Chris Henry, 26, died Thursday morning as a result of injuries sustained when he fell out of the back of a truck driven by his fiancee after an earlier dispute. His death is a microcosm of his life, marred by controversy and misbehavior. Its a shame that his on field talent will never be realized, and his off field antics will be his legacy.

His life ended the way that many thought it would have, amidst controversy. Yet again his inability to control himself got the best of the situation. This time he ended up deceased, instead of just in jail.

He showed little self-control in his short career with the Bengals, being arrested on numerous occasions, and ultimately released from a very understanding team. He has shown promise over the past 18 months, staying out of trouble and focusing on football. Subsequently, the Bengals signed him to a two year contract earlier this year. Unfortunately, when he broke his arm in the game versus the Ravens, it all but sealed his fate. He was now away from the team, but more importantly his support group.

Inevitability showed up on Wednesday night and afforded him one final test to control his actions...And he couldn't. For that, he is now gone.

My condolences to his family and teammates.

Of all the bad games Cutler has had this year, the 24-20 loss to the Eagles last night, in my mind, was the worst. In the previous games, you could have blamed the play calling, the run game, the defense, etc...But this game, it was Jay Cutler. Jay missed three key passes that could have made this a comfortable win for the struggling Bears, but instead, they're probably going to be spending January at home with 20 other teams. No matter how it goes from here on, they will be lumped in with the likes of Cleveland, Oakland, Detroit, and Tampa Bay as not going to the playoffs.

Don't take my criticism the wrong way. I think Jay Cutler is exactly what the Bears needed. But I think the growing pains with this new team are excrutiating.

This will probably mark Lovie's last year in Chicago, and I can't think of a better pain reliever than Mike Shanahan. He and Jay Cutler seem to be a match made in heaven. So Jerry Angelo, tell the Buffalo Bills to stick it, and get Mike Shanahan on board!

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Not sure where to begin with this one...But it's been a helluva last 45 days. So many things running through the old noggin, and the only thing that really comes out is the relief that I finally have enough time to even contribute to my blog. Here's the last 45 days.



Exhibit A

• Cash for Clunkers

Even typing the words on a page gives me chills up my spine. Being in the car business is a brutality that I don't wish upon people without a will of granite. But from July 25th to August 24th was the most frustrating, fast-paced, exhausting, ulcer-inducing, experience of my life. And if I hear from one more person "At least your making money..." I'm gonna scream. You can make all the money in the world, but if your quality of life is in the toilet...IT DOESN'T MATTER!

I was detached from my home, family, and friends for that entire period. I couldn't answer my phone, answer messages, or get anything accomplished in my personal life. My already 12 hour days, turned into 14 hour days. My 9 hour days turned into 11-12 hour days. The days I actually had off, consisted of running around like a mad man trying to get done what I wasn't able to during the week. Money isn't everything folks. You can make money, but you can't make time...And I lost a lot of time this past month.

On to the effectiveness of the program. Don't get my bitterness wrong...The program was a gushing success. BUT it was poorly planned and tracked. After 4 days of the program, it was put on hold because they were already out of the $1 billion that was allocated for the program. They also started the program at the end of the month...A time that dealerships are already busy (especially in July). This created a scenario in which dealer's were not prepared or even expecting the absolute cluster that would ensue.

The program was put back on the next day. $2 billion more in support of the program was passed through Congress and the melee continued. Dealers were setting records right and left, including mine. For the Finance/Business Managers this was quite possibly the most stressful time of our lives. Most dealers have 2-3 business managers and exponentially more salespeople. As the willing purchasers, with their $4500 rust buckets came pouring in to buy new cars, the business managers were overly flooded with deals...Customers were waiting hours to get into finance, paperwork was piling to the ceiling, and lunch breaks were a thing of the past. Consequently, I was unapproachable during this fiasco. I apologize to everyone for my short temper and frustration.

On to more pleasant things...

