ANOTHER Beautiful Day...

Yep...

It's another early Spring day with temps in the mid-'70's here in the T.C.

Here are few faceplants to amuse you:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tomorrow?

Excuses, Excuses...

I know...

I promised new content, but it is currently SEVENTY-FOUR degrees in the Twin Cities, and Misplaced is suffering from early onset Summer Madness.

Here's some Kool & The Gang to illustrate my point:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Blah, blah, blah... tomorrow...

Technical Difficulties...

You can tell it's Monday.

Friday... Thank God

The above image is intended to make some of you smile, and offend the hell out of the rest of you.

As a fitting end to a week of random YouTube findings, Misplaced is pleased to bring you a NEW track from the Ambient Mad Scientist himself, Masato Hatanaka. (Citizen must be paying him some serious cash... this is the second time he's produced a track for them for a commercial that's not really intended for the general public.):

For those of you with decent broadband speed, go right to YouTube and watch it fullscreen @ 480p.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

See you Monday... New content. (I promise!!!)

Bummer...

Sad puppy, originally uploaded by sutherj.

Yeah... I'm still bein' lazy today, and probably tomorrow too.

To make up for it, here's one of those cool high-speed camera videos:

I Am Ashamed...

For an unprecedented THIRD day in a row I am just too damn tired to post anything intelligent, or remotely coherent. On the plus side, I'll be pretty buff in about a month or two.

Here's some Ramones to make up for it:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We'll try again tomorrow.

Sorry...

I know, I know...

I promised new content today, but after a nearly five-mile power walk with the dogs, I'm... well... dog tired. (like the guy above)

Or the guy below:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'll try again tomorrow.

Crazy Monday

It's been a crazy, busy Monday... and it ain't over yet.

No post today. Tomorrow... I promise.

Until then, here's a little something to creep you out.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

See you tomorrow.

It Continues...

Today, Misplaced was planning on writing about the 2010 U.S. Census, and starting a brief series on my experiences running several Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC's) for the Census since today was the first "official" day they are open.

Instead, I have discovered that I'm going to have to talk about good ol' Lynn, and her media powerhouse Bloggapalooza once again. I must be missing something here, because if you read the comment section on her "blog", apparently Yours Truly has horns, two heads, and wears a swastika.

First, someone who is apparently a regular reader of this blog rose to my defense:

Cindy Jones - March 19, 2010

I’ve been following this very closely, and it seems to me that you do quite a bit of “borrowing” yourself!

You also state quite clearly here on your blog that you yourself will post copyrighted material without giving credit to the source to wit:

“This website may at times present copyrighted material, the use of which might not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.”

I’m sorry, but that tells me that you do exactly what you’re acting self-righteous about.

I’ve read every entry in both your blog, and his. I must say that while the two of you are both intelligent writers, your material is honestly quite cold, dry and sterile, while his has a warmer, more “human” feel to it.

You also seem to be taking this way too seriously, (I’ve read the comments on your facebook page… you’re not telling the people there the whole story) while he is taking a humorous (although RUDE) stance on the issue.

You should probably lighten up. He’s actually encouraging people to read your blog. The only reason I found it is because of him!

Just my two cents.

In Lynn's defense, it seems that the identical content I found may actually have been stolen from her... word-for-word. If that's the case, then I inadvertently did her a solid...

...Should I ask her to give me credit for helping her bust someone and a reciprocal link?

Nah.

This was followed by:

Elizabeth - March 19, 2010

I don’t understand how this guy’s friends can justify theft, and why they feel the need to go after *you* when you are the victim.

And, who the hell are they to tell you that you are taking it too seriously?

I found and read his pathetic blog (most of the articles, except the ones about you, seem to be stolen). He posted your correspondence, which seems civil and businesslike. He has taken offensive personal shots at you over and over and he doesn’t even know you. Yet his friends criticize you? What a bunch of people with “misplaced” ethics. And he’s a whiny little coward who LOST.

Go get ‘em, Lynn, good for you for going after these losers.

"pathetic blog"?

"most of the articles...seem to be stolen"?

"whiny little coward who LOST"?

"Go get 'em Lynn"?

Really?

What did I "lose"? Please tell me what exactly I've lost... Because the post is STILL THERE.

Mike Carlton (A good WASP-y name by the way Mike!) weighed in:

Mike Carlton - March 19, 2010

I thought those flyover states were supposed to be “keeping America’s values strong.” If this shithead and his dittoheads are any indication of what can be found there, I’ll stay close to the coasts!

