Topicability of Numerology - Square Root Day

The Topicability of Numerology - Square Root Day or NOT. Yesterday bore a significance in that it was a memorable day for its numerology. March 3, 2009 = 3/03/09 OR referred to as Square Root Day. I recall seeing a couple of lenses promoting that day; now those would have been an appropriate Lens of the Day [LOTD]! Too bad no one asked me about my opinion for a good LOTD!


Well, today may not be a Square Root Day for me, but I did just notice the MOST curious coincidence when I posted about my dead battery on Twitter. You see, immediately following my Twitter Update, @SquidRich Actually, it's a 1999 yellow roadster as seen here -- "I keep it garaged" dead battery and all > http://blondesthatdiy.blogspot.com/2014/08/best-roadsters-ever.html, I noticed that it was my 1999 update! I actually think that I was hearing the Twilight Zone movie music playing.

Isn't it interesting to note the topicability of numerology on the internet? Just yesterday, @Scobleizer was talking about how cool 66,066 would be for number of followers --> The next person who follows me will be 66066 -- that is a cool number!

P.S. It was because of my car having it's second dead battery that I am sitting here doing this topical blog post!

P.P.S. And, I am now reflecting on a related topic, Chirp, Chirp, Chirp -- How Often Should You Send a Twitter Update?

Competing for the top lensrank

Competing for the top lensrank = earning charity dollars. I've just taken a look at the Top 100 listed lenses in several categories. Some rather surprising lenses -- no, I didn't have the time to visit each and every one of these. In some categories, I'm seeing multiple lenses on the SAME topics -- I personally would like to see more of a variety. And, be a little more topical on the topics; i.e., if holiday related and the holiday is past. ;)

The lure of many a new lensmaster joining Squidoo can probably be chalked up to the enticement of sharing in the thousands of dollars that some lensmasters say they are earning each month. There are plenty of ebooks out there instructing lensmasters how they can earn boatloads of money online. This is a tough economy; people have financial issues and are watching their budgets. I personally wouldn't want to get wealthy at the expense of putting another person in debt. But, that's me.

I'm of the belief that you need to "show me the money" before I believe all those claims about lensmasters or affiliates making thousands of dollars a month. I can believe that some lensmasters are making $100, $200, $300 or possibly $400 per month off their lenses -- but it is becoming less of a viable earning platform when you consider that you are competing with over 850,000 lenses rankling for a lensrank in the Top Tier which might pay $10-$11 for that position. Remember, the Top Tier only encompasses the top 2,000 lenses.

The enticement to join Squidoo has also brought with it some pretty spammy and non-quality lenses, recently referred to as SquidJunk. Well, I don't like spam and I surely don't like junk. Thankfully, there are efforts underway to address the spam and the junk -- thank you!

OK, here is what I propose and I'm sure this will be received with mixed reviews. Change the lensrank tier position royalties to automatically default to charity. Let the lensmaster select which charity or charities they would like to earmark their royalties to benefit. That could be the first step ... how do you feel about this?

I seek comfort in Stuffed Cabbage

In times like these, I seek comfort in Stuffed Cabbage. In the past 4 weeks, much has been happening -- here, there, and everywhere. It's a time to turn to some comfort food like Stuffed Cabbage. My grandmother, Julia Nagy, bless her heart, taught me to make stuffed cabbage rolls. Our family has carried on her name through her many fabulous Hungarian and Czechoslovakian recipes.

A couple of Sundays ago, I made a huge pot of stuffed cabbage rolls that lasted us for the entire week. I've now got a request in, from one of our workers, to make this again really soon.

Today there were a lot of topical happenings over at Squidoo. Early in the morning, I received an email, from another lensmaster, alerting of a new spam filter that was snagging good lensmasters' content-rich lenses. Well, that was enough for me NOT to do any updating as Squidoo's staff is small and I wouldn't want to add to their work to hand-review any lenses.

