@christann played my favorite song last night…from my favorite group on the entire planet…PM Dawn. (Note: Sade’s my favorite artist)

I Love You, PM Dawn.

It happens often: a high maintenance client contacts you after their current web designer “magically disappeared”.

The “my web designer suddenly disappeared” explanation (read: excuse) should be a red flag line for you. There isn’t that much magic in the world. It’s an illusion, remember? An illusion no greater than the idea of your current desire to “disappear” once you heard those words. I bet if you wanted to “disappear”… you. could. too.

However, you, the contractor, must take a minute to analyze what that client just said to you and ask yourself a few questions:

1. Why did their previous designer / programmer disappear?
2. Have I worked with this client before?
3. Did I LIKE it?
4. How much is it worth to me, to maintain my sanity and still gain revenue, all the while, providing a great service and product to this client who could potentially be the real reason why the previous designer / programmer disappeared?
5. How much do I want to add to my service cost for having to deal with this client who will now micro-manage me because they’re concerned and now… “broke” due to their previous contractor.

If you got past #3 with a smile, and/or this statement is not that much of a red flag for you and you decide to continue to work with the client, it’s very important that you remember these 3 things:

1. YOU chose to ignore the red flag.
2. It’s not the client’s fault that YOU chose to ignore the red flag.
3. The red flag will NOT magically disappear.

Here’s the kicker…

No matter how many times you run from a red flag, there will still be times when you forget.

But have no worries! Live with no fears!

That client will surely remind you.

The truth is…

How you respond to this client from here on, is what will determine your fate.

If you choose to work with the client:

1. Be sure to keep a smile on your face and try to remember why you accepted the project in the first place.
2. It will benefit you to endeavor to find out why your client “thinks” their previous contractor “disappeared”. Note: Trying to go the cheaper route and getting stiffed by a company from India IS second common. Having an entitled high maintenance attitude and thinking that their $50.00 project is what pays your mortgage, car note, and health insurance is usually first.
3. You may not be the previous contractor, but you’ll bare the brunt of having to reassure the client that you won’t cause the same sort of issues. Take it in stride. It was “worth it”…remember?
4. Emails can sometimes be misconstrued.  Sometimes a phone call works best. Pick up the phone.
5. Set a clear project scope. Be sure to be clear and concise with what you’re providing and what you’re NOT providing. Repeat yourself…multiple times. Note: This person is now emotional because they feel wronged. They may try to forget what they wanted.
6. Get it in writing and keep records.

If you choose not to work with the client:

1. Be kind and provide them with the contact information of a rival designer / programmer.

Hopefully you chose the latter. It seems like less of a headache. Piece of mind is hell of a drug.

While the recession is slowly coming to an end, things are still rough. Taking on that demanding client may be a must for you in some cases. But keep your eye on the prize. Be mindful of the end result.

And Godspeed.

x0x0, boon

Textarea Cache for Firefox is a lifesaver.

This extension will save automatically the content in the textarea or WYSIWYG editor when user is typing. The user can recover the saved text in the cache window, even if the tab or the window is closed unexpectedly.

The user will see an icon in the status bar when the text is saved in the cache.
Clicking the icon will open the cache window.

• Add to Firefox
• Read More about Textarea Cache
• View Courtney’s Must-Have Firefox Addon Collection

Mother’s Day is today…

And all of the Mother’s Day advertising / coupon deals are in full effect. A lot of companies are using social networking to market their Mother’s Day deals. A lot were really great and on point. Sprinkles Cupcakes is having a wonderful deal on “Mom” cupcakes…

I’m not a mom…but I want a gatdamn cupcake. I can scrape off the letters after I get my discount.

Anyways, this one made me “a tee hee” a little bit…

And it had me coming up with catchy slogans, like:

1. Come get your mom lit up at the Paintball Park!
2. Show your mom how much you care by pummeling her with some hard ass paintballs!
3. Hate your mom’s new wig? (can be substituted for “breast implants” – results may vary)

*Dear Paintball Parks – Please request permission before using my slogans. They’re copy written. I WILL find you. (wink) *

Happy Mothers Day to my mom and all the mommies out there. <3

ShopStyle Mobile Application Anonymous is a new support group that I founded…yesterday.
They say the first step is admitting the problem.
Well…
I have one.

Go ahead and get on board.

Resetting my iPod Touch…
All the way down to the Factory Settings…
For the 50-11th time today…

Urgh.

Sometimes people ask me what music I use to work out / run at the gym.
I thought I’d post it here in case others wanted to know.
I’m all about music that keeps me moving when I’m at the gym, so it’s pretty much ALL Hip Hop.

So this workout mix is for:
Cardio: 90 Minutes
Cool Down: 8 – 10 Minutes

Download Hip-Hop Workout Mix #1: Workout Mix 1 (1173)

Motivation – T.I.
Invented Sex Remix – Trey Songz
Sweet Hangover – Omarion
What’s Your Fantasy – Ludacris
Bia-Bia – Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz
Drop It Low – Ester Dean featuring Chris Brown
Shake That Monkey (Explicit) – Too Short
Say Something (Dirty) – Drake
Bed Rock – Lil Wayne
You’s a Ho - Ludacris
Stand Up – T.I. featuring Trick Daddy, Lil Jon & Lil Wayne
Headboard – Mario featuring Plies & Hurricane Chris
Say Aah – Trey Songz
Stronger – Kanye West
My Life Your Entertainment – T.I. featuring Usher
The New Workout Plan – Kanye West
Wasted – Lil Wayne
Freek A Leek – Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz
How Low – Ludacris
It’s Nuthin’ (We Thuggin’) – Sly Boogy Feat. Jagged Edge
I Like My Beat Down Low – T.I.
Echo - R. Kelly
Regret – LeToya

Download Hip-Hop Workout Mix #1: Workout Mix 1 (1173)

I guess the iPad is supposed to change our lives or something.
Blendtec wondered if it could change the way we blend…

I just like the way it’s blended to little pieces and dust.
I know. I’m a hater.
I’ll take it. Whatever.
*shrug*

Do you remember ALF? It was such a great 80s sitcom. Sitcoms today just aren’t the same.
As a kid, I used to love watching ALF on TV. It was one of those shows I used to get excited about. Too bad it didn’t last as long as The Cosby Show.

Anyways, I saw it on some random channel as i was flipping last week and thought it’d be great if I had the actual DVD set. I went ahead and purchased ALF – Season One and ALF – Season Two
and it arrived in 3 days. ^_^

I think I’ll leave them in their wrappers and just watch the Torrents.

Once I get through these, I’ll buy Season 3 and Season 4. Ha!

You know you want it:

• Buy Alf – Season One on DVD
• Buy Alf – Season Two on DVD

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt is perfect for the creative foodie who loves mixing and matching their favorite yogurt flavors and toppings.

On a quest to find a new frozen yogurt place this weekend, we found Menchie’s on Yelp!

And now, I love this Frozen Yogurt chain! I’m discovering that it’s pretty much ALL OVER the San Fernando Valley. Not only that, but it’s my favorite type of frozen yogurt chain: the kind where you can mix and match yourself!

After falling in love with Yogurtland last year, I realized that frozen yogurt was that sweet treat I needed at night that didn’t make me feel so bad about having a sweet tooth…on a diet.

Not many frozen yogurt chains allow you to mix and match your own. I think it’s a winning combination to get both kids and adults in the door. They’ve got fresh fruit for the health conscious and fruit lovers, and they’ve got reeses and butterfinger crumbs for the junk conscious.

Winner!

• Find a Menchies in your area
• Follow Menchies on Twitter
• Fan Menchies on Facebook