Exhibit B

• Fantasy Football
  

Ah yes, one of the finer things in life. Fantasy football season. To add to my "chicken with their head cut off" schedule, I was either a participant in or commissioner of 5 fantasy football leagues this year...Yes, people, 5. One of which had to be put on autopick due to my absence because of work.

Trying to be the commissioner of my own league proved to be quite a challenge, and I thank everyone who helped make it happen. There will be more chatter on this subject in the months to come.

Exhibit C

• Running a Business

As many of you are aware, I have an online travel store that I own, operate, market, and develop. I definitely got a giant taste of what it may be like to be a guy like Donald Trump, Sir Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Vince McMahon, etc... To try to manage your time effectively with all of that distraction and responsibility of multiple businesses and ventures is a real challenge. And they do it all the time. Grant it, they have many assistants and employees to take care of a lot of things, but they didn't always have that. I trust that my efforts now will soon turn into a fruitful payoff in the future.

I'm sure I'm forgetting to add some thoughts, but that's what they make the next post for. Keep your heads up kids! See you next time!

I leave you with one of the people that are the reason that I'm in the travel business (Ytb).

On to business. July 22nd marks the inaugural meeting of Professional Network Connections Entrepreneurial Business Builders Network Chapter. Along with my good friend Jason Cercone, we will be heading up this chapter along with Judy Herilla. It should be a good time and we're looking forward to building PNC throughout Pittsburgh.

If you are interested in attending one of our meetings, please contact me at jason_p_collins@yahoo.com

Ytb 2.0 is now in full swing! I am so excited at the prospect of the new business model that they have adopted that will make us a stronger company for years to come. They are extremely dedicated to everyone's success and building the largest travel provider in the world. They are even offering a free test drive of the business here: http://www.vacationandbuildwealth.com

Mike Dillard launched the new and improved MLM Traffic Formula 2 recently. This system gives you the A-Z's of building your online business and creating endless leads that are ready to buy. Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/m942jm

A bit of bad news to pass along. I sold my beloved 350Z...I'll miss you blue! You're my boy!!!

I'll be getting my newsletter out today or tomorrow. And hopefully relax a bit this weekend.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYBODY! BE SAFE!

What a crazy week! First Ed McMahon...Now Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, and Michael Jackson! Such a shame. Ed was due, but the other three were before their time.

Farrah Fawcett

This picture accent most teen boys bedrooms during the decade of the 70's. It also caused many of those boys to go blind...Or at least need glasses. Yes, many of your fathers.

One of Charlies Angels, she was THE sex symbol of the 70's. Men wanted her, women wanted to be her. Well, until the past two years. She died last week from probably the worst cancer imaginable...ass cancer. That's right. No joke. Worst possible cancer I can think of.

Its a damn horrible ending to a life that touched so many people touching themselves. She will be missed.

Oh yeah! She married her 30 year boyfriend Ryan O'Neal a few days before her death. Coincidence? I think not. He definitely needed all of that money for listening to her droning on about her great Charlies Angels 'on the set' antics. WOO! I'm sure they were doosies!

Billy Mays

Billy Mays was the MAN! He was a regular guy born in Pittsburgh that was a creative inventor and pitchman. He revolutionized the infomercial and became a John Everyman hero.

Truth be told...I'm watching the Pitchmen marathon that is currently on the Discovery Channel. And I'm loving it! He gave tons of people shots at becoming successful for their inventions.

He would totally kick the ShamWOW guy's ass...Even though you gotta respect a guy who beats hookers. Don't buy another ShamWOW...Buy ZorbEZE! The original and the better product.

LONG LIVE THE KING!



Michael Jackson

Speaking of the King. As much as I would like to do what everyone else is, and come up with some zingers about him and tear him down...I won't. There's been enough of that.

Michael was too important to music to attack him, regardless of his alleged indiscretions. Yes alleged. I've been thinking that maybe he paid off that kid so that he could avoid the circus of court that would've probably made the OJ trial look like a DUI hearing. He was always a private person, thanks to his abusive, insane father. It couldn't possibly be an extortion attempt made by a greedy parent looking to get paid...NO!

