Just Staying Relevant

"When in doubt, write it down. By all means, you still need pictures, even video. But there's nothing to replace the specificity that comes from the alphabet." - Seth Godin

It's funny, over the years people have questioned my "wasting time" blogging, dabbling in YouTube videos or other activities that are (apparently) not normal for a person "of my age".  It's even more interesting to consider this on my birthday...now my 48th. 

This blog has been a fun excercise.  To see what is possible I suppose.  For a guy who talks a lot it is even harder to type a lot! Let alone to type anything you'd actually want to read.  It is interesting to see the numbers though...

                                Posts or Videos          PageViews        $$ for Jaythebanker
Blog:                           242                     65,453                 ~$15.00
YouTube:                    171                     50,165                 ~$65.44

Amazon:                    ?                            ?                        ~$20.00  


I think it's important for you to know that for me it is an attempt to stay somewhat relevant, to keep my mind working and able to use current technology and remain more engaged in the culture of technology in which we find ourselves.  For the record, I do read books (non fiction mostly) regularly.  

There is an outside chance to earn money from all of this activity...but it is small given the the little time I have invested in it.  If I totaled up the real cash flow generated from the activity it's likely less than $100.  But it is pretty cool that if someone uses one of my links to Amazon or clicks on one of the advertisements on my site...that I can actually get paid is pretty slick!  I am still tinkering with how I can generate money from a podcast... I have two podcasts Choose this one or that one  podcast... 

Like I said.. just having fun and trying to stay relevant and trying to write...shoot video...and speak about the incredible gift of life the Lord has provided me.

Thankfully, my wonderful family loves me in spite of it all.

What if it actually works?

I listen to a podcast called "Smart Passive Income"... good stuff!  Unfortunately, it got me thinking..
Then, I started reading a book called "Start" by Jon Acuff.. Yep, it got me thinking too.

My thought..."Jay, what if you recorded video at different times of the day and then posted it?"  ... could you actually (seriously) earn money?  Can you actually get paid doing this stuff.  Then, START!

Sounds easy enough.. Record before and after work and at lunch when possible...Then, publish at night, etc..

I've determined that the goal is not so much that I want anyone to see me particularly, but if "they" want to potentially add to "the bottom line", then I'd like to oblige them. Right? 

They watch it, click it and let's see what happens next.  It's called "passive income"...Can it really happen.  hmmm.

Here's where we are today..
Website Views Lifetime: 18,150+
YouTube Views Lifetime: 16,400+
Amazon Clicks Lifetime : 32  (started 5/12/2013)
Dollar$ Made @YouTube thus far: $20.33
Dollar$ Made @Amazon thus far: $8.20 (started 5/12/2013)
...I'll keep you posted on progress!

My first clips were yesterday and are below: times were about 8am - 11am - 5pm - 10pm. 
Kind of boring this first round in my estimation but we'll see what it looks like going forward!

Here is my latest attempt...

DEBIT CARD FRAUD..How is that funny?

YES, I drew it myself!

Just a snippet of my week in banking..

A customer was in the bank the other day and told my assistant and I that his wife’s DEBIT CARD was STOLEN and was being used fraudulently! He went on..“interestingly, the fraudster is spending less than my wife… so I

think I will let ‘em keep using it… IT IS SAVING ME MONEY!”.
NOW THAT IS FUNNY!    It is serious - so check out this link to see How to handle debit card fraud.

Debit card fraud is SERIOUS!

I ordered a used book from Amazon this week on Tuesday (June 29th).  I received confirmation that it shipped...I was so pumped - but the estimated delivery date was JULY 23rd! I know the book was ordered from a place called "international books".. didn't know they actually meant it would be shipped from SIBERIA on horseback.? NOW THAT IS CRAZY! 

I had to go to the OK County Treasurer's office yesterday.. Forgot I had my tiny pocket knife in my pocket.. After going thru the scanner - they didn't see it! But the guard picked up and looked at my keys instead.. I said - "I bet the machine saw this.." and showed them the knife.. he was like - AHA!!   They said my options were to run it back to my car (NOT going back 2 blocks) or throw it in THE BLACK BOX..  It is now officially gone forever. As I rode the elevator...I thought to myself, "self, isn't it a significantly larger risk letting in the door a guy with cellphone and a camera?" NOW THAT JUST SEEMS SILLY! (I know it's for my safety..)

Finally..  As a banker I am continually frustrated by the regulations we manage to deal with.. as well as the regulatory changes and how they impact me and the bank where I work..  But this week I learned that even a local orthodontist has to comply with some of this mess.  When a friends son signed up for braces.. the orthodontist had to provide them  a FEDERAL TRUTH IN LENDING disclosure!  NOW THAT IS JUST OVER THE TOP!

I am hopeful you laughed a little this week too..What a week!