Mike, you can rest assured that I am no Rush-Limbaugh-lovin "dittohead". In fact, I'd bet a princely sum of money that my politics are farther to the left than yours. Don't let the Army uniform fool you. I may currently reside in what you so pompously refer to as a "flyover" state, but I am a Native New Yorker... along with all the attitude that goes hand in hand with being from the Empire State. Screw you.

Next came Lynn herself:

Lynn, of Bloggapalooza - March 19, 2010

Thanks, Elizabeth. I don’t get it either. This girl Cindy, above, is the third chick to go out of her way to tell me I have my priorities screwed up by asking her friend for attribution… there must be something in the water with these midwesterners. At least our friend Cindy was somewhat more reasonable about it.

This mental midget can say whatever he wants on his blog as long as he doesn’t steal from me. Now there’s no need for me to visit his site again, since Google FORCED him to attribute my work to me, I’m glad to say. I’m taking a guess that he won’t be stealing from me again, though. As for taking it personal: I don’t know him, he doesn’t know me, why should I care?! lol

I find it rather amusing that simply by my making it known that I am in the Midwestern U.S. (Minneapolis, Minnesota to be precise), these defenders of Lynn, and Lynn herself show a level of arrogance that is astonishing. What I get from her and Mike's comments is that they seem to think that the entire Midwest is full of Red-State rabble... Only an arrogant left-coaster from the Bay area would jump to such a conclusion... kind of sad really... I thought they were supposed to be "accepting", and "open-minded".

By the way Lynn, Google didn't "force" me to do ANYTHING. Did I mention that the post in question is STILL THERE? You're putting WAY too much stock in an automated system designed to protect Google's ass, not what you consider "your intellectual property".

Oh well. You keep living in that fantasy world... at least they know you there.

Next, we heard from "Gaucho" (Seriously... he calls himself "Gaucho")

Gaucho - March 19, 2010

Lynn

I cannot believe this women (Cindy) would come on here and accuse you of stealing content ( I would have to assume that she is his friend). From what I have read, you seem to site original sources on anything that you have used.

Unfortunately I went to this guy’s site and read what he Shat out of his mouth. Does not say much for him to be that disrespectful towards you when he does not even know you. I would have to agree, you seem to come at this with a civil attitude, and then he turns it into a personal attack on you. Also, really disturbing that he would also take it to a sexual matter as well. I am sorry Cindy, I don’t see his approach as being humorous, Rude yes, and it amazes me that you see it as humorous. I am a married man, and I was offended, but I guess that comes with having a little more respect for women.

Bravo Gaucho! Bravo!

Kudos to you for rescuing the fair Lynn from the Evil, Misogynist, Dark-Skinned One! I bet that not only are you a closet "14 words" kind of guy, but also think that D.W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation is some sort of guideline for life in these United States.

Lynn was quick to bestow favor on her knight in baggy-below-the-knee-pants (I'm taking a guess that he's not really a Gaucho, but wears the pants that were a twisted fashion statement in the 1970's), and Mike, who I'd guess would be her second choice (Sorry Mike):

Lynn, of Bloggapalooza - March 19, 2010

Thank you, Mike and Gaucho. Thank goodness for men who respect women! AND for readers who understand that stealing, no matter what it is, is wrong

At some point, soon, this douchebag is going to finish the job he started of boring his readers to death with his self-indulgence, and maybe even piss off his low-self-esteem female protectors with his misogyny. I haven’t bothered with this guy or his blog for a good 36 hours except to read what people have e-mailed me about it; and unless Cindy can come back with specific verbiage that she says I’ve stolen, I’ll chalk her statements up to stupidity as well and move on.

Did you catch how she slipped that "personal attack" in there? Good for her!

Not really.

I've been called Porch Monkey, Coon, and Nigger in my life Lynn.

"Douchebag", especially coming from you is more like foreplay than an insult.

Thanks for trying to "zing" me though. Shows there's still a spark of what turns me on so much about you in there still.

Cindy Jones reappeared at this point, solely to defend herself for daring to have an opinion that didn't exactly match that of Lynn, Mike, or "Gaucho":

Cindy Jones - March 19, 2010

Actually, I don’t know either one of you.

I stumbled across his blog a few months ago, and I have to disagree with those commenting here. The reason I bookmarked his is threefold:

1. The guy is a good writer. You can’t deny that.

2. I like the “human” aspect of his blog. In addition to the fact that he often gives a fresh perspective on newsworthy events, he also talks about things he sees and does in everyday life. Plus, sometimes he just embeds an interesting or unusual video.

3. While he has been the rudest I’ve ever seen him as far as you’re concerned, the guy is just smart and sometimes very funny.

