Not the greatest picture in the world but, you get the idea. Last night was the FitandFearless Christmas party. Julie and I had a blast. The place was perfect, the tapas were awesome, the adult beverages were cold, and the company was spectacular.

Big thanks to Jeff and Kersten for everything!

It Is Friday!

So, this past Wednesday was fight night. Smaller crowed than usual but, this time, Heath joined in the fun. I'm sorry that I didn't get to spar with him but, after seeing him in action....I don't know. Maybe it's better he just beats on everyone else and leaves me alone. The boy can kick!

I gassed again a couple of times which frankly is embarrassing. I've worked pretty damn hard on my cardio so it kills me that I can't keep up with these young mofo's. Other than gassing, I felt pretty good about the way things went. Still have crap kick defenses but, I'm getting used to being kicked and countering with a flurry of punches over the top. Jason Fry laid a beatdown on my with front and round kicks but, I was able to punch him in the black eye I gave him last week. Sad but, it did bring a smile to my face...

Anyway, I have a big customer demo to do today and hopefully good results will lead to a wonderful start to 2010. Christmas party tonight with the Fit and Fearless crew which promises to be fun. Should all lead to a nice pre Christmas weekend full of shopping!

Fight Night

Several weeks back we kicked off "fight night" again. It's not a class where you are taught to fight by an instructor. It's pretty much like on the job training. An experienced instructor coordinates the partnering but pretty much, it's anything goes. All stand up, hands and legs. 16 ounce gloves, shin pads, cup, mouth piece, headgear if you so desire.

So, after the first couple of weeks that I've been able to attend, what have I learned about my declining skills? A few things for sure....

#1 I'm old
#2 I'm slow
#3 I bruise easy
#4 I recover slowly
#5 After 5 rounds, two minutes seems like a lifetime
#6 My kick defenses are non existent

Thankfully, my vision is good so I can still pick out an opening or two (watch out for the big over hand left). I'm also smart....I stay away from those that are much younger and much less experienced. It keeps me from getting hurt. Damn kids these days and their head kicks!

Anyway, we're on again tonight. Ahhhh....my moment of zen begins at 7:30pm CST.

Hotel exercise room and crazy stares!

I'm up in Portland, OR for the Supercomputing show. I got up early this morning, well, more like didn't really sleep last night and decided to go down to the "exercise room". It's like 6am when I get down there. Three guys are in the room. Guy #1 is 60ish, walking on the treadmill. Guy #2 is 40ish just booking on an elliptical machine. Guy #3 is maybe 30 and is on the Universal weight machine.

Me, I get in the zone. iPod cranked up with one of my favorite workout playlists. I jump on the treadmill for the "run a mile as fast as I can run it" warmup. I Ran by A Flock of Seagulls is blasting in my ears. I finish the mile in just under 9 minutes (yes, that's fast for me), jump off the treadmill, grab 2 35# dumbells and 1 50# dumbell and go right into a WOD of 21, 15, 9, Thrusters, Swings (with the 50# dumbell) and pushups.

Now remember, I'm old...I have to stop and rest several times during the WOD and even made a trip to the trash can when I thought I was going to puke but, I'm moving through the WOD pretty quickly. I finish my last pushup and just drop to the ground, arms and legs splayed out like I was dead and ready to have a chalk outline drawn around me. About that time, Long Road to Ruin by the Foo Fighters is on (love that song!). I role over, eyes closed, breathing heavy. I smile, proud of myself for finishing and finishing as fast as I did.

I open my eyes and Guy #3 is bent down over me looking like he's about to start CPR. I still have the iPod blasting so I can't hear what he's saying and he starts to yell, "Are you OK! Are you OK???" I pull the headphones out of my ears, tilt my head and look at him (like my female beagle does when you say the word cookie to her) and say, "I'm fine, what the hell is wrong with you?" He actually extends a hand to help me up and goes on to tell me that he stopped his workout about the time I went to the trashcan thinking I was going to puke because he'd never seen anyone do a workout like that before. I then realize that Guy #1 is standing on the stopped treadmill staring at me and Guy #2 is on his stalled elliptical doing the same.

I wound up spending the next 15 minutes catching my breath and explaining to the three of them what Cross Fit was. All in all, an excellent way to start the day!

More Travel?

Just got back tonight from a great trip to the home office in Nashua, NH. Weather was good, business was better...Now I'm home long enough to do my laundry and repack for Portland, OR where I head on Monday for the SuperComputing show.

