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).