While I don’t condone the use of the “c” word, you have to admit, now all you’re doing is poking him with a sharp stick, and he continues to poke back. You’re crowing about your “victory” over him, when to a casual observer all you’ve done appear to be very petulant, while driving YOUR readership to HIS blog.

In turn, your readers come back here, or to your facebook page, and cluck about what a jerk they think he is, which I’m sure strokes your ego, but at what cost? I can see that your readers are spending a LOT of time on his blog, spamming his comment section, and generally DRIVING UP HIS PAGEVIEWS.

I see no victory here. The post in question is still on his page, with an added link, and “attribution” to you that is quite simply, unflattering.

I honestly don’t understand why you would fight this kind of battle on HIS terms. I’m beginning to think that his assessment of you as a “Don Quixote” type is frighteningly accurate.

Keep fighting though. This has become quite entertaining to watch

Rock on Cindy. At least you get it.

That was followed by this:

Lynn, of Bloggapalooza - March 19, 2010

I never denied he’s a good writer.

WHAT??!!??

(There was more to her comment, but the rest of it paled in comparison to that one sentence)

After all... if you go by what she's been publishing on her "blog" this is what she's been claiming I am all along:

Not to mention the fact that her "people" are apparently "rallying" around my alleged misogyny. I'm not too concerned with that though. Especially since my readers know pretty much everything about me... since most of them currently reside in New York.

But since her "people" will continue to wave that flag no matter what I do, I will close with this:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

See you Monday. Maybe the Bloggapalooza crowd will realize that they're fighting a losing battle by then... but probably not.

It's ON Now...

Yesterday, Misplaced received the following communique from my host, Blogger:

"Blogger has been notified, according to the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), that certain content in your blog is alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others. As a result, we have reset the post(s) to "draft" status. (If we did not do so, we would be subject to a claim of copyright infringement, regardless of its merits. The URL(s) of the allegedly infringing post(s) may be found at the end of this message.) This means your post - and any images, links or other content - is not gone. You may edit the post to remove the offending content and republish, at which point the post in question will be visible to your readers again.

A bit of background: the DMCA is a United States copyright law that provides guidelines for online service provider liability in case of copyright infringement. If you believe you have the rights to post the content at issue here, you can file a counter-claim."

It appears that that almost-sexy soccer mom, and "crackerjack writer" Lynn Christiansen Esquer has decided that she wants to push the issue.

Fine.

I'll play.

But let's cut through the bullshit once and for all, shall we Lynn?

You have accused me of stealing content from you WORD FOR WORD. While I have freely admitted that your article was certainly a catalyst for me to go ahead and write a summary of a topic I already had on the back burner, I certainly didn't steal from you word for word.

Your original post.

My article.

Borrowed freely from you? Yes. But I also edited and re-wrote your overly wordy text to the point that while there was some resemblance to the original, it is quite clearly repackaged as a small part of a greater creation... that you didn't have a fucking thing to do with.

But since we're on the subject of plagiarism, I'm going to point out that YOU my dear, are quite simply the pot calling the kettle black.

I offer this example:

On Tuesday, March 16, 2010, you posted this article on your blog.

Which was followed by these two comments from your readers:

noh8 - March 16, 2010

I completely agree.

Great post, but a little light on the jetsam!

Leslie Mladinich - March 16, 2010

I like how you delineated everything and used the opposition’s own arguments to buttress your case. I am proud to call you my colleague!

Which was followed by this comment from YOU:

Lynn, of Bloggapalooza - March 16, 2010

Thank you, noh8: I’ll try to include more jetsam next time, my apologies for being heavy-handed on the flotsam I like your blog, by the way… thanks for commenting so I could discover yours!

@Leslie: What a fabulous compliment! Thank you!

But then I noticed THIS ARTICLE posted at business-insurance.aqimg.com.

Now wait a fucking minute...

Is it just my imagination, or have you taken credit in your blog for something that can be quite clearly attributed to another source?

Word-for-word no less.

To summarize:

You accused me of stealing content from you, and went so far as to tell my host that I had "infringed" on your copyright, and used your content word-for word, when it is apparent to anyone that reads your posting and mine that I most certainly did not.

Yet on March 16, 2010 you did the exact thing that you accused me of doing.

You completely plagiarized your March 16, 2010 article... you didn't even attempt to edit or re-write.

It goes farther than that.

On March 17, 2010 You took the unprecedented step of spamming the comment section of multiple entries of my blog with the following:

Lynn of Bloggapalooza said...

Thank you for at last attributing my work to me. I suppose I could point out that:

1. I don’t actually care if some random asshole in Duluth thinks I’m hot… and by the way, you’re definitely not winning any beauty contests, which is probably why you’re single (well, that and your general attitude);

2. For all the smack you’ve blogged about me, all I’ve done is civilly ask for attribution, then defend myself against your plagiarism (which makes me a cunt? Well, OK, if standing up for myself makes me a cunt, then I’ll take it as a compliment).