I missed working out this week and really missed Wednesday night's fight class. I'm going to bring some stuff with me so I can workout next week. The hotel has a gym which makes it a easier to knock out some crazy Cross Fit workout. No gym at the hotel this week which means if I want to work out it's Bas Rutten on my iPod and frankly, I've done so much Bas his voice is getting to me. Sorry Bas...

Anyway, Julie is still at her mom's and I am the worlds worst bachelor (0r maybe the best). I have no clean clothes, no clean dishes and the house smells funny. Whats up with that???

I Lied...

Yup, I had the best of intentions when I said I would keep up with this blog but, nooooo....I haven't been able to pull it off.

I've been busy with work (always a good thing) following up on trade show activities and working with partners to find new ways to generate revenue. These are still challenging economic times for most businesses. I remain very positive and keep thinking of different ways to work with my partners to generate incremental business.

I travel again the next two weeks. I'm headed back to New Hampshire next week for a few days worth of meetings and then the following week I'm in Portland, OR for the SuperComputing show.

Enough about that. New fight class starts on Wednesday. It will be straight standup, hands and legs with full gear. I'm excited as there are a few people who I'm looking forward to working with. I'm also nervous about all the newbies that will be there trying to impress. Someone always gets hurt when that happens. It will be interesting to see how many people show up for the first class versus the second class. Everybody wants to spar until they get punched in the face. Then, not so much!

Phew!

Got the news last week while I was headed to San Jose that I passed my test! I'm pleased as can be.

Holy Cow!

Well, the test was just 3.5 hours long. I had some early mental issues that screwed me up. Trying to test righty might have been a mistake as Kelly told my my scores where low because of how I was moving my feet but, my partner could have never held pad work for me if I'd gone lefty.

Anyway...it is what it is and it's over. The rest of the test is a blur except for the part where my partner put a choke on me so hard that I have a contusion on my throat. I thought I was going to pass out, throw up, and die all at the same time. The 4 on 1 drill at the end of the test pushed me where I had never been before. There was no time limit. You went until you had nothing left with 4 partners plus Kelly yelling at you as loud as they could. I kept moving through the entire drill though very slowly at the end. I think back on it now and realize that near the end I could not hear anyone. All I could hear was my heart pounding in my chest like a thousand guys with sledge hammers beating big rocks into little rocks. When I was done, I sprinted to the garbage can sure that I was going to hurl. Kelly turned to me and said out loud to the class, "look, Ed's the first one I made puke!" I sucked it back in, didn't throw up and turned to her and said, "NO WAY, I'm not puking!"

Test was over....I ran outside to puke. 15 minutes rest and onto the teaching test. I know I said this before and it remains true. Kelly makes me nervous. I had to teach reflexive defense to a front kick. Fortunately, Kelly took the time during the test to break this down in detail. I locked all her little tidbits in my brain (though I don't know how). I really don't remember doing the dynamic demo at all but, I know I did it. I do know I broke it down well, worked it dry in the mirror and got everyone working. I made corrections to the whole class and some individual corrections as well. Very shortly into my class working, Kelly called time. Kind of freaked me out since I watched her let others go much longer than me in their teaching. Then, she says, "that's it, you're done." I'm thinking I must have screwed up BAD! Everyone who went before me had to teach two techniques! I only did 3/4 of one. CRAP...

So, I'm home, bruised and sore as a mofo. Julie could only laugh when she saw the bruises (that's one of the things I love about her). I'm hurting in a few places I've never hurt before. Just a few special memories that I came home with....20 minutes into day 1 I take a punch to the kisser and my brand new bridge gets knocked out. I go the rest of the three days toothless. The contusion in my throat. I have a bruise on my ribs that is the exact image of little Ron's fist from all the inside defenses with two counters. I have a purple toe on each foot. I have the most curious set of bruises on my left inner thigh. I have an abrasion on my forehead from burying my head into Ron's back during bearhug from behind, arms free. The thumb side of the heel of my left hand is as purple as purple can be. I'm guessing it's from inside defenses. I'm just glad I don't have to shake hands lefty. Bottom line, this was the toughest thing I have done in a long time. In fact, maybe the toughest thing I've ever done. I doubt I passed but, I'm glad I did it and I would do it again. Just not really soon!

