This is one of the most inspiring things I have ever read.
2009 Inauguration Ball
Guests began arriving early. There are no place cards and no name tags. Everyone knows everyone else here. Now, there's a grand foursome - Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz sharing laughs with Martin and Coretta Scott King. Looks like Hosea Williams refused the limo again, keeping it real. And my goodness; is that Rosa Parks out there on the dance floor with A. Phillip Randolph?
Seated at a nearby table, Frederick Douglass has a captive audience in W.E.B. DuBose and Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers has just joined them. Marian Anderson was asked to sing tonight, but she only agreed to do it if accompanied by Marvin Gaye, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix. Look, there's Harriet Tubman. No one knows how she arrived, but there she is. And my guess is that, when the time comes, no one will see her leave.
There's Jackie Robinson swiftly making his way through the hall as the crowd parts like the Red Sea to the unmistakable sound of applause. "Run, Jackie, run!" Along the way he is embraced by Jessie Owens. Three beautiful young women arrive with their escorts – Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney. Ms. Viola Liuzzo flew in from Michigan, exclaiming, "I could not miss this."
Richard Pryor promised to be on his best behavior. "But I can’t make any guarantees for Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley," he chuckled. Joe Louis just faked a quick jab to the chin of Jack Johnson, who smiled broadly while slipping it. We saw Billy Eckstine and Nat King Cole greet Luther Van Dross. James Brown and Josh Gibson stopped at Walter Payton's table to say hello.
It made me cry, and I don't cry easy. My God, it spoke to me. My Mama is there too, and my Papi, and so are my grandparents, and probably some of yours too. I can see this scene playing out in my minds eye...
Did any of you catch the so called, "Republican Response," last night on Larry King live? The Hypocrisy of these people are absolutely astounding....
Check out this exchange...
KING: Obama took aim at John McCain on a number of issues, including the economy.
Here's an example, Tucker, and you can comment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: While Senator McCain was turning his sights to Iraq, just days after 9/11, I stood up and opposed this war, knowing that it would distract us from the real threats that we face.
When John McCain said we could just muddle through in Afghanistan, I argued for more resources and more troops to finish the fight against the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11 and made clear that we must take out Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants if we have them in our sights.
(CHEERS)
OBAMA: You know, John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the gates of hell. But he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives.
(CHEERS)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: I said that was about the economy. Obviously, it was not.
What do you make of that moment, Tucker?
BOUNDS: Well, Larry, I'm really glad that you played that clip, because I think it was a perfect demonstration of some of the frustrations that we're having.
You know, this speech was billed as a very historic speech and indeed it was a historic evening, but the speech didn't come through that way across the board. There were a lot of very negative parts to that speech and I think that that was one perfect demonstration.
For Barack Obama to suggest that John McCain doesn't have the commitment to track down Osama bin Laden, that we have had him in our sights, and decided that it wasn't important to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, is absurd.
KING: Well...
BOUNDS: It's ridiculous and it doesn't do any justice to the serious discourse that the American people deserve.
KING: But...
BOUNDS: It...
KING: Did we not center away from Afghanistan and go to Iraq?
BOUNDS: I think he suggested a little bit more than that, Larry. I think what he said, and in his own words, said that when I have him in our sights, I will take it to Osama bin Laden, suggesting that John McCain wouldn't do the same thing, which is to ignore all the things and all the policies that John McCain has pursued to bring terrorists to justice.
I think that that is boiling down. I think it's an insult to voters. I think that that's where we stand on higher ground going toward election day, because the truth is that this is going to come down to experience.
It's going to come down to a choice between -- do you believe everything Barack Obama is telling you? Do you believe this laundry list of promises about...
KING: OK.
OMG! And did you see the guys face? It was like, "I dont believe this crap myself, but after that speech I sure as hell better come up with something...
Then they roll out Larry Elder, whose only claim to fame is a Rush Limbaugh in Blackface radio show, and whos greatest aspiration in life is to be accepted by people like Limbaugh... and Ben Stein, who I am not sure if he is a comedian, Conservative Goliath, Economist, Speechwriter... or a game show host? Here's a guy who who thinks it's okay to proposition people for sex in the mensroom....
In 2007, Stein chastised the police and the GOP leadership for their response to the Larry Craig scandal. Stein said that Craig's sexuality should be a non-issue: "A party that believes in individual rights should be rallying to his defense, not making him walk the plank."'
It is just amazing to me that Conservatives can sit back and with a straight face... Make an issue on how well Obama speaks or the crowds he draws or who designed the stage on which he gave his nomination acceptance speech, while our country heads straight for the crapper? WOW! It blows the mind!
Live outside the U.S. But want to watch US TV online?
This is the bomb, but make sure you watch the whole the whole thing? The first time I tried to make it work it did not, after finishing the video, I discovered that you need to restart the browser completely for it to work.
DALLAS - As far as the Boy Scouts of America is concerned, knowing how to confront a bully is now as important as mastering a slip knot.
For the first time in the 97-year history of the nation's largest youth organization, newcomers must show they have learned Scout-approved ways to avoid being pushed around and called names, if they want to advance through the ranks.
Shaken down for your lunch money? Tell the bully how it hurts. Called a crater face? The 2008 Boy Scout Handbook recommends this comeback: "So what if I have a face full of zits. What's it to you?"
"We've always emphasized bullying -- how to recognize it, how to prevent it," said Jim Terry, assistant chief executive of the Boy Scouts. "This is just a reinforcement of those principles."
The Scouts say the move isn't in response to increased bullying in their ranks. But some critics are already picking on the organization for its new curriculum.
My troop was so badassed that the bullies were afraid of us! Hehe...
A little bit of Prince before he was "The Artist formerly known as." Prince has always been one of the most talented artist on the planet! This is him at his best! And DAMN! Shiela E. Was HOT!
And this one....
if for my wife, her first and always favorite Prince Song... Enlarge this one to full screen people, it ROCKS!
Not cause you are affraid of the bogey man, or bad luck, but because "The Poem is some pretty powerful stuff. I hate chain emails, and I wont subject my friends to one, but I thought I would share this with all of you. Like most of the stuff that I get from my Ex Boss and Mentor, it is some very WISE counsel!
Have you seen Rush Hour 3 yet? If you havent, check this out. Hurry up before its gone. After the fold is the video embedded, but I doubt it will last long. This young woman alone is worth the price of a ticket and the DVD.
Her Name is Noemie Lenoir, and my God is she HOT!
Oh the movie... It was the best I have seen of the trilogy. And Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker have never been funnier. What I did about the Rush Hour movies is that those two ALWAYS seem to have a good time.
I have always been a fan of the Dark Knight. Not the Pussy One of Don Adams fame... But the hard core, semi mentaly disturbed Batman. In fact, as a long time fan of the comic book, I actually rooted for Azrael, or Azbat,
to take over the mantle of Bruce Wayne...
This new movie looks like it is getting back to Batman's roots, and for that I am very excited. Now can we maybe see an AZBAT movie?
Looks like I will be off on another whirlwind trip in a couple of weeks. The Call Center Project in Honduras has been on hold for about a month now, as the client works on some other pressing priorities. This has not meant a vacation for me though. In the last month I have worked with a North American Company to start the process of evaluating three countries, with the purpose of locating a telesales operation.
I have also been working with one of Costa Rica's biggest Real Estate ventures on evaluating and developing a VOIP strategy for their telesales organization and for the companies internal use.
Looks like I will be back on the road the second week in August, and more than likely visiting some of my favorite Central American Cities again. With any luck, I may even have time to have coffee with some of my contacts and friends there.
I am hoping that we will stay at the Raddisson in Guatemala again, what a spectacular hotel, and what fantastic staff.
This coming week will be pretty hectic as I plan for this trip and evaluate some proposals for my North American Client. Things are looking pretty interesting in this project, and I am looking forward to being a part of it right up until it is operational.
In the interim, I also have a client coming in from Russia in the next couple of weeks, I need to set some meetings for him to establish a company here in Costa Rica. I dont expect it to take much time, but it must be done right, he is depending on my recommendations to ensure that he has the right contacts in country to kick his business off right.
other than the Gettysburg scene, is one of the most memorable in the movie. This is all about what it means to be a winner. To reach down deep inside and find that something extra... The no surrender, no retreat mentality that is what makes champions and heroes. If you have never seen Remember the Titans, go out and rent it...
If you are an athlete, it will teach you something about being a champion athlete.
If you are a business person, it will teach you about competitive drive, and what it takes to be the best.
If you are a parent, it will teach you and your kids something about appreciating differences.... Remember the Titans is a masterpiece, AND it is a little known bit of History that can teach us as much as the references to history sprinkled throughout the movie...
