When I first came across SocialSpark, I can’t help it but to have the impression, Not Again! I thought it is just another plain social networking site aiming to be the next internet phenomenon. Well, my opinion changed the moment I sign up as I somewhat believe that it should be good after seeing what innovation Izea (the folks behind SocialSpark) have offered.

It indeed blew me away as it a very smart idea that I wish I would have thought of it first.

From the makers themselves, this is what the website is about:
“SocialSpark is a Social Marketing Network that connects advertisers and bloggers through an online advertising marketplace. Advertisers are able to target blogs based on conversational topics and make cash sponsorship offers to the bloggers who publish them. Bloggers can make money by either placing display advertisements on their blog or by writing sponsored content. The sponsorships offered through the SocialSpark marketplace allow advertisers to build buzz, generate traffic and maximize social media exposure.�

The description was not a typo of any sort. When you sign up, you will get the opportunity to network with bloggers alike globally and also get exposure to opportunities such as this one on generating review/sponsored blog posts and get rewarded accordingly. A no brainer indeed if you wish to monetize your blog or diversify the means of generating income.

After you sign up (which is a very quick and straight forward process), you will get a personalize page which you can use to create more publicity for your blog. It works like anything you would expect from a typical social networking site with the additions that it shows a profile of yourself, list of your blogs, latest post, screenshot of your blog and your friends. This is what mine looks like right now.

I am excited of what more is there to come as the site is about a little over a month old at time of posting. Just think of the possibilities. One of the key things I believe that will drive the website’s success is its operating model guided by the following principles:

-100% Audit-able In-Post Disclosure
-100% Transparency
-100% Real Opinions
-100% Search Engine Friendly

I could spend countless of posts on explaining what the capabilities are but the best way for you to find out is to get your hands deep, down and dirty with it.

As a conclusion, if you run a blog, SocialSpark is a must for you. Join in this pioneering effort. Sign up for it now and trust me, I am not just saying it for the sake of it being a sponsored blog post!

For people who know me closely, I love myself far too much. But I am sure it is all for the right reasons. I have took the liberty to design myself a coat of arms featuring myself. (I bet you did not see that coming!)

I am becoming ambitious with the things I want to do with this blog which includes a redesign of it like what I am doing with my other websites which seems to take forever. Maybe a reduction of websites will do me good (Perhaps, Any potential buyers?). Back to this post: Well let me know what you think of my coat of arms! Any constructive feedback will be appreciated.

I finally got my hands on this. I bought it off Zavvi in Picaddily Circus for GBP7.20 after a 10% discount. Banksy is a well known graffiti artist which identity is kept secret. This book compiles his work and the messages he potrays. Visit his website at Banksy.co.uk for samples of his work and even videos of him in action. You can even read more about him at wikipedia.com.

I highly recommend this book for your collection.

Preparations at Leicester Square

This is the fourth time I am attending Wesak Day or better known as Buddha’s Birthday celebrations in Leicester Square. I have a very long history with London since the day I landed to study here for my degree and am very fortunate to return here year after year. Click here to read what I wrote about it a year ago when I was there.

Here are some random pics I took of the scene in Leicester Square.

Girls Dressed In Their Traditional Outfits

The Main Shrine

Kuan Yin: Goddess of Mercy

I did the ritual of bathing the baby Buddha’s statue before I headed straight to Waterloo for my train back to Southampton.

It was most definately a nice weekend as it brings me closer to home.

I am in Barcelona to attend Gartner Symposium ITXPO 2008: Emerging Trends.

The event runs from 12 – 15th May at Palau de Congressos de Catalunya. This is a world class conference facilities. The event presents over hundreds of sessions from Gartner’s Analysts.

It can be overwhelming trying to absorb all the information presented and I believe attending such conferences are very beneficial. However, it should be more than sufficient to attend it once a year. I can’t help it to feel like I was the youngest in the event as I am surrounded by executives but I did not feel uncomfortable.

