The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

if I take a picture of myself reading The Rake on my laptop in an exotic locale, will you post it on The Rake web site? or is that too meta?

Absolutely, grote.

Looks like traffic to the site is down a bit in recent months. However, it also appears to be even with where it was a year ago when it had support from print.

I hope it works and gains some traction. And "Letter, to Editor" has an interesting idea.

But why buy them? Just sell ads against their traffic and share revenue. What would Google do?

Ed - down 30 percent in a month and 50 percent since Lambert left isn't a great trend. But I like that the Rake folks are fighting back.

Christina, was that you hosting the Rake Book thang up at the Northtown Library recently? Mrs. L attended, and liked it very much, BTW.

If I can offer a bit of explanation, unfortunate timing had a bit to do with traffic fall. Zellar, Bauer and Iggers, all big traffic draws, were all on vacation at the same time, right after the print edition's demise. After Lambert left, traffic dipped only slightly. His audience was pretty concentrated from a couple of IP addresses. His bounce rate was very high as well. Biggest consistent traffic generator over the past year is Britt Robson's basketball blog, especially because he gets linked to by nba.com and espn.com on a semi regular basis.

Finally, when you are talking about traffic to a site our size, and that of minnpost, I'm not sure the sample size that compete.com provides is statistically valid. I could add their toolbar to my browser and that of the six people who work here and probably increase our traffic reporting by 100 percent.

The food content on The Rake is bar none now. I it regularly, as well as Cristina's daily column.

To clarify, MinnPost and The Rake are two entirely different publications. While we may inevitably compete for ads, I really don't see us as competitors in the traffic game. I wish only the best for MinnPost, despite their apparent attitude toward The Rake. There's room for all of us out there -- as long as there are people reading.

Do one at the 331 Club and maybe you will, Tom...

Besides, that's Jason's hood, not mine.

Pimp yourself much?

I realize I'm probably an unnamed co-conspirator in the first graf above, but can I try an olive branch?

The original comment about Joel reads like it's pretty secondhand, so some skepticism about the wilding is recommended.

I've talked to Joel a lot about the local media, given my MinnPost gig. I haven't heard him say anything about the Rake except that (and this is an opinion we both share) it's very tough when you've had billboards all over town (in the form of print racks) to maintain whatever your level of web traffic.

Frankly, that's skepticism born of all of our struggles to get noticed.

Doesn't mean it can't be done, and I for one respect Cristina's and Tom's efforts to remake the biz. Getting Britt to write about music is a fabulous idea. Brad's Twins blog is a haven in a world of mediocre baseball blogging. The others aren't really in my wheelhouse, but that's a personal, not professional evaluation.

Anyway, I'm keeping tabs on what's happening with the Rake - glad to see the lineup pitched in one place. There's no fire-fueling in my heart. Heck, it's spring!

Thanks, Brauer. I appreciate the olive branch. It is indeed spring. (And to be honest, I'm not even sure you were a part of the first graf. We've been getting a lot of second-hand information from readers about what is being said out there, and while I can appreciate the criticism, the misinformation is truly frustrating  regardless of the grains and grains of salt with which I take it.)

Iowa Rocks!

Hey, if Tom can pimp on this thread, I get at least one free shot...

The thought of The Rat as an art curator is funny. The day that happens is the day I get a job in the hospitality industry.

I'd like to see the Rake regroup and succeed. Heck, I even liked the idea someone had yesterday about print for Minnpost and MinnesotaMonitor.

Too bad the three couldn't be packaged together and sold as a once a month magazine like Msp rather than being mass distributed for free.

It's nice to have things to read at the breakfast table on the weekend.

I guess we should thank you for only including 18 hyperlinks, then.

THANKS CRISTINA

Is that some cruel joke, jason?

P.S. Jason told me my information isn't quite right. I may have misunderstood the number of blogs being rejected. But c'mon. Me? REALLY?

Well, damn, this may have just made this whole post worthwhile. Congrats, Jeremy... methinks.

I assume the following advertisers will clamor onto Jeremy's blog...

- Kohler
- Sauerkraut makers
- Bush Beans

It's called "micro-targeting" and I think Jeremy might be the King of this segment.

Which blog, Max?

Oy.

Someone got to my web page using the search term "to drown a boy," which unnerved me. I got even more worried when I discovered my blog came up first on Google for that search.

Cat - workin' it. Workin' it. Betas to launch next month. Then we'll get all blabby mouth. Unless you get Cristina all drunky, and then you'll get a scoop.

I am around! Quite a-round, in fact. Like a bowling ball.

The difference between Omniture and Compete is the difference between a Mercedes Maybach and a Honda Accord. Omniture is just a beautiful software product that provides web marketers like myself with unbelievable intelligence into how we can deliver better user experiences to people like you.

Compete is a nifty little tool that gives us some free insights into competitive positions. It is more than a toolbar -- it does use ISP/ASP data as well, and as I mentioned earlier, it's not terribly far off in terms of traffic from the data we get from higher end tools.

Hitwise has a 25 million person "sample" but it also costs $25,000 per year just to get talking.

You'll just have to wait and see with the next big Thang. :)

Here my best google referral so far today (just the best of today):

i took my hard log shit from the commode and fucked my girlfriend she didnt know broke

Afterglide was the third link down. Look forward to workin' with ya WCCO!

Especially this one. GAHHHHHHH!!!

Don't oppress me with your science fascism, man.

It was I in the greater Northtown area, on library tour 08. Or is that breaking mnspeak rule #5? I swear I can't assign any comments (about The Rake) to anyone in particular (well, maybe in one case); I only know the time consuming repercussions. part of the game, I guess. Great success on the library tour converting people from print to web and back again. Books?!

laser hair removal
general heriessness
raising kids on a paltry $5000 per day
stalker avoidance
Twin Cities cougar bars

that should just about do it.

Site tracking software is a curse more than a blessing. Who in Decatur Georgia is googling me at 3 AM? Why is someone using my site-only search tool to see if I've ever written about Laurie Lindeen, especially when it's not a local music blog? And how does somebody in Shreveport, Louisiana end up doing so at 5:40 AM on a weekday? Most importantly, who in London, England checked my infrequently updated blog once a day until three weeks ago and then suddenly stopped?

Last month the Wall Street Journal contacted me wanting to do an interview based on my brief post on stalking people via Fundrace. Andrew and I ultimately decided not to do the interview because, while there's nothing we're ashamed of on that blog, there are things that we're not super proud about. Also, we didn't feel like dealing with the possible influx of readers from WSJ. Turns out The House comes up pretty high on the list for fundrace stalking (it was 1 or 2).

Still, there are some hi-larious searches that lead to our site, including:

"hot ghetto mess" "supreme court" clarence
"i'd like to apologize to myself" conference
american idol brooke white mormon temple garments
allen iverson theme blackberry
wedding planning for tomboys

I think it's time I go with my initial gut instinct.
Thanks for your help......

It's always good when MnSpeak posting Rule #5 is ignored.

No self-promotion. Unless, of course, you're doing something that everyone should know about.

But what if I want to be the Julia Allison of MNSpeak?

Consider yourself lucky if you don't get the reference.

Sorry, that was me and the honey mustard chicken ciabatta sandwich I had for lunch.

@dezelske proves self-promotions are really only rented and never really owned.

This IS about admiring and respecting the opinions of
a group of people that are... unfortunately.. in the minority
of our society---(Highly educated, extremely witty, confident
and the best part very passive aggressive).

AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

I'm not sure demanding feedback while at the same time telling local bloggers to get over themselves isn't going to backfire on you, Melinda.

I was wondering if the non registered "Melindajacobs" was the actual Melinda Jacobs, but thanks to the heavy use of Ellipsis I think I now have my answer.

and give me
some constructive feedback that I can use to implement a
plan that could benefit all.

I hear there are food riots in Haiti.
You could send them all of your money.

Okay, Melinda. What kind of plan are you looking to implement that is going to "benefit all"? I'm genuinely curious given the topics you normally cover in your blog.

this is turning into one fantastic thread

We 40-years-olds must unite in our war against mainstream punctuation/.1/

Maybe I should just be a coward and hide but that would be so
passive aggressive.

I'm sorry, I'm just so confused now. I thought passive aggressiveness was the "best part" about whoever you were talking about in an earlier comment.

As someone who has taught writing for the past 12 years, I can't tell you how important it is, Melinda, to take care of your periods. As well, the way you use your colon is equally important.

(High school kids used to love that!)

This IS about admiring and respecting the opinions of
a group of people that are... unfortunately.. in the minority
of our society---(Highly educated, extremely witty, confident
and the best part very passive aggressive).

Oh my stars, I'm more oppressed than I thought!

That's almost a haiku!

Where are my teachers?
They used to teach me to write.
Oh, I know. All dead.

By the way, Melinda, I think the "self promotion" jabs were directed at Cristina's post, not your comments.

By the way, Melinda, I think the "self promotion" jabs were directed at Cristina's post, not your comments.

Right, Max has said self promotion in comments is fine.

As long as it is related to the original link, or whatever is being discussed. But very clever, JACC.

Wait - What did I miss?
Slamming people in a "you're really pretty, but you're fat" kind of way is how you "get with the times"?

To be clear, nobody said anything about Cristina personally. She's a lovely woman and I think most people know that. Calm down.

Back to what this thread is really about.
The Rake is clearly not only alive but has
a group of energetic and vivacious people that
are able to get many of us to venture out of our comfort
zones and challenge ourselves.
I for one am grateful for that especially in these times.

Melinda, can you post here more often? You make this site infinitely more fun.

Yes, for real.

Now more hiakus please.

I will post here as long as Max is given the respect he deserves and people
watch Jasons' "Good Question" on channel 4.

What I couldn't help myself.....
Just trying to spread the love:)

Also I would like to introduce the real Melinda...
My name is Melinda but you can call me Melly if you would
like.
"Black Melly" was my nickname in High School and I only
bring that up because the story behind that nickname is worth
a future post and also because my nutty friends spray painted
that nickname on the Arcola Bridge on Lake Mtka so I am stuck with it for life!
Thanks guys for making me have to repeatedly
tell the REAL STORY behind my nickname.
I will get you all back one of these days:)
Melly

Melly, you didn't actually tell the story behind how you got your nickname -- but you got the answer to your original question didn't you? And now I'm intrigued.

This was your plan from the beginning, wasn't it?

What I really want to know is "who are you wearing"?

that, and doesn't your husband realize that plaid jackets are only worn by gentiles? oh...and prolly Sparber.

I do wear plaid jackets, and I am as Jewish as an Irishman adopted by a Jewish family can get.

there was one famous exception to the "no plaid smoking jackets on Jews" rule, but he's dead.

Hey back off my husband has great taste.
Other than looking like a blowfish in that shot---
"Grote you are really playing below the belt and I will
get you back 2"-
My husband and Charles Schulz(may he rest in peace)
are the only 2 people who have that tux jacket.
My frock is from JC Penny's 80's formal collection and
the jewelry was a gift from a saudi prince that is now
doing time in Bulgaria.

There's at least one other exception to that rule.

Just to clarify, that Dangerfield photo is from my Bar Mitzvah. That's Uncle Solly on the left.

With Ponch even!

Don't let Geoff get you down. He's a tiger on MnSpeak but a pussycat in the bedroom.

actually, Luda sez that I'm a lady in the street but a freak in the bedroom.

It's a movie title.

I know everyone is being funny, and trust me, the comments are pretty funny. But it's also a tad mean. Just sayin'. (ducking from all the attacks about to come my way).

Jason, do you need a hug?

*hugs*

Until she registers her name, I'm going to have some doubt that we're interacting with the real Melinda. There is a good chance that someone is just posing as Melly. In which case, it's not mean, it's theater.

Honestly, I still just want to know what plan she wants to implement that will benefit all. Sounds like she's looking for inspiration to come up with a plan to solve the health care issues.

Heres the thing Melly... if you don't
register your name.
Any one can post as you
and the reader's of MNSpeak
will never know,
that its an imposter :)

And Melly has registered. I assume she doesn't sign in for a similar reason a lot of people don't.