Anyhoo. Thriller was the first album I ever had and it was tremendous. I still think its one of the greatest things to hit my ear. It is still the highest selling album in music history. Oh, and then their was the music videos he created. He revolutionized the music video with movie directors, special effects, and mainstream actors. He probably saved MTV from going under in its fledgling years. His performances were epic, his music amazing, and his dancing was ground breaking. He was the best...The only other performer that even compares is Elvis Presley, and unfortunately, both of their lives ended tragically and sadly.

Everyone can make all the jokes they want...But he was legendary.

Again...LONG LIVE THE KING!

I'll try to post again this week because I have a lot to talk about. I just wanted to touch on this sad week in entertainment.

Late!

I'm gonna warn you now...I'm probably gonna be all over the map on this one. So much time and so little to do. Strike that...Reverse it.

Hello father...It's been damn near a month since my last blog post.

Yes, I will do 20 Hail Mary's and recite Stairway to Heaven.

Hello all! It's been a while. The car business picked up immensely which explains my absense from blogging for the past month. I haven't had time to think! Between work with sucks about 50-60 hours a week out of my soul and the other (more enjoyable and exciting) ventures that I've been working on, I haven't had a chance to tell everyone what's up (I'm hoping that you care).

I attended a large networking event last month that turned out pretty well. If there are any of you that I met there that are reading this...Hi. Met some nice people, handed out some info, and had the worst $9 lunch ever. Fun.

I am also sad to say that I have come to the decision that it is time to sell my car. Its a tough decision because it really is more than a car to me (It was a symbol of my first large goal achieved in business)...But this decision will lead me to setting my goals and sites higher in the future. See it here.

My birthday was a few days ago. Not sure why I'm mentioning this. Birthdays have less meaning to me than Groundhog Day. After 21...There's really nothing to look forward to. I was at work til 10pm anyway, so even if it meant anything, that was shot in the ass.

I have been elected to VP of Membership for the Pittsburgh Entrepreneurial Business Builders Network...Which is exciting.

I've reached 1000 tweets on Twitter! Woo Hoo! My twitter page will be getting a big overhaul in the coming weeks, which I always enjoy doing.

Ytb is entering a new era, and it looks great. I'm glad everything worked out and we're all ready to move onward and upward. Test drive Ytb 2.0

I've designed about 14 new shoes to submit for patent in the coming months to get my footwear company off the ground. I'm ridiculously nervous, and excited about this project at the same time!

It kinda sucks that last month was so busy, I couldn't spill my thoughts on here. But that's the way it goes I guess.

I will definitely try to be on here more in the month of June. I look forward to talking to everyone! Lata!

submitted by Jason Collins

Psychoville, MN- I don't know if Brett Favre is this addicted to football, the circus, or $20 million a year contracts, but this has to stop.

I watch Sportcenter and they keep saying that he has earned the right to do this every year (Trent Dilfer), most grinding their teeth as they say it (Mark Schlereth). I think Trent has a bigger man-crush on Favre than John Madden. One SC analyst said it right..."He definitely earned the right, but quit retiring!" That's not verbatim, but its close. Thank you Scott Van Pelt.

As much as I loathe Brett from his Packer days being the Bears fan that I am, it has gotten way beyond that now. Brett Favre is the biggest attention whore I've ever seen. And I've seen the likes of Dennis Rodman, Dustin Diamond, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Smurfette. He likes all the attention in his direction, and it's getting as old as he is.

Why can't you just retire and stay that way...OR NOT! If you are going to keep coming back, just don't retire. I have no problem with you entertaining offers and see where the money takes you, but every spring ESPN has to be wrapped around your ever tiring decision to play or not to play.

Rumor has it that he's using Minnesota as a platform to stick it to Green Bay. Ummm...WOW! It's the Curious Case of Brett Favre. He's aging backward and is currently in his adolescent stage where the "they started it" argument is prominent.