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Day 2 - Everything Hurts

We went from 10am to 7:30pm with a one hour break today. We started out in one of the bag classes and spent 45 minutes of some hard ass cardio. We then jumped back into combos on the focus mits for what seemed like forever. Covered kick defenses, self defense, kicks and the some mock teaching. I'm so tired I can't see straight. I have many bruises and a nice abrasion on my forehead. Otherwise, I feel like a million bucks. I reminded myself that I'm doing this because I love to teach Krav Maga and I know I'm good at it.

Little Ron is kicking ass. He's got more energy than anyone else in Phase.

Tomorrow is the big day. 5 hour belt test followed by our teaching test. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Phase B

So I decided to go to Phase B for Krav Maga. I'm here in San Antonio with Ron Grobman and today was our first day of training. 8 hours of go, go, go but, nothing mysterious, strange or otherwise troubling. Kelly Campbell comes in from LA tonight and will be with us all day tomorrow and for testing on Sunday. It will be nice to see her but, she certainly makes me nervous! Anyway, both Ron and I survived with no major injuries other than my new bridge got knocked out. I'm not even going to try to put it back in until I get to the dentist on Monday.

Qwitter?

I've had it. I'm divorcing myself from Facebook and Twitter. After several months of using both applications I'm finding very little value from either. As for keeping in touch, those I care about both personally and business wise know how to find me (and I know how to find them). I am keeping LinkedIn as I continue to find value for business purposes.

I will start paying more attention to this blog which I enjoy writing. It's nice to be able to express myself in more breadth than Twitter allows. So, start looking for more frequent updates with pictures and videos. I will also go back to using the phone (or skype) more often for communications, especially with my family.

I have some interesting travel coming up starting tomorrow night and running through next Saturday, Oct 3rd. I'm going to use this as an opportunity to blog more frequently.

Game On

I'm sitting at the cafe in Barnes and Noble. Had to get out of the house for a while. Julie's working today so I figured I'd do the same. Been focused on all making sure I properly follow up on all the actions from last weeks meetings in Santa Clara, CA as well as getting ready to leave for Amsterdam on Wednesday. As I'm sitting here it hits me...just how many hours I have worked Saturday, Sunday and today. After being a lazy bum for 4 months while I was between jobs, I'm glad I can still take care of business when I need to.

I'm heading to Amsterdam for IBC, the International Broadcasters Convention. This is a huge show that runs from Sept 11 to Sept 15th. I already have a full dance card and am trying to fit even more meetings in. Some of my meetings are face to face follow ups with potential partners and customers. Some of them are just opportunistic introductions. I've also set some time aside to stalk some of the people I could not get meetings with. You know...lay in wait for them to show up at their booth and then pounce!

Well, I've got a lot to get done and a little time to do it so...off I go. Oh, wait...what was that song from Smokey and The Bandit? "We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there..." That's me!

Nashua, NH

It has been a while since I've posted. I started work with NextComputing on Aug 3rd and immediately hit the road. I attended the Siggraph show in New Orleans my first week on board. I exceeded my own expectation for the number of meetings I was able to get done in three days. Given that it was the first time in four months I had to wear closed toe shoes, I was proud of myself. I did bring my flip flops with me and wore them every evening.

So this week I have been in New England. Nashua, NH to be exact. I'm visiting with my new company for the first time. I'm very impressed with the operation and the people. I'm also impressed with my new boss, Bob Labadini (who does not read this blog so don't give me the brown noser crap). The guy has a vision for his company and is committed to success. I like that a lot!

While I was here, I figured I'd drive by the house that Julie and I owned when we lived here in the 90's. I honestly didn't recognize the place and drove past it. Between the new color, new roof and the trees they took down it looked very different but, it looked good. Given the economy up here, I'm betting I could buy it back for what we purchased it for oh so many years ago. Julie would kill me! I would never (never say never Ed....never say never!) live where it snowed again. I keep saying that if we move again, it's further south to warmer weather. Panama...I like the sound of that!

Onward and Upward!

Next Computing...My new job starts Monday. Next has a wonderful lineup of portable high end workstations. Basic premise is that if you need more processing power, memory, I/O, etc than a laptop can provide AND you don't want to lug around a traditional deskside workstation, we have the solution for you!

I will be in New Orleans from Monday to Thursday for Siggraph. I'm looking to meet with potential OEMs who manufacture portable equipment for M&E, Broadcast, Oil & Gas, Medical Imaging, etc.. I'm also looking to meet with ISVs who have graphic intensive applications to demo on the road and, of course, end users.

