Happy Luau

Friday, October 24, 2008

19



Amazon has changed its reviewer ranking system. Their new system is based upon the overall helpfulness of your reviews, and removes some of the quirks of their past system. People apparently would do all kinds of things to beat the system and pad their votes---things like opening new Amazon accounts just to vote for their own reviews and forming groups for reviewing---now all of this is eliminated in computing the new ranks.



I've been reviewing for Amazon for over 11 years, and have over 1300 reviews; previously my rank was in the top 500, which allowed me to get lots of free things from Amazon, including advance copies of books, lots of free published books, free merchandise like my video camera I use for videos here, a whole year of Seventh Generation's incredible laundry detergent, lots of teas, and more. All the free stuff only started when I cracked the top 500 though...which took about 10 years. Before that, and now, I did it just for the fun of sharing my opinions on various products and books with people who were trying to make buying decisions.

So today, my rank jumped from 313 under the old "classic" system to #19 (which is my favorite number). It is also the day of mine and LoveHubbie's birthday. And under the new system, Amazon keeps track of "fan voters", who are "people who consistently appreciate the author's reviews"---and I have exactly 19 of these. Hmmm...



I'm still in a bit of shock about my jump in the ratings. I guess it will mean more free stuff...and thus, more fun for me!



In the scheme of life, this means very little, of course, but for me it's something to remind me that things can change very quickly in our lives---in all areas---the BIG areas too---very quickly. Someone changes the rules, things shift...and sometimes for the better.

I am keenly aware of the fragility and downside of life, of how things can be going great and then whammo---surprise---you're kicked in the gut---but I'm used to having to work very, very hard for good things. So today I was just thinking that I want to be even more open to good gifts coming from unexpected places. Just in general. To be looking around every corner for nice things to happen.

First I win some love rocks, and now this. Two days in a row. I'm on a roll.

~Photos that are not screen shots were taken at Amazon in Seattle by LoveHubbie Mark

12 comments:

patti said...

Isn't it great how the same numbers keep popping up - although Kelly's post on randomness makes you think otherwise.

My number is eleven - my birthday is on the 29th 2 + 9 = 11, I live at number 56, 5 + 6 = 11, & on and on it goes.

Your good things are wonderful!

Kim Mailhot said...

A fortune teller friend of mine told me a long time ago when looking into my palm that I would never be lucky, and always have to work hard but that I would always have abundance in my life because of that hard work. I remember thinking, well that makes total sense (unlike some of the other stuff she said !)! I think it is better than being "lucky" in many ways. When you work hard, the rewards feel earned. Also, you feel like you deserve them. That sense of worthiness is invaluable to me !

Moral of my little story - Hard work is better than luck, and you deserve every reward you are getting ! Keep up the hard work and embrace the abundance !
Congrats !
Kim
PS : The rocks will be mailed on Monday am so you should have them within a week !;-)

Kate I said...

This is great Olivia...#19! The other thing about 19 numerologically speaking, is that 1+9=10, which when broken down further is 1+0=1...it has the master number of 1. My understanding of 1 is that it's the number of new beginnings!

Kelly said...

This is so affirming...to know that eventually you came out ahead of the dishonest reviewers. It took a while for the to work the kinks out of an unfair system, but it happened. Congratulations!

Olivia said...

Patti, Yes, I wonder about the whole numerology thing. I also wonder about the whole idea of even liking certain numbers...why does this happen? And when the same numbers pop up is it coincidence or just our reticular activating system---that we are noticing them? Who knows...it's just fun :) xxoo, O

Olivia said...

Thank you, Kim...I am already blessed by your rocks :)

That's an interesting perspective on hard work and luck and I'm continuing to think about it...we can control hard work but perhaps we cannot control luck...although the law of attraction makes one wonder.

Thank you for your encouragement,

xxoo, O

Olivia said...

Kate I, That is very interesting. I definitely am one to embrace new beginnings. Every. Single Day. But especially now as I contemplate new life directions, this idea is very meaningful for me. Blessings, Kate, and love, O

Olivia said...

Thank you, Kelly. Don't you think that life is always like this? I wonder.

Do we always reap what we sow...ultimately, eventually. I believe that we do. And I think that when it seems like we don't, we still do, we just haven't seen it yet.

Thank you, Kelly,

Much love, O

Leah said...

hooray for beautiful things coming into your life, olivia!

Olivia said...

Thank you, Leah :) Aloha, O

Angela said...

This is great, Olivia! I can't wait to see what kind of great stuff you get. It's so good when a thing turns out the way it should.

Olivia said...

Thanks, Angela.

It's so weird. I thought it would be years---years---before I'd ever hit the top 100. I never, ever thought I'd get to be 19. It really will be interesting to see where this goes.

Peace and joy and love,

O