream, but my heart was pounding so bad that it took a while to calm down. Have you ever had a dream so real, that inside the dream you had to fight to wake yourself up? Do you remember the dream?
2. I've mentioned this before, but I really don't believe in the concept of a "soul-mate." Maybe this is because I've never really felt like I have met mine. Once I thought maybe, but she felt someone else was hers. Could be that in another relationship I met her, and for some reason it didn't work out, but then, we wouldn't really have been soul-mates, would we? So, when I hear someone say "I've met my soul-mate" I cringe and roll my eyes and mumble "yeah, right." How would you define the concept of a "soul-mate" is? Do you believe in such things? Have you met your soul-mate?
3. What does it take to make men happy anyway?
4. What is your favorite piece of electric hardware, and why?
5. Yesterday in our adult Sunday School class, a lady was telling us about a woman with car trouble she had stopped to help. Now, the lady who stopped had her own 2 small children in her car. With so much uncertainty out there, I am not so sure I would stop to help a stranger if I had 2 children in my car. Turns out though, that the motorist was a mother who had a 15-month old in the car and was on the way to church. She also had just lost an infant and was having the service the next day, but now would have no way to get there. Eventually she got the lady and her child to her church. It left me wondering how many people I had just driven by that I could have helped. But at the same time, I felt like she was taking too big of a risk stopping to help a stranger when it was just her and her children. Have you ever stopped to help a stranded motorist? Has anyone ever stopped to help you when you were stranded? Isn't there some element of risk involved when helping someone with car trouble, or is it better to just "do unto others as you'd have them do unto you?"
6. Just for fun, what is the one present you'd like for Christmas, but you know there is no way you will?
7. What are you thankful for this Christmas [or your current holiday this season]?
BONUS: Could you hurry, sir? Daddy says there's not much time.
Today's Comment Question: Did you see Lord of the Rings: Return of the King? Any good?
Monster.com has a new spin on the tired old "Hot or Not" theme.
They call it "Hire or Fire." It only lets you cylcle through about 6 people before it ends with an ad for Monster.com's services. But if you reload the main link, it shows new faces.
It is a clever ad, but man, some of the people on there you just have to wonder about. I mean, where did they get these photos?
But on the flipside, there is nothing fun about being fired.
At my last job "The Powers That Be" laid off, well, fired the entire staff in our division and closed their doors. Before that, I was sh*tcanned by new management who wanted their own players. Getting fired isn't fun.
Why do they still use the phrase "lay off?" I never hear of anyone being brought back after being "Laid Off." Do they think we don't know the difference? Like being laid off doesn't hurt as bad as being fired? Different words, same meaning folks.
Whichever you call it, it still makes you feel worthless. Devastated. Like you have nothing left.
None of my fire-ings ever came at a good time in my life, and they always left me feeling like I'd lost a little bit of myself.
Maybe it is just me, but I often let my job become too much of who I am. I take too much pride in it, in a job well done. And for what? To take a lot of crap just to work for "da Man?" To always be in the department they elminate first (Marketing)? To go to work every day, thinking I am a team player only to the blown out of the water when the numbers don't add up?
Where is the loyalty? Gone, that's where.
Employers expect you to be totally loyal to them, to never say a bad word, to support their stupid decisions, to blindly follow their lead. Then they blindside you with a pink slip right outta nowhere! Yeah, so much for loyalty.
So much for trust.
Yeah, still a little bitter ain't I?
As Christine pointed out a few days ago, the Monday Mission turned 2 on December 3rd, 2003!
Even though we are at Monday Mission 3.48, the first Monday Mission pretty much resembles the Missions we have today, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. By the way, our very first Monday Missionaries were Jennifer and Christine! Wow, that was a loooooooooooong time ago, wasn't it?
The amazing part is, I am still friends with both of them. Well, it isn't that amazing, they are both incredible people I just mean that as internet relationships go, things get touchy and many folks have a falling out after a while. But not in this case, and I find that mighty impressive.