I've taken some time today to check into the Squidu Forum -- it certainly is reassuring to see that Megan and Seth both have taken time to ensure us lensmasters that good things are being done to address the issues. Oh, and they encouraged us good lensmasters to perhaps blog about some of our GREAT lenses! Well, look no further ... this is one of my lenses that I am quite proud of ... and because of my grandmother, Julia Nagy, this lens was able to be written.

Thank you grandma ... I love you and miss you dearly! Hope to see you soon.

Lensrank tanking for some lensmasters

Why is lensrank tanking for some lensmasters? The funniest thing about lensrank -- for some lensmasters lenses, their lensrank is tanking and in the toilet while other lensmasters are NOT experiencing such a tanking. Perhaps it is because of a new algorithm? Or because of more Giant Squids sharing in the wealth? I'm hoping that because I've started blogging more and am taking a look at some topical topics objectively, that there isn't a correlation to this apparent tanking. To be fair, ethical, objective, and evaluated on the same scale across the board -- is that too much to ask?

My THREE year anniversary with Squidoo is one-month away! For me, this is really quite an incredibly long period of time to be involved with one 'project.' I've held the passion and convictions that what I am doing is of value and worthy of my time. During these three years, I have spent COUNTLESS hours working on creating unique lenses, some of which are my 'pride and joy' although one wouldn't be able to tell by lack of a desirable higher lensrank. I've taken lots of grief from my hubby who has asked me way too many times if I was making more than $1.00 per hour with this 'hobby.' Squidoo has given me the opportunity to express myself through my lenses that I've not had the pleasure to experience ANYWHERE else.

In the past three years, I have achieved the 'honors' of Giant Squid, Giant Squid 100 Club, 2008 Giant Squid of the Year, Squid Angel, Lens of the Day three times, and 2008 Best Cooking lens, among a few other nice honors. I have not yet been tapped as a Citizen Squid -- that would have been nice though. I've created over 402 lenses and 6 groups and done my best to be a positive contributor on the forum. Through my private mentoring, I've helped many a lensmaster. Through the power of Squidoo, I've had the distinct pleasure to become online friends with so many wonderful PEOPLE -- people who matter to me ... Hello, you undoubtedly know WHO you are.

Recently, my lenses were HIT by a speed-rater who might have been disgruntled for some reason -- I can't speak for them as I don't know why. HQ was great in helping to remedy MY problem. Thanks Gil. And, thanks to Blake, Corey, Kimberly, Megan, and Seth -- and anyone else that I might have missed.

As Squidoo has exploded and grown to nearly one million lenses, there are a lot of issues to deal with -- how to handle all those bugs in a timely fashion with such a small staff is a top concern. How to handle all those lensmasters with multiple accounts; I'm not going to discuss that here -- I can well understand what I read about this in many a lensmasters' blog. What about non-authentic content; or God forbid plagiarism? What about all those many lenses on the same topics and the same questionable topics? Oh my! What about spam, one stars, locked lenses, being nasty to other lensmasters? That's not good at all. My grandmother Julia Nagy taught me that I should treat others as I would have them treat me; AND, if I didn't have something nice to say, to not say anything at all.

Squid Angels, and others with the power, can only do so much to ding those SPAMMY lenses to move them out of the top tiers so that the deserving lenses have the better lensrank. Squid Angels are human after all.

But, why is lensrank tanking for SOME lensmasters? In the following graphic, you see three columns of numbers which are squidoo lensrank for lenses. In each row, you see the lensrank day #1, day #2, and day #3. The numbers show the progression of lensrank downward in just days for lenses.

Traffic and Lensrank - Follow-Up

The other day, I discussed how total traffic cannot be the only factor in determining a high ranking in the Top 100. Today, I wanted to follow up in my non-scientific analysis to revisit some randomly selected lenses to see how traffic stacks up against other lenses in the Top 100.

