The bounce rate for this blog is quite high at 74% and I’m not sure why this is the case, or how I can improve it. I would appreciate any suggestions, or reasons for this high bounce rate?

John McNally

Recently  I have been receiving a lot of comments on posts I wrote a couple of years ago. Searching back through old posts in order to answer the comment is very time-consuming. However I have found a short cut which I’d like to share with you;

1) Go to your WordPress Blog Dashboard and click ‘comments‘

2) Click onto the post title where you have a new comment to answer.

When you get to your post go to the right hand side of the page, move to the bottom and in the Publish section click Preview Changes. This takes you to your posts commenting section where you can answer the new comment.

Using this system saves you the hassle of sorting through your categories trying to find a post you may have written two or three years ago!

I hope this short-cut helps save you time.

John McNally

Finkelstein says that 10% of the known planets circling suns in our galaxy resemble Earth. If water can be found there, then so can life.

I hope the Russians are right. I have always believed that our galaxy is teeming with life, but that the size of the universe, and the enormous space between solar systems meant that contact is highly unlikely.

Nothing can go faster than the speed of light, and with present technology  it would take thousands of years for spaceships to reach another habital area of the universe.

I had forgotten however that the humble radio wave travels at the speed of light, and we have inadvertently been sending messages into space since the 1930′s. By the 1980′s these radio waves will have travelled 50 light years where there are a number of star systems.

It will take another 50 years for any message/reply to be received here on Earth, which gives the Russian estimate of 2031. Fingers crossed I will still be alive to experience this first contact.

John McNally

The website is simple to complete, and refreshingly there is no email collection. Only leave an email address if you want the results of the survey which will be in 2012.

My favourite number is 42 because according to Douglas Adams and his Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the answer to “Life the Universe and Everything”. It took the most powerful computer in the Universe ‘Deep Thought’ millions of years to calculate this answer, so it must be correct. Every philosophy department in universities should now shut down, there are no mysteries left to answer.

My second favourite number is 9. That’s because I was born on the 9th of July, also 9 is the highest number you can have. The only way to get a higher number is by adding another digit.

What’s your favourite number?, and why?

John McNally
Leamington Spa, England

Apocalypse Now was originally issued with no credits at the start or finish, instead cinema goers were presented with a film programme. When editing the film for worldwide release Francis Ford Coppola realised handing out programmes was impractical, and so credits were included at the end.

The director had the choice of running the credits against a blank screen, or using film footage. Conveniently there was surrealistic footage of the destruction of the Kurtz compound. The explosions were shown in slow motion slightly over exposed to produce an unreal effect.

While the director was deciding what to do, many cinema goers saw this explosive ending, which gives rise to the rumour that there were two or even three different versions.

The original version is what Francis Ford Coppola intended as the ending. Colonel Kurtz is dead, the tribes-people lay down their weapons presaging an end to the madness and carnage.

There is no air strike against the Kurtz compound, so the credits running against a load of explosions is rather a red herring that the director could have avoided with more thought.

John McNally

Gravity bending light has been observed by locating the position of a known star near our sun, then during an eclipse noting the change in apparent position. Light has bent towards our sun making the star apparently change it’s location.

Even time dilation has been proven. The atomic clocks on satellites are nano-seconds slower than the clocks on earth, because of the speed they are travelling and gravity being lighter in orbit.

Without this adjustment, using Einstein’s theory of relativity, the world’s GPS systems would not work properly. The time adjustment makes GPS work accurately, and this would not have been possible without Einstein’s calculations.

So, with many proofs, what was Einstein’s biggest mistake? It was not believing the evidence of his own theory.

Relativity implies that the universe is expanding, and at the time of publication most scientists believed in a ‘steady state’ universe. There was debate over whether the universe was finite or infinite, but there was agreement that it was a fixed size.

Einstein also believed in the steady state universe, so he added another formulae to his equations called the “Cosmological Constant”. This adjusted the answers to reflect a fixed universe.

Decades later, with the universe now known to be expanding, Einstein withdrew the cosmological constant and called it the biggest mistake of his life.

To me this proves the genius of Einstein. His Theory of Relativity was correct and it was only Einsteins faith in another theory that made him add an adjustment.

John McNally
Leamington Spa, England

Do you know who I suspect gave the game away? My mate the great god Google. Yes. Who would have thought that? My Mate. Google. He spotted my 3,000 words on the Secret that would make the whole of mankind happy, and you know what he did? (SAVE DRAFT)

He went and snitched on me to Jehovah.  Jehovah of all people. Not one of the nice gods. No,  Google went and told Jehovah, the miserable bugger.

