iPod Shuffle leads to iPod Scuffle

I was looking around on the Drudge Report and notice the story about two teens who broke their teacher's neck over an iPod the teacher confiscated.

It really does make me sad to see stories like this. Older people who experience tragic events, and teenagers who do stupid things. At what point do you decide an iPod is worth "pushing" someone to the ground for when you shouldn't have it at school in the first place?

Man, I really hope my kid grows up with more restraint and sense, but I've seen a lot of good parents with horrible children. I just pray I'm not one of them.

Watch video here.

Suze Orman - No More Closets

Well, if you are wondering which personality you like best when it comes between Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman on financial advice, this might help you decide.

Supposedly, in this Sunday's issue of The New York Times, you can read about the interview with Suze Orman. Apparently she has come out of the closet and admits to a 7 year relationship with her "life-partner," Kathy Travis.

"We're going on seven years. I have never been with a man in my whole life. I'm still a 55-year-old virgin." - Suze Orman

WHAT!?!? I'm confused...anybody have more information?

Lincoln the Unknown

I am ashamed to admit that I just finished my first book on Abraham Lincoln. Last Fall, I received Lincoln the Unknown, by Dale Carnegie as a gift. I decided since I had the book, I needed to read it and I am glad I did.

I really like history, but I rarely sit down and read an entire book on the history of something. I got on Amazon and checked out some of the reviews for this book and felt like I was reading one of the best Lincoln books around, but who knows?

I thought I already knew a lot about Lincoln, but I found myself amazed by his life as I continued reading. The man lived a very depressing and miserable life from birth to death, yet he is one of the most notorious Presidents in history. If you are looking to be in leadership or have a desire to become a leader, this book is inspiring.

I also learned about Lincoln's love for Shakespeare so I decided to go out and pick up a collection of Shakespeare's works. I cheated myself out of really reading Shakespeare in high school so now it's time to make up for it. However, I may be reading Shakespeare for the rest of my life.

PacMan Jones - Bible Belt to Sin City

A friend of mine received a gift from his mother-in-law at the beginning of the 06-07 NFL season. It was a brand new Titans Jersey with number 32. With PacMan already having a bad reputation in the news, my friend asked his mother-in-law, "what made you decide to buy this particular jersey?" Her response is classic, "I've heard his name in the news a lot recently and thought he must be a really good player."

Good player? Yes. Good person? No comment. Now fans across Tennessee are in the same dilemma as my friend. What do you do with your PacMan jersey? As a Titans fan, I'm disappointed with how things have turned out with PacMan Jones. He is a talented player, but as a Tennessean, I am embarrassed that he represents our city and state. I think Titan fans put just as much emphasis on good character as they do a super bowl championship.

With his recent problems in Sin City, it made me wonder if the locals would stand for all of this. After all, we live in the Bible Belt, and most of the fans are God fearing people who live by strong morals and ethics. If the Titans don't cut PacMan, I think it is only a matter of time before fans really begin to get upset.

The Titans don't need to risk losing options in the off season with the salary cap. If PacMan goes to jail at any time next season or before, the Titans are out of luck. Maybe the Titans should look at how the Patriots do things. Sign some average guys with solid work ethics who aren't looking to make a name for themself. Put them around a good quarter back and win a few super bowls. It's a nice recipe for success and the Patriots have shown that it works.

Starting a Small Business

I'm sometimes surprised by the number of government web sites that offer a lot of valuable help. One that I recently came across is the US Small Business Administration. There are a lot of tools, resources, and success stories on the site to help you get started.

The site appeals to me because I've had a number of ideas for a small business in my spare time but I just never had the peace of mind in knowing what to do to get started. My personality is to blame. I like knowing all the ducks are in a row before taking off.

Permission Marketing

I just finished up Permission Marketing by Seth Godin. I know I am a little behind the times on this book since it was published in 1999. Internet marketing has come a long way since then. Regardless, I felt like I should be aware of what was in it.

Turns out I was familiar with most of the content simply by reading through various blogs. I really didn't get a whole lot out of this book, but I am sure I would have 7 years ago. Oh well. If you are thinking about reading it, I would check out one of Godin's more recent books.

Email Addictions

Is email a problem for you. Do you send to many? Do you receive to many? Are you addicted? Well, good news if you are. There's now a 12 step program to help you overcome your addiction.

However, as good as some of these ideas are, some of them simply won't work for people in certain fields. Some businesses survive on communicating through email and a few of these steps just are realistic if you like your job and want to keep it. On the other hand, if you lose a client because you are too focused on email, the program may be exactly what you need.