You were a great quarterback Brett, but I really do think this is tainting your legacy. The really great players didn't play for team, after team, after team. Get a job in the booth if you need to be around the game. It's worked out well for a lot of former NFL quarterbacks.

Now turn your attention to Brad Childress. The man fanning the flames because he can't make heads or tails of the quarterbacks he has, and didn't make a move to fix that in the off season. Tarvaris Jackson had a solid final quarter of the season last year, but there's no way they could possible build upon that...Let's replace him with a 40 year old with a torn biceps tendon. Great strategy. If it wasn't for the play of Jackson over that stretch, Minnesota may not have made the playoffs. John David Booty is also on the roster. Remember when he replaced Matt Linart at USC and put up good numbers? Childress doesn't either.

Oh yeah, and there is an absolute beast in the backfield in Minnesota. Something Brett has never had. Two huge problems will exist for Minnesota regarding Adrian Peterson. One...Brett won't be able to get the ball to him in time after the hike of the ball. He'll be past Favre before he turns his brittle hips around to hand him the ball. And two...The wind that Peterson will create with his freight train running style will probably knock Brett's old ass over.

The schizophrenic behavior being displayed by Brett has ruined the careers of other players. And just this year, Jay Cutler and Chad Johnson have been labelled 'head cases' and a 'problem players' because they wanted out of unfavorable situations on their teams. Yet, Brett manipulated the Jets to release him by retiring, so that he could do what he has wanted to do from day one...Get an NFC North team to sign him to get back at Green Bay. That's perfectly ethical and ok right? Apparently the sports world thinks so.

When its all said and done, I hope Brett gets what he wants. Two games against the Packers. And I truly hope that Aaron Rodgers outshines him, and the Packers sweep Minnesota this year. Yeah, I said it! I hope Green Bay wins some games. In between those two games, I believe Brett will be a below average quarterback and the Minnesota Vikings will regress because they didn't develop their young, talented quarterbacks for the future. They have a young team with high potential, but bringing in Brett Favre will just add dissension to the locker room that even a big shot of geritol will not cure.

There's never been a better time to come aboard with a proven company that will be entering its pinnacle within the next six months. Ytb has been brutally tested and is coming out on the other side stronger than ever before. Some casualties have been felt along the way, but only the strong survive. And the rock solid foundation is still here! Now's the time to take the bull by the horns and change your situation for the better, for good.



Visit http://www.vacationandbuildwealth.com to learn more!

submitted by Jason Collins

First De La Hoya, now Madden. It's been a somber week for sports fans. Two of the best at what they do have retired. After 30 years in the booth John Madden calls it a career.

Now he can retire to Louisiana and live out the rest of his days with Brett Favre. Brett can stand in his QB stance with Madden draped around his legs like the front of a Fabio novel cover.

"It's time. I'm 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall," Madden said. "I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I'm home and, more importantly, when I'm not."

John Madden leaves a legacy of broadcasting skills that, well, left a little bit to be desired. Yes, John, the team that scores the most points will win the game. But one thing's for certain...He knew a ton about football and had great video games.

Madden's odd reach of annoyance reached even to the players that were featured on his year release of the Madden series of video games...Known as the "Madden Curse." Which could also be claimed by his wife who's had to sleep with the man for 50 years, bratwurst after bratwurst. The players on the covers would almost inevitably get injured the year they were featured (including Brian Urlacher...dammit!). Makes sense for a guy that's been putting me through agony for as long as I can remember. For Christ's sake, how many times can you show the same freakin' play on your telestrator??? Whomever introduced Madden to technology should have been drawn and quartered.

Let's now turn to a well known Madden controversy...His affair with Brett Favre. I don't believe I've seen this much man love since Brokeback Mountain. And even then, at least Heath Ledger spit on his hand first. WE GET IT JOHN! BRETT'S PRETTY GOOD! So are alot of other players around the league, but we don't see you giving them a reach around.