For an interesting comparison, I will show the same lensrank from both days, with a comparison of the seven-day, total week traffic and current lensrank. These are NOT necessarily the same lenses! The listing in red is the lens and associated lensrank and traffic from the other day. Today's ranking and associated traffic is in green. I've added a few lenses to the mix, so the previous day's visits are not easily known. You'll note that some lenses seem to be getting LOTS of traffic -- those visits are bolded. For the most part, these lenses with lots of traffic are hitting the topicability index for what's hot in the news or for the past holiday of Valentine's Day. Those lenses one would normally expect to be in the Top 100 overall.

#1 Lens -- Total Traffic: 975 visits this week
#1 Lens -- Total Traffic: 983 visits this week

#3 Lens -- Total Traffic: 949 visits this week
#3 Lens -- Total Traffic: 783 visits this week

#9 Lens -- Total Traffic: 462 visits this week
#9 Lens -- Total Traffic: 3,847 visits this week

#12 Lens -- Total Traffic: 460 visits this week

#14 Lens -- Total Traffic: 452 visits this week

#15 Lens -- Total Traffic: 306 visits this week
#15 Lens -- Total Traffic: 291 visits this week

#28 Lens -- Total Traffic: 474 visits this week
#28 Lens -- Total Traffic: 995 visits this week
#38 Lens -- Total Traffic: 248 visits this week
#38 Lens -- Total Traffic: 5,667 visits this week

#56 Lens -- Total Traffic: 1,414 visits this week

#58 Lens -- Total Traffic: 265 visits this week
#58 Lens -- Total Traffic: 2,323 visits this week

#66 Lens -- Total Traffic: 447 visits this week
#66 Lens -- Total Traffic: 3,564 visits this week

#80 Lens -- Total Traffic: 1,432 visits this week
#80 Lens -- Total Traffic: 6,426 visits this week
#81 Lens -- Total Traffic: 841 visits this week
#81 Lens -- Total Traffic: 604 visits this week

#82 Lens -- Total Traffic: 269 visits this week
#82 Lens -- Total Traffic: 5,710 visits this week

#83 Lens -- Total Traffic: 17 visits this week
#83 Lens -- Total Traffic: 1,033 visits this week

Buy Quality Bag Lenses

Buy Quality Bag Lenses - Created by Jaguar Julie. Are you into authentic designer handbags like I am? Perhaps you are a bag lady or actually know a bag lady. Well, I've got an assortment of lenses that I've spent many an hour researching, creating and maintaining. These lenses are now ripe for the picking!

Check the list below to get a look at which lenses I am willing to part with -- at the right price! So what might the right price be? Well, many a prominent lensmaster has discussed how to attach the right price tag to a lens -- but, if you are into designer handbags, you probably have a good idea how much you want to pay.

For more information on why I am selling my lenses, look NO further for the truth than here, and here and here! Oh, and the country club cats thank you for your interest!

UPDATE: Squidoo key content has been acquired by HubPages ... and some of our content went there whilst some of our content got moved!

• Best Backpacks for Work and School
• Neoprene Lunch Totes -- For Work and School
• Best Bags -- A Top Ten Countdown
• Coach Company -- Designer Handbags, Accessories and Footwear!
• The Best Bags Ever

Folks! At one time us Squidoo lensmasters were able to transfer purchased lenses to other lensmasters. That ability was removed. And, then, Squidoo was acquired by HubPages. In the meantime, I attracted an internet troll who established multiple accounts on Squidoo for the purpose of one-starring my lenses. He started with the handbag lenses. Why? Because that was what HE wrote about. Thankfully, Squidoo dealt with him. He moved on the HubPages ... and was banned. How about that? Beware of bag salesmen. Probably worse than a used car salesman or maybe a t-shirt salesman!!