Call me at 512-217-0461 if you'd like to talk.

Ed

Yikes!

Got myself together and started taking action on a few things that just needed to get done. I pulled together some video footage and edited another 12 sec film. Not my best but, it was something I had to get out of my system. I've started posting my stuff to youtube but for some reason, today it just won't work. The video posted but, won't play back properly. So...that does it. I'm going to try and launch my own website. GoDaddy.com here I come!

On another front, I've had several very good interviews. I have two companies that I'd like to go to work for and two that well, lets just say are not at the top of my list. I have a follow up call on 8am Sunday morning (yes, that's right) which will likely be make or break on one of them.

I've got a list of things to get done before the sun rises on Monday morning. I'm off to get working on them...

I am NOT lazy!

I have had a hard time getting the creative juices going and then today I figured out what it is. I was distracted with the job hunt! It's not that I can't multi-task. It's that I can only multi-task left brain activities. I need to be focused on my right brain and stay there in order to get the creativity engine to run.

Now that I get it, I'm going to try to spend some time there....We'll see what comes of it!

Real Men

Matt McCarthy...what a guy! He sent me an email that immediately got my head spinning with an idea for new audio on yesterday's Lazy Sunday video. I just finished and posted it at http://tiny12.tv/nbie4 so please check it out.

If you don't know Matt, check out www.themattstv.com. He's a very talented guy!

Lazy Sunday

Oh but the title does tell all! I started the day by finishing off the research for the interviews I have coming up this week. Did a little food shopping and then decided to relax. It was just so nice outside I decided to go hang by the pool. Then I thought...wait, bring the video camera. At first, I was going to video the dogs (seen in the background in some of the shots) but then decided to put a little something else together. The title is of course stolen from Chris Parnell and Andy Sandberg and, oh yea...I can't rap. Like it or not, here it is...

Finally!

Worked for hours on Friday on what will be my last greenscreen project for a while. When I went to post it on 12seconds.tv, their uploader was down. Kind of frustrating since the topic was focused on where my head was at that day. Anyway, it looks like the uploader is working so we'll see if I can get my latest work to "take".

I was going to tear down the greenscreen yesterday but didn't. I don't know what's stopping me!

Tell Me How You Really Feel

So, I've written before about how Julie thinks I'm nuts with all this video stuff. Well, today I convinced her to help me put my latest creation together. She as totally against it until she saw what the idea was. When you see it, you will understand WHY she agreed to participate!

Enjoy and please share with your friends!!!

Quick and Dirty

Shot some footage on the way to the lake yesterday. These guys (longhorn and buffalo) are sure to appear in a few 12 second movies! I stopped and Sams today with Julie and embarrassed her by bringing in the video camera to shoot the meat. She's convinced I need therapy (me too!). Anyway the video is in the "12 seconds of caracappa" window on the right or, can be seen at www.12seconds.tv/channel/caracappa

Enjoy! Please share with friends and comment...

Creative Block?

I'm stuck! I can't seem to be able to get the creative juices flowing. I've got an idea for a new 12 second film but, it won't come out of my head. I'm going to forget about it for now and see if that helps. Kind of frustrating....

Anyway, have a nice Memorial Day!

Not Easy!

Spent a lot of ours with this latest test. Downloaded demo compositing software and whipped the thing together so I could publish it. Have lots of issues that I need to figure out like why I lost alignment of the two videos when I did the composite. Going to take some time to dig into this further and decide if this inexpensive compositing package will do what I need (I think it will) and then run some further tests. Still need to decide what I'm going to do about a more powerful video editing package but, that will come next.

Oh yea, I still need to find a job! Latest vid is on http://www.12seconds.tv/channel/caracappa

Quick Update

Made a real quick trip to the North East over the weekend. Saw Dom off on his trip to Israel where he will be in a Kibbutz for the next 6 months. He was so excited and I am very happy for him.

I've been trying to get my head around a next project since I left on Friday. I got an idea and went to Toy Joy (what a freaking great toy store) to pick of a few odds and ends. I spent about 4 hours preparing and capturing what I consider a test sequence. I still have tons of clean up to do so I decided to call it quits for the day so I can go work out.

I'm learning just how complicated all of this can be. To realize my ideas, I need more software that I don't already own or even know how to use. Without going into details I'll just say that I may be biting off more than I can chew! We'll see. I'm trying to see if I can "borrow" some software and learn it quick enough to pull this most recent project off. If not, I'm going to have to scale back and rethink the complexity of these projects.

