I love social networking. I mean, obviously, look at where you’re reading this. However, I can imagine that there are some downsides, namely when someone decides to take advantage of you putting everything about yourself online.

Here comes a new website called ‘Please Rob Me’.  Their aim is to make online tell-alls aware of the potential downside to public location-sharing.

As they explain: "The danger is publicly telling people where you are. This is because it leaves one place you're definitely not... home. So here we are; on one end we're leaving lights on when we're going on a holiday, and on the other we're telling everybody on the internet we're not home. It gets even worse if you have "friends" who want to colonize your house. That means they have to enter your address, to tell everyone where they are. Your address.. on the internet.. Now you know what to do when people reach for their phone as soon as they enter your home. That's right, slap them across the face."

Next time, maybe you’ll think twice about tweeting where you are.

Zuiker

I wanted to let you know that the audio book version of your favorite book, and mine, Level 26: Dark Origins has been nominated for an Audie Award in the Thriller/Suspense category.

From the Audie Website: "The Audies, sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association (APA), is  the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audio books and  spoken word entertainment. Through The Audies award competition, publishers are able to  enter titles in various categories for recognition of achievement. Finalists are selected and, from that group of finalists, one winner is awarded. Finalists will be notified in February 2010, and  showcased on the APA website, to the press, and in APA materials. Winners will be recognized  at the exciting Audies gala in New York City on May 25, 2010. Two special awards highlight  outstanding achievements: The Distinguished Achievement in Production Award goes to an  audio book that demonstrates excellence in all areas of production, while the Audio book of the Year recognizes the audio book that, through quality, innovation, marketing and sales, has had the most significant impact on the industry."

Zuiker

Level 26ers,

As many of you know, yesterday we lost a legend in the fashion world: Alexander McQueen. If you are unfamiliar with him, McQueen was a giant in the fashion industry known for shock tactics, unconventional designs as well as his fashion shows that were more like rock concerts than a runway walk. He had boutiques all over the world and his clothing was popular among celebrities like Kate Moss, Björk and, of course, Lady Gaga. I’m saddened to hear of his death and I’m keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers. A great designer and a fashion genius, he will be sorely missed.

Check out his most recent fashion show above. I look forward to your thoughts.

Zuiker

Who Dat?

Well, Deputies, here are the current standings for the Deputy26 contest. To calculate the scores we used a slightly altered system from the one that Fiction Addiction thought up. For doing all that hard and complex work, I’m giving Fiction a Gold Sqweegel Award. The system FA worked out was extremely fair, and yet made things super close.

So, here you go, the Deputy 26 and Community winners for the Sqweegel Office Pool Contest:

Community Winners:

Gold Sqweegel: Mimi
Silver Sqweegel: Tourist
Bronze Sqweegel: Vikingkid82, 7Hippiechick, Jay Martin

Runners Up: Mikus, Deonie Jensen

Deputy 26 Football Pool Contest Winners:

A special congrats to Chris Cassady who managed to predict the final Super Bowl score EXACTLY.

1st (25 points): PsychoKillersUnite1
2nd (22.5 points): Big Yellow Sqweegels
3rd (20 points): The Prodigal Saints
4th (17.5 points): Almighty Sqweegels
5th (15 points): Dark Addicts
6th (12.5 points): Z Spirits
7th (10 points): Kingi’s Vegan Vampire Uber Lounge
 
Here is the ‘Dirty Dozen’ Deputy 26 Leader Board:
 
1st (162.5 points): Big Yellow Sqweegels
2nd (150 points): Dark Addicts
3rd (128 points): Kingi’s Vegan Vampire Uber Lounge
4th (100 points): Almighty Sqweegels
5th (95 points): The Prodigal Saints
6th (82.5 points): Z Spirits
7th (67.5 points): PsychoKillersUnite1
8th (60 points): Babes of Darkness
8th (60 points): Dark Wanderers
10th (40 points): Drop Kill Murphys
11th (25 points): Team Splat
12th (22.5 points): Angels of Mercy

Zuiker

Level 26ers,


For most people out there, the Super Bowl is not only a chance to see the two best teams of the year duel it out for the championship trophy but, more importantly, to see the latest and greatest commercials. And I have to say that this year they didn’t disappoint. From the hilarious Megan Fox Motorola Ad to the sweet story of international romance from Google to the Betty White Snickers ad, I thought we had a pretty good crop.
 