The Topicability of Traffic

The Topicability of Traffic - It's Just NOT Enough. A really hot topic these days is still lensrank. Normally, a higher lensrank position would be equitable to higher traffic. But, because of other factors that is not always the case. To illustrate this phenomenon, I have randomly selected several lenses and looked at the seven-day, total week traffic and current lensrank. Have a look for yourselves:

#1 Lens -- Total Traffic: 975 visits this week
#3 Lens -- Total Traffic: 949 visits this week
#9 Lens -- Total Traffic: 462 visits this week
#15 Lens -- Total Traffic: 306 visits this week
#28 Lens -- Total Traffic: 474 visits this week
#38 Lens -- Total Traffic: 248 visits this week
#58 Lens -- Total Traffic: 265 visits this week
#66 Lens -- Total Traffic: 447 visits this week
#80 Lens -- Total Traffic: 1,432 visits this week
#81 Lens -- Total Traffic: 841 visits this week
#82 Lens -- Total Traffic: 269 visits this week
#83 Lens -- Total Traffic: 17 visits this week

As I am quite familiar with one of these lenses listed above, I know that it's best lensrank overall has been #4. It's had a lot of Google love for quite some time after being created in late 2007. This lens is a rather niche-like topic and not the standard fodder for most lenses. But, this lens has gained in popularity since 2008 thanks to the online buzz and also thanks to Martha Stewart.

Well, obviously online buzz and Martha Stewart can only do so much to contribute to a Top 100 ranking for a lens. It's been noticed that this lens has slipped in rankings. So, what has changed? There is a hypothesis that such a slip in the ranking of this lens is due #1 to a change in algorithm or #2 a lack of squid angels' blessings or #3 more squid angels' blessings for other lenses or #4 the dreaded squid angel ding -- but, we don't think #4 is the reason as we are optimists and believe that the lovely people behind the scenes would see that a high-ranking lens had received a ding and then swiftly remove it.

Many factors are considered when objectively ranking lenses -- perhaps the number of lensmasters who have rated the lens and favorited it; number of click-outs; total sales; and a variety of other factors that can be implemented to keep you on your toes and working on keeping your lenses fresh and loaded with quality content.

Finished my first year at Squidoo

Hi, nice to meet you - I've finished my first year at Squidoo. Well, hello there -- it sure is nice to meet you! I'm a Squidoo lensmaster -- you can call me Janice Doe as I represent many a top-notch lensmaster who has finished their first full year at Squidoo. Many of us took on the challenge of becoming a Giant Squid and actually were fortunate enough to get accepted into the honorable Giant Squid 100 Club! What's that you might ask -- well check out Jaguar Julie's Giant Squid lens for a bit more information.

Attaining the coveted honor of Giant Squid means quite a few perks -- to demonstrate that in tangible data is to look at the following monthly royalties chart for the first full year of a lensmaster. Royalties earned cumulatively for the first 10 months of the year when compared to earnings for the last 2 months alone equalled 80% of that total. In other words, in 2 months alone, those total royalties exceeded the previous 10 months by 20%! How come? Well, a lot of hard work #1 is the primary reason! No spamming or spammy lenses went into this lensmaster's work! Also, since this lensmaster qualified for the Giant Squid 100 Club, that meant their portfolio included upwards of 150 lenses!

Are you on Squidoo yet?

Well, why not join me there and start writing about your passions and hobbies.

Share a recipe or two; talk about a family vacation; show that you are an expert on a certain topic; or tackle a genealogical research topic!

In hindsight, man what a ride it was! I figure I maybe made a bit over $50,000 throughout the course of the run. Try to make that in today's market legitimately. Good luck.

Topicability, Topicability, Topicability

Topicability, Topicability, Topicability as in Location, Location, Location! What does Topicability have to do with Location? Well, if you are into real estate you undoubtedly know that the mantra for selling real estate is "location, location, location." That is, the importance of location as it relates to a property being hot or prime for a sale.

