Sovanna Phum Dancers (B/W, 2011)
This is part of a long term project documenting Sovanna Phum and traditional artists in Phnom Penh. The drum and dance group performs monthly at the Sovanna Phum Theater.
Blog
Shadow puppets
I’ve been spending lots of time over at Sovanna Phum, a home for traditional arts in Phnom Penh. I like the community; it’s like a doorway to another world behind the scenes. Sovanna Phum’s website had been out of date since November, 2009, because nobody knew how to update it. I was able to figure it out and help in that way. It was a small thing for me, but I think it’s really helped their attendance and finances. I’ve also been helping with a grant they had in process, and I’ve started working on an in depth photo story that I hope to complete over the course of the next six months.
This website is changing, by the way. Soon (maybe by the time you read this), the front page will show photo stories and series that I’m working on. Plus, I’ll update my portfolio pages, downplay the blog (on the front page) and offer some prints for sale.
Freedom to disbelieve
I’ve recently been reading a blog by a former Christian, someone whose “evangelical credentials” were as conservative as can be. How does someone like that lose faith? Or has she? She’s gone off the beaten path and down the slippery slope, yet she’s followed a certain logic that she explains (prolifically). Here’s a question she asks.
So how do we figure out what we really believe and don’t believe? I think this can only take place if we sense an element of personal freedom. As long as we are slaves who must conform to some imposed standard in order to be loved, it won’t be easy to discern our subconscious mind. Do I really believe that or have I only been pressured, or enticed to believe that? We need to know that we’re going to still be loved (at least by our own selves) if we step over the boundaries.
Do you know what you believe if you’ve never felt a freedom to really disbelieve (i.e., without losing the love of God)?
A girl with her dolls
I was walking through a slum to visit the family of a young Cambodian man for a story I’m working on. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a heart-rending scene: two girls playing with dolls. One had two dolls carefully laid out on a wooden bed, covered in a blanket, beautiful (especially through her eyes). Another had a doll or two and a few odds and ends of tiny clothing laid out. I know the scene well. I’ve seen my daughter’s play it out the same way. I know the gleam in her eyes that says she can still dream and believe.
A few doors down, in the house where I was headed lives a girl who rocks her real baby in a hammock and the whole house sways in time. She got married two years ago, at the age of 14.
Why I recommend Moolala
Last month a friend invited me to sign up for Moolala. Then I did something extremely unusual for me (because I’m usually immune to these things). I took his advice. Here are the reasons why, and why I’m recommending Moolala to you.
Three reasons to try Moolala
1. Moolala looks like a like a solid, respectable company. I feel good about joining and recommending it. People who sign up should genuinely appreciate the service. (See more below.)
2. There’s a realistic chance to make some extra income here, based on the timing and Moolala’s profit sharing plan. Moolala has a good, generous plan for sharing profits with users (see the video below). Most importantly, Moolala hasn’t launched yet, so most people haven’t heard of it yet. Those who sign up now have a window of opportunity to make much money through referrals. Once everyone is hearing about Moolala left and right, that moment will pass.
3. Moolala is a zero pressure service that can only succeed by giving people who sign up a positive experience. I can’t find any reason not to give them a chance to impress me.
Learn more on Moolala’s website
More about Moolala
Moolala is shaping up as a legitimate company with a strong chance to succeed in a big way. It is led by Josh Chodniewicz (co-founder and former CEO of art.com) with an all-star team. Dr. Tony Dale is listed as an adviser to the executive team. He is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Karis Group and a respected Christian leader. Jonathan Dale, the Chief Operating Officer, is a student of Seth Godin, and you can see the evidence of that already. I really expect Moolala to go places.
Moolala’s service is similar to Groupon (a popular “daily deal” service) with the addition of Moolala’s profit-sharing system and unique style. Customers get special deals (think “unique local deals that make your day” not generic coupons). It’s a great service for local businesses to promote themselves, and Moolala gets commissions which they share with the users. Everyone who signs up with Moolala gets lifelong two percent commissions on all purchases made by friends they refer, plus friends referred by friends, plus friends referred by friends of their friends (for five levels of referrals).
Example: If 10 people who read this sign up for Moolala, and each of them refers Moolala to 10 others who sign up (and this pattern repeats four more times), that’s 100,000 people. I not saying it will work out that way, just trying to show the potential.
My experience making money online
Over the past few years, I’ve made a decent amount of money by recommending phone services through a website I made in 2001. It was a simple idea that didn’t take much time (once I learned the basics), but the income I made was enough to help my family get through some lean times when we were living in Japan. The reason why it worked was that I received generous “life long commissions” for all the customers I referred. People have asked me how they can make money the same way that I did, and I always say it’s too late. Long distance services are already becoming outdated, and too many people are promoting them. The principle I learned is that it’s very important to choose services well and move when the timing is right.
Last thoughts
I hate advertising that appeals to greed, and I don’t mean to do that. I think Moolala is a company using the Internet well. That’s why I think it will work, and it makes sense for them to share the profits. I don’t mind being a small part of that.
Watch this video for more details about how Moolala shares profits with users:
One last thing, Moolala isn’t a pyramid scheme. Pyramid schemes require you to pay money to join, and they’re illegal. You don’t have to pay anything or buy anything at all with Moolala. Services like this get loads of free advertising from their users. Moolala is willing to pay, because they hope motivated users will help the company succeed that much better.
If you have thoughts, concerns, or questions, please let me know. I hope you appreciate this post. If not, sorry for taking your time.