A few years ago, a man who had become like a father to me, and was my first great boss, fired me. He had reason, good reason to do so, nevertheless, it took me a while to accept responsibility for my own failures, and for the ways I failed him, he who gave me the tools to get to where I am today.
A few weeks ago, I came back in contact with him via a business networking site, and we have been sharing emails and ideas every since. John has always been a great motivator, and he has been sending me stuff for the last two weeks. All of it has been awesome, and reminds me why nearly 20 years after the fact, he remains my greatest mentor outside of Freemasonry.
He sent me this one today, and it is one of the most motivating things I have ever seen. Please pass this one on, if you know of someone who might need a little encouragement.
I only recently discovered this philosophy... The philosophy of never giving up, believing in myself and digging deep for that extra. But I have to say, as I look back, John was always this way. I recently had a meeting with a client who was very depressed. The client had had one customer abandon him without paying, and was running on fumes as far as finances were concerned. I gave him my speech about positivity and believing in himself, not giving up and fighting on.
A week later I helped him get the money owed to him, and he is now negotiating with two clients.
I have been there.
When I started my business, I was making very high six figures in the U.S., and was living the American Dream, well except for the being laid off part. Hehe... My friends all thought me crazy for coming to Costa Rica and starting the Utopia Group. The first three years were touch and go. I had clients steal from me, break contracts, make promises and then abandon them... But I hung in there. This was a time of test for me, much like the crawl the young man above just went through.
I felt the pain, and no pun intended, I spent a lot of time on my knees... Today, my business is a success. The Utopia Group is known all over Central America as one of the premier Contact Center Development companies in the region, and I have clients in three countries...
None of it came easy, and as I look back I am grateful to Mr. H. for teaching me 20 years ago, what this video teaches today.
I upgraded my Notebook's hard disk to 120GB yesterday and decided to take the opportunity to do some housecleaning and an upgrade of the OS as well.
I did the in place upgrade of Windows XP to Windows Vista Business, using a Dell upgrade Disk. The process was long, but flawless. In about two and a half hours I had upgraded the system, refreshed drivers and was off and running. There were a few scary moments, like when it did not seem to recognize the capabilities of my Dell Precision M65's Graphics Card. The M65 is a workstation class machine, desighned to show off the capabilities of a robust OS like Vista.
One of my clients, who recently aquired a new notebook with Vista Pre-installed, warned me against the upgrade. He told me his notebook was slow using the new OS. I have found nothing but the contrary. The M65 seems MUCH faster than my old XP install, so much so that I am impressed. This probably has to do with the fast Nvidia Quadro FX 350 Graphics card while at the Entry level of the QFX Line, is robust enough to run Vista's graphics engine at a healthy clip. The two gigabytes of system memory is probably the most significan factor of my systems performance.
The other concern I had was about syncronizing my Palm under Vista. Since Palm still does not have a Vista Certified desktop, this was a big concern. I was not able to sync using USB, but using Bluetooth, my sync went fine. And I have to admit, I am pretty content at this point.
Did I mention the fact that I recently upgraded my Treo 680 to use 4GB of SD Memory?
Why I like my trips so much. Hehe... I get chauffeured around by intelligent and pretty women!
Haha! No, that is Verushka, Marketing Manager for my Contact Center Client in Honduras, and I rode around with her most of the week last week. He front door on the passenger side would not open, so I ended up riding in the backseat. I am sure we got some interesting looks....
Verushka is quite the Marketing whiz and I learned a lot from her during my stay. She also happens to date the owner of one of Tre Fratelli, San Pedro Sula's finest Italian restaurant. The name of the restaurant means "Three Brothers," in Italian. Anyway, good food, decent prices, nice guy.
As you can see by the picture, we had a blast there on Friday night.
The place made my list of must visits while in Honduras...
My new site for all things Contact Center and Call Center Related in Central America. The site will be the home and hub for our Contact Center Consulting Practice, which is growing regionaly with clients now in Costa Rica, Guatemala and most recently Honduras.
CCCA will be a hub of communications and news about the call center industry, and will offer potential clients more information about The Utopia Group, and Solutions Costa Rica, consulting services.
Our goal is to continue to expand our reach and vision for the Contact Center Industry, outside of Costa Rica, and to be partners in the growth of the contact center and call center industry, throughout the region.
The reputation of the Utopia Group has led to opportunities in many countries in the Central American region, and a growing respect for the quality of our work and extensiveness of our network of contacts.
From founding one of the first Multinational Call Centers in Central America, to developing a reputation as "the call center gurus," in the the region, we take pride in being, "out front," in the Contact Center Market. CCCA is just another example of us taking a proactive approach to developing and growing our market.
In 2007, we will plan and open the first "major," contact center in Honduras, and will help to establish the Honduran Contact Center market. We take pride in our previous trailblazing roles in Costa Rica and Guatemala, and in the many strong business relationships we have forged in those countries. It will be a few days before the site is up and running, in the meantime, join me in welcoming CCCA to the Utopia family of websites.
Saw The 300 tonight... This review about says it all...
Brothers and sisters, lend me your eyes so I may share with you the tale of brave Leonidas I, King of Sparta, son of King Anaxandridas II, descendant of Heracles, who led 300 Spartan warriors against the seemingly unending forces of Emperor Xerxes of Persia at The Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC.
Xerxes sent forth messengers to all Greek city-states, offering gifts in exchange for their surrender and allegiance. Leonidas did not take the insult kindly, and in a breach of protocol, killed the messengers. In accordance with Spartan law, he sought permission from the keepers of the oracle to go to war. He was denied, which he knew spelt disaster for his people.
Although unable to rally the Spartan army, he skirted the law by gathering 300 warriors for a walk that coincidentally set out towards the mountain pass known as The Hot Gates, which is the only way Xerxes’ army could approach Sparta. While Leonidas is away and the battle rages on, Queen Gorgo works to convince the Spartan Council that the army needs to be discharged.
300 is an adaptation of the graphic novel written and drawn by Frank Miller, with colors by Lynn Varley. Miller was inspired to chronicle this historical event after he saw the film The 300 Spartans as a young boy. From his vision, co-writer/director Zack Snyder has created a magnificent ballet of violence and bloodshed that is truly exquisite to behold. It’s not a glorification, but rather a hyper-realistic representation of a necessary evil that good men are forced to practice to live free. Not since the films of Sam Peckinpah has killing looked so good on the big screen.
Read it all... Better yet, see the movie. I love good heroic epics... Just reminds me what a few motivated people can do...
And it is a way to see a bunch of evil assed Iranians get their ass handed to them, without starting a nuclear war...
You catch something on the internet that inspires and educates you. This guy is a great speaker, and his story is something I plan to share with my own son... I always thought of Jobs as an arrogant asshole... Perhaps he is one, but this sheds a whole new light on what ELSE he is...
We used to have a sexy Barber Shop in San Jose, it closed when someone purchased the building it was in, and converted it to a strip mall... We already have enough strip malls, (one is too many), but not enough "Barber Shops)
This place brings back some memories!
Read on for more (NSFW)
I doubt if the one in this picture offers the "extra services," that the one in Costa Rica did...
Angelina Jolie and a group of Colombian refugees in San Jose, Costa Rica.
They are not the first stars to visit Costa Rica, and will not be the last, but they will certainly be remembered more than most. I have met some American Celebs here, and most of them, to be honest are assholes. Brad and Angelina are a class act, and their visit will not soon be forgotten...
Just the fact that they chose to come to Costa Rica on Christmas is a cool thing, but it takes a lot of patience to deal with holiday traffic in San Jose this time of year.
Just last week, it took me over an hour to make a trip from my home in Heredia, to the capital, a drive that normally takes tops 20 minutes.
Yesterday there was a major parade in downtown San Jose, and I am sure they had already closed off many of the streets by Christmas day, which I am assuming was the day of their visit. One of the places they visited, is on one of the main streets of the capital, and even under the best conditions, it can be a challenge navigating in and out of there.
No, I did not get a chance to see Angelina and Brad in person. San Jose over the holidays is a nightmare of traffic and blocked streets. I have been spending some quality time at Casa Anderson, but it was all over the local news, Bravo for them. They seem to be a very special couple.
I want to thank them for coming to Costa Rica, and more importantly for being real people about it. We already have enough jerks who come to Costa Rica and perpetuate the image of the "ugly, arrogant American." One high ranking Republican Politician came here a few years ago, before he started his political career, and offended about half of the country, before taking half the hookers in San Jose on a "fishing trip." Angelina and Brad represent the kind of celebrity I can respect and admire... They walk the walk...