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty about John Madden to celebrate...He was at the forefront of making the NFL the national past time. He was a great coach, ambassador of the game, and pioneer of the Turducken. But I wish he would've stayed out of the box.

I will say that I appreciate his vision that it was time to go...Unlike Summerall, who is for all intents and purposes, a talking corpse. Make that a drunk, talking corpse. Kudos to John for packin' it in early.

In closing...Thank you John Madden for:

• Being a great coach
• Making a series of great video games
• Turducken
• Having gray hair and bushy red eyebrows
• Being less annoying than Summerall
• Launching Frank Caliendo's career
• Leaving with dignity

All the best to you sir! As much as you stomped on my last nerve, I appreciate what you did for the game. All the best in your retirement because it won't last long when your wife kicks you out for constantly rewinding and playing back Matlock reruns.

Starting March 25th, 2009 Princess Cruise Lines and Ytb have teamed up to bring you Princess Cruises Sail A Thon 2009! Visit http://www.madeintheshadetravel.com/

I've been attending small business workshops and seminars in attempts to gather information to get my footwear company rolling. I'm excited to take the next step with it and I'll keep everyone posted on how it's going.

I've been playing some board games as of late, oddly enough. I haven't played them in so long, I forgot how much fun they were. Did a little Cranium and Scene It Volume 2...What a blast. And for those that know me personally, as you may have guessed I kicked ass at Scene it!

Also been doing some cruise bookings and such, so Made in the Shade Travel is doing well. Finally finished our taxes...NICE! And Tiff and I are looking forward to whatever's next.

Well, that's all for now guys. Sorry so short, but I haven't posted in a while and wanted to get some thoughts down (thus, the very hectic nature of the post).

TIL NEXT TIME!

LATA!

Well, I'm gonna start this one off with a bang. My wife was "laid off" from her job. Of course, since Reaganomics began back in the 80's, that means she was fired. Probably couldn't have come at a worse time with the effect this vicious cycle economy has had on my main source of income, the auto industry.

I've been doing my best to stay calm through this so far, but it seems I have a kick me sign on my back and people are pushing all the wrong buttons. My wife has been inconsolable so far, not because she's out of work, but how it was handled. Calling her into a meeting at 7am in the morning to tell her to pack up her stuff and go.

The company's name is Tri-State Orthopaedics, and normally I wouldn't do this, but I'm asking everyone who reads my blog in Pittsburgh...Don't let one dime of your money be spent on this company. There are some circumstances that I'm not at liberty to discuss that make me feel this way, just trust me on this one. I am currently receiving treatment at their rehab facility and Friday will be my last treatment, thus they won't see another red cent from me.

Its funny how you drink the company Kool Aid, wear their colors, do what they want you to do, promote their brand, and waste your days working like a second class citizen just for them to kick you to the curb...with no warning.

It's time for everyone to get over this 'recession' we're in and start bringing the economy back. It's up to us as consumers to do it, not the government. It's all about attitude, and even we believe it will get better, it will. NOW START BELIEVING! Because I refuse to think we're gonna decay in this wasteland for any extended period of time.

That's my time

I'm gonna make this one brief because I just feel like I should post something on here...It's been about a week. And......begin.

I've been feeling a lot of frustration as of late with...well...everything. My job sucks (I know, I should be happy I have one with the way things are), the weather sucks, there's nothing really going on in sports (that I know of because ARod takes up the entire schedule), I still have a long way to go in physical therapy, and I'm just in a bad mood. I know I shouldn't be. I'm getting the ball rolling on my new footwear company, my best friend and I are developing a new website, and Spring is right around the corner, but I just can't shake this trough I'm in.

I need a vacation, a sundae, or a hooker (just kidding honey!).

I think I'm just spread way too thin. Between working 55 hours a week, running a business in my spare time, and developing these other ventures...I feel like I'm running in place. I don't have any 'me' time, and I won't have any coming any time soon.