Anyway, it's still fun and it's keeping me out of trouble!

Another 101X Promo

I had this idea stuck in my head and it just had to come out! I took the video camera with me on my way to Krav Maga last night and got a quick shot of a panhandler on the corner of Ben White and Congress. I was able to work some magic and change the sign in the guys hands. I then went back to 101x.com and got the audio of a podcast from a few days ago. Couple of hours later, I was working on the stop motion. Anyway, it's out thankfully! Now I can leave for NY with an uncluttered mind. I'm taking the camera and will shoot some footage in the hopes of coming home with something usable!

www.12seconds.tv/channel/caracappa

Make sure you share with your friends!!!

MorningX promo

So based on a pod cast from the MorningX show I decided to put together a short (and stupid) stop motion promo for Jason and Deb. I'm going to send it off to them to see if they would like to do something a little more "cleaned up". With some audio from them and a few facial expression photos I think I can whip up something cool. I posted the promo on 12 seconds so please view it and comment.

Argh...

Frustrated myself today trying to salvage the last project I put together. Just couldn't get the audio to work right. On the upside, out of the frustration came a new cheeky (as my British friends would say) piece that sums up how I was feeling.

Hopefully I will sleep tonight and wake up refreshed and in a creative mood.

When Good Ideas Go Bad

I don't know. There was a time a few years ago when I'd wake up in the middle of the night with what I thought was a brilliant idea or, something so urgent I couldn't afford to forget it. I'd scramble out of bed to write it down and then struggle to go back to sleep. In the morning I'd wake to find the note I'd written the night before was much closer to stupid than brilliant or, was something completely meaningless.

Since I've started with the 12 Second Movies (or Films as I'm trying to get myself to call them), I have ideas come and go all day long. I try to write most of them down and then play them out in my head to see if they will work. Today, I spent 4 hours working on what seemed like a brilliant idea, until it was done. Being nice, I'd say it was pure crap. I was tempted to post it anyway but, decided against it after watching for the 10th time.

I'm guessing this is a normal part of the process but, wow...talk about frustration. I was going to jump right into another idea and try to knock it out today. I decided against it. There's always tomorrow.

I need to think of ways to promote the viewing of these videos. If anyone who reads this blog has an idea, let me know. I try to let people know to share them so they become viral but, I think I need a little more of a bump. All your thoughts are welcomed!

I also realized today just how limited I am by the software applications I am using. If I'm going to stick with this I will need to invest. I'm not sure if I will go Adobe Premiere Pro and stick with the PC or, go Final Cut Pro and buy a Mac.

Tarantula

This little fellow was meandering across my driveway last night when Julie and I walked outside with the dogs to check out the full moon. Me, being video obsessed, ran and grabbed the camera. Turns out this little guy does not like the paparazzi and must have thought I was from TMZ or something.

I'm going to try and incorporate him into a new stop motion piece today. Not sure how it will work out since the video is a little dark and slightly out of focus. We'll see...

That's it for today!

Phew! That's the last stop motion for today. Time to change gears and try something different. I've got some play-do, some plastic bugs, frogs and lizards and a box of Barnum's Animal Crackers. I'm likely to eat the crackers before the day is out so there's some sort of nature video in my future...

Anyway, hope you enjoy the latest.

Learning Lessons...

Stayed up way to late last night working on the latest stop motion project. Tried to go from the very simple Krav Maga spots I did to something much more complex. Work up this morning and was unhappy with the result. I did however learn many valuable lessons (like take the video camera off auto-focus and use a tripod at all times). I just finished adding some stupid audio that was not what was originally intended but, this is just a test. I'm going to post it shortly so PLEASE GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK!

I've got some work to do on my green screen and lighting before I try this again. Julie is sure that I have lost my mind....

Stop Motion Update

I'm obsessed! I shot about 6 different stop motion pieces. I just posted a second on 12 Seconds of Caracappa. I want to shoot a lot more but, I have to stop for the day. It's time to go back to job hunting and then on to Krav Maga.

Tomorrow I'm going shopping for action figures, lots of props and a green or blue backdrop! My mind is running wild with ideas....

I wish I could make money with something that is this much fun...