3. I guess you’re neither as smart or knowledgeable as you think you are, are you? If you have to steal people’s writing, then rely on faulty legal knowledge to back up the theft, then resort to unwarranted personal attacks when you lose… well, you’re not exactly a mental giant, are you?

Seems to me the rest of your blog post (if it’s actually original and not also stolen) could have stood on its own without my Top Ten, but if my writing makes it that much better, then you’re welcome. ☺

One final thought: Personal attacks: “The language of nonthought.” — Lionel Trilling. (see, that’s an attribution!)

March 17, 2010 9:56 PM

Seriously?

To respond to your points:

1. I'm a random asshole in Minneapolis, not Duluth. And you can see from this photo that I'm fucking hot.

You want me. You know you do. In fact, you're looking at my photo and imagining me doing all kinds of nasty things to you right now, aren't you, you dirty little soccer mom?

2. Yes. You're a cunt. The second you threatened me with legal action you became one.

3. I am smart and knowledgeable. I hold Bachelor's Degrees in Computer Science and Business from the State University of New York, in addition to a Master's in Business from the University of Dublin... yes Ireland. The fact that I was able to do all of that and have a twenty-year career in the military means I'm also resourceful, in addition to being pretty smart. Also, I didn't lose anything. My article is still there. You however, now come across to my readership as something north of psycho.

It's quite obvious that you've become obsessed with me. I noticed some unusually heavy traffic from the Bay Area these last few days... Over ONE HUNDRED HITS from IP addresses that interestingly enough are identical to the IP addresses that you publish your blog from.

You're cyber-stalking me.

(I will make my StatCounter data available to anyone who wishes to see for themselves. It identifies everything about any user who accesses my blog... right down to the type of computer they use, and which browser and version of that browser they use... Do you like your Mac Lynn? And what about the Safari browser you use, are you happy with version 4.0?)

At the end of it all Lynn, next time you decide to pick a fight, pick a fight with someone who isn't willing to kick your ass up and down the block for the whole world to see.

Now go away before I decide to make this personal.

You creepy cyber-stalking bitch.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

See the rest of you tomorrow.

Taking Today Off Too - Deal With It.

Why thank you Tojo, I think I shall.

The above racism is brought to you by Texaco, in conjunction with the U.S. Government.

The below racism is brought to you by Warner Brothers who for some reason felt it was okay to feed into outdated stereotypes:

Seriously though, I'm not writing today. Instead, I'm heading out to take the dogs for a nice long walk, because it's too damn nice outside to sit behind a computer and bitch.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

See you tomorrow... maybe.

Gone Fishin'

Yep.

Misplaced is taking today off too. Why? Because I can!

Puppy!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Blah blah... tomorrow.

Too Nice Outside Monday

It's just too nice outside.

Today, like yesterday the sun is shining, and once again it's SIXTY DEGREES.

Therefore, Misplaced In The Midwest will not appear today as Misplaced has decided to take the dogs for a walk around Lake Harriet.

Enjoy this instead:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BLOGGAPALOOZA WATCH

Well... still not a peep from the indignant soccer mom or her attorneys... I'm beginning to think that maybe Lynn doesn't want to play with us as it seems that she's taken her ball and gone home.

Oh well. Maybe she'll change her mind and continue to entertain us later this week.

Just to cover my ass, let's take care of the legal business:

Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Misplaced In The Midwest.

Caution: Misplaced In The Midwest may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.

Misplaced In The Midwest Contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.

Do not use Misplaced In The Midwest on concrete.


Discontinue use of Misplaced In The Midwest if any of the following occurs:
Itching
Vertigo
Dizziness
Tingling in extremities
Loss of balance or coordination
Slurred speech
Temporary blindness
Profuse sweating
Heart palpitations

If Misplaced In The Midwest begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.
Misplaced In The Midwest may stick to certain types of skin.

When not in use, Misplaced In The Midwest should be returned to its special container and kept under refrigeration...

Failure to do so relieves the makers of Misplaced In The Midwest, Misplaced Products Incorporated, and its parent company Misplaced Unlimited, of any and all liability.

Ingredients of Misplaced In The Midwest include an unknown glowing substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.

Misplaced In The Midwest has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is also being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.

Do not taunt or threaten Misplaced In The Midwest.

Misplaced In The Midwest comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Misplaced In The Midwest

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!

See you tomorrow.

Is THAT All You've Got???