But hasn't Madonna passed the age where she can get away with these kind of outfits?
I mean those skinny legs and the butt is not exactly buns of steel any more. I thought she was a lot sexier later in the video when she is wearing street clothes?
But hey, you got to give it to Madonna Inc., she is still pumping out the hits....
You need further convincing that the Web is the new Forum? It is the communal hearth arround which all of us gather. Web 2.0 is not just a catch phrase any more. The sale of You Tube to Google, the Rise of Google itself... The phenomenon of My Space... It's a new world, and indeed a new story:
But look at 2006 through a different lens and you'll see another story, one that isn't about conflict or great men. It's a story about community and collaboration on a scale never seen before. It's about the cosmic compendium of knowledge Wikipedia and the million-channel people's network YouTube and the online metropolis MySpace. It's about the many wresting power from the few and helping one another for nothing and how that will not only change the world, but also change the way the world changes.
The tool that makes this possible is the World Wide Web. Not the Web that Tim Berners-Lee hacked together (15 years ago, according to Wikipedia) as a way for scientists to share research. It's not even the overhyped dotcom Web of the late 1990s. The new Web is a very different thing. It's a tool for bringing together the small contributions of millions of people and making them matter. Silicon Valley consultants call it Web 2.0, as if it were a new version of some old software. But it's really a revolution.
And we are so ready for it. We're ready to balance our diet of predigested news with raw feeds from Baghdad and Boston and Beijing. You can learn more about how Americans live just by looking at the backgrounds of YouTube videos—those rumpled bedrooms and toy-strewn basement rec rooms—than you could from 1,000 hours of network television.
And we didn't just watch, we also worked. Like crazy. We made Facebook profiles and Second Life avatars and reviewed books at Amazon and recorded podcasts. We blogged about our candidates losing and wrote songs about getting dumped. We camcordered bombing runs and built open-source software.
Some of us are pioneers in this new world... Our friends ragged on us about our blogging, and for our personal web pages... Those same friends now quietly create their own blogs, or sign up for my space.
Netcitizenship has become a common ground, bringing citizens of the world closer together.
But it has also spawned some bad...
Terrorist use the internet to communicate and dispense propaganda.
Scammers from Nigeria, other parts of Africa and Europe, farm tens of thousands of emails a day, to send their ridiculous scam emails, and attempt identity theft through phishing attacks.
Hate Groups use the internet to spread their message of hate.
Scammers of every ilk use the internet as their virtual office...
It's not perfect, but perhaps that is why Time is so RIGHT. The Internet IS the new world, it is a place where all of us can participate Rich and Poor, and where access to a connected computer is all it takes to be heard. A friend of mine and fellow blogger, used to run his popular blog from Library computers... He was homeless and did not own a computer, so he logged on at his local library and contributed to the debate. He inspired me... With all the wants and needs a person in his position must have had... Having a voice in the debate was a priority. It is HIS picture that should grace the cover of time, because despite the contributions of hotchick@xxx.com, and her lingerie shows from her bedroom... It is people like my friend who has led this revolution...
So thank you Time Magazine, for acknowledging us. I have taken the liberty of preparing my cover... After all, all of us would not fit!
The truth is, despite my own desire to get a Treo 680, and my love for Palm Hardware and Software, (I own both a Treo 650, and a Lifedrive). I am far from being one of those drooling Palm Fanboys, who has sold his soul for the occasional demo handout.
I believe that Palm has grown far to comfortable with it's leadership position in the last few years and has grown complacent. My Treo is a great business tool. It allows me to stay connected away from the office and to keep in touch with clients via email and chat. It's an amazing device, made even more amazing by fantastic developers like Hobbyist software, who publish just about every piece of software on my Treo.
But it is fatally flawed. How Palm could ship a smartphone with only 24mb of usable memory is both a mystery, and an insult to people who paid up to $600 for the phone. Especially when HP and others offer WIndows Mobile based smartphones with 128mb of memory at about the same price. To add to the insult, the None of the Palm based Treo line, even the 680, offer Wifi as an option. And while I love my 650, not a day passes that I don't have some kind of a reset.
Likewise, my Lifedrive is a wonder of technology... 4 Gigabytes of memory (Hard Drive Based), Wifi and Bluetooth... Great Screen... And it crashes daily as well, despite the fact that every piece of software on it is Lifedrive compatible... Not to mention the fact that it is slow as molasseses in winter (Due to the lack of REAL RAM... Even the RAM is based on the Hard Disk). Palm makes the problem worse by ignoring customer feedback, and providing the worst support India can offer.
So why do I remain a Palm Addict? Because I know what Palm CAN do. I am hoping for a T/X 2, because I believe that Palm can recapture the old magic. They just need to provide a good device with multiple wireless functionality and Gigs of memory... At a fair price... And if Skype continues to refuse to release a Palm VOIP Client, program one yourself. It is time Palm got true access to the biggest VOIP network in the world, without having to do black magic to do so.
I want to stay with Palm, and for the short term I will. I have a lot invested in Palm add-ons and software. But if Palm does not come up with a compelling handheld product next year, I may be switching to Windows Mobile.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Southern California's youthful Trojans didn't need any last-second heroics to beat Notre Dame this year.
They had too much speed, too much defense, and too much Dwayne Jarrett.
John David Booty passed for 265 yards and three touchdowns to Jarrett, USC did an exceptional job containing Notre Dame's Brady Quinn, and the Trojans topped the Fighting Irish 44-24 Saturday night.
Not only did No. 3 USC put the sixth-ranked Irish away, the Trojans surely did enough to moved ahead of No. 2 Michigan in the national championship race.
Should the Trojans (10-1) beat UCLA (6-5) at the Rose Bowl next weekend, they'll probably face top-ranked Ohio State in the BCS title game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz. USC has beaten its crosstown rivals seven straight times.
The Trojans played in the BCS title game the past two years -- winning one and losing one -- and earned a piece of the national championship three years ago after being bypassed for the title game.
Booty, who completed 17-of-28 passes and was intercepted twice, watched from the sideline when the Trojans beat the Irish 34-31 at Notre Dame last year on Matt Leinart's 1-yard sneak with three seconds remaining.
Jarrett, whose 61-yard reception on a fourth-and-9 play kept that final drive in South Bend alive, caught scoring passes of 9, 5 and 43 yards from Booty, who succeeded Leinart as USC's quarterback. The 43-yarder came with 8:21 remaining and gave the Trojans a 37-17 lead.
I watched the game with a bunch of American expats at The Colonial Sportsbook in downtown San Jose. By the end of the third quarter, the only people left were Trojan fans. USC's defense won this game. They dominated the Irish in the Red Zone (Inside the Trojan 20), and stopped them on 5 of 7 4th down conversion attempts, while making both of theirs. Despite Booty throwing two interceptions and the Trojans having a punt blocked, which led to a score, the Trojan defense manhandled the Iris, and on the few plays where they were beaten, it was usually because they overran the play, or missed a tackle in the backfield.
Two peace activists have planned a massive anti-war demonstration for the first day of winter.
But they don't want you marching in the streets. They'd much rather you just stay home.
The Global Orgasm for Peace was conceived by Donna Sheehan, 76, and Paul Reffell, 55, whose immodest goal is for everyone in the world to have an orgasm Dec. 22 while focusing on world peace.
"The orgasm gives out an incredible feeling of peace during it and after it," Reffell said Sunday. "Your mind is like a blank. It's like a meditative state. And mass meditations have been shown to make a change."
The Treo 680 Fund has been officially kicked off. If you enjoy ISOU, have been saved from getting ripped off by Nigerian Lottery/419 Scammers, or if you just want to hook a brother up with an early Christmas present, consider dropping a couple of bucks in the tip jar. You will find it over on the right!
Oh yeah, and if you are a marketing type from Palm, and you just happen to google up on this site, send a guy a 680, I have probably sold enough Treo's in the last year to have earned a million Palm Bucks! Hehe...
There are actually haters out there who dont give Tony Pierce his props. The man is without a doubt, one of the most talented cats I know. I only wish I had met him in person before I bailed on Los Angeles.
A restaurant in the southwestern US state of Arizona that proudly admits to trying to finish off its customers has introduced a new item on its menu -- the "quadruple bypass burger".
The burger at the "Heart Attack Grill" restaurant is stacked with four beef patties, cheese, onions, tomatoes and fried bacon, and weighs in at only 8,000 calories, more than three times what the human body needs in one day.
Patrons who have no appetite for the "quadruple bypass burger" can opt for the "triple" or "double-bypass".