Stop Motion

Spent the weekend completely thoughtless. It was wonderful. Yesterday I struggled to come up with a new idea for a 12 Second Movie. I decided not to stress. This morning, for some unknown reason I got the idea to try playing with stop motion. I've always liked stop motion and really enjoy Robot Chicken. I figured it would be way outside of the time frame I like to devote to these little projects but, what the hell. I had nothing else to do!

I downloaded a software application called Stop Motion Pro v6.5. Simple enough to figure out for the purposes of my testing. I ran up to the local art supply place and picked up a couple of wooden models that I could pose and some black poster board. For subject matter, I decided to use something I know, Krav Maga. I played out a simple defense for choke from the rear. I didn't want to get too detailed till I got a feel for what it was going to take to have it look remotely decent.

I just loaded to first test to 12 Seconds of Caracappa. Please leave comments and let me know what you think!!

Angry Armadillo

Many years ago, on a drunken night in Guadalajara, Mexico, Scott McGill and I purchased taxidermy (what is the past tense of taxidery? is it stuffed?) Armadillos. Anyway, Julie hated me keeping it in the house so it has spent many an hour in whatever office I happened to be working in. Now that I'm working (yea, right) out of my house the Armadillo is back. Today, for the first time since I've owned him (I know it's a he because the guy who did the taxidermy work left on his weenie) I put him to good use.

I spent about 45 minutes on a side street here in South Austin shooting footage for what turned out to be "Revenge of the Armadillo". It was quiet and there was no one around. About 30 minutes in, while I was tossing the Armadillo up in the air a guy of about 40 years old, walked up (scared the crap out of me of course) and asked, "What the hell is that?". He really didn't care what I was doing out in the middle of the street with a tripod and a camcorder, he was only interested in the Armadillo. He asked if he could touch it and at first, picked it up like it might have the swine (or armadillo) flu. After a moment he said, "This is cool!" and started holding it like a baby. I didn't think to shoot footage of him so no, he won't be part of the next installment of "12 Second Movies".

Anyway, it was a fun little experiment to shoot and edit. I'm sure I'll shoot another over the weekend so stay tuned!

12 Second Movies

OK, I admit it. I have time on my hands. I have also been spending a lot of time "not thinking". My enlightened friends will know what I mean. I've got some creative juices flowing and have been playing with www.12seconds.tv. Now that I'm kind of hooked, I want to make even more of a challenge out of it. Rather than creating one 12 second video on a topic, I want to tell a 12 second story.

My original thinking was to come up with a topic, make up a story, break it down into 4 three second "clips", shoot it, add audio and edit. After my first attempt today (posted in "12 Seconds of Caracappa" on the right) I'm not sure how well it will work.

I've by no means given up so stay tuned for more!! I'm going to try to produce a new one every day or so.

If you enjoy these, I suggest you follow me @caracappa on twitter, add me as a friend on facebook or, follow this blog. All three are cool too since I'm bored and misery loves company!

The Word is Out!

I've been keeping the news under wraps for the last few weeks but, the cat is now out of the bag. My current gig with Escape Studios is ending on May 5th. I'm just going to say that I'm very disappointed in the way things went. Now, time to move on!

I've been reaching out to old friends, just to get the word out. I haven't needed a resume in years so I've put time into writing one. I'm going to recommit myself to writing in this blog more frequently and am using linkedin, twitter, facebook and 12seconds.tv to network.

If you have advice, comments, feedback or a lead for a new job, I'm all ears!!!

Relationships

I'm a relationship guy. My sales mentor, Tom Trenasty taught me the importance of relationships in all aspects of life and business. How to build them, maintain them, and grow them into networks which are beneficial for all participants. Now, at 50 years old, I find myself applying this knowledge to the Internet. Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, etc. This blog which I still struggle with.

The big difference here is scale. In the old days, to build a relationship, you started with a phone call then a face to face visit. (rinse and repeat many times) It took years to build a network. In a few weeks on the Internet I am amazed at how many "friends" I now have. I like the fact that I can invite them here to read my blog and I love it when they leave comments.

Now I need to work on turning the "friends" into blog visitors that I can convert into mutually beneficial ongoing relationships.

Yes mom, you can teach and old dog new tricks!

Video Editing

Well, after screwing around for hours today, I realized just how much time it takes to do anything (even half assed) with video. I also however, realized that I'm on a mission to learn more and do better. I'm thinking about taking a class right after I take the transcendental meditation class I promised myself I'd take.

