One Bad Organic Apple or One Bad Organic Narcissist

Yesterday on CNBC, I heard about the CEO of "Whole Foods Market posted messages on a Yahoo! chat forum under an alias for years, talking up his own company while predicting a bleak future for Wild Oats Markets, the rival it has since sought to acquire." (CNBC.com, 2007)

It seems that this guy took a play on his wife's name and made it his screen name. Then he proceeded to rip apart Wild Oats Markets while under that other persona.

What was this guy thinking?
He had a great thing going on at Whole Foods and he shot himself in the foot. Seems like some people are not happy unless they are stirring the pot. I personally LIVE for the stirring the pot. However, I do it when it has to be done and not for the sake of just doing it.

Moving on, so you ask how did he shoot himself in the foot?
Well it seems that he wants Whole Foods Market to acquire Wild Oats Markets. OK, so what's the big deal one company wants another company? The big deal is that this guy got caught making statements about a company that he wants to acquire. Why? To drive down the value thus drive down the price.

Isn't this the American way?
It may have been in your father's day but in a post- Enron world you can bet your ass it ain't the American Way. The American Way is to be open, transparent, and be above board with everything you do. Failing to do that, as John Mackey is finding out will lead him down a difficult path. The FTC has sued to prevent the acquisition from going through. Whole Foods Markets stakeholders, both internal and external, are wondering if his actions were illegal because they most certainly were unethical.

So where is the narcissism?
This guy really thought he would not get caught. Now that he is caught he acts like the FTC trapped him, was out to get him, and he should not be held accountable for the something he wrote in private. He event as far as saying "posted on Yahoo! under a pseudonym because I had fun doing it. Many people post on bulletin boards using pseudonyms."(CNBC.com, 2007) Sounds like he truly believes he has done nothing more than have a little fun. Meanwhile, this just proves that one bad ORGANIC apple does spoil the whole bunch.

Nice try buddy, next time how about recruiting some of the competition's customers and let them sink that ship, if it is as bad as you say.

You can check out the story at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/19700361

NEWSFLASH: DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE SIGNED

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

---

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

Column 2
North Carolina:
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Column 3
Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Column 4
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

Column 5
New York:
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

Column 6
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Massachusetts:
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire:
Matthew Thornton

=========
courtesy: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html

Protecting Your Data (an Intro)

I would like to take this time to introduce you to something that people talk about as important but only truly worry about when its gone. Data Protection/Data Integrity/Data Security. In the coming weeks, I will be posting to this blog, uploading some PDF files and even creating a PodCast or two talking about this subject. I will cover topics such as what you can do to protect your data on you PC, Laptop, UFD (Universal Flash Drive), and other data storage devices as well as ensuring that your data is safe and available every time you need it.

So get your thinking caps on because Summer School is in session. No, its not going to be that bad but we will be talking about some serious stuff so it might get a little sticky but nothing dangerous.

Talk to you soon,
Dave

Two Hotels, One Month, One Owner

Within the course of three weeks I have stayed in two hotels in two different cities both owned by the same company. The company happens to share the same name as that media hog (omit the letter g) that is FINALLY doing time for violating probation. Like all good criminals she is paying her debt to society, like it or not SHE IS A CRIMINAL, but I digress.

One stay was strictly for pleasure (well I thought it was for pleasure) the other was strictly for business.

The month of June started with the family and I hitting the Texas Highways to San Antonio for some R & R & R (Rest, Relaxation, and Recreating). Well that was the intent. Of ALL THE HOTELS that SAN ANTONIO has to offer to its visitors, we picked the HAMPTON INN. It, like others in the area, offered easy access to the Interstate (I-410) and proximity to the sites. Well, upon arrival (DAY 1) we were placed on the 5th floor. If there could be a smaller room it would have been appreciated. Don't get me wrong I must commend them for oh so delicately cramming two double beds in that room. Well not more than a few hours in, it happened. Someone had to use the bath room. Yep, you guessed it, it backed up. Well I called the front desk and told them our dilemma. The young man that answered said and I quote "I will try to find you a plunger so you can fix it." WHAT THE F**K???? OK, I did not say that but you can assured, dear reader, that was exactly what my mind was screaming.

We pressed on and went to dinner (Marie Callender's). Two hours later we came back and still no resolution. I called again to the front desk, I asked if he had found the plunger. He said that a guest had taken it and has not brought it back. I asked him if there was only ONE PLUNGER for the entire hotel? He said yes and that he would really try to find one for us. I asked him if he could get maintenance on it (I understood that maintenance was gone for the day) he said yes.