Likewise, topicability carries that type of importance with regards to a Squidoo lens, blog post, website, or ANY online news article for that matter. The higher the topicability quotient, the higher the prime index of that page. The higher the prime index of that page will generally mean:

• higher traffic count
• more returning visitors
• longer visits

A compelling argument for topicability is demonstrated by this chart of some typical visit lengths. A whopping 82.6% of visits are less than 5 seconds which isn't enough time to read the entire page, but enough time to quickly scan the page -- like an Evelyn Wood speed reader -- and move on to the next page. The next time segment of 5 to 30 seconds accounts for 4.4% of visits and is still not enough time to adequately evaluate the page.

30 seconds to 5 minutes accounts for 6.6% of the visits which works on short lenses for enough time to assess the gist of the page. 5 to 20 minutes accounts for 2.5% of visit length which is also about the percentages I was schooled to expect for a direct marketing campaign. Slightly less than 1.0% @ 0.8% of the visit length are 20 minutes to an hour! That would seem to mean that you have engaged your reader fairly well.

What is interesting to note is that visit lengths of longer than an hour or 3.1% of the total exceeds the expected average of most direct marketing and online campaigns. Visitors are spending time reading Squidoo lenses and checking out other lenses in lensmasters' profiles.

If you've got a cooking lens, you might have interested a few thousand people to try one of your recipes. If you've written a 'how-to' lens, you're probably helping out some newbies. If you've spotlighted a hot ticket item, you've probably caught some reader's eye. If you've got the traffic, you've probably clicked with the topicability index.

After all, if you build it, they will come!

Seasonality is more prevalent

Seasonality is more prevalent than ever these days! You undoubtedly have been experiencing the seasonality of your 401K, begrudgingly, thanks to the state of the economy. Gasoline prices rose to a record high and then mysteriously experienced a seasonality with a dip. Now those prices are climbing yet again.





Usually, we expect to experience a seasonality -- or periodic fluctuation -- such as in retail sales around typical holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, or Easter for example.




If you are a seasoned lensmaster, you will have already experienced a seasonality with regards to the traffic to your holiday-specific lenses. I've selected 3 different holiday-specific lenses which have been around a while and captured the traffic patterns to give you an idea of seasonality in motion.




The trick, if there is a trick, is to not bank on only holiday-specific lenses. You can hedge your bets by covering all the holidays of the year; this will give you some decent traffic month-to-month provided you credibly promote them. I don't recommend that you 'spam' them to social media platforms.

The Worldwide Reach of Squidoo

Ah, The Worldwide Reach of Squidoo - Thanks to Google and the Internet! This is the power of the internet in attracting readers to Squidoo lenses! As you can see, Google has the biggest pull among search engines with well over 55% of traffic! Referral -- other Squidoo lenses and word of mouth -- ranks up there for readers. Yahoo is trying harder to be a strong pull, but doesn't come close yet to Google. Finishing out the pie are contenders for search engine traffic. They are MSN, Direct, AOL, Microsoft Live, Ask, AltaVista, Netscape and finally AlltheWeb.

If you build it, they will come! If you create something of value, make a positive contribution that is interesting and unique, they will come. That is the power of the internet.

The worldwide reach of Squidoo is a phenomenon -- Squidoo was launched in late 2005.

Today, hundreds of thousands of lensmasters have joined Squidoo and account for well over one million lenses and growing at a rate of 2,000 per day!

So, if you are passionate about your hobbies, work, interests or are an expert and want to shout out to the world, you should consider creating a Squidoo lens page.

Want it to get noticed and read worldwide? Well, the trick is topicability!

Yep, when you write about something that is topical, spot-on, relevant or important -- you can get noticed worldwide as this chart shows.

This chart gives you some idea of where the readers are!

As you would well expect, the United States accounts for some two-thirds of readers.

Six percent are from the United Kingdom, 5% from Canada, 3.3% from Netherlands, and 1.39% from France and the Philippines!

Peope around the world are finding Squidoo lenses topicable!

