Blogs

Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog. Though I don't keep on top of it daily, I do try to add value when I post. It allows me to pose, prose and pontificate about a wide range of topics. I hope you enjoy it.
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The Food Police? Where does it stop?

August 16th, 2010

There is a movement afoot (of course in the basket of Liberalism called San Fransisco), to regulate fast food locations that sells toys in the meals (ala Happy Meals and McDonalds).

Here is a link to the article- http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2010-08-13-kidsmeals13_ST_N.htm

I find it interesting that the study conclude the kids like the toys better than the food.  Thus, the food and the establishment become the target?

Huh?  Let’s force the fast food company to provide “better” nutritional value in the meals?

I’m just curious why it is the responsibility of the location, and NOT the parent?  It’s not the kid who drives to Mcdonalds, orders a Happy Meal, and Pays for it.  Is it?

No, it’s the Parents!

If the parents wanted something more nutritional, they would cook at home.  Go to wholefoods.  Order a salad.
No, the parents order for the kids because it’s “easy”.
It’s the same parent who has the “choice” to choose any of the food items on the menu.
Yes, let’s see…..”Umm…I’ll take the #1 Happy Meal with the bunless veggie burger and apple slices for my child, and can I have the um….#4 Double value big mac, make it super large, and what the heck throw in an apple pie so I won’t feel guilty forcing my kid to eat apple slices!”

Once again, it’s an attack and effort to “control” and regulate the problem, as opposed to realizing it’s the “source” (read Parents), who are the real problem.
Where is this world headed?

Just Plug the Damn hole!

May 26th, 2010

I’m confused.
There is a travesty happening in the Gulf of Mexico with the Oil Spill by British Petroleum. It is spewing oil into the ocean at an unprecedented rate.

This is causing an issue with oil, environment, and the ecomony.
President Obama recently, in his infamous wisdom, stood in front of a group and proclaimed- “Just Plug the Damn Hole”.

While the Oil continues to spew in the Gulf, there is the conversation around the impending discussion for Cap and Trade, Oil Exploration, and other energy issues.
However, Obama realized that the Oil! was the problem.  It continues to spew more and more oil into the Gulf, and thus he frustratingly complained and exclaimed- “Just Plug the Damn Hole!”

Here is where the confusion (and Hypocrisy in my opinion) begins.

For, just yesterday, President Obama met with the Republicans (for the first time in a year mind you), and had a discussion around immigration.

When he exited the meeting, his statements were to the effect of, “we discussed Border patrol, but any discussion on the border would need to be met with the Republicans making a movement toward comprehensive immigration reform”.

Thus, he tied the Border issue (which is leaking like a sieve), to the broader issue of immigration.  His statement that in order for their to be movement on one, had to be met with a movement by the republicans on the other.

Huh???

My comment- “Just Plug the Damn Hole”!  What do I mean?

The Border is the hole! It is leaking like the Oil well in the Gulf.

Just plug the damn hole.  Meaning- stop the leak at the border and THEN have a discussion on reform.

I don’t see the Republicans tying the issue of immigration and President Obama’s comments together.

So, again, I’m confused.

How is a leaky border tied to a different political agenda of immigration reform, when the oil spill isn’t tied to the larger issue of the environment?

Just a simple question I tend to ask.

Lastly, this just in- There is a terror link to Somali’s who are ….sneaking in through the border of Texas!

I wonder how long it is before there is an attack on US soil, from a group who snuck through the Border.

(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37368665)

Yes Mr. President indeed- Just Plug the Damn Hole!

The Bill Shock of Cell Phones

May 26th, 2010

There is a pressing issue with cell phone owners who invariably or unfortunately go over their allotted minutes, or text message plans.

This is an on going problem and you often hear of the $10,000 bill for a family.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748704250104575238423107328834-lMyQjAxMTAwMDIwNjEyNDYyWj.html

There are some rules and restrictions coming that may help with the messaging to the subscriber for when this happens.  Other than text (ineffective), or phone call (expensive), there are no other solutions.
Oh wait..Yes there is.  It’s called Cenoplex.  Coming soon is a new messaging platform for the mobile industry.

Stay tuned! :)

The Singularity is Near

May 20th, 2010

I was privileged to see Ray Kurzweil speak the other day on the “Singularity”.

It is close to the time when man and machine become one.  If you think of the movie the Terminator, you’re on the right track.

Well, here is an interesting article that just came out.

This is showing just how close we really are getting.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37256799/ns/technology_and_science-science/

How do you fit 2 Minutes into “The Next Big Thing?”

May 15th, 2010

I have the privilege and opportunity to speak tonight at Summit DC10 (www.summitseries.com).  If you have a really big idea, and have 750 people hanging on your words, how do you condense that into two minutes?

Go REALLY REALLY fast……or…..Less information and more facts?  Limited text and lost of pictures?

Hmmm, well I’m using a combination of all.

I guess in a few hours, we’ll know if it was successful or not.

How do you make your Mark?

May 15th, 2010

There is a really cool documentary out based on the life of an entrepreneur.  The trailer can be viewed here–  http://makingyourmarkmovie.com/

Please take a look.  It follows the every day activities of Mark Husman as he tries to build a big business.

What would the impact be of 14 months from Eyjafjallajkoll?

April 20th, 2010

What is Eyjafjallajkoll you may ask?

That is the name of the Volcano in Iceland that has been erupting.

http://tinyurl.com/y37pnnd

The one that shut down airline travel, paralyzed much of Europe, and ground business to a halt- all for about 5 days.

However, a little research would show that the last time Eyjafjallajkoll (yes, that is the volcano name again), erupted, it did so for not a few days….but for 14 months!!!!!

There have been great series on TV about the end of earth.  Or earth without people, or oil, or any number of “potential” disasters.

How about a real world one?  Yes, indeed I wonder what the global impact would be if world travel were shut down for a period of 14 months or more?

Anyone want to make a few suggestions?

I think THAT would make for a scary TV show.

Working outside has it’s perks

April 20th, 2010

I ran across a question recently about working outside or at coffee shops.

Can it be effective?  Why would you do it?  Do you even have an office? etc.

Well, here’s why I do.  I currently have a great office in West Hollywood, California, with double doors that open onto a patio, and situated directly over the world famous Sunset Strip.

However, most afternoons I can be found at a tremendous coffee shop called Café Primo.

This is a wonderful establishment with free wi-fi, outdoor seating, open windows, a friendly atmosphere.

I tend to schedule my meetings, or just conduct my business at this establishment.  The ability to sit outside, have a tremendous view, get people to come to me, and of course people watch, are all paramount opportunities.

However, it is what I call the “incidental” conversations that are most appealing.

The people, contacts, friends, and associates that have been created by striking up the most random conversation with the person sitting across from me is a constant amazement.

On any given afternoon there are celebrities (Jeremy Piven, Tawny Kitaen, Mark McGrath, Jason Stathom, and even the random Fabio or Ron Jeremy), athletes (Terrell Owens, any member of the Lakers), tourists, executives, lost souls, and any number of interesting people to talk to.

Indeed, an afternoon at this location is a primo people watching experience

I’ve often had people come up and joke, “so, is this your office?”, or even better, “what, do you live here?”.

My answer is usually to chuckle, point to the building three blocks away that houses my office, and say, “no actually, I prefer working outside in the afternoon, as I never know who I might run into, or who I would get the privilege to speak with.  If I were in my office, I wouldn’t be here to say hello to you”.

Yes, working outside indeed has it’s perks.

All the issues with Water

April 14th, 2010

I continue to see more and more on the issues of Water.  Yes, indeed, Water  will be the next Gold, Oil, or cause of the next big war!

Here is an interesting article the consequences of ignoring water in the US.

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/04/13/consequences-ignoring-water-risks-us

It is amazing when you do research on the amount of water needed just to generate electricity.

Did you know it takes 2 gallons of water to produce on kilowatt (kw) of electricity.

But, it takes 3 kw to treat one gallon of water.  Thus, 6 gallons of water are used, to produce one gallon for our use.

Seems to be a vicious cycle.

What is the highest paid government position?

March 5th, 2010

Not that I’m overly political here, as I really try to add real world value, however I found the following article interesting.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-04-federal-pay_N.htm

It spoke about the federal pay for jobs versus a comparable private sector job.  Not only are many of the federal jobs higher paying, when you count in the pension and benefit plans, it’s not even close.
However, what I found most interesting, was the highest paid position below.  Want to guess what is was?

Pilot?  Nope.

Attorney?  Try again.

IT/Computer Professional?  No way.

It is…..Public relations.  What does THAT tell us about the state of our government and where their priorities are?

Job comparison

Average federal salaries exceed average private-sector pay in 83% of comparable occupations. A sampling of average annnual salaries in 2008, the most recent data:

Job Federal Private Difference
Airline pilot, copilot, flight engineer $93,690 $120,012 -$26,322
Broadcast technician $90,310 $49,265 $41,045
Budget analyst $73,140 $65,532 $7,608
Chemist $98,060 $72,120 $25,940
Civil engineer $85,970 $76,184 $9,786
Clergy $70,460 $39,247 $31,213
Computer, information systems manager $122,020 $115,705 $6,315
Computer support specialist $45,830 $54,875 -$9,045
Cook $38,400 $23,279 $15,121
Crane, tower operator $54,900 $44,044 $10,856
Dental assistant $36,170 $32,069 $4,101
Economist $101,020 $91,065 $9,955
Editors $42,210 $54,803 -$12,593
Electrical engineer $86,400 $84,653 $1,747
Financial analysts $87,400 $81,232 $6,168
Graphic designer $70,820 $46,565 $24,255
Highway maintenance worker $42,720 $31,376 $11,344
Janitor $30,110 $24,188 $5,922
Landscape architects $80,830 $58,380 $22,450
Laundry, dry-cleaning worker $33,100 $19,945 $13,155
Lawyer $123,660 $126,763 -$3,103
Librarian $76,110 $63,284 $12,826
Locomotive engineer $48,440 $63,125 -$14,685
Machinist $51,530 $44,315 $7,215
Mechanical engineer $88,690 $77,554 $11,136
Office clerk $34,260 $29,863 $4,397
Optometrist $61,530 $106,665 -$45,135
Paralegals $60,340 $48,890 $11,450
Pest control worker $48,670 $33,675 $14,995
Physicians, surgeons $176,050 $177,102 -$1,052
Physician assistant $77,770 $87,783 -$10,013
Procurement clerk $40,640 $34,082 $6,558
Public relations manager $132,410 $88,241 $44,169
Recreation worker $43,630 $21,671 $21,959
Registered nurse $74,460 $63,780 $10,680
Respiratory therapist $46,740 $50,443 -$3,703
Secretary $44,500 $33,829 $10,671
Sheet metal worker $49,700 $43,725 $5,975
Statistician $88,520 $78,065 $10,455
Surveyor $78,710 $67,336 $11,374