Tonight, on the last evening, there is a dinner event entitled Midnight at the Oasis. There were Belly Dancing performances and live music. I left at early as I was feeling drained and it can be a journey back to my hotel.

A Photo Opportunity During Dinner

The Stage On The Middle Of Swimming Pool

I am surely looking forward to returning back to Southampton tomorrow evening.

I decided to squeeze some further site seeing in the morning as much as I can. I decided to journey to Park Güell.

An extract from Wikipedia: Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Catalonia. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Works of Antoni Gaudí“.

This are the steep road leading to the hill where Park Guell was located.

I met an elderly couple from the Philippines at the peak of the park. They help me took this scenic picture.

Further venturing in Park Guel, I finally found the iconic lizard.

After the park, I went to Barcelona Cathedral. It was a shame that it is covered up with scaffolding.

In the Cathedral, I bought this candle for 50 cents and lighted it at St Michael’s shrine.

That pretty ended my site seeing of Barcelona.

Ola! I arrived in Barcelona yesterday to attend a week long conference. I took the taxi to the city center from the airport and it takes roughly 30 minutes and about 25 Euros.

Upon arrival at Hotel Barcelona Universal, I wasted no time to go sight seeing as my schedule for the next few days are packed with sessions that I strongly want to attend. As the day goes dark later in this time of the year, it worked out to my benefit as I still manage to take quite nice pictures at 8.30 p.m.

Hotel Barcelona Universal is strategically located next to Parallel Metro station on the L3 line. The underground rail is quite straight forward to use. Thanks to my research a day before, I found out about purchasing a T-10 ticket which will allow you ten journey on the network. Each journey lasts for an hour and 15 minutes which means you may travel as much as you want within that timeframe to be considered as a journey. The ticket costs 7.20 Euros and is purchased via the ticket machines. The Metro is a reasonable and convenient way to travel in Barcelona.

My first stop was Catalunya Station and I had a look at Las Ramblas. This is a 1.2 kilometer-long tree-lined pedestrian mall in the Barri Gòtic, it connects Plaça Catalunya in the center with the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell.

Las Ramblas

I soon continued my journey switching lines at Diagonal Station for my onward journey to Sagrada Familla station for the La Sagrada Familia. It is known as The Sacred Family in English. This is the most iconic site in Barcelona and one of Gaudi’s most ambitious piece of work.

La Sagrada Familia

Here is Casa Mila or better known as La Pedrera. It is yet another amazing work by Gaudi.

La Pedrera

I was soon searching for dinner whereby I settled for McDonald’s. It was nice to see something familiar and as a bonus, I stumbled upon Casa Battlo, The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), and indeed it does have a visceral, skeletal organic quality.

Casa Batllo

Upon completion of quick walk today, I realised I visited all Gaudi’s main building work in Barcelona. Pretty good when I have not actually planned anything. If you are not seeing any pics as of yet, it will take a while before I can update them on my blog.

That’s all the highlight I have for you now. Will post more later.

Cheers,

Benny Ong

Look at what my dearest Song Yia got me!

A personalized plate with my domain name on it. Something that I always wanted! That is one tick off my wish list.

Thank you very much! Yay!

This is my first attempt at video blogging. It certainly takes less effort than having to type out what you intend to say and might have some appeal to those who do not wish to read.

Well, here it goes and hope you enjoy it!

Btw, it will be interesting to see what your suggestions are to fill up the urine sample with. My initial thoughts are apple juice but I am curious what other people might think.

Take it easy everyone and catch up with all of you soon.

Benny Ong

Thank god it’s Friday! Well, the weather for the weekend looks promising and I finally have my web cam installed for video conferencing with my team in the office. We are a virtual team you see and the video portion adds value.

This is a pic I took using the Creative Live! Ultra WebCam while testing it to ensure it is working fine.

As a bonus, you get to see the background of my small and humble office.

Enjoy your weekend folks!

Cheers,

Benny Ong