I KNOW....BOO HOO!!!

Maybe I am just a whiner. I just need a good stretch of days to get me outta this. I'm usually a silver lining guy, but my 'normal' job has gotten me to wits-end. Hopefully, I can take that 55 hours a week off my 'to do' list shortly.

Alright! Enough of this pity party! Sorry you had to struggle through this bitch fest.

Lata!

-Collins

There's a lot to talk about everyone! I'm not quite sure where to begin, but I'll give it a shot. We'll start with the biggest story of the century apparently...No, not global warming.

A freakin' ROD!

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens thanks you for getting everyone off their backs. I'm not spending too much time on A-Rod...Not because I think its been over-covered (well, it has), but to tear down the media for making this the story of the century. Ok, ARod was on steroids...WHO CARES?!?!?! You do, apparently. Or at least the media thinks you do by shoving it down our throats 24/7. He didn't hurt anyone, except maybe himself, which he has every right to do. This has gotten so ridiculous that some moron asked President Obama about the ARod 'steroids scandal' in his first news conference! What the hell is going on here?!?!?! It would seem that there are steroid pushers on every corner in this country, hell-bent on shrinking testicles! America has its priorities way out of whack. Get it together people!

To tell me that all of baseball's greats were as clean as a whistle is about the most naive statement you can give me. How do we know? There was no testing then. And it didn't have to be steroids. Many players have come out to say they were taking a form of amphetamine to stay up for a 162 game season!

Stop with the witch hunt! I couldn't care less if ARod was rounding the bases with a needle sticking out of his arm as long as it makes the game more exciting. You don't see this uproar with the NFL...We want hulking beasts on the gridiron, but apparently there is too much 'integrity' in baseball. GO SCREW, SPORTS MEDIA!

On we go...

As mentioned before: President Obama's First Press Conference

Other than the idiotic questions he was asked that had nothing to do with the issues here, it was good. I have to hand it to Obama for not jumping off the podium and choking out the sources of questions involving: His 'dire' dialect, Iran, and of course ARod. We have a full blown shit storm in this country and these twits are worried about sugar-coating language, other countries, and of course ARod. ENOUGH!

The Death of Jeremy Lusk

For those who don't know him, he's a motocross rider. He was killed trying to pull off an amazing trick. It was truly a horrific crash, and its a shame that a 24 year old kid is dead.

Brett Favre Really Retires?!?!

Good riddance. Remember...Bears Fan.

Chris Brown Beats Up Rihanna

What a moron...I've been madder than hell in my life before. Maybe even mad enough to kill, but better judgement took over. Being a multi-million dollar recording artist, how couldn't cross your mind as you have your hand raised to another multi million dollar recording artist, what the repercussions of this might be? Especially considering they were both scheduled to play at the Grammys'. You know, the award show that recognizes your abilities as an artist and performer. Get your head out of your ass Brown! I know you must have it so bad...I'd love to have your problems up until you beat your smokin' hot girlfriend...badly. And for the record, I don't like either of their music.

James Whitmore Dies

Watch The Shawshank Redemption...Brooks was here!

This Just In: Ex-girlfriend files suit, says Roberto Alomar exposed her to AIDS!
AND
Miguel Tejada pleads guilty to perjury!

All you baseball players better run and hide. It sounds like Congress is organizing its own MLB Auschwitz. No one is safe...No one can hide. Everyone that has been on steroids, cocaine, or aspirin better come forward now because their gonna find out somehow! Prepare to be pulled out from under your beds and taken away in your sleep.

For the record, Roberto Alomar is a real scumbag. What he did is far beyond steroids, but it won't get nearly the press coverage.

Well, I'm nauseous from all this trash. I'm gonna go for now, but never fear...I'll return!