Below is a link to all the commercials from this year’s Super Bowl on YouTube. I’ve posted one of my favorites above. Why do I like it? Because it tells a story in a very effective way. It’s storytelling at it’s simplest and it’s best. 



What was your favorite ad from the Super Bowl? When you find it, post it below in the comments section.



Enjoy!

AdBlitz’s Collection of the 2010 Super Bowl Ads

Zuiker

Hier is ons definitief internationaal onthaal blog:

(Ik verontschuldig me als mijn Nederlands niet perfect is.) Ik wil deze kans te baat nemen om alle prachtige mensen van Holland in Level26.com welkom te heten. Ik heb van een aantal u over daar gehoord en koppel schijnt werkelijk positief terug. De Nederlandse talenversie van Level 26: Dark Origins was één van de eerste internationale publicaties die wij hebben gedaan en van wat ik heb gehoord, doet het opmerkelijk goed daar. Ik ben verteld zij scherp zijn om Boek twee te publiceren wanneer wij klaar het hebben. Alles bij elkaar, houd van ik hebbend mijn boek beschikbaar aan u in het Nederlands.

Een tijdje geleden, vroeg ik mijn Afgevaardigden om een geroepen wedstrijd in werking te stellen “het Waarnemen Sqweegel.” Het grootste deel van „het waarnemen“ waren in de V.S. maar ik zou houden van foto's van het boek in Holland te krijgen. Zo, neem een beeld van het boek in uw stad of bij een nabijgelegen oriëntatiepunt en post hen hier aan de commentarenpagina. Kan niet wachten om te zien waar Sqweegel daarna verschijnt!

Ondertussen, geniet van het onthaal aan Level26.com en!

Here's our final international welcome blog:

I want to take this opportunity to welcome all of the wonderful people of Holland to Level26.com.  I’ve been hearing from a number of you over there and the feedback seems really positive. The Dutch language version of Level 26: Dark Origins was one of the first international publications we did and from what I’ve heard, it’s doing remarkably well there. I’ve been told they’re keen to publish Book two when we have it ready. All in all, I love having my book available to you in Dutch.

A while ago, I asked my Deputies to run a contest called “Sqweegel Sightings.” Most of the “sightings” were in the U.S. but I would love to get photos of the book in Holland. So, take a picture of the book in your town or at a nearby landmark and post them here to the comments page. Can’t wait to see where Sqweegel turns up next!

In the meantime, welcome to Level26.com and enjoy!

Zuiker

Level 26ers,

Wow! We had a big day yesterday with the Saints winning the Super Bowl. I was pulling for the Colts and honestly thought that they would win. But you can’t play it safe when you’re in the biggest game of the year and the Saints didn’t. And that’s why they won.

It’s also a pretty big day because, with the previous Deputy26 contest, who knows which one of you Deputies has won it now. Those who took a wild guess with the Saints stand a pretty good chance of picking up 25 points. It’s anyone’s game at this point. I can’t wait!

What did you guys do for the Super Bowl yesterday? Did you watch it at home? At a bar? At a friend’s Super Bowl party? Anybody have a piqued interest due to the Level 26 contest? I’d love to hear about what you guys did.

I also wanted to let you know we’ll be posting the winners of the Sqweegel’s Office Pool Contest this Friday along with our final Deputy26 contest. Excited? Nervous? Scared? You better be. We’re talking about Level 26 here.

Zuiker