Well the next morning (start of DAY 2), after and VERY GOOD BREAKFAST the hotel offered (and by VERY GOOD I mean it was actually VERY GOOD and the lady running the breakfast show was TOP NOTCH, she took time from what she was doing to ask if we OK?, did we need anything, and wished us a good day) I called the front desk as to when Maintenance would be there to fix the toilet? The response was that he did not know there was a problem. I explained to him the previous evening's communication with the overnight front desk staff. The person I was talking to said that he would get Maintenance up there ASAP. Well within the hour the Maint Tech was there and solved the issue. We were happy campers, or so we thought.

DAY 2: Evening: The day found us at SEAWORLD SAN ANTONIO. That place ROCKS! A quality place, quality shows, quality rides, and nothing but quality people. Well it was back to the hotel for some freshing up and then dinner. Surprise nothing wrong, so far.

DAY 3: No problem...funny thing though the Maintenance guy saw me in the Hallway and said that he would be by to fix the toilet. I told him nothing is wrong. He said that he had a call from someone on the 5th floor that their toilet was not flushing properly. FINALLY we are not alone in this.

DAY 4: Yep its back, backed up again. Called Maintenance, this guy was patient and got it resolved.

DAY 5: Morning: Yep it did it again, we called to complain once again. It got fixed. However this time it did not last by dinner it was backed up again.

DAY 6: We left and they still had a backed up toilet.

Please, note that they did offer to move us to another room. However as we met up with out of state family there it was convenient to have adjoining rooms so we opted out of the move. The offer came on DAY 2 and not the first night.

The takeaway from this is simple. Being a hotel that primarily caters to tourists they should try hard than what they did. Mind you the only individual that needs to brush up on his CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS is that night clerk, it sounded like the customer's toilet backed up was an inconvenience to him. I gotta tell you those 5 NIGHTS and 6 DAYS we spent approximately $700 dollars in hotel room alone and anyone would expect a little more for a hotel that wants a part of the tourist dollars that San Antonio, Texas brings in.

As aside from the toilet troubles this guy ruined the entire trip. His lack of attention to detail (by not entering the Maintenance Request) and trying to find a plunger for us to fix the toilet really signified a ROCK BOTTOM approach to TAKING CARE OF THE CUSTOMER. Then again, that might be why this guy was working the overnight shift.

Now let's fast forward to this week. I found myself in CORPUS CHRISTI, TX on official business. I took another chance at a HILTON hotel: EMBASSY SUITES. Talk about DAY and NIGHT. From the moment I entered the building, the guy at the reception desk greeted me and seemed genuinely happy that I was at his hotel. He told me about the Manager's Reception, breakfast. This guy was sharp.

DAY 1: EVENING: I walk into the room and am I surprised. Everything that was mentioned on the webpage was available. They got it right. I slept like a log that night. It was a great night's sleep.

DAY 2: MORNING & CHECKOUT: HOT WATER!!! No waiting...I sure hated getting out. The shower head ROCK. Ingenious how they put their 1-800 number on it, just in case you want one. Well I do want one but I can't remember the number. BREAKFAST: Was HOT and best of all COOKED TO ORDER. While it was not the best Ham, Mushroom, and Cheese omelette, it was the best one I have had all month. It was fantastic. Coffee was hot and the best part of the entire stay was when the HOTEL MANAGER stopped by my table and asked me how was everything then (it gets better) dove right in and started busing tables. They had plenty of staff to do that. This manager had no problem picking up half empty bowls of cereal. BRAVO!!!! That act alone convinced me that Hilton Hotels are not just about the money but they want to do right by the customer. This manager is a shining example of that.


SIDE NOTE: INTERNET SERVICE. Both hotels offered in-room WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS. What I find strange is that at the HAMPTON INN the access is FREE. However, at the EMBASSY SUITES the access was $10 for 24hours, which by the way did not let me access after 10 hours. This makes no sense...no sense at all. It should be FREE AT ALL HILTON LOCATIONS or its NOT AVAILABLE. Mixing the services will definitely lead to building many different brands and NOT one unified brand: Hilton Family hotels.