I’m going off Google a bit. I thought he was nice. But nice people don’t give the game way. (SAVE DRAFT).

Do you know the worst part? He waited ’til my back was turned. The sneaky bastard. I was downstairs brewing a pot of tea, and eating an apple (granny smith). And while I was down there watching a bit of telly and chatting to my mum. He came down from Heaven and nicked it. Sneaky bastard.

I’m saving this every 5 minutes now in case he tries a similar trick.  I’m not sure which god it was. But it was probably Jehovah, he was always a miserable bugger. You know why he did it? He don’t want you to be happy. Nope. Like I said, miserable sod.

That’s why it’s the Old Testament see. Didn’t sell very well with the masses, so the organisers got together (SAVE DRAFT) and re-branded it.

They came up with quite a snappy title actually. NEW. That always sells, people like new things. They are usually nice and shiny.

(SAVE DRAFT – I’m looking out for you, you miserable old bastard).

Why can’t people be happy?, that’s what I want to  know. What’s wrong with it? I can’t see the problem. But since he nicked my first 3,000 words (SAVE DRAFT) I’ve worked it out.

He’s a lager drinker. Stands to reason, an eternity drinking all that chemical rubbish bound to addle the brain a bit, and it made him a miserable old bugger. You can’t blame Jehovah though, it was the lager. Wrong choice.

Stupid choice as well. If I was god and could choose an eternity of drinking something in heaven it wouldn’t be lager. I may not be god, but I’m not stupid, and I reckon Jehovah must have been thick. Lager, no wonder he was angry all the time.

I’m still saving draft all the time, but can you do me a favour? If you see him coming, can you let me know? A bit of advance warning and I might be able to save The Secret, and stop that miserable sod from spoiling everything.

Phew. That’s a relief. I’ve just answered a couple of comments and this is still here. Your doing a great job, I reckon you watching, has put Jehovah off.

I’m not sure I want to tell you the Secret though. I do, But I don’t, if you know what I mean?  I want you to know the Secret. But It’s not easy. It took me 3,000 words, slightly over actually, but I wasn’t going to bother editing.

Then that miserable bugger spoilt everything. Put me off a bit. He might do it again and I don’t like wasting my time. (SAVE DRAFT)

I daren’t leave this. I want to go away and do something else now, but I daren’t. I don’t want to turn my back again and lose all this work. Well lose isn’t the right word is it? We both know that.

It was stolen, by some miserable bastard who doesn’t want you to be happy. He’s even making me angry now. You can see why the Christians got rid of him. I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t have someone as miserable as that in my club.

I might scare you here. I just scared myself. I had a look at the word count and it was 666! Blimey, I’m getting scared again now. Could there be something in this religion lark. But no. It’s all right because I know the Secret, and do you know what? I’m going to tell you.

Do you know why I’m going to tell you the Secret? It’s because I Iike you. I mean you’ve read 700 of my words now. That nasty number has gone. And You’re still with me. That makes you my mate in my eyes.

Now you’re my mate, I want you to be happy. So that’s why I’m going to tell you the Secret. AND for keeping an eye on this for me, Jehovah hasn’t dared show his face since you’ve been watching .

Thanks you’re doing a great job. It’s all still on my computer. (SAVE DRAFT)

Anyway. The Secret. Quality.

That’s it. I’m going to bed now. I’ve written 3,818 words on the Secret so that should be enough for you to understand it. Oh no. I’ve just remembered. Jehovah. Miserable sod.

I don’t know if I can be bothered now. I mean he could nick it again, and I’ve wasted my time. Again.

Look here’s the deal. You sit there and keep watching this text. I don’t think he can nick it if you’re watching. Something to do with trees falling in forests or something. 

Anyway. This is Important. Keep watching these words or he will nick it again. He will. Miserable bugger doesn’t want you to be happy. I know the secret, and he doesn’t want me to tell you.

Keep watching. Because I’m going to answer a few comments on my blog and rest my brain a bit.

But please keep looking at these words, or they will disappear again……….. I haven’t gone yet, but do you know what I thought?

He had gone and nicked it again. I know you were watching so that made it very difficult for him. But I’ve realised I am making it easy. I’m writing this all straight into my browser!