After yesterday's mild entertainment courtesy of Lynn Christiansen Esquer, the "crackerjack writer" and Intellectual Property expert that is the brains behind that juggernaut of blogs known as Bloggapalooza. Misplaced arose this morning, grabbed a coffee, and eagerly awaited the promised contact from that blogger's powerful and fearsome legal machine.

Yesterday, after the Lynnster informed me that I had "72 hours" to remove content that she claimed was "stolen" from her, I immediately contacted her and told her that I was waiving her 72-hour "grace period" and directed her to have her lawyers contact me immediately.

I also informed her that if I did not hear from them by the close of business Central Standard Time, the I would take it upon myself to contact them at my earliest convenience.

Well... 5PM CST has come and gone and I've heard nothing from her lawyers.

Zero.

Nada.

Zilch.

Bupkis.

Why am I not surprised?

Instead, it appears that the sweet and lovely Lynnarama has decided to take the battle to her blog, which Misplaced finds amusing for several reasons, not the least of which is the petulant, wheedling tone in her entry that is about Misplaced, but never mentions Misplaced.

Now, I've given you a link to her blog above, but before any of you dare venture into her realm, I suggest that you read the following very carefully:

Copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved

"All content in this blog created by the blog owner is the property of the blog owner and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws and cannot be stored on any retrieval system, reproduced, reposted, displayed, modified or transmitted in any form, electronic or otherwise without written permission of the copyright owner except as noted below.

A brief excerpt of content (up to 50 words) may be quoted as long as a link is provided back to the source page on this blog and the authorship is correctly attributed."

Now the above is taken directly from from the Lynnarewski's blog, so excuse me whilst I take care of some legal business:

Everything between the quotation marks in the paragraph above is the Intellectual Property of Lynn Christiansen Esquer (AKA Sweet Lynnie Baby). Any rebroadcast, retransmission, or account of this blog, without the express written consent of Major League Baseball, is prohibited.

Now Lynn, (who's almost hot enough to be a MILF) went so far as to badmouth me to her Facebook and Twitter friends.

Twitter, I don't so much care about. Any online service that claims Ashton Kutcher as one of it's heaviest users is certainly not going to be high on my list of useful media sources.

Facebook, on the other hand is a useful tool for bloggers with the advent of Networked Blogs, which is how a good-sized chunk of my daily readership accesses my blog. It turns out that Lynn (sexy beast that she is) also utilizes Networked blogs, and looking at her network stats, I can see that she has exactly ONE follower... who on closer inspection turns out to be a user named... Lynn Christiansen Esquer.

Wow.

For just a split second, I felt bad, but I'm over it now.

Since LynnLynn Bo Binn Banana Fana Fo Finn plasters a link to her Facebook page everywhere she has an "established" presence, it was only a matter of seconds before I was perusing said page and trying to find out what made her tick, and WHY she has such an enormous stick shoved up what I'm guessing is probably a well-toned and thoroughly magnificent ass, even though she's a mother of two.

I noticed that she had taken her whining to her Facebook page as well, I also noticed that I had the ability to respond to her comment, which I did. I'm going to guess that a few of my readers must have also availed themselves of the opportunity to leave her a comment, because an hour or two later, I tried to go back to homegirl's page and was intrigued to discover that Facebook was telling me her page "no longer existed".

Yep.

She blocked me.

After I picked myself up off of the floor, (where I had fallen from laughing so hard) I considered what it all meant.

Apparently, I struck a nerve, because before she went to bed last night, she made it a point to post an entry about ME without actually mentioning me, because at this point that LAST thing she wants to do is drive any traffic to my blog.

After reading her entry, (which she adorned with what I can only assume is a pirate ship) I realized that I am not only dealing with an individual who has a Don Quixote complex, but she went do far as to grossly misquote me, as evidenced in the excerpt from her blog:

"He refused to pull down the verbiage in question, or simply attribute it to me. His argument: Everyone steals everyone else’s ideas, so everything’s game."

(Copyright © 2010 Lynn Christiansen Esquer All Rights Reserved - Just covering my ass.)

Blocked on Facebook...

What's the matter Lynn?

Don't you love me anymore??

And where's the phone call from your lawyers? I know you're in San Francisco, but you'd think your legal representation could take a break from taking bong-hits and playing hacky-sack long enough to deal with the subject of my alleged plagiarism.

Whatever... Stay tuned and see what happens next. I'm guessing that she's probably just hard-headed enough to continue to push the issue... and it's been a long time since I've chewed up a West Coast lawyer, so I'm looking forward to it. They're the most fun to disembowel when it comes to Federal Law.

So Lynn... I eagerly await your next move.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

See you Monday... bring popcorn!