I just watched the Next Internet Millionaire (episode #7). It was a continuation of last week’s challenge and yes, someone does go home after a pathetic showing in the attempt to sell goods on eBay.

The good news is that the claws are coming out a little more and some people are definitely playing the game more strategically (a la Survivor) than others.

With the long weekend behind me now I can focus on the long weekend ahead of me.
That’s because I’m taking Friday off to drive down to Santa Barbara for CJU, which kicks off on Sunday.

I’m not sure which part of the trip I’m more excited about - the gorgeous drive down the California coast or the actual Commission Junction event. I’ve done this trip a handful of times and had memorable experiences each and every time.

The first episode of the online-only marketing reality show The Next Internet Millionaire is now available to watch. I’ve only checked out about half of this first installment so far. There will be 12 total (a new one posted each week).

I’m planning on trying really hard to watch the show. But I have to confess that being viewable only online is a drawback for me. I noticed that it’s already taken me over an hour to watch 25 minutes because I’m at work and when I’m in front of my computer I tend to be distracted by other things – email, IM, Facebook, Twitter, Web surfing, real work. No matter how hard I try I just can’t sit still and watch any kind of video on my computer. However, I have no trouble watching anything on TV at home.

I nearly forgot about blogging all week. I’d love to blame it on this huge deadline I’ve been facing, but I think it might be more about all the time I’ve been spending on Twitter and Facebook. I’m constantly sending and receiving information via both of those applications - as well as IM and email - so I’ve felt like I’ve already communicated most of my thoughts for the week (well, at least those that are PG or work-related).

But I guess if I dig deep there is still a little bit of relevant stuff to share:

It recently came to my attention that a particularly well-known company was being labeled as a bad adware player by one of the online marketing’s most vocal anti-adware advocates.

My first reaction was excitement that another bad guy had been outed by the intrepid and tireless Kellie Stevens. My next reaction was complete anxiety. That’s because the company alleged to have committed these unsavory practices is a repeat advertiser in our magazine.

I’m cleaning, organizing, emptying out the inbox, dealing with things that I’ve put off for weeks. So, today is the day that I put everything out on the virtual blog curb and hope someone picks it up…

The most common question asked of me is, “when are you going to write an article about my company/product/service/me?” I must have heard that inquiry at least 100 times during the recent Affiliate Summit in Miami.

My very frank answer is usually “never” since we don’t do stories on specific companies. Instead Revenue covers broad ranging industry issues and timely topics. This response usually is met with a look of shock – sometimes outrage – but mostly shock and disappointment.

Things are full steam ahead over here at Revenue. We are sending the magazine to the printer today and at the same time gearing up for the Affiliate Summit show in Miami. It’s going to be hot, hot, hot – literally.

We’ve got some fun things planned for the show. So, be sure to drop by our booth. It’s lucky no. 62.

I’m back from the LinkShare event in New York (via Chicago and Madison, Wisc. for a family funeral) and scrambling to get everything in order before the fireworks start next Wednesday and I take off for the sold out Affiliate Summit on Friday.

There’s much to attend to prior to taking off for Miami, including letting everyone know what stories we are working on. The lineup is done and Revenue’s team of great reporters (Eric Reyes, Alexandra Wharton and John Gartner) are already hard at work doing research and talking to everyone they can find to learn more about all the various angles on their respective topics.