They are reading Squidoo lenses in Australia, Germany, India, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Greece, Singapore, Indonesia, Romania, Switzerland, Ireland, Taiwan, Hungary, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, South Africa, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Finland, Ukraine, Serbia, Russian Federation, Korea, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Estonia, Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Egypt, Moldova, Belarus, China, Puerto Rico, Pakistan, Austria, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Nigeria, Cyprus, Israel, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jordan, Barbados, Macedonia, Malta, Slovenia, Sudan, Venezuela, Latvia, Czech Republic, Bangladesh, Guam, Peru, Cote D'ivoire, Syrian Arab Republic, Panama, Georgia, Fiji, Saint Lucia, Asia, Morocco, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, Norway, Uruguay, Iran, Guatemala, Europe, Mauritius, and Paraguay.

Isn't that just amazing? And, there are readers from other countries -- that's just a partial list.

Yes, the worldwide reach of Squidoo IS surprising!

A caveat -- While Squidoo is a great place to create a lens, interact with other lensmasters, share a bit of community spirit -- there is one thing you SHOULD know!

Well, maybe more than one thing -- that's fodder for more blog posts. But, one thing is important. SPAM is NOT tolerated.

Squidoo is a place for quality -- quality content, quality lenses, quality lensmasters!

So, are you ready to give it a try?

Do you have what it takes to create quality content that is on the topicability scale? That's what it takes to get your lenses noticed.

Come join me on Squidoo. Get started now building that lens. What are you waiting for? If you build it, they will come! If you build something that is topical, spot-on, of quality content, they will come back!

Update - grassroots effort to rename 'for DUMMIES' books

The word has gotten out on this grassroots effort that the original lens announcing the effort is jumped in the rankings today to be ranked #43 in News, #3217 overall. As of this update, 8 votes have been registered, with 75% of the vote for "Yes, I'd rather not be thought of as a dummy" in support of changing the title.

Suggestions for a new title vary from 'learning the ropes' to 'for freshmen' and of course 'for newbies,' my favorite.

It's interesting to get the input of lensmasters from around the world. Elee in Hong Kong writes,

Sure introducing vista is a more "positive" title but it's boring! "For dummies" on the other hand, is more fun ... There's a reason why they name it that way... controversially titled book sells.

My favorite remark thus far is from TheInfamous7 who writes,

Excellent Lens JagJewlz!! I completely agree! The negativity of the title and premise ensure self doubt from the start!! Kick ass n spread the word!! :-) x

Grassroots effort - rename 'for DUMMIES' books

It's a grassroots effort to bring attention to those 'for DUMMIES' books whose titles convey a sense of negativity, implying that the readers are dummies or unintelligent people in need of help. Surely this controversial title has attracted readers and buyers -- perhaps that was the intention of the publisher and franchise holder of these books. The 'for DUMMIES' books are popular enough in that they have earned their Wikipedia entry.

This grassroots effort began August 8, 2008 initially on Squidoo with a lens entitled Rename 'for DUMMIES' Books. Before being ranked, this lens was at >640,000 and debuted the next day at #602 in News, #44610 overall. To get the word out and raise some support and interest in the grassroots effort, this lens was added to Twitter, Digg, Mixx, and Facebook before the writing of this blog post.

It is back to school and that time of year that more of these books will be sold to students and teachers alike. Don't you think it's time to get involved to take a stand about the negativity of this title? I propose a possible solution with renaming those books to 'for NEWBIES.'

I had avoided buying any of those books until only recently; working in Microsoft Access I wanted to find the answer to how to inter-relate subreports into a report layout. I didn't exactly buy the 'Microsoft Access for DUMMIES' book, but opted for 'the Bible' edition.

Does this title bother you? Do you feel it is acceptable -- that the controversial 'for DUMMIES' helps the sale of these instructional books? Want to express your opinions for or against?

