Oh, little grasshopper, I am so annoyed. Extremely annoyed. Maniacally annoyed. Okay, that’s a little extreme. But I am seriously, definitely feeling ticked off.

When I considered a certain contest a few months ago, I had one of those feelings. A not good, I-can-feel-it-in-my-gut feeling. But I pushed that feeling down, sat on it, in fact, and paid my five bucks. And now I’m feeling used, bruised, and stupid.

I did not follow one of Cathy C. Hall’s rules for contests: wait a bit before entering. Maybe that first time around contest is legitimate, especially if it’s associated with a website that’s constantly updated and/or is associated with a reputable name. But a website that’s all about a contest-only can be a money-making mill for a savvy web designer. And do you, little grasshopper, have any recourse if a website takes your hard-earned Fortune and runs?

Er, no. So wait a bit if you come across a contest website that has a “dicey feel”. Give the contest time to establish its credentials. Then, if you pay your five bucks and lose it, all you’ll feel is rejected. Which is way better than feeling stupid. Trust me.

I don’t like to brag, but I am known far and wide (or at least in my neighborhood) as quite the prankster. So you can imagine what April Fool’s day is like on the Cathy C. Hall Road to Publication (or at least in my humble abode).

As I type, I’m thinking of all the jokes I’ve played on the clueless, yet beneficent, Mr. Hall. Because if I can remember a really good one, I can win some bucks over at Uncliche. And even if I can’t remember a prank I pulled, I could write about a prank pulled on me. Yeah, like that’s ever happened.

It doesn’t keep Mr. Hall from trying, though. You should try, too. Writing about your prank to win money at Uncliche, that is. Check out the details here. ‘Cause if Cathy C. Hall can win, anybody can win.

And that’s no prank, fool!