Here's what I don't understand. It's number 10 on the list: "Reduce the amount of email you receive." Great, but how do you that? There may be a few people who you would have to put on your blocked sender list or ignore all together because they send so many emails. Yet most of their emails are probably important.

What did we do before email and cell phones?

Bi-Partisan Bumper Sticker

I received the following email about 2 years ago, but it still applies today. Does anyone know where you can buy one?

FINALLY someone has come out with a 100% Bi-Partisan Political Bumper sticker.

"2008 - RUN HILLARY RUN"

• Democrats put it on the rear bumper.
• Republicans put it on the front bumper.

The Average American

I'm not sure where the following stats came from or who compiled them or if they are true, but it sure is interesting to read them.

• The average American man is 5 feet, 9 inches tall the average woman, 5 feet 3.6 inches.
• The average person’s toes curl when he or she is sexually aroused.
• The average American is sick in bed seven days a year, missing 5 days of work.
• The average woman is more inclined to be knock-kneed than the average man.
• The average American high-school graduate recognizes about 15,000 words when reading or listening; the college graduate recognizes about 30,000.
• The average body has over two million sweat glands and two square yards of skin.
• On the average, the nonsmoking wives of smokers die four years younger than the nonsmoking wives of nonsmokers.
• The average American female is 28% fat. The average American male is 15% fat.
• The average Southerner has higher blood pressure than the average Yankee or Westerner.
• Every generation of Americans has been taller than its parents by about an inch – except for the present one, which shows no change.
• The average American man washes his hair more often than the average woman does.
• In 1977, the average working woman spent $960 on clothes.
• The average American nudist is 35 years old and married.
• For every white-collar worker on payroll, the typical business has 18,000 pieces of paper on file.
• By the time he or she graduates from high school, the average American has watched 350,000 commercials and 18,000 murders on television.
• In 1979, the average American made 1097 telephone calls.
• Thirty-two million Americans – nearly 15% - believe in astrology.
• The average American worker gets about $4000 worth of fringe benefits a year. And of every 100 families, 47 get some form of monthly payment from Uncle Sam.
• Nine of every ten shoppers enter a supermarket in a good mood, but only three or four are in a good mood when they leave.
• On an average day, 24 mailmen receive animal bites.
• Given a choice, four men in five take showers rather than baths. Among women, half would rather bathe, half shower.
• The average husband in America is just a shade over 45 years old, and the average wife is just shy of 42.
• In 1978, the average American worker had been in the same job for 3.6 years, down from 4.6 years in 1963.
• Three of every four working Americans gets to work in less than half and hour, and only one in 20 commutes longer than an hour.
• One of every three American workers feels overeducated for his or her job.
• By his or her 70th birthday, the average American will have eaten 14 steers, 1050 chickens, 3.5 lambs, and 25.2 hogs.

Celebrity Babies out of Wedlock

Well, recent news about the New England Patriot's quarterback, Tom Brady having a child with his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan, has disappointed me.

But you know, it's not just Brady. It's celebrities in general that are having babies outside of marriage. Here's the thing - even though I am opposed to sex outside of marriage based on religious beliefs, that's not what gets me about this issue.

As a father myself, I would feel awful about cheating my son out of a traditional home with a mother and father. As much as I would like to give my son a charmed lifestyle like Brady's child will probably have, I believe having a traditional home to grow up in is far more valuable. Growing up with your real father and real mom is important. Granted, some circumstances don't allow for that to happen, but please, don't plan on having a child that way.

Now, let me add this. What's done is done and the child deserves the best. I'm not judging Brady by any means. Mistakes happen, but often I hear too many celebrities (and non celebrities even) discussing the idea of having a child and not being married. I don't think that is the case with Brady, but when public figures have children like this it doesn't help matters.

I know this isn't a new rant for most people, but it's MY rant for today.

iPod Giveaway

It seems like everyone wants to give away an Apple iPod. I still haven't won one yet, but maybe my friend Chris over at PourOut can help.

He wants to give away an iPod Nano but doesn't know how he is going to do it. He wants ideas. If your idea is the best - you get one too!

So, if you want to win an iPod and have a good idea, just leave Chris a comment.

What is Gossip?

Our company has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to gossip. In other words, if you gossip, it’s grounds for being fired immediately. As rough and tough as that rule may sound, it really is a fantastic policy. The atmosphere it creates is worth the self-discipline it takes not to gossip.