Jason 'the steroid pusher' Collins

Well folks, the Super Bowl was all that and a bag of chips...And I'm sad about it. Not because of the actual game, but what is to follow. 7 months of no football (I'm in mourning today) and 7 months of obnoxious Steeler fan gloating...ewwwwww! Congratulations to the Steelers for pulling out the win, and kudos (sorry Dan Dierdorf) to the Cardinals for living up to the hype. Especially one Larry Fitzgerald. After a tiring two weeks of ego stroking, he still lived up to the circus. Well done young man.

There is one football related activity to look forward to. The NFL Draft. I wonder who the Bears will take this year instead of a quarterback...hmmm. Rumor has it that they are in the hunt for Mr. Super Bowl Passing God himself, Kurt Warner. What a dumb move that would be by both parties. Warner moves to wear its cold and they don't have Fitz, Boldin, and Breaston and the Bears get a quarterback to mend the fence for one year. I hope it doesn't happen.

On to business. I keep plugging along the social media platforms getting my name plastered to every business networking site imaginable. Man, that is a full time job in and of itself. I don't know how Perry Belcher can keep up...Oh, wait. He doesn't work a soul destroying full time job that sucks the life right out of you. Kudos (sorry Dan Dierdorf) Perry. I'm not there yet, but you are sure as hell an inspiration to me. Here is a list of social media you can find me on:

1. Linkedin

2. Myspace

3. BetterNetWorker

4. Ecademy

5. Twitter

6. Facebook

7. Sta.rtup Biz

And of course, don't forget to check out http://www.vacationandbuildwealth.com http://www.themlmadvantage.net http://www.profitperclicknow.com http://www.madeintheshadetravel.com http://jasoncollins.buildingonabudget.com http://www.tothepowerof6.com and http://tinyurl.com/cmdhem

You know I love the shameless plugs!

Outta here for now everyone...bye bye

Hey Everyone,

The title says it all. I'm sitting here in Pittsburgh, and it is ugly outside...Really ugly. What better weather to get stuff done at home in though? And that's what I'm doing. I'm working on my marketing business and gathering ideas for my future footwear company.

Everyone in this town is in complete Steelers Utopia...Except me. I'm not a Steelers fan by any stretch, but I do respect the hell out of that team. For the record, I am a Chicago Bears fan (i know). The thing I can't take is the 'rabid' Steelers fans that are so ignorant it needs mentioning. They are so arrogant and misinformed it makes me giggle. Most of them couldn't answer a trivia question about the team if you asked, but wanna be the first to call you an asshole because you're not a fan. I know more about their team than most of their 'fans' do. That's why I hope Arizona curb stomps them Sunday (wishful thinking). Not because of the Steelers themselves (great team, great players), but because of the majority of their ridiculous fan base.

I'll probably lose half of my followers over this. Ah well, probably ridiculous Steelers fans. And yes, I'm jealous that my team has been perennially successful like they've been. But I know I wouldn't have that attitude if they were.

On to more positive things...I came across a great way to get some exposure for my business the other night. My friend also named Jason had received word about it on Facebook and told me to check it out. So I did, naturally. Here's the verdict...It's Free! I've gotten about 40 extra clicks on my website because of it, so I'll tap it as a win. If you wanna check it out, go to http://www.tothepowerof6.com I have the advertisement posted at the top of my blog.

My friend Jason (same as above), and I were talking earlier today about what a bad rep network marketing gets. What spurred the conversation was that an old friend of ours from college posted a discouraging remark on Facebook about Jason's status. Jason had posted a link to one of his pages (a marketing page), and he who shall remain nameless took offense. He immediately labeled it a scam and scolded Jason for even posting what he was doing at that time in his "what are you doing" section of facebook, claiming he was being solicited. Jason wasn't soliciting anyone, he was merely saying what he was working on, and nameless flew off the handle. Why that reaction? It was like he was an old fanatic conservative that saw a boob on tv...He had to make his objection and opinion everyone elses. Because he didn't like it, no one else should either. But why didn't he like it? He's not in network marketing. He's a ski bum who lives off of his parents. But as soon as he even smelled an mlm, SCAM was the word of the day. How did it get this reputation?