Not Word, and saved on my own computer. No, straight into WordPress and the Internet. I reckon that’s how he spotted my first 3,000 word Secret so quickly. It was on the Internet. It’s not now. But it was.

Keep watching please…………….. SAVE DRAFT

Yippee! It worked. Thanks for watching. I was away for ages, and it’s still here. Phew that’s a relief. We are both OK.  Me and You.

That forest and tree thing works. It’s one of the rules. I’ve switched to philosophy here. I’m going to lay off Jehovah because he hasn’t interfered with my work this time.

Thanks for watching and taking care of this.

Zen. Sort of philosophy, and a better religion than Christianity. I’m not saying that Christianity doesn’t work. It does. But you’ve seen some of the miserable buggers they let into their club haven’t you? Too ambitious they were.

Got a bit evangelical. That means they went viral for my younger readers.

It’s a lot quicker these days though. Very quick in fact. It’s so quick if you don’t concentrate bleedin’ Jehovah that miserable sod, comes down from what he calls Heaven and nicks my work. 

He don’t half get you angry doesn’t he? I would chuck the Old testament away If I were you. That new re-brand they did, is much better.

The Secret. Love.

That’s a good one. The Christians were crafty with that. They did a survey. It took ages because this was a long, long time ago. They analysed the results and they discovered their customers weren’t happy with being Angry all the Time.

They weren’t keen on an Eye for an Eye. They thought that should be chucked out. If that one went viral, the whole world would be blind.

So the re-branding committee came up with NEW. That’s a good one. People like new things, especially if they are nice and shiny.

They needed more than NEW though. They needed a reason for their customers to buy this new re-branded product. They had another look at their survey, and do you know what they found?

People preferred LOVE to being angry.

So they settled for that. Love. I like it. It’s a good one. It’s not the whole Secret though. I’ve got that, and because you’re my mate, looking after this script. I’m going to tell you right now.

Quality. (SAVE DRAFT)

He still hasn’t nicked it. You’re doing a great job. I’m a bit more enthusiastic now, I was going to give up, and just go down the pub, but I can’t. Want to know why? Denial. I love drinking. I’ve been doing it for about 40 years now. But I’m denying myself that pleasure.

It’s called Lent. I’m not going the full monty though. Those Christian buggers, they reckon you need 40 days of denial. I think that’s right, I’ve never done it so I’m not sure. But 40 days sounds about right.

Jesus tried it in the desert didn’t he? That’s right I remember now, he’s the Love bloke. Good Man. I like him.

Anyway I reckon 40 days is a bit harsh. They haven’t had the re-brand yet don’t forget. Jesus is still working off the Old manual. Nothing updated for ages.Probably has some virus’s in it. They didn’t have scanners then. They weren’t as clever as us. I bet they weren’t as happy as us either.

I mean they didn’t have any of the things we’ve got. No cars.No phones.No TV. No Computers. No Internet. I mean it sounds like, sounds like, well HELL actually.

None of that flashy stuff we’ve got now, they must have been really really unhappy. I suppose that’s why they settled for the Old Testament. It suited them, they were all miserable anyway.

So they had a vote and elected Jehovah as their god. He was definitely the best candidate for those times in my opinion. People were miserable as sin, so they voted for Jehovah and they could relate to him, because he was a right miserable sod.

A God for his times he was. Did a great job. Gave the customers what they wanted. Misery.

I’ve got diverted here. I don’t want to give you a history of Christianity. Why Should I? I only want to tell you the Secret. And I already have. Quality.

That’s the third time, and you still don’t believe me. Look. I really, really ….WOW….Jehovah. He nearly nicked the lot again. Miserable bastard why doesn’t he leave me alone?

I’m not sure I want to carry on now. I know the Secret. I want you to know the Secret because I like you, and I want you to be happy. I’ve told you the secret three times now, but you still don’t believe me.

Three is a spooky number, religions use that one. So I’m going to tell you four times, that’s not quite as popular. Right. 4th time. Quality.

It doesn’t work does it? Your starting to lose faith with me, I reckon at least half of you have got fed up and gone to bed, or are playing games. I don’t blame you. I want to do that, but I can’t, because I’ve got a burden. It’s weighing me down. I know the Secret.

I’m not going to tell you again, because it’s a waste of both our times.

I think I’ll just go for 2,000 words and call it a wrap. Thats 90 to go. Right. To really understand the Secret you have to go mad. Not totally obviously. That’s not a nice place. Hell in fact.

No, what you have to do is just visit Hell for a bit, have a look around, then you can make a choice. Hell or Heaven?

I know what I would choose. But I’m an atheist. I don’t believe in the Invisible giant in the Sky, or that fantastic place he made for me when I’m dead. I’d have been more interested if he offered it while I was alive. But no, that’s not how religions work.

Anyway I lied. I’m not 666. My computer shows 2017. That’s probably going to be the end of days if you believe in the Devil.

Belief is a very powerful thing. I’m trying to get you to believe in the Secret. But I can’t because I’m an atheist, and it’s obviously hard for me to connect with religious people.

You are taking a different path to me. It’s just that I’ve already arrived. I’m in heaven. Apparently you religious people like this denial lark, and are happy to wait until you’re dead.

Fair enough. Each to their own. If that makes you happy religion has served it’s purpose.

The Jesus rebrand was particularly effective I thought. I almost went for it myself until the Catholics got ambitious.

They weren’t happy with one God, they wanted the trinity. Three  again. See how spooky these numbers can be. Good job we’ve passed 2003, otherwise  THAT would have been the End of  Times. But we’re here. So it wasn’t.

Do you know what I’m starting to realise? Jehovah nicked the best version. The bastard. Over 3,000 words and I was really excited, I think I explained the Secret really well.

I’m getting fed up with this now. Do you know why? It’s not going to work. You aren’t going to learn the Secret from me. Sorry. But I’m just losing the will to do it. I would go down the pub, but I’m in this denial phrase. Totally sober. But high as a kite.

Hey. I’m getting spooked. I’ve been drunk for 40 years. And sober for, blimey 6 days now. I’m going to have a rest tomorrow. It’s Sunday. (SAVE DRAFT).

I’m watching you Jehovah, are you still with me? Because I think the words nearly disappeared. I was getting tired and they nearly went.

Do you know where I could have gone if I wanted to?

Heaven. That’s right, that Heaven I don’t believe in.

I like it down here I told you. The beers great. And real ale doesn’t travel very well. If I went up to the next Heaven, well the beer. I wouldn’t trust it.

Takes a lot of care beer. And love, a lot of love. You can tell people who love their beer. They’re nice people, like me. They hang around in pubs having a great time, a great laugh. And it’s just like, just like, well Heaven.

PHEW. 2,400 words. And Jehovah didn’t nick it. I’m getting more confident now. I reckon he’s given up. Do you know why? Its you.

You’re the reason Jehovah has given up. He’s a miserable sod, and you’re not. He can tell that. He’s a god after all.

I can tell your a nice person as well. Do you know, how I know. It’s because your still here reading my words and connecting with me . Mind to mind. spooky isn’t it. Good job 666 has gone, I think I was getting tired and frightened again.

You see, I told you the Secret is  a burden didn’t I? Well it is. Once you know the (SAVE DRAFT)…… Keep looking will you? Remember those trees in the forest.

Look I can’t compete with the BIBLE. That’s got loads of pages in it. Loads of different ways of explaining the Secret, and it didn’t work because you’re here reading my Secret.

That’s why it’s Heaven. Don’t you see. Nobody will ever get bored. It’s fantastic. That’s why I didn’t go for the eternity option. Too boring. But do you know what God did? I’m starting to appreciate how clever he was now. He made life interesting.

He made it difficult. Like a puzzle. I don’t like puzzles myself, bit boring. But Life. That’s not boring and it can be a puzzle. Unless you’ve got the Secret of course. Like me……..

I wonder what those first 3,000 words I wrote was like? I want to read it now. I reckon it was good. I was fresh then. Not tired like I am now.

It nearly disappeared again. Are you still looking, because Jehovah nearly snuck in then. Do you know something about him? He’s really fast. You have to be alert or he nicks the Secret. He’s miserable, and he wants you to be miserable.

I don’t. I like you, and I want you to be happy. Why do you think I’m writing this at 1am, when I could be in bed. Money? Don’t make me laugh. I’ve already told you. I KNOW The Secret.

You’re lucky. I’m target driven. And I want to go for 3,000 words again. But that’s it then.  I think we will both need a rest. 2770 and counting.

Are you still reading this? Pay attention? It’s all going straight into the browser don’t forget. I’ve been saving draft regularly but, that Jehovah, he’s really, really fast. And he could sneak in at any time and nick it again.