Self discipline? You bet. I think gossip is an epidemic and people practice it everyday without realizing it. Isn’t that what makes up most of the content on T.V. and radio? At any rate, I think it is a very interesting topic to sit down and think through thoroughly, because the definition of gossip is very debatable.

Now our company does clarify that gossiping should not be done with a negative intent or in anyway belittle or slander someone. Bragging on a third party’s achievements could technically be classified as gossip, but who is going to frown on sharing good news?

However, here is where the tough part comes into play. When you really stop and think through the definition of gossip and how it is wrong, you might surprise yourself with the different ways you gossip everyday. Is sharing a funny story about a friend or co-worker or something stupid they did with another friend considered negative gossip or is it just a funny anecdote for good conversation between two friends? After all, stories that are more personal and have details are more interesting right? Is it any different to tell the same story and omit the names? Does it depend on the friend, personal feelings or what the story is about?

I know, I know. This is getting nitty-gritty. All I am saying is that if you really sit down and think about gossip as whole, you may find that you participate in negative gossip more often than you think. But just thinking through it will make you better aware of the things you say (or listen to). It might even be a good idea to see what the Bible has to say about the subject.

"...people devote anywhere from a fifth to two-thirds or more of their daily conversation to gossip..."

blog: The upside to gossip

No Hunting Online

If you didn't like the idea of waking up at 4 am to hike out in the miserable cold to shoot wild game, you could have logged onto Texas businessman, John Lockwood's website to hunt.

I say "could have", because the website was shut down by the state of Texas back in 2005, because it didn't seem humane and hunting could not be regulated.

The site was initially set up for the physically challenged. People could log on and through the use of high speed access and a web camera. Online hunters could click their mouse which would then fire a real gun, killing a real animal.

Lockwood said he didn't think it was up to him to limit the site usage to only disabled people, but apparently the state of Texas felt it was up to them to limit the site for everyone. This site has resurfaced as of late since Connecticut recently became the 26th state to outlaw this type of site, even though this kind of site has not been a problem since Lockwood's initial site.

So don’t go hunting online. I really do give credit to Lockwood for looking outside the box when it comes to web sites, but as one who appreciate hunters & preservation, I applaud the goverments who are being proactive in banning these type of sites.

Debt and Blogs

There are tons of people blogging about their debt to the rest of the world. However, when I say the rest of the world, that excludes family.

According to good ole' Dave Ramsey, 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. There are a lot of "debt people" out there. I think it is interesting to see how blogs and network sites are being used to help people establish accountability and discipline when it comes to improving their quality of life. Whether it is mourning the loss of a loved one or getting out of debt, people are more open online than in person.


Even sites like Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover are providing journals, chat, and forums to allow people to openly discuss their financial situations. The online community is made up of thousands of members from across the globe, sharing and helping each other get out of debt based on Dave's financial principles.

Debt can be a hard thing for people to cope with emotionally. That's why I am proud to be a part of My Total Money Makeover. It's a place that allows people to hope for a better future.

The Baseline Camera Angle

This was a huge weekend in basketball. There was the NBA all-star game but, I'm not sure who really cared. The real fun was in the NCAA when Vanderbilt knocked off #1 ranked Florida. Go 'dores!

It was during that game that I once again realized how much I don't like the camera angle from underneath the basketball goal. Especially, on a fast break. I enjoy seeing snap shots or photos from that angle, but when I see a fast break, I want to see it from the main angle. I feel like I can see the dunk a lot better from the side. Plus, there is so much that can happen on a fast break. The underneath angle doesn't allow me to see a block shot very well. Or if a guy gets fouled hard, I don't get to always see him fall to the floor. I feel like my view is limited.

I can't wait until someone develops a box (something like TIVO) that will allow you to be the producer of sporting events. As you watch games on tv you would get to decide the camera angle instead of some idiot in a truck who can only half way pay attention to the game in the first place. Of coarse there would always be an option to watch the producer's camera choice, but I rather decide myself. I don't like the feeling of missing a basket because the producer thinks the fans in the stands are a better picture. I'd also want the ability to do my own replay from the angle I like best. For example, waiting on a network to show me the best angle of a replay in football takes for what seems like an eternity. Then, when they get the right angle, they don't pause it when they need too. Let me be in control of my viewing!

The first network or company that can build this technology, deliver it, and make it affordable, will get me as a customer. For those few that read this blog and like the idea - get moving on it, I doubt that I will ever do anything with the idea. Just remember who you got the idea from.