It came out of nowhere, but it seems that Amazon.com has silently earned all of my shopping business - almost regardless of what the product is. It started a few years ago when I first became an Amazon Prime member to get free 2-day shipping on almost everything the site sells. At first I did it just because the $80 yearly cost was going to be less than ...

In celebration of my birthday today, as well as my odd sense of humor, I'd like to share one of my favorite quotes from Seinfeld: “...... a birthday is really symbolic of how the years have gone by and how little we’ve grown. No matter how desperate we are that someday a better self will emerge, with each flicker of the candles on the cake, we know ...

It's obviously been a while since I've posted anything here. For some reason, I just didn't seem to find the time to fit in updating people who might check this. I decided that I needed to - even if just to provide myself with an outlet to clear everything that has happened over the last several months. I'm Married September 20, 2008, I married the greatest woman on ...

By Derek Kosmicki (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) Thousands of Barack Obama supporters were left confused and unfulfilled Thursday when they joined a large gathering outside an Illinois shopping mall to rally in support of the Democratic Presidential nominee. The original crowd, however, was gathered to enjoy a free concert given by the country music group The Oak Ridge Boys. Due to the large crowd to watch the country music stalwarts, the thousands ...

It's a shame that so many "old-school" business people still rest on the tactics of hard-nose experience and a "get the deal done" mentality.  What people in general can't seem to understand, that when you create a strong, positive relationship with someone - obstacles that might turn up are much more easily resolved because of a trust and rapport that has been bonded. For instance:  in the process of ...

A Lifesaver? No... a REAL ring. As a guy, I really didn't think I'd be into finding a ring for myself... especially since I've never worn one before. But this last week we scoured the internet and almost every jewelry store in town before i found "the one." Who would've thought I would be so picky? ;) Ok, anyone who knows me... but the fact is, the selection of mens ...

So today is the day. Childhood, high school, early 20's, late 20's... and now 30. I've long divided up my life into sections of events - events revolving around times or ages. I guess most of us probably do this. When we're young, we may look out and think that at 25 we'll be married, have kids, a house with a yard... and then 25 comes and goes with the ...

I just wrote a lengthy post over at Becomng about a few things that everyone needs to do, master, whatever... BEFORE any of us can truly become productive. Check out 3 Steps Before Thinking About Productivity :)

I've been down the quit-road in the past, of course every time was unsuccessful although a learning experience.  This time is different... for many reasons.  Prior to the quit, I looked at it as the time I'm going to try quitting using laser therapy.  I've talked about laser therapy to stop smoking for years - how great it is - how expensive it was - how I was ...

The eggnog is empty, the wrapping paper is <strike>in the garbage</strike> in a box ready to be moved to the garbage, and my brain and body are tired from traveling. My Christmas started on Saturday morning as Mandi and I traveled north to Chippewa Falls to see my family. We ate, sang, played games, continued our traditions (reading Night Before Christmas enthusiastically, letting the Christmas Spirit in through ...