You may be wondering how it can be almost to version 4.0 and still be only 2 years old. Well, having started it in December (near year's end), version 1.0 only ran for a few weeks before being upgraded to 2.0 Make sense?
So, why am I ending the Monday Mission in January? Well, for one reason, I wanted to take it to an even 4.0. I just like things nice and orderly. Why else?
Frankly, it is a wear out to produce. Every week for 2 years I've churned out a Monday Mission and sooner or later, that takes a toll. Honestly, I've asked about all the questions I can think of. Plus, I am not having fun with it. When something that was fun turns into a chore or something you dread, why continue to do it? Besdies that, there is the fear that I might only be known for running the MM, and hopefully, I am more than just a meme guy.
Now, I am not opposed to "editing" a Monday Mission that others might provide. Maybe 12 people can commit to doing a month of MM's each? Then I would tweak it here and there and post it. Let it live on it's own Domain in a simple Blog devoted to the MM + comments and nothing else. Then again, I don't want to buy another domain name, nor do I have the urge to design a site (any takers?).
Maybe something like: "PromoGuy's Monday Mission by YourNameHere of YourSiteHere."
But I would have to hope that those who want to write it would actually deliver (in advance, so I can edit them) and that you, dear reader, would enjoy a MM produced by someone else.
As for me, I think it would inject some life into a meme that has seen better days.
Then again, if that doesn't pan out then I will just put it to rest. I don't think I could release the Monday Mission to someone else to run on another site.
Either way, it is nice to see the MM reach its 2nd Birthday! I couldn't have done it without you, so thank you for making it happen.
Please post your thoughts, I'd love to hear what you think.
Hmm, somehow I over-wrote the Monday Mission post. So, here it is again....sorry. If you commented before, you will need to re-do.
2. What is on your Christmas Wish List for Santa to bring?
3. In the month of November, Brian wrote over 50,000 words on his novel and is nearing completion. What did you accomplish in the month of November?
4. Have you ever snuck into someplace that you shouldn't have? Tell me about that.
5. Do you recall the first internet meme you participated in? How did you come to find out about it? Do you still participate? Why or why not? (a meme is more or less a weekly question and answer thingy, but also includes any idea that a lot of folks do at the same time, like "what X are you" and such).
6. Do you have any favorite internet or "streaming" radio programs or music channels you wish were available in your car or on a portable radio?
7. Ever been skinny dipping? What's the story there?
BONUS: What's cooler than being cool?
Today's Comment Question: What is the deal with Michael Jackson?
A Monday Mission on a Monday! Wow!
By the way, I am looking for one of the electronic "SIMON" game from way back when (1978 I think). The new ones are too funky for me, I just want an old one that works and is in decent condition. Let's face it, eBay is too frustrating. So if you have any leads for me, let me know, ok?
2. On the local NPR station their was a news item that about a recent study which said men who do housework get more sex. What do you think about that? Why would that be the case?
3. A friend and I were talking about the stigma attatched to divorce. He said that men can usually be divorced and not have much social backlash, but that women are often looked at as having failed in some way. The church especially, he said, tended to look down upon divorced women as if it were totally their fault and not the man's. Do you think there is a double-standard when it comes to men and women and the stigma of divorce?
4. On that same topic, I just read an article (look on Google News) that said parents with daughters are more likely to divorce than parents with sons. Do you think there is any validity to this?
5. Do you think the way a Father raises his daughter has an impact on the type of men she will eventually have relationships with?
6. Have you ever found your body craving some sort of food? Meat, chocolate, fruit and even water, the body tends to know what it needs. Do you get food cravings? Which are the most powerful?
7. Do you have any type of skills you can "fall back on" if you needed to change careers suddenly?
BONUS: Ain't that a shame?
Today's Comment Question: What part of your body gets the most attention?
Hey Howdy Hey!
Guess who's back? No, not Shady, 'tis me!
Didja miss me? Huh? Didja? Huh? Huh? Didja? Didja?
Well, I'd like to say I crafted a most excellent Monday Mission for you, but I think it is merely above average. I honestly expected to have more free time out there in Cali, but I didn't. But that is for another post. For now, let's get it on....
2. My hotel room this past weekend was on the 8th floor. I rode the elevator a LOT. There is a lot of unspoken elevator etiquette, you know? Here are some of my observations (this is freestyle here - add to them or just tell me what you think) When to hold the door, when to let it shut. Do you put your hand in to re-open it if you are too late to get in? Do you hit the "open" button if you see someone running to the door? Do you press the numbers for everyone? Where do you look as you are going to your floor when you are in there with someone you don't know?...
3. Some of the meetings at the conference were just plain dull, I almost fell asleep a few times. How do you make it through a boring conversation or meeting when you are feeling drowsy?
4. Do you enjoy flying on commercial airlines? Ever flown First Class?
5. When I book my airfare, I always try to book an aisle seat on the left by the exit doors. That way you have more legroom, and being a "righty" I am able to move my arm and elbow without jabbing someone's belly. When you fly, where do you like to sit?
6. Have you ever jumped to conclusions and griped someone out, then later learned you didn't have all the facts? Or had it happen to you? What was the real story?
7. At the conference, I saw several "Tablet PCs" and now I really want one. And Digital MP3 player. I don't ask for much. Do you have any techno-lust going on?
BONUS: Where do you go, my lovely?
Today's Comment Question: I've been gone almost a week, what did I miss in your life while I was away?
Here it is.
1. This week the Episcopal Church USA installed the Rev. V. Gene Robinson was as a bishop of New Hampshire. This would probably not be news if Robinson were not an openly gay man. Critics are upset because their beliefs view bible to be condemning of homosexuality. Another point of view sees this as an opportunity for the church to reach a wider audience. What do you think of the church consecrating an openly gay person as Bishop? Should a person's sexual preferences be tied to religious beliefs? How do you think this should be handled? Should gay people in church leadership even be an issue?
2. Have you ever supported an opposing viewpoint with someone just to "push their buttons?" Ever been in a situation where you really didn't care for one side or the other, but just found it fun to watch someone get all worked up in an argument?
3. If you had to pick one, on which of the "Reality" shows do you think you do well?
4. Have you, or anyone you know, ever tried any "alternative" healing practices or "all natural" medication? How did it work out?
5. If you cold write your own prescriptions, what is the first thing you would get?
6. Are you getting a Flu shot this year? Do you ever get them? Have you ever had to endure a round of the full-blown Flu virus?
7. On television commercials, when men get sick they are portrayed like big whiny babies. Based on your personal experience, do you think this is an accurate depiction?
BONUS: GirIfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad?
Today's Comment Question: What part of your body would you like to make smaller (or bigger) and by how much?
3. Are there any similarities or differences (in general) to someone using my work without permission or compensation and downloading and sharing music without doing the same? Can you justify one and not the other?
4. In the US, yesterday most of us had to set our clocks back an hour for DST. Do you have "Daylight Savings Time" where you live? Do you like it? Does your body adjust well to it?
5. Last week I had to use a blade razor to shave because I misplaced my electric shaver charger. I never shave my whiskers with a blade so I got cut up pretty bad. All is well now, but I won't give up my 'lectric without a fight. Do you shave? At what age did you start? Do you use a blade or an electric? What do you shave (face, chin, legs, ears, etc)? Do you shave in the shower/bath or at the sink?
6. What do you think about the religious groups that get so upset when everyone celebrates Halloween?
7. Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, as what? And If you do, email me a photo and I will create a Gallery with everyone who sends one.
BONUS:How can I explain when there are few words I can choose?
Today's Comment Question: Are there any bodily fluids or excretions (sweat, blood, vomit, earwax) that you just can not stand to touch you or that just grosses you out?
(and yes, you have my permission to re-publish this and any past or future Monday Missions)
Welcome to what has to be the most tardy Monday Mission yet!
It has been a rough week here at PG dot net. First the MovableType database gets deleted, days later it is restored, a week's worth of posts are lost (then manually re-entered), then the hosting server gets hit with a Denial of Service (DOS) attack. Great. Fun. Whee. So guess what this week's theme is???
So, thanks to all for being so understanding - not one complaint all week! If all goes well, you should get your next Monday Mission on Monday. Spread the word that this one is out, and let's all have a great weekend!
1. Have you ever accidentally deleted something from your website or otherwise screwed it up? Share your tales of woe, won't you?
2. When was the last time you did a total backup of your website (including databases) to store offline? Do you have some sort of schedule set up?
3. If your entire site was deleted, and there was no way to restore it, what would you do? Would you start over? Give up? How would it impact your life?
4. Not having a blog for several days gave me a lot of time to reflect on blogging. I asked myself some serious questions, now it is your turn. Just what do you hope to accomplish with your blog? Why are you doing it? To make the world a better place, to satisfy your own vanity or what? Is the time you spend blogging really "time well spent?"
5. Do you think having your own web site/blog has changed you as a person? (For example, given you more confidence in yourself, enhanced your creativity, encouraged you to improve yourself, given you a flair for web design, etc.)
6. One of the main reasons I get so much "comment spam' is because I've allowed my site to be indexed by Google. One one hand it is great to come up high in the rankings on so many searches, but the drawback is I get a lot of comment trolls and comment spam (hmm, do trolls eat spam?). Do you let Google index your site? Do you often search certain topics on Google to see your rankings? What are some of the good and bad things about being listed in Google?
7. I've often thought that I need a "Blog Buddy" and should start up a "Blog Buddy System" site. The idea is based on the same "Buddy System" every child is told about when they go on a field trip. Your Buddy looks out for you, you look out for them. You keep an eye on each other and if something goes wrong, you take charge and help. The "Blog Buddy System" is the same - every blogger has one other blogger who watches out for them. There is 100% total trust between the two. Each allows the other permissions to post on their blog. Each blog has a "Blog Buddy System" icon linking to each other's site, so readers know who your Buddy is. If your Buddy doesn't post for a few days or a week or whatever seems out of character, the Blog Buddy picks up the phone and calls them. There may have been an accident. A family emergency. Or, perish the thought, the death of the Buddy. The Blog Buddy is responsible for carrying out the wishes of their Buddy. Be it logging into the site to make announcements, keeping silent, or closing down their blog. Whatever has been agreed upon, but the Buddies watch out for each other. What do you think of the "Blog Buddy System" idea? Do you have a "Blog Buddy" in your life? Would you like one? Have you ever thought about what would happen to your site if you died and who would tell your readers?
BONUS: If you hide away from me how can our love grow?
Today's Comment Question: How long do you usually give a blogger who stops posting before you just reading them regularly?
Here we are sitting right under a cute, plump Monday. Feels kinda nice.
Real life has me not only busy at work, but still recovering from a bad sinus infection. Worst of all, I can't remember from 5 minutes ago if I took my lunchtime dosage of amoxicillin. Mr. Short Term Memory, that's me.
1. If you were to go on a diet (not that you should, babe, you look marvelous), which of the "fad diets" sounds the most appealing to you?
2. I only ask, because with the holidays coming up, there will be a lot more food in our house than usual. It tempts me. Maybe if I exercise I can loose some now, and eat then and have it all balance out. Do you get much exercise?
3. When I was walking the other night, I noticed a rent house was being cleaned out by the landlord. Apparently the owners just took the essentials and left a lot of junk in the house. The owner had stacked piles of junk on the lawn for the sanitation collectors. But I noticed several things in that mess that maybe I could use (like a gas powered hedge trimmer). I may still go back some dark evening. Have you ever raided someone's junk pile that was left out for the garbage truck? Or gone dumpster diving? What did you find?
4. Also in that same dumpster was the most awful shade of bright green carpet you've ever seen. Seriously, you wouldn't believe it if I showed you (and I will try to get a photo). Do you have any memories of ugly carpeting in your home or someone else's?
5. As summer draws to a close, it means fewer outside chores. One I won't miss at all is mowing the lawn! What summertime chores will you be glad to see go away for the winter months?
6. Of course, it is hard to mention fall without at least touching on football. Do you have a(ny) favorite football team(s)? Do you and your family root for the same teams to win?
7. I will be heading to Anaheim next month to stay a few days for a convention. It would be great to meet up with some Bloggers, but I just don't know many out there. If you were to visit California, are there any Bloggers you'd like to meet up with? (And if you are in California, then who would you like to come see you!)
BONUS: Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true on the land or on the sea?
Today's Comment Question: If you could do so, who would you vote for in the California recall elections?
I wish I felt better, because I know this may very well be a very lame Monday Mission.
Saturday I was hit hard with allergies (pollen) and spent most of the day sneezing, blowing my nose and wiping the water running from my bloodshot eyes. The only solution was amphetamines erm, antihistamines. Last night it all turned into a sinus infection and I have a lovely swollen right side of my face. Yeah, no pics today - you're welcome.
1. US presidential candidate Wes Clark said recently that the American people are "really embarrassed" by the Bush administration, though no source was quoted and no figures were provide. Do you believe this is true? As a US citizen, are you embarrassed by President Bush? (non-US citizens are welcome to chime in with their feelings about Bush as well)
2. Do you have good friends in countries other than your own? Which is the furthest away? How did you meet them? What makes them such a great friend?
3. Two cars on the road right now bug me more than any others. The PT Cruiser and the Hummer. I am just so tired of seeing a PT Cruiser everywhere I look! I thought these were supposed to be special, but they are just everywhere. Even the new VW Beetles weren't this bad. Sure there were a lot of them, but that was nothing compared to the PT's omnipresence. It just bugs, that's all. And the Hummer. I didn't mind so much when they were rare. When Ahhhnold drove his, it was special. Then you'd see one or two here and there. Maybe it is the attitude of the young men driving these monster tanks. They way they love to intimidate other drivers, the smug attitude they have looking down on you (literally). Of course, I am generalizing so if you drive either of these, you know I don't mean you. Are there any models of automobile on the road that irritate you when you see them?
4. When you were in school, did you ride the bus? Do you have any school bus horror stories? What really went on in the back seats anyway?
5. Last week, I asked what sort of things a man should never say to a woman. Now it is time to turn the tables. There are a few things a woman can say to a man that can totally emasculate him. Such as: "Hold my purse." What sort of things should a woman never say to a man?
6. Do you have a favorite cartoon Super Hero? Who and why?
7. Just what does it take to make you happy?
BONUS: How can you wait anymore when you're wondering what you're waitin' for?
Today's Comment Question: Write the caption for this photo!

Anyone heard about the live-action "Peter Pan" movie coming out? Man, it looks good. Check out the trailer here.
But I gotta tell you, the piano music in the trailer is driving me crazy! I know that music from somewhere, but I can't recall what it is. Does it sound familiar to anyone? Anyone???
Speaking of trailers, how cool does "Kill Bill, Vol. 1" look?
And did anyone see the Trinity commercial in Survivor last night? Oh man, I didn't even realize we were that close to the release date of "The Matrix Reloaded!" Just to get you hyped, peep the new trailer ryechere! (or maybe here)
Finally, this weekend I am hoping to see "Once Upon A Time In Mexico." I tell you, "Desperado" is still one of my all time favorite movies, so this 3rd and final El Mariachi film is one I just can't wait to see. While looking at trailers, I saw this R rated trailer, which while violent, didn't seem much worse than the "all audiences" version.
Further Viewing:
Bubba Ho-Tep
Kill Bill Teaser (love that music!)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (remake)
The Alamo
The Passion (Mel Gibson's controversial film about Christ)