Lou Pickney's Online Commentary
The Secret To Website Hits
Tuesday
February 4, 2003
I've been told that there are only two ways to make money on the internet -- porn and gambling. Those two categories might qualify, but I'd suggest there's another to consider -- NFL Mock Drafts.
Now, a mock draft might not bring the thrill of the aforementioned two others, but I know that my
mock draft has been bringing people to my website in record numbers. Just yesterday, February 3, I had 2,286 hits. This isn't just setting new standards -- it's obliterating the old ones. Makes me wonder what kinds of action the big draft sites get...
Of course, I hope that people realize that what I do is amateur in its finest. Cull information from a variety of sources, evaluate team needs, and make some educated guesses. I'm not riding on planes down to senior workouts or having personal phone calls with NFL General Managers (I'll leave that to my friend Brook). But seriously, the interest level out there fascinates me. The hits started really rolling in right after the Super Bowl. And now thanks to a few sites that have me linked, they're pouring in.
I made a variety of notes for the website while killing time during my break at a McDonald's in St. Petersburg this morning. It's amazing what you can come up with when you give your mind a little time to wander.
I mentioned to my friend Neal Boling at work about how nice it was to actually have a lunch break now with my new on-my-way-out schedule. He asked me if I felt dirty taking it. I responded: "Absolutely not. It's great." And it is. The first time I've had one of those since 1999. The overnight shift gets screwed seven ways from Sunday.
There's nothing funnier than hearing someone who makes her living on deception and manipulation openly complain about how she won't be manipulated by someone else. Nothing at all involving me, but in the bystander mode I found it quite amusing.
Tampa Bay goalie Nikolai Khabibulin faced a no-win situation at this past weekend's All-Star game in Sunrise, FL. He took part in a competition where an average fan tried to shoot a puck past him to win a big cash prize.
If Khabibulin had let it past, he would've been the mockery of the sports world. I mean embarrassingly so. Luckily the older gentleman wasn't exactly a ringer out there on the ice.
But what did Khabibulin prove by doing it? Nothing. If anything, he might've come across as a prick for denying the guy the money. Suddenly he's a rudos in an All-Star game played in the state where his team resides. It's a clever enough concept, but I don't see the payoff for Khabibulin.
There was a picture in today's Tampa Tribune showing a bear licking a man's face. Unlimited potential for unintentional comedy. It was funny enough to e-mail Bill Simmons about. If it shows up somehow on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight, you know why.
It's interesting the things you observe at McDonald's nowadays. Like the video games there for kids to play. They never had that when I was younger. And they're free, too. None of this 25 cents to play business. McDonald's faces a tough transition as it tries to stop its fiscal problems, but it's showing that it's not afraid to try new things. Good for them.
And what's the deal with Hamburgler? He's a lovable bad guy; he's after those hamburgers, and he wears a striped shirt (so he must be on the bad team), yet he just says "Robble Robble" and never does anything particularly mean spirited. When Mayor McCheese gets kidnapped and cannibalized, then I think Hamburgler can join the full-fledged criminal side. McDonald's meets Grand Theft Auto or something.
The most underrated condiment out there is the Southwest Sauce at Subway. I wish you could buy it at the store. Get some lettuce, some cold cuts and pour on some Southwest Sauce, and voila. It's that or a supply truck is getting commandeered, I'm telling you. But I think it would make sense to sell it.
I don't know if I mentioned this before, but Diet Cherry Coke has shot well past Diet Vanilla Coke on my preferred drink category. But DVC is still much better for making mixed drinks.
I've been letting my hair grow out lately. This has been an interesting experience. Some girls I know and love in Huntington talked me into shaving my head after a night of several beers two years ago. I liked the look and kept it for awhile. Very polarizing, though. Some girls loved it -- would come up to me and start rubbing my head, no conversation needed. But others I know thought of it as a negative. Girls I'd known from before gave me the business "Why did you shave your head?" But, hey, I was thinning on top and the look worked for me.
Going to clubs it's a definite plus having it shaved. It adds a layer of intimidation. Why, I don't know. But it does. And most guys I see out with shaved heads are accompanied by usually pretty hot women. This is a good selling point, I must admit.
In a professional setting, it's probably better not to have it shaved. Though my next gig is already lined up, so when WTSP cuts the cord (Friday perhaps?) it's not as if I have to worry about turning into Interview Lou.
There's a school of thought that white guys shouldn't shave their heads, that it looks silly on a caucasian. A tan would probably help me on that level to some degree. But whatever, they can all f-off.
So, after much consideration, I think I'm going to shave it again. I think. It's in that awkward in-between stage right now. Hell, I don't know. Sleep on it and decide tomorrow I guess.
It bears repeating --
WWE Smackdown -- Shut Your Mouth for the PS2 is a great game. End of story. Best "fun factor" in a WWF/WWE game since the arcade classic WrestleFest.
It occurred to me that my idea of combining video games and gambling has already begun... to an extent. The game Golden Tee 2003 (which is a frequent Top 20 search string for this site) has tournaments where people can win thousands of dollars. Tournaments they pay to enter. You see where I'm going with this... What's the difference in that and paying for one-on-one competition? I think the first step began with the likes of Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam and the early 90's arcade revolution where you could go head-to-head, loser pays (if they want to play again) and winner stays for free. A free game is one thing, now there's tournaments... eventually, the sky's the limit.
It's past my bedtime now. 7:30 PM hits awfully early sometimes...
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