"It's not good for one's health but it's only a joke," John Basso, who opened the restaurant 10 months ago, told AFP.
Customers who have room for more can also order French fries "fried in pure lard" and can purchase cigarettes off the menu. As a courtesy, the restaurant offers its "best customers" a wheelchair service to their cars by waitresses dressed in slinky nurses' outfits.
The idea, however, has not gone down well with the Arizona State Board of Nursing which has expressed concern that some patrons may confuse the waitresses with real nurses.
Now I have had the misfortune of knowing quite a few nurses in my time, (Not that it was a misfortune to know them, but the circumstances in which I got to know them...), and I don't remember EVER encountering one dressed like that... If they had been perhaps my recuperation might have taken a bit longer.
I think the story above is exactly what is wrong with America these days, we go overboard on the Politically correct thing. Hell, here in Costa Rica, that joint would be wall to wall guys every night of the week, half of them vegetarians!
I might just write the guy about franchising opportunities. Can you imagine someone like THIS serving you a burger, in an outfit like that?
Anyway, this guy is not going anywhere. With the publicity he is getting out of this, there will be a traffic jam all the way to Los Angeles, led by someone like Tony Pierce, just to get into the joint!
It is a story as old as time. Let's see which of you non spanish speakers figure out what the video is about first. (Hint - If you pay attention you will figure it out, even without understanding the words)
Oh and Dean, I saw the Mothership Connection Tour back in.... I think it was about 1978, at the Long Beach Arena. I can still smell George Clintons weed! I was sitting in the front row!
I was having breakfast with some American clients the other day, when I ran into an old friend.
Humberto Vargas is a National Treasure, of Costa Rica. I met Humberto several years ago when I lived at Costa Rica's famous Hotel Chalet Tirol. Humberto sang there on weekends, and we became friends.
I have not seen him since winning his awards and gaining international acclaim, but I can tell you he is an incredible person and artist!
I am an eBay fanatic, I admit it. I scour email at least a couple of times a week looking for a deal, and I have found some priceless ones, including an original Vietnam era Zippo Lighter, carried into battle by a Green Beret. (Now if that sucker could talk... The stories it would no doubt tell...
I lost my own Consistory ring years ago, and have often looked at purchasing another. I often check eBay for good deals, and have on more than one occasion considered purchasing one. While I am entitled to wear the double headed eagle of a 32nd Degree Mason, I have often considered the classic "yod," ring, to be the essence of what a high degree Mason should be.
Simple, elegant, and powerful. This is the kind of ring I imagine my Brother Knights of antiquity wearing.
What is special about this ring, is that it was once worn by a brother. I will never know him, but we will be bonded throughout the ages by this simple band of gold, and the ritual that entitles us to wear it.
I can only imagine the history! 1939! This ring was worn by a Brother 21 years before I was born.
I will attempt to honor the memory of my Brother by bringing honor to the ring. I am kind of overwhelmed at the idea of owning such a precious piece of history.
Keith is brave because there are very few actual media-types, real media-types who will attack anyone in the administration out of pussyass fear of being grouped with Michael Moore, MoveOn, Cindy Sheehan (pictured) or Dan Rather as "fringe" or "extremist Liberals". As if anyone who says this war is stupid is some traitor.
Jon Stewart and Colbert have to pretend that they're just kidding, and O'Reilly has to pretend that he's not kidding.
Keith on the otherhand has no problem acting like a normal human being and smiling and laughing during his puppet show or scowling and bashing during his commentaries like the ones in the post below.
Olbermann might not be the quasi-network quasi-news anchor of your dreams, but he's a giant leap away from the clearly uneducated partisan hacks at Fox or the emotionless drones everywhere else. And he's a voice in the wilderness for the majority of Americans who disagree with the administration but have been convinced that if they say anything they'll be marginalized for cutting and running, flip flopping, being a moonbat or any of the other childish taunts that sadly work just as well today as they did in the schoolyard.
There can be a middle ground in serious News Analysis as the LAT calls it and it can be entertaining. Although they're not fully there yet, I believe that Countdown is taking us down that path since it uses actual video evidence, real quotes, and omg facts to make its case. O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Coulter et al simply say "Kerry's fugly and Moore's fat."
The beauty of Olbermann's peice the other day was it brought back the idea of actually having an educated take that does not suck, using history as an example, and making friends with the English language. BushCo could certainly learn from the former SportsCenter anchor.
Another piece of Great writing.... And Tony... You owe me an interview!
I was listening to this cut tonight and thought about how so many of the people who read my blog have probably never even heard of Bootsy Collins. The man is perhaps on of the Top Base Players of ALL TIME. This live performance is a bit obscene in parts, but it is PURE Funk!
I saw a couple on the stands of the local supermarket on Saturday evening. I have not invested in purchasing any, as I simply am not into reading anything more than the business press in Spanish.
But my goodness, the content seems interesting... I mean who would not snatch up a magazine with a beautiful young lady like Angie Conejo (Angie Rabit haha!), and a lead story like, "Female Masturbation, of of course it exist!"
LOL!
Anyway, click on the PH link above to see more about the magazine!
Jack Cafferty ripped into the Republican leadership today over the recent ruling that the NSA warrantless program is illegal. For all the wingers that say the NSA helped in the UK terror plot, they should turn to their good pal O’Reilly, who said that they got FISA warrants in that case which proves the point. Right wing blogger Ace asks where is the Congress? That's a fair question, but it's a Republican Congress and that's been the problem. I'm not picking on Ace, but he says that
Good thing the Constitution and Bill of Rights are under glass, with all the pissing on them that this administration has done, they would have dissolved by now from the uric acid.
OK we are going back in time for today's segment of our office clutter giveaway. The last week has seen us clear clutter from our office as we are move space around Palm Addict Towers. Last Thursday's winner Mark Gallagher who won the LifeDrive has requested not to take it only because he has just invested in a Treo 700p and would like to give the LifeDrive to another lucky winner, so with that in mind, the LifeDrive is back on the giveaway market. It's 18 month's old and comes with a Proporta case. Winner announced later, readers and writers welcome to participate.
Send me a polite request with GIVEAWAY in the subject line, no follow up emails asking whether you are the winner because I get so many emails it's a no go to answer them -
Remember the Elder Dr. Jones' Grail Diary from, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? I always wanted a notebook like that... In fact, I have always been a journal freak, and have read many times about the legendary Moleskine journals. I can only imagine what a thrill it would be to look back now, if I had been disciplined about keeping one. Well I am giving it a go now!
I finally found a place to buy them, on Ebay, have purchased three of them, and they ROCK!
Honestly, it is the coolest little notebook I have ever used, but don't listen to me. Check this out.
"Yesterday, the ever-resourceful wood s lot collected online items on the Italian notebook phenomenon that is Moleskine.
I happen to have one, with its oilcloth-bound cover and thread-bound pages. (They also have an elastic band to hold it shut, a bookmark tassle, and an expandable inner note holder made of cardboard). It's a lovely object to own and use. It stimulatescreativity.
One daydreams of it pristine and empty, and then covered in one's own uniform black handwriting; the result of innumerable moments of distance from the world: in a café, on a train, on a lunchbreak from work, looking out to sea. All this, one continues to imagine, might one day form into a whole, a collection of notebooks on a shelf even; something, perhaps, that will become the fertile ground for these daydreams to form into a coherent work; that is, a book.
And so, in that daydream, another daydream. And so on, perhaps.
If not a book, then perhaps the new notebook will redeem the mess of previous notebooks, all in a different formats, some incomplete, with pages still waiting, or falling to bits...."
***
Romantic stuff huh... For a little notebook that fits in your pocket? But I agree with the author of that post. I have been carrying my own moleskine for the last couple of weeks, and it is great to jot down notes, ideas, experiences, etc. NOW if I could only padlock it!
I just did an interview for this website. It's a very interesting website about expats living around the world. Some truly great stories, check it out.
One of my old colleagues from Acer sent me a link to some pictures yesterday, from the early days of Acer Costa Rica, (The first outsourced call center in Latin America), which I founded.
This picture was taken out in front of the Center in 1997, just three years after we founded it.
It looks very different these days.
Wow does this bring back memories. I can still remember the crowded cubicles bursting at the seams, and the magic of the place.
I also remember socializing with my team, hanging out and having a good meal together. Those were the days.
I don't remember where this one was taken, but my future wife is to my right, and I was eating lobster, so I must have been happy! We spent a lot of time eating back in those days, the one below was taken at one of my favorite Sushi places.
Thanks Albin for sending me these. You can see more shots and a great photoblog of Costa Rican sites, here.
Picked up some new body armor for my favorite tech toy this week. I have been paranoid since I got the Treo, since I have been using Palm's open holster style holder.
I was constantly worried that the phone would fall out of the holster, or be damaged by bumping into a wall or something.
The holster was cool, no doubt, and really showed the phone off very well, but one fall and my $400 investment would have went down the drain.
I have been using the Treo extensively since it arrived over a week ago, and I can truly say that it is the most fun I have had with a phone.
With the new hard case, I am less concerned about bumps and bangs in my day to day use and in carrying the device.
It is a bit hard for me to use it without opening the case, as my fingers are a bit big for the small cut outs for the main keys, but the protection it affords me over the open leather holster, more than makes up for any inconvenience.
I was out in meetings most of the day today, and it rocked having my email constantly available at the push of two buttons. Yeah I know this is old hat in the United States, but here in Costa Rica, where Cellular Internet is new and novel, it makes quite an impression, as well as being very practical and useful.
I have been installing and uninstalling demos of different software for the last week. I have had a few stability issues as a result, but I finally thing I have found a combination of software that works well for me.
Want to Party and avoid the rip-offs? Want to meet beautiful women like the Tia Zelmira models? Want to get the best deals on food, transport and the absolutely most insane party atmosphere in the Western Hemisphere?
Bachelor parties, boys week out, hard core party animals. I have the just the solution for you...
The Single Man's Party Guide to Costa Rica, was originally written by one of the hardest party animals ever to hit the shores of Costa Rica. I have personally edited the document, improved it and added many resources like a Survival Spanish Guide.
The book is updated regularly with hot new places and information that will help you get off the beaten path and OUT of the Hotel Del Rey. and to where the REAL action is.
This is not some outdated compilation of Dirty Old Man links. If you are looking for that, let Google be your guide.
This document is up to date, packed with information on where to have a good time. Where to meet the ladies, and how to save money. One of the advantages we have is personal attention. You not only get comprehensive information on where to go, what to spend and how to stay safe, but you also get our connections, our experience and our knowledge. You also might get to meet a couple of really cool guys who know the lay of the land.
A couple of Endorsements:
"Forget every guide book to Costa Rica (if you still want those others, I'll send you mine for free), because this is the ONLY book you will need! Cutting though all of the unnecessary, David Anderson gives you all the "ins and outs" of visiting Costa Rica.
Not only detailed are the "Single Man's" main interest (the girls), this book covers the essentials, from making sure you don't get ripped off by taxis to the BEST restaurant recommendations that only the locals know about. I just found this book days before I left for Costa Rica, and wish I had found it before, because I had made some arrangements from companies I had found on the Internet, only to find I was "ripped-off" once I got there. This book has no hidden agendas, no recommendations by the author trying to "hook" you into buying something else.......just one man, trying to help out his fellow men. BUY this book, for what you'll save, the cost of this book is worth 20 times more!" Jeff
"This stuff is priceless! I won't be in Costa Rica until November 1, but I was so excited I had to buy your guide." Larry
I am not in the business of "commissions," anything that is recommended in the book is recommended because it is the BOMB! Some local businesses have even offered to pay to be featured in the guide, but we wont do it.
The idea is to give you the benefit of our experience, GOOD and BAD. And for $20 it is a steal. You will save that much in your first couple of hours in country.
The book has been a far greater success than I imagined. Selling an average of a couple a week. Get yours now, and don't be cheap. If you like it, recommend it to friends, don't give them a copy. Remember, you will get free updates whenever we make them for up to the next year.
So get yours now. If you are coming to Costa Rica, it will be the best $20 you will spend.
You see, that is what I am talking about. That is what I got into blogging for. To meet people, especially beautiful women (wink), and to just have fun. Create a dialogue. And if you can make money doing it, HELL Yeah!
Tony is on my "A List," of people I want to one day hang out with.
Okay, I admit, I have ALWAYS been a Prince fan, and this video of a young Prince is why! The man had stage presence like no one I have seen! And Shelia E, was pretty damned hot too!
I have always found Enigma to be one of the most sensual groups. I don't understand a word of French, despite passing time in France on business in the past. Nevertheless, it just sounds GOOOOOD!
Anyone who reads ISOU knows I am a time management and organization freak. My version of Microsoft Outlook is so customized it is unbelievable. But I live and die in my business life by email! I am trying Neo email organizer, and I have to tell you, it ROCKS! I am not sure I can justify buying the full version, but it is definately worth it. Give the free version a spin and see if it works for you. I can tell you, I have been using it for just 15 minutes and I can already see where I will save hours!
I do this all the time with my Lifedrive. It's great on long trips, like my monthly drive up to Esterillo. Tip, when possible, load movies to an SD card, they play smoother and use less battery power, than loading them to the Lifedrive's internal hard drive.
How many of us does this song apply to. Those of us who have spent much of our life on a plane and in hotel rooms. This song ALWAYS gets a couple of tears out of me... even when I am sitting at home. Shit it brings back memories...
And I tell you what, I am a hip hop fan to some degree, but contrast this song with the gibberish I posted earlier tonight from Dr. Dre. And see what moves you.
Read on for a VERY Cool interview with the guy who wrote this song....
This is an awesome Video. George Clinton and Parlament Funkadelic invented Funk, which begat Hip Hop and a whole range of urban musical styles. This video brings back some memories.
Last week while doing my Executive Level Training course for a local call center, there was a film crew filming the hotel. They spent a few moments in the Salon where I was presenting and apparently it was shown on the popular "Destinos," TV program. I did not even know it. Bummer.
I am not really into their music, but I have to give it to them for having courage of conviction, and I love the fact that they just piss the hell out of Rightwingers. So go buy a shitload of their CD's, hell buy me a couple. I may get to like them. I do kind of like this tune...
I want to take this opportunity to once again thank Jose and the folks at Palm Insider for the prize. This case is the classiest, nicest one I have seen. It is made from cowskin and crocodile, and comes in a very nice gift box. I have to say, I was impressed with the out of the box experience. The Piel Frama line of cases is not cheap, but in my opinion, it is well worth the money.
Well I participated in Palm Insiders contest this weekend, and though I did not win the Treo 650, I was pining for, I won an awesome Piel Frama case for my Lifedrive!
My thanks to Jose and the guys at Palm Insider, a great site for Palm and PDA news!
I got an email today from a guy asking me to check out his website. It almost got lost in my spam filter. I am glad it didn't. This is one talented cat!
Despite the obvious appearance of trying to buy votes in the November elections, the Republican majority in Congress is still considering a scheme to provide every American with a $100 check to compensate for the current high price of gasoline. President Bush has already rejected a revenue-matching windfall profits tax on oil companies, which means the money sent to American consumers would expand the already near-record federal budget deficit without significantly helping people with the skyrocketing fuel costs they are facing.
The opposition to this rebate plan is significant, as Shakespeare's Sister and BlondeSense Liz, among many others, have noted. Your host here at The Dark Wraith Forums has posted comments at both of the aforementioned blogs offering an alternative to opposing the Republican rebate plan. Herewith now is the formal statement of that alternative.
If the hundred dollar checks are indeed disbursed pursuant to an Act of Congress approved by the President, all who are opposed to the Republicans pledge as follows: Upon receiving the check for the sum of One Hundred dollars ($100.00), I shall immediately sign the back of the draft and send it to the non-Republican political party or candidate of my choice.
As a side note, I was in love with Stevie Nicks when I was a kid. I met her when they were doing the Song "Tusk," on the campus at the University of Southern California. The Song featured the USC Marching band, several members of which were also my fraternity brothers. I remember making a total fool out of my self by being speechless when I was introduced.
I met this dude a couple of years ago when he did a tour in Costa Rica, talk about a DAWG, he and his crew created a new standard in Costa Rica for chasing females!
And my Daughter Elsie would kill me if I dont post her favorite Shaggy song... (Read on)
Well, its relatively certain he is, but lets see how I do. My answers in Bold.
My Score, (60)TOTAL OUTRAGEOUS FREAK! (Please Excuse me, but the very beautiful woman who put this meme together wants anyone that scored over 50 to call her. LOL
1.WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES?
(A) A LIGHT COLOR
(B) THEY CHANGE COLORS
(C) A DARK COLOR
2.IF YOU WERE TO MEET UP WITH THE CRUSH OF YOUR LIFE YOU WOULD...
(A) SEDUCE THEM
(B) JUST CHILL
(C) CHILL AND THEN SEDUCE THEM
3.WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF WEATHER?
(A) RAINY
(B) THUNDERSTORM
(C) SUNNY
(D) CLOUDY
4.WHATS THE BEST TYPE OF FRUIT?
(A) STRAWBERRYS
(B) CHERRYS
(C) GRAPES
(D) PEACHES
(E) KIWI
5.THE BEST PART OF THE 24 HOURS IS....
(A) NIGHT
(B) DAY
(C) AFTERNOON
6.WHATS THE BEST SEASON OF THE YEAR?
(A) FALL
(B) SUMMER
(C) SPRING
(D) WINTER
7.HEADBOARD OR NO HEADBOARD? Gotta have a place for the cuffs, hehe...
8.WHATS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?
Tuarus (April 29th)
9.PICK A PLACE YOU WOULD HAVE SEX AT OUT OF THESE...
(A) ASTRO VAN
(B) ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING
(C) PARK
(D) ON AN AIR PLANE
(E) PARENTS ROOM
(F) ALL OF THE ABOVE
10.YOUR PHONE SERVICE?
(A) SPRINT/CINGULAR "When in the US"
(B) VERIZON
(C) T-MOBILE/NEXTEL
(D) ALTEL
(E) CRICKET
(F) SUNCOM
(G) BOOST
NOW THINK OF THE PERSON YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON OR A PERSON WHOSE ASS YOU JUST WANNA SMACK
Read on For Scoring System
***ANSWERS****
1.
A. LIGHT COLOR------ (4) POINTS
B. CHANGE COLORS- (5) POINTS
C. DARK---------------- (4) POINTS
2.
A. SEDUCE THEM--------------- (5) POINTS
B. JUST CHILL------------------- (2) POINTS
C. CHILL AND THEN SEDUCE- (4) POINTS
3.
A. RAIN--------------- (3) POINTS
B. THUNDERSTORM- (5) POINTS
C. SUNNY------------- (4) POINTS
D. CLOUDY----------- (2) POINTS
4.
A. STRAWBERRYS- (5) POINTS
B. CHERRYS-------- (4) POINTS
C. GRAPES---------- (3) POINTS
D. PEACHES-------- (4) POINTS
E. KIWI-------------- (5) POINTS
5.
A. NIGHT-------- (4) POINTS
B. DAY----------- (3) POINTS
C. AFTERNOON- (5) POINTS
6.
A. FALL-------- (3) POINTS
B. SUMMMER- (4) POINTS
C. SPRING---- (2) POINTS
D. WINTER--- (5) POINTS
9.
A. ASRTO VAN------------------------------ (3) POINTS
B. ON THE ROOF TOP OF A BUILDING- (4) POINTS
C. PARK------------------------------------- (2) POINTS
D. AIR PLANE------------------------------- (5) POINTS
E. PARENTS ROOM------------------------ (5) POINTS
F. ALL OF THE ABOVE-------------------- (10) POINTS
10.
A. SPRINT/CINGULAR- (5) POINTS
B. VERIZON------------- (4) POINTS
C. T-MOB./NEXTEL----- (3) POINTS
D. ALTEL----------------- (5) POINTS
E. CRICKET-------------- (2) POINTS
F. SUNCOM-------------- (3) POINTS
G. BOOST MOB---------- (4) POINTS
11.
A. LION------ (5) POINTS
B. LIZARD--- (3) POINTS
C. SNAKE--- (4) POINTS
D. MONKEY- (3) POINTS
12.
A. CHOCLATE SYRUP- (3) POINTS
B. HONEY--------------- (2) POINTS
C. WHIP CREAM------- (5) POINTS
D. NUTS----------------- (3) POINTS
13.
A. UP----------- (2) POINTS
B. DOWN------ (3) POINTS
C. SIDEWAYS- (5) POINTS
NOW ADD THE POINTS UP (FOR THE SLOW ONES)
SCORES!!!!!
25-34= PRIESTS SON/DAUGHTER. MIGHT AS WELL SAVE IT TILL MARRIAGE.
35-49= PRETTY FREAKY BUT THERES STILL A COUPLE OF TRICKS U CAN LEARN... FROM ME.
50-65= TOTAL OUTRAGEOUS FREAK! OMG! CALL ME!!!! NO SERIOUSLY START DIALING!***
NOW REPOST THIS IN THE NEXT 2 MINUTES
AND YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK WITH
THE PERSON YOU THOUGHT OF!
"What I wanted to say to you is that I -- in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my leadership in Washington.." Harry Taylor
Perhaps... And we can always hope, this will go down in history as another Wake Up moment for America. Harry Taylor did not likely go to that meeting yesterday expecting to be a hero, or a symbol for all Americans who feel as he does, but his words were powerful, and I cant help but to think that they will reasonate with Americans who have become fed up with this regime, a regime that has consistently disrespected our constitution, lied to us and led us into disasters at home and abroad. In the age of the spin doctors, and soundbites, this moment can be easilly lost. The important thing for all of us is to remember Harry Taylors words. Let them serve as a rallying cry for all of us, and a reminder of our responsibilities as Americans. We are not cheerleaders for a party of administration. We must hold them accountable for their actions.
As much as Harry's words bought me pride yesterday, the response of the crowd bought me shame. Shame that other Americans would react to a person excercising their constitutional rights by booing them. We may have forgotten what it was all about, before yesterday. Harry Taylor reminded us. Whether you agree with his position or not, we should all be proud of him for speaking it.
I want to thank Tas who took time out yesterday to help me with some research for my presentation next week. That was very cool. Tas you are the man, and your research skills are awesome. If I get this funding and you want to come to Costa Rica as my Marketing research manager, you got a job!
For me to be jealous? I mean, I think it takes a ballsy individual to admit that they are jealous. I am... I am jealous of my Bro Tony Pierce. The Tony Pierce that lives in L.A. hangs out with beautiful ladies, does whatever the hell he wants to do, and has the balls to do this:
so heres what im thinking. two years ago you the reader chipped in to get me my ipod. it took about four days but about 30 people chipped in between $10-$30 and i got it engraved and everyone was happy. in fact i think the word Beautiful was the most appropriate.
last year i dont think i asked for anything from you. yes i sold Stiff but that had to be done. and you got a book out of the deal.
so heres what we will do. i would love 20 people to flow $20. two years ago i put people's names on the left hand side in a prominent place. this year i will do that Plus i will mail you something from my home.
i have a few copies of How To Blog sitting around. that could be something you could ask for. i just had to replace my old keyboard, if someone was interested in that peice of history i could mail that off. ive got tons of baseball and basketball cards. i could make you a cd. ive got some jeans i dont wear. PS2 games. i could make a nice mix cd oh i said that. see, im delirious.
so heres what you should do. PayPal me and in the Note area tell me what you'd like and i'll see what i can do to satisfy you.
and if you dont want to flow, it doesnt mean that you dont love me and i wont take it personally. i'll love you either way. ok back to my sickbed.
And he will get one too...
Oh, I aint jealous over the iPod thing anymore. I used to be. Hell I tried to get my half dozen readers to comp me one... They laughed it off, told me I was some kind of rich (yeah right), entreprenuer type, that did not need expensive gifts from working stiffs. But I got one anyway. A kick ass, 30GB video model that I use MOSTLY as an external hard drive. hehe.. TP will probably get a 60GB model that has a blow job feature or something! But I aint hatin' on my Brother. He deserves it! He writes a kick ass blog. He keeps it real, and is not affraid to say what is on his mind, and he lives in the only city I love more than Costa Rica.
So give the man some love, and replace his iPod. He earned it! But I am still jealous.
I probably quoted too damned much of this, but I am sure Tony will not mind. But read the whole damned thing. All of us on the left do NOT march to the same damned drummer, and while some progressives and liberals will not agree with our stance, I could give three shits.
Firstly i have no problems with mexico, mexicans, or mexican culture. and i realize that this town is called Los Angeles, not The Angels. this is mexico. this city is the second largest spanish speaking city in the world next to mexico city.
with that said, we have laws about how you emmigrate here and how you get your papers. you cannot just bum rush the show. i know what the statue of liberty says but theres an asterick there plain as day. that torch that she holds is the asterick.
yes it says bring me your tired your hungry your huddled masses yearning to breath free but the asterick says but get in line bitch. and im sorry but mexico might be fucked up but its not some totalitarian commie country. the way to fix mexico isnt to let tens of millions of mexicans come here to pick our fruit nanny our white children and hang outside the home depot.
there are unemployed people here in america. its not like everyone has a job here. and if people dont want to pick grapes for $10 a day maybe they shouldnt pick grapes for ten dollars a day and maybe the cost of grapes should go up or maybe someone should invent a machine that picks em cheaper.
hate to say it but we put a man on the moon and we have figured out how to turn ocean water into drinking water, you fuckers can figure out a way to pick grapes so that we can still enjoy our three buck chuck and if you cant omg five buck chuck isnt going to criple the republic. but 11 million undocumented workers suddenly allowed to be documented just might.
only reason bushie wants this to pass is cuz he a)doesnt care about black people b)thinks the mexicans will vote for him and his ilk if theyre allowed to vote c)thinks that the way to run businesses is to exploit poor people. im sorry bro but if those people are american citizens they should not only have a minimum wage, but a living wage. if you fuckers can spend $100 million on iraqi propaganda and $3.7 million on pajamas media, you can figure out a way for farm workers to be able to make enough in a day to get dinner at night.
im sorry for all the people who marched the other day, but marching and being hard working doesnt mean that youre right. youre not right. bank robbers or child molestors can take to the streets too for all i care, theyre not right either and just because theres a lot of them or their hearts might be in the right place doesnt mean that i have to agree with them.