Express your opinions:
Should those books carry a different title / cover? Do you agree or not?

Who doesn't love a contest

Who doesn't love a CONTEST? If you know that person, tell me! Yes, I must admit that I am a big sucker for contests! I've certainly entered my share along the way, but probably made about minimum wage when you consider all the time and effort that have gone into entering ALL those contests! Well, now I'm on the other side of that contest ... actually running my own logo designing contest for all Squidoo lensmasters. Not a lensmaster, well hurry up and sign up!

Here's the skivvy ... Jaguar Julie, that's me, is in need of a logo for her company, that's Jaguar Julie Designs. Yep, she designs logos, B-U-T, you know that story about the cobbler's children going without shoes? It's much the same with Jaguar Julie -- she's got designer's BLOCK when it comes to her own logo! See this wild cat collage? This has been Jaguar Julie Designs online presence for some time. But, she's never had her own logo! Now, how can that be?


So, what is the prize that goes to the winner of this design contest? You'll just have to check out the rest of the details to find out! Hurry up, what are YOU waiting for?

Vacation is just around the corner

Vacation is just around the corner :: Stay-put in a Staycation Vacation? The urban dictionary's definition of staycation -- A vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home and one's home environs have to offer.


So, are you already looking forward to the Summer when you will be taking that annual vacation? We all know how the price of gas has taken a big chunk out of our wallets. A staycation might just be what the doctor ordered!

A Squidoo friend of mine, LaraineRose, has written a lovely and topical lens, "Staycation" -- Everyone Should Try One. Everyone should try one! Staycation -- what do I do? Hmmm ... Here is a list assembled by LaraineRose:

• A holiday at home.
• Switch off the phones.
• No going to malls.(You can still shop online!)
• Use up food squirreled away.
• Read the 3 foot stack of magazines I have saved.
• Play cards/watch old movies.
• Read a book.
• Read all the new Squidoo lenses.
• Start no major projects.

Staycation was born at "Corner Gas." P.S. love those pictures? You'll find them on LaraineRose's lens!

BAM! It's the Bamster AND Martha

Wow, or should I say BAM! Talk about Topicability ... it's Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse!

As reported on April 3, 2008, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Chef Emeril Lagasse's media and merchandising business. Lagasse retains his restaurant and foundation-related assets.

The deal, which was first announced in February 2008, brings together one of the biggest brands in food-related content with MSLO's well-established expertise in the lifestyle arena. The closing of the deal was announced today on the Emmy-winning daily, nationally syndicated television series, The Martha Stewart Show ... 

The purchase price was $50 million, $45 in cash and $5 million in stock, at closing, and could reach up to $70 million if certain performance targets are realized in 2011 and 2012.

In a face-off between Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey, I'll bet that Martha has gained some ground with this recent acquisition. In a September 2007 money face-off poll, it was voted Oprah over Martha 73% to 27% of votes. Is Martha secretly playing catch-up with Oprah?

Who Is Martha Stewart?
Martha Stewart (born as Martha Helen Kostyra on August 3, 1941) is an American business magnate, author, editor and homemaking advocate. She is also a former stockbroker and fashion model. Over the last two decades Stewart has held a prominent position in the American publishing industry; as the author of several books, hundreds of articles on the domestic arts, editor of a national homekeeping magazine, host for two popular daytime television programs, and commercial spokeswoman for K-Mart. In 2001 she was named the third most powerful woman in America by Ladies Home Journal.

What is Martha Stewart Doing for TV Show Ideas?
Martha Stewart is Reading MY Lenses ! Have you been watching Martha Stewart's TV Show lately? Well, I have and I've thought for quite some time that she's obviously reading Squidoo lenses for ideas to feature on her TV show! Some of you might say it's just a coincidence, but I don't know about that! Maybe Martha Stewart is just on the same wave length as me? Or, better yet ... she and her staff have recognized the topicability of Squidoo lenses? Hey, Monkeybrain, is topicability a word?