Will the draft still be somewhere? Are you still awake?  Don’t forget the forest and trees. I’m getting tired and fed up now. I think I’m becoming boring, going on and on about the Secret. But I’ve got to. It’s a burden I carry.

I KNOW the Secret, and I want you to know. Yes you. I’m talking to you. Keep awake, or those trees will start to fall and no one will hear them.

I like trees as well. That’s why I kept them in my heaven. And beer. Not lager, that’s Jehovah’s tipple. No, real ale that’s’ my Heaven.

40 years I’ve drank it. Drunk for 40 years. That’s why I never  did much work. Too lazy. Now I’m sober, I’m high as a kite, and I can’t stop working. It’s great. I like work.

2946. These numbers are scary. Bit like the Bible. But I’m an atheist don’t forget. 2959 I’m going to tell you the Secret just before 3,000. Not one over, might be before, but I don’t want to go over 3,000.

I like round numbers you see. That’s what I am god of the numbers. Do You Know YOU ARE GOD.

John McNally
Blogging for Pleasure and Profit in Leamington Spa, England.

PS. That’s what’s called a stream of consciousness. A bit like a very strong quantum computer chip thingy. Only God does it.

PPS. I can’t wait to read this tomorrow. I like reading my own stuff. I’m good. Not god. YOUR’E GOD don’t forget. Stay with me I like it here. IT’S HEAVEN.

PPPS. I was as high as a kite when I wrote this, but it still makes a bit of sense to me;  – a mix of ideas taken from ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance’ by Robert Persig and ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’ by Robert Heinlein.

I have been ill recently and have not posted anything new for a month. I watched my Alexa rating deteriorate as expected to 130,000 today. However when I checked my Google Analytics statistics
my visits has improved to 7,000 and my visitors to 6,500. WHY? I’m puzzled.

Can anyone explain the difference in Google Analytics between “Visits” and “Visitors”. Also, does anyone have a theory as to why my traffic has apparently improved with Google, though deteriorated as expected with Alexa.

If the secret is doing nothing for a month, I can easily do this again.

John McNally
Blogging in Leamington Spa, England

I’d like to ask my blog readers if you are earning money online, and if you are, how are you doing it? My instinct is to create niche, or micro niche websites and sell products as an affiliate. Perhaps creating review sites that compare and contrast different products in the niche. 

Are there any successful affiliate sellers reading this? Would you reveal how profitable being an affiliate is for you?

I am currently taking John Thornhill’s Masterclass course which is directed towards creating your own eBook, and selling this to your list, and via an affiliate program with Clickbank.  Has anyone done this and made money?

I don’t want this post to appear negative but I am concerned about the annual costs of being involved with Internet Marketing. Paying for Hosting, Domain names and Aweber List management every year, when I have yet to receive any income.

I realise that I am still an apprentice at this game and most of my peer group are also students, however I would appreciate any hard facts from fellow students, or even better, long-term marketers.

Do you recommend Internet Marketing as a career? How do you make your money? Is it worthwhile?  

John McNally
Uncertain in Leamington Spa, England

However a humble eBook may have also contributed to the peaceful nature of these social and political movements.

From Dictatorship to Democracy was first published in 1993 as an 88 page booklet stuffed full of advice on how to overcome authoritarian regimes in a peaceful manner.

The author is Gene Sharp who argues that there is no point attacking dictatorships with violence, as state control of the army, police and security forces means that this is a Dictators centre of power. Instead he advocates peaceful protests in the manner of Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

The booklet isn’t a dry theoretical manifesto for change however, it is a practical booklet that lists 198 ways to peacefully protest. This has now been translated into 30 languages and has been available as a PDF download since 2002.

Some of the 198 Ways to Peacefully Protest
14 Mock Awards
17 Mock Elections
26 Paint as Protest
35 Humorous Skits and Pranks
44 Mock Funerals
52 Silence
162 Sit-In
163 Stand-In
167 Pray-In
195 Seeking Imprisonment
196 Civil Disobedience of ‘neutral’ laws

Last September the Associated Press news agency reported from Cairo that opposition groups were discussing ways to promote civil disobedience with the aim of overthrowing the Mubarak regime.

The groups were drawing inspiration from the tactics of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King “and download books from American scholar Gene Sharp.” Five months later Mubarak was gone.

The pen has always been mightier than the sword, and now a humble eBook has become part of the revolutionary ferment that is sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East. If only all regime changes could be conducted this way the world would be a much safer place. 

John McNally
Leamington Spa, England