Like I said, Mexico dont own shit north of Tijuana, except for the ground their consulates are built on, and they are probably renting that...
The "UNTOUCHABLE" Nu Upsilon Chapter was chartered on March 24, 1981, by five men who saw a need to establish a chapter of Sigma that would focus specifically on USC's campus. The foundation of Nu Upsilon are:
David S. Anderson
Johnny T. Creath
Jeffrey Sneed
Jeffery Whitmore
Edward H. J. Wilson
After a period of inactivity, Nu Upsilon has returned to USC, keeping up with the legacy.
The Brothers of Nu Upsilon hold the distinction of being the first NPHC organization to hold a function in Bovard Auditorium.We have the distinction of holding offices in organizations such in the Black Students Union, the Greek Student Assembly, and the NPHC. We are also involved in Residential Life and hold membership groups such as Blue Key Honor Fraternity, the Trojan Marching Band and the Order of Omega. Our members have received the highest recognition of the University, being awarded the Order of the Luerel and the Palm Award.
The Brothers of the Nu Upsilon Chapter work closely with our Sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Lambda Chapter , fostering the bond of Sigma and Zeta at USC, by supporting each other's programs as well as through planning joint efforts.
It's hard to believe that 25 years have passed since we chartered my fraternity at the University of Southern California. Tonight the Chapter will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary, and unfortunately I will be a couple thousand miles away.
I have been a big fan of Evanescence for a long time. I will admit that I first became a fan because their lead singer is so beautiful, but how can you listen to this song and NOT love this group...
Read on for the first Evanescence video I ever saw, and the one that hooked me on them...
Though the origins of "Steppin'" seem to be in dispute. I remember well my days as a Phi Beta Sigma in the early 80's. We were the undisputed West Coast Steppin' Champs, and my chapter made up about a third of the team that won many championships in those days. The funny thing is the routine in the video above, is the same routine we invented, back then, with a a few modifications and modernization.
Back then, step shows were productions, like a rock concert. We used dry ice and special effects (Good to have chemistry majors in the fraternity), and we blew people away. Man, that video brings back some memories!
If you have never seen a Step Show, and have the opportunity to do so, check it out, lots of fun!
1. Black and White or Color; how do you prefer your movies?
I tend to agree with Jack on the quality issue, but I am a softy for classic Black and White flicks.
2. What is the one single subject that bores you to near-death?
Soccer, and I live in a country where it is a religion.
3. MP3s, CDs, Tapes or Records: what is your favorite medium for prerecorded music?
MP3s, hands down. If for nothing else, the flexibility of players.
4. You are handed one first class trip plane ticket to anywhere in the world and ten million dollars cash. All of this is yours provided that you leave and not tell anyone where you are going ever. This includes family, friends, everyone. Would you take the money and ticket and run?
Yes, after I left half for my kids. And the meme does not say I can not contact them or visit them. So yeah, I would, and then I would visit as often as I wanted, on my private jet. (Yeah I know I am cheating, but do you really expect me to turn down 10 Million Bucks?)
5. Seriously, what do you consider the world's most pressing issue now?
Terrorism and our unrealistic approach to dealing with it.
6. How would you rectify the world's most pressing issue?
I dont even pretend to know.
7. You are given the chance to go back and change one thing in your life; what would that be?
Too many choices.
8. You are given the chance to go back and change one event in world history, what would that be?
Prevented the death of Martin Luther King or Malcom X.
9. A night at the opera, or a night at the Grand Ole' Opry — which do you choose?
Neither. But if I had to chose, the Opera.
10. What is the one great unsolved crime of all time you'd like to solve?
Read Jack's answer... DITTO!
11. One famous author can come to dinner with you. Who would that be, and what would you serve for the meal?
Malcom X, and I would serve kabob and Rice with roasted tomatoes and pita.
12. You discover that John Lennon was right, that there is no hell below us, and above us there is only sky - what's the first immoral thing you might do to celebrate this fact?
All I can say is the girl has quite a few floating arround out there. This one starts out with another famous Costa Rican Model, Hazel Caraval (Pictured on the Right), and then later Nikki. All I can say is WOW! Hazel got it going on!
Now this is not exactly porno guys, but there are some naughty thong shots and what not, so probably not a good idea to open this at work. The video is a bit dark and hard to view in parts, but one thing is clear, these are some beautiful woman, even when just waking up in the morning.
I have no doubt that now that the genie is out of the bottle, that there will be lots of interest in any other videos that exist. So stay tuned.
I have always thought Nicole was super hot!
After taking a look at this video, Hazel is even hotter. At least that is my opinion. Oh Nicole still has the sexy, girl next door look, but Hazel... Like I said, WOW!
Enjoy!
And if you are interested in coming to Costa Rica and meeting some of the sexiest women alive, remember The Guide, it's only $20, and the tips included will save you that in the first hour in country.
To get your copy, click the buy now button below.
You will be able to pay via paypal, and I will forward the guide to you in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF Format.
"It didn't exactly represent a profile in courage for the vice president to wander over there to the F-word network for a sit down with Brit Hume. I mean, that's a little like Bonnie interviewing Clyde."
CNN's Jack Cafferty was commenting on Cheney's selection of Fox News, and only Fox News, as the media vehicle to talk about the fact that he shot 78 year-old Harry Whittington. Vice President Cheney appeared on Fox News five days after shooting his hunting buddy.
She is not only beautiful, but she is an activist. I love this woman!
(AP) Hollywood actress Salma Hayek has made donations to groups aiding battered women in her native Mexico, calling domestic violence a problem that touches every corner of the globe. Hayek, nominated for a best actress Oscar for her role in the 2002 film "Frida," on Tuesday made a $25,000 donation to a battered woman's shelter in her hometown Coatzacoalcos, in Veracruz state on Mexico's Gulf Coast.
A day earlier she donated $50,000 to anti-domestic violence groups in the northern city of Monterrey, 435 miles north of Mexico City.
"No woman has to be a victim of physical abuse," Hayek told a Mexico City news conference on Tuesday. "Women have to feel like they are not alone."
The 39-year-old works with the "Speak Out Against Domestic Violence" campaign of the Avon Foundation, which cites statistics that domestic violence affects one in three women worldwide.
"Every woman who thinks she is the only victim of violence has to know that there are many more," Hayek said.
The actress was born in Coatzacoalcos and now lives in Los Angeles. She said the United States is not immune to domestic violence.
"It's not worse here or there, it's a worldwide problem," she said.
Hollywood types are often bashed for political activism, but this is the kind of "activism," that I think everyone can appreciate. And Salma is also putting her money where her mouth is. Right On Salma.
But Kate Rocks. I just read her latest advice column at Wizbang, and it is excellent, drop by and give it a look... Now Kate, about MY Problem.... Hehe...
Man, I was reading my little Brother Shabooty's blog tonight and came across this interview he did of me. Nice memories, and I need to get back to my book.
You're a classic - powerful, athletic, and competitive. You're all about winning the race and getting the job done. While you have a practical everyday side, you get wild when anyone pushes your pedal. You hate to lose, but you hardly ever do.
I was dog tired last night and really wanted to go to sleep, but stayed up until 2:00am to see the whole movie. I remember the furor Sweet Sweet Back's Baad Assssss Song, premiering when I was about 11 years old, and how much excitement it caused in the Ghetto. I was too young to see the movie, but it seemed like every adult black person I knew saw it. To watch BAADASSSSS! last night and see the amount of sacrifice Melvin Van Peebles made to get Sweet Sweet Back made, is an incredibly uplifting experience... regardless of what race one happens to be. It was also interesting to learn of the involvement of Bill Cosby and Earth Wind and Fire in the production of Sweet Sweet Back. $50,000 of Bill's money helped finance the completion of the movie, and Earth Wind and Fire did the Soundtrack.
As someone who has struggled to realize his own dream, and had to make many sacrifices to do so, I found much in common with Melvin Van Peebles. His film helped create a whole new genre of films, the so called Blaxploitation film. I am not sure how Melvin would feel about that, nevertheless, he is an unsung hero for creating opportunity for Black Leading Men and Directors in Hollywood. Sadly his own genius has not been recognized to the extent of more opportunity for him...
BAAD ASSSS!, his son's tribute to Melvin's groundbreaking work, is worth a weekend rental, less for the specific subject matter, than for the uplifting message of perserverance.
I have been looking for a way to find LEGAL video content for my video iPod. Found this site today, has some great classic films and series. I love the old Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes stuff, and the Bob Hope Comedy Reels, found some great downloads on this site. Most of it compatible with the iPod.
This meme was stolen from Nobody Asked. To say the least, I think it is very accurate, hehe...
And I am...
Yoda
A venerated sage with vast power and knowledge, you gently guide forces around you while serving as a champion of the light.
"Judge me by my size, do you? And well you should not - for my ally is the Force. And a powerful ally it is. Life greets it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us, and binds us. Luminescent beings are we, not this crude matter! You must feel the Force around you, everywhere."
Yoda is a is a character in the Star Wars universe. More Yoda information is available at the Star Wars Databank.
Click on the picture above to take the test yourself.
On a hot August afternoon, aspiring pop star Wafah Dufour walks into the media lunch hub Michael's, in Midtown Manhattan. Accompanied by her publicist, Richard Valvo, the slender, exotic young woman with long dark hair in a high ponytail a la I Dream of Jeannie is dressed in a white tank top, green love beads, lacy miniskirt, and backless pumps. Conversations continue as heads look up to check her out.
Ms. Dufour passes by Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, who is lunching with designer Isaac Mizrahi, then stops at the next table to meet former Sony Music chairman Tommy Mottola and NBC head Jeff Zucker.
"You know Wafah bin Ladin?" Valvo asks the men loudly.
"Wafah Dufour," she snaps, shooting him a look that's more pleading than hostile.
The niece of the man who orchestrated the destruction of the World Trade Center seventy-eight blocks to the south has a point. After September 11, the name bin Laden (which is how it's spelled when referring to Osama) turned radioactive, borderline satanic-by-association. It made her feel cursed, presumed guilty... made her wonder if it might keep her from ever getting a record deal. So she took her mother's maiden name, Dufour, which makes for a better first impression, even though the bin Laden taint is always there.
I have to say, the girl has "cajones," to do that interview, and to pose the way she did for the magazine, I am sure "Uncle O," has probably issued a fatwah or something already....
How do I know, because I check my referals thats how! And I run into freakalicious people like this(NSFW)! All I can say is Dayum! And all of Ya'll know how much I dig Goth women!
Google Inc. will make its first direct challenge to the broader communications industry today when it introduces an instant-messaging and voice communication service for personal computers.
The program, Google Talk, will allow its users to exchange text messages and converse through their computers with others at remote locations. Other instant-messaging services offer similar capabilities, but Google said the appeal of its system would come from its voice quality, based on audio technology it has developed.
And Google continues it's march towards desktop dominance. I just downloaded the new Desktop Search Beta the other day, and it rocks. Can't wait to see this new chat client.
Update: Well it is downloaded, and invitations are sent to most of the people in my GMail address book. Waiting to get my first call to test the alleged superior voice quality. Download it and add insearchofutopia@gmail.com to your buddy list, then give me a call. Lets take this baby for a spin.
Some of my regular readers have no doubt noted that I have not been posting much lately. The primary reason for this is that Business has suddenly become so busy as to not have much time....
Among our current projects:
* A Corporate Training for Executives of one of San Jose's Top Business Hotels.
* Developing a Blog for the Publishers of La Republica Newspaper. (Rogue Angel did a helluva job as our subcontractor), pays to read ISOU. Hehe...
* Preparing for a six month project to developer the first International Call Center in Guatemala.
Planning a major Event with HP and a couple of other major technology players for October.
Planning a new system integration business with HP.
Working on an alliance with an American Technology provider to provide enhanced WAP services for Costa Ricas new GPRS network.
So my hands have been kind of full these days. It appears my guest bloggers have not stepped up too much, so I am looking for others interested in guest blogging. If you are interested let me know via email, or comments to this post.
Okay, I will admit... My cool factur will probably go way down with this admission, but I had never even heard of the Black Eyed Peas before I saw the Best Buy Commercial.
I dig that commercial, and all I can say is the young lady is HOT!
The flick was made like 33 years ago, I guess I was about 12 at the time it was made. Man do I remember those days... The days of the Black Superhero. Typical of the genre, lots of violence, gratuitous sex, and ridiculously staged ways to get Jim Brown out of his shirt. In this one fight scene, he tosses the stereotypical white hood around for 10 minutes, resulting in a bloody face for the hood, and a ripped to shreds shirt for Jimbo! It was like he was in a cat fight with the Stars of Manicurist Weekly or something!
Of course Jim still had his NFL Superstar body at the time. Hehe.. All in all a pretty weak, predictable film, but not hardly as bad, or as corny as my favorite... The Dolemite films. I met Jim Brown a couple of times during my swinger period, (when I was about 22 years old.) Through some contacts of mine I got a chance to hang out at the Playboy Mansion West. One of my best friends was a friend of Hef's, and I had quite a few opportunities to visit the mansion.
Jim Brown parlayed his fame as an NFL and Hollywood star into a semi permanent residency at the Mansion, and the man probably got more ladies there in a month, than the rest of us have had in a lifetime.
It wasn't that we became buddies or anything. In fact, I don't think he would even know me if I walked up to him on the Street today, but at the time, he was the personification of "cool," to me. And I remember him calling me, "Young Brother," and thinking I was on top of the world. Yeah I thought he was pretty damned cool. But then all my heroes back then were Black Superstuds, people like The Mack, Shaft, Sweet Sweet Back, and Superfly!
But Jim Brown was different than the others. In most of his movies he represented a cut above the typical stereotype of the time. He was intelligent, successful and usually on the side of right. I didn't realize it at the time, but he was one of my first and most enduring role models, even if he was a BLATANT player at the Playboy Mansion poolside.
It would be much later that I really found my own identity as a black man, and it had more to do with Malcom X than Superfly. I guess the truth comes from recognizing that there are many influences on our lives, some more enduring than others, but when I look back, I realize that much of where we are as a culture today, can probably be traced back to those films and the self image they instilled in many of us.
The glorification of criminals, like drug dealers and pimps, and the creation of the image of the black male as the dangerous if not too smart, stud... Have no doubt influenced the bling lifestyle of todays rappers.
Anyway, I don't know why I am feeling all philosophical tonight over something that happened 20-30 years ago. But it was fun watching the movie, even if it did SUCK.
I never heard of this site before tonight. I was checking my stats and saw this link, so I went to check it out. It seems to be some kind of aggregator. Looks like I am in pretty good company too!
So whomever hooked me up... Thanks!
No, I did not get a chance to see Angelina and Brad in person. San Jose over the holidays is a nightmare of traffic and blocked streets. I have been spending some quality time at Casa Anderson, but it was all over the local news, Bravo for them. They seem to be a very special couple.
I had almost forgotten about 
I am an eBay fanatic, I admit it. I scour email at least a couple of times a week looking for a deal, and I have found some priceless ones, including an original Vietnam era Zippo Lighter, carried into battle by a Green Beret. (Now if that sucker could talk... The stories it would no doubt tell...
Simple, elegant, and powerful. This is the kind of ring I imagine my Brother Knights of antiquity wearing.
Maxim and FHM Latin America are now facing some local competition...
Remember the Elder Dr. Jones' Grail Diary from, 
One of my old colleagues from Acer sent me a link to some pictures yesterday, from the early days of Acer Costa Rica, (The first outsourced call center in Latin America), which I founded.
Picked up some new 
It is a bit hard for me to use it without opening the case, as my fingers are a bit big for the small cut outs for the main keys, but the protection it affords me over the open leather holster, more than makes up for any inconvenience.
Want to Party and avoid the rip-offs? Want to meet beautiful women like the Tia Zelmira models? Want to get the best deals on food, transport and the absolutely most insane party atmosphere in the Western Hemisphere?
I am not in the business of "commissions," anything that is recommended in the book is recommended because it is the BOMB! Some local businesses have even offered to pay to be featured in the guide, but we wont do it. 
Now here is a Bin Laden I would like to know. Hehe...
I was watching 