What does Martha LOVE to Bake? C-O-O-K-I-E ?
Though cookies have been around in some form since the 7th century AD (read their long history), they don't last very long on the kitchen counter... or at least the best ones don't. This lens serves up the secrets to creating the disappearing Martha's Cookies.

Why did Martha Break-up with Sherwin Williams?
Martha Stewart and Sherwin Williams parted ways in January of 2007. The Martha Stewart Signature Color collection at Sherwin Williams was without a doubt one of the best color collections ever. An official Martha Stewart Colors "fandeck" was never issued so these sets of
chips are extraordinarily unusual and rare.

What about that NEW Man in Martha's Life? E-M-E-R-I-L ...
Emeril John Lagasse (born October 15 1959) is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author. A regional James Beard Award winner, he is perhaps most notable for his Food Network shows Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril as well as catchphrases such as "kick it up a notch" and "BAM!" He is a 1978 graduate of Johnson & Wales University's College of Culinary Arts. The "Emeril Empire" of media, products and restaurants generates an estimated USD$150 million annually in revenue.

I love watching this man cook. You can keep the "BAM!"- just give me a plate of that food. He's got a great balance of love and skill in every dish he produces.

It's a Circular Reference : Topicability

It's a Circular Reference : Topicability the Squidoo Lens announcing Topicability the Blog. Ah, the importance of being TOPICAL! I AM inspired by Squidoo -- that's where you can find many a topical lens; that which personifies topicability -- the topical cream that rises to the top.

To know me is to know that I am not only inspired, but also deeply taken with Squidoo. Not only have I personally penned over 325 lenses along with 6 groups on Squidoo, but I've earned the ranks of Giant Squid and Squid Angel. Being a Giant Squid, Squid Angel, and prolific Lensmaster, I have learned first-hand the importance of Topicability particularly in how that translates to lensranking. And, I've also learned that it greatly helps when the powers-that-be at Squidoo award you with the honor of Lens of the Day, LOTD. It means a boost in lensranking!

To further celebrate my infatuation with the goodness of Squidoo, I have launched this here blog, Topicability : The Blog which made its debut on April 8, 2008! In this blog, I'll be featuring Squidoo lenses that I happen upon which are spot-on topical!

Topicability : that which is relevant, of current interest, contemporary, spot-on.

HOW TO ADD YOUR LENS: Oh, want me to check out your Squidoo lenses for topicability to be featured in my Topicability Blog? To submit a lens, please feel free to leave a comment on this topicability blog post!

P.S. I guess you could say that a bit of my inspiration from 'yesterday' is the Oscar Wilde play, The Importance of Being Earnest. Have you seen the movie or read the book yet?

The Launch of Topicability : The Blog

I have been a blogger -- JaguarJulie Ann Brady -- for more than a few years on Google. As a Squidoo lensmaster, I wanted to launch another blog that would concentrate on the relevance of Squidoo Lenses. I came up with a name; i.e. Topicability. I thought it was pretty original, and only found a few examples of that word/name in a Google search.

Topicability : that which is relevant, of current interest, contemporary, spot-on.

Use in print : The publication of two completely independent books to the same problem underlines the worldwide topicability. Knowledge Miner. On the Relation of Data Mining and Knowledge Mining. Comments on "Self-Organising Data Mining" by Prof. J.-A. Mueller and F. Lemke. By Prof. A.G. Ivakhnenko, Corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine, Kiev.

I value "scopability" of association higher then its "topicability". Especially because "topicability" can be easily solved. --Nikita Ogievetsky.

Just a general remark: There is a sister list called "pd-ot" wheresuch things are always welcome regardless of on- or off-topicability. --Frank Barknecht.

Maybe Martha Stewart is just on the same wave length as me? Or, better yet ... she and her staff have recognized the topicability of Squidoo lenses? Hey, Monkeybrain, is topicability a word?