It's a sad but true reality for all of us in network marketing, but the bright spot is that we're in an exclusive club that only the enlightened know about. If everyone was in network marketing, this would be no fun for any of us. Just a normal job...I hate normal jobs!

I hope you made it through this one everybody...Have a great day!

I've gotta say, having the past two weeks off (even though for surgery) spoiled me. I almost had forgotten how much working 55-60 hours stunk. Well, I've been back for a day and a half now, and it's all come rushing back to me. Man, this stinks! Hopefully the extra work I put in over the past two weeks on my home-based business will give me a better foundation to move forward and leave the daily grind behind. Don't get me wrong, for the most part I like the people I work with, but in all reality I don't like them enough to continue to drain my life of substance working there. I enjoy the amount of downtime we have, which gives me the opportunity to work on MY business, but I'm still cooped up in this building all day doing it.

Recommendations for the Week:

1. See Gran Torino and leave your wimpy ego, opinion, and your ease of being offended at the door and you will absolutely adore this movie.

2. Watch L O S T ...I'm sure I've covered this before.

3. Go out and get what you want...no one is gonna give it to you, but they may help you get there.

4. Never think you know everything...Everyone needs advice.

5. Check out http://www.vacationandbuildwealth.com or
http://www.madeintheshadetravel.com or for you current business owners http://www.themlmadvantage.net or http://www.profitperclicknow.com

6. There's nothing wrong with a shameless plug!

That's all for today kids...It's time for lunch! Cold cuts and potato salad. Mmmmmm....warms your cockles!!!

Well boys and girls, today is a special day. I'm going early this afternoon to get my stitches removed and hopefully lose these God-forsaken crutches and retain my ability to drive. But that's just the tip of the iceberg folks! The Season 5 of L O S T begins tonight, and I'm as giddy as a school girl. If you haven't seen this show...you're missing out. With my normal work schedule I don't get a chance to actually sit and watch Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sayid, Hurley, Ben, Sun, and the gang as it happens. So this goes beyond just the new season, I usually have to DVR it and watch it later. Man, 12 hour days suck! Hopefully soon, that'll be a thing of the past.

To turn the tables, this also means that I'm less than two days away from returning to the normal grind (insert Mr. Yuck sticker here). As I've said before, the time that I've been off has been a win. I've been able to accomplish a lot of great stuff with my home based business (insert happy face sticker here). I hope this day finds everyone well.

That's it for today. Moral of the day.......Watch L O S T !

I chose the title to one of Alice in Chains best songs because the title best reflects my current situation. I've been laid up from hip surgery for the past 10 days, and I'm a bit frustrated with my crutches, my therapy, and my inability to be out and about. Grant it, my wife and friends have been great accommodating me, but really its time to move onward from this.

There is, though, one really great thing that has come from this...I've had unlimited time to work on my home based business this past week and half. Time that my 'normal' job doesn't afford me. It's already been bearing fruit, and I'm happy for it. I've been able to bolster my connections and exposure these last 10 days, more than I've been able to in the previous year in total.

I also have been able to apply some techniques to my business that I've been meaning to do for a while. As I've said, the attraction marketing has already been bearing fruit so its a win in my book.

I'm only 2 and a half days from going back to the normal grind...yippee! I'm definitely not looking forward to going back to the norm. I visit the doctor tomorrow to find out my progress. Hopefully everything is moving forward enough that I can get rid of the crutches and drive. I do have to say that I've got a bit of cabin fever over the past couple of weeks.

Lemons into lemonade folks. That's what its all about. Doom and gloom doesn't interest me, almost to the point that my wife wants to kill me. She'll be totally freaking out about something, and I'll be as cool as a cucumber, which pisses her off to no end. I could've folded up like an accordion and boo hooed about having surgery and being couped up in the house, but I decided to turn in into an opportunity to better myself and my business. Hey, it could always be worse.

That's the lesson for the day boys and girls. Until next time...