Anyway, here's a link to the stuff I worked on tonight. I went to the baseball game of my good friend's grandson. I had a blast! http://tinyurl.com/dabcpa

Feel free to comment...I'd like to know what you think.

Ahhhh....

What a nice day. Woke up alive (always a good thing), worked out, took care of yard work and then just laid out by the pool. My bald head is a little crispy but, right now it feels really good. There's nothing like soaking in the energy of the sun especially when I am near water (I'm a Pisces so it kind of makes sense...right?). So much so that I almost went out to the lake today but, that is just no fun when you're flying solo (Julie comes home Tuesday, thank God).

So, what to do next? I'm not up for an adventure but, I'm trying to figure out where to go for dinner. I don't mind cooking but, when Julie's out of town, it's kind of like, why bother. I'm sure I'll wind up at Maudie's or Waterloo but, oh how I would like something different. I'm off red meat for now. Not sure how long it will last but, I'm giving it a shot. Kind of makes me really happy things like fish and chicken made their way down the evolutionary path if you know what I mean.

Anyway...I'm lucid so enjoy it! That may not be the case later on.....

Back in Austin

I'm home, I'm happy and I'm going to be sleeping in my own bed! I don't know what more to say. I had an uneventful trip home, just the way travel of any kind should be. I stopped at Maudie's on my way and had a nice Tex Mex meal. I should be working on a document I have due for work tomorrow but, my brain is D...O...N...E, done! I'm going to bed early and will get up early in the hopes that my brain cells will appreciate the sleep and be willing to contribute to the necessary effort.

I WILL work out tomorrow night and Saturday! My body and my mind both need it...

A Very Nice Day...

The picture is of the approach to Pier 11 in the East River in NYC by ferry. I actually took it this summer when Julie and I came up from the Jersey Shore.

It turned out to be a very good day. There are times when I get little joy working the phones but, this morning, the effort proved to be fruitful. Spoke with a couple of Universities I have been trying to reach, connected with a couple of potential software customers and had a great meeting at Parsons.

I have a few more things to take care of and then I'm off to meet Eva and Nic for sushi.

Running and Gunning...

Took way to long to get into NYC today. Trains running late and it screwed me up. I arrived to a pile of mail and learned that my answering machine isn't giving my all my messages when I dial in remotely. Responded to 12 old messages (my poor customers!). Made a deposit (yeah!) and paid bills (boo!). Spent almost an hour in line at the post office trying to get mail forwarded and found out they are closing the branch my PO box is at. Of course, this means the forms I filled out on line are useless and they don't have the ones I need at the moment.

Accept the situation and deal with it. Stay conscious, present, in the now.

Thank you Eckhart Tolle!

Ron Bernal

Now here's the story of a guy who just does not let go. I've spent years trying to shed my N.J. past (don't ask why) and to move on to better things. Other than my family, who all still live there, I was MOSTLY successful. MOSTLY that is because Ron Bernal (that's him pictured to the left) just wouldn't let go.

To this day, I never know if that blinking light on my answering machine is going to be a message that starts off, "Hey Smegma, do you miss me?". Or, "How's your wife? What's she wearing?". Most years on St. Patty's day, I don't dare answer the phone for fear of the drunk dial from some borrowed cell phone calling from a random bar (or the streets) in NYC after the parade ends.

Every few months we might actually get to talk to each other. Usually, I get verbally abused and then get an update on everyone I knew in high school. See Ron doesn't only stay in touch with me, he stays in touch with everyone (whether they like it or not).

So, after all these years (more than 30), no matter how hard I try, I am forever tied to my past by a crazy Cuban who just can't let go. I'm so very grateful...

Wall-E

I came home from my visit to Pixar with a 3 disk set of Wall-E (thanks Renee!). I'd seen it before but, on an international fight on a 7" screen. Just finished watching along with Andrew Stanton's comments. Great stuff!

Now I'm really looking forward to UP in 3d!!

My First

WTF is up with customer service. I know the economy is tough but, you would think companies would be wise to take care of the people who do regular business with them. I had an experience yesterday with a partner company (where I actually used to work). Without going into detail, they treated me like some one time transaction, not a regular customer. It left a bad taste in my mouth. I can only imagine how they treat people they deal with for the first time!

Anyway, it left me wondering. When business turns down, maybe desperately so, how should customers be treated. Does the almighty dollar come first (perhaps if you know your company isn't going to make it!) or, do you take your most precious resource, your customers, and make them feel even closer to you than you ever have before.

Thoughts?