A Few Choice Words from about the House

I spoke at and hosted my first Business Luncheon and Work session today. It was with a company that I have been working with for over 10 years. It was the first time that I had anything remotely social with any of my clients. From the first view out, I would have to say that everyone had a great time, enjoyed the food, and were able to open up when we went into the work portion of the afternoon.

The company is a Medical Records Billing organization. They have two locations right now and are looking to expand their operations. Having worked with them for over 10 year I have a warm spot for them—they were my first "major" client, until then the were some hit and miss operations but for the most part none have lasted this long. They face enormous challenges—as every aspect of medical records services becomes more and more stringent when it comes to security. These guys are on top of the security issue but could always stand to do more. That was what today was all about: Make their application an all encompassing app that is built according to the stakeholder specifications.

While it is great to be at home. It is even better to wake up, have breakfast, move the backyard, then fire up the Barbecue pit and then have a Business Meeting with a bunch of great people. As Tom Peters said, "One can push and prod far more effectively in one's own culture." Nothing could be more spot on. I was in my groove today. Everyone opened up, everyone shared, everyone was happy. We meet again at the end of the month.

Tip #3

Hurricane Tip #3: EVACUATIONS.

If the word to evacuate is given do you know where you are going? When should you evacuate?

Don't wait until the word is given to come up with the answer. Plan your escape route and tell someone. Know where you are going and how your are going to get there.

Use Mapquest.com to plot out all the gasoline stations and dining facilities along the way.

Remember, make a copy of the route and information to put in your car, the other to a family member or friend out of your area.

Lastly, when it comes time to go...stick to your planned ROUTE. Do NOT deviate from it unless you tell the person who you sent a copy to first. That way everyone knows what the latest is.

Be careful if you have to leave. Remember to pack what you essentially need to include all your important papers.

Hurricane Season Tip #2

Tip #2: Get your survival kit ready (if you are staying home).

• Battery Operated or Hand Crank Radio/TV
  
• Flashlights (w/spare batteries)
• Emergency Candles (and lanterns for candles)
• 2 Weeks supply of food (you chance to try that Astronaut Ice Cream)
  
• Water 1 gallon per person per day x 2 weeks (1 person = 14 gallons, 2 people = 28 gallons, you get the picture)
• Charcoal (only for OUTDOOR USE) & GRILL (excuse to buy a new one)
• Lighter Fluid (4 uses per plastic can)
• Fill bathtub with water to use to fill the toilet tank ONLY!!! should the municipal water pressure be low.
• Anything that makes you feel comfortable (i.e., a blankee, a book, iPod)
  

another post soon.

Are You Prepared? It's that time of year, again.

Hurricane season is set to begin next week and are you prepared? Everyone has seen what the weather has been so far this year: Late Winter Blizzards, Tornadoes everywhere (even in places they normally aren't supposed to be that bad: Del Rio, Texas & Enterprise, Alabama), Flooding Rain, and today 3 inches of snow in Butte, Montana. Well if that is any indication of what is yet to come, then we got a long summer ahead.

So, now is the time to get ready. Throughout the holiday weekend I will be posting some helpful tips for everyone to get ready for the start of the Hurricane Season. I will start this off with the first tip.

Tip #1: Back up all your data. That's right, go into the season knowing that your data has been backed up. No matter, how you do it, just do it. If you need help on how to do it, drop me a note I will help.

the dip (an update)

Well, I picked up my copy of The Dip by Seth Godin this past Monday night. I put off reading it for a day as I was going on a day trip today. The plan was for me to drive 2.5 hrs to our destination and a friend would drive the 2.5 back. It was then that I was going to read. Well plans change, it ended up with me driving all 5 hours. However, when I got home I did manage to read the first 13 pages. So my update will be on those first 13 pages.

WOW!!!

Seriously, Godin starts off with a body slam and a DDT to the mat with his latest writing. He shook me to the core when he slammed my favorite all time NFL Head Coach Vince Lombardi. He starts of by telling us that the famous quote "Quitter never win and winners never quits" is bad advice. OK, Seth you got my attention with that one. He sets up the book nicely, but on page 13 he gave me fuel for my fire in what I feel is the most powerful line so far of his book, "If you're not going to put in the effort to be my best possible choice, why bother?"

This is going to be a GREAT BOOK. More reports from the frontline to follow.

Egg of the Phoenix

Christina Baldwin, educator and public speaker, said "Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix."

Can she be anymore right? Change is most definitely an opportunity for something new. It is the time for a personal change. A time to seize the opportunity and become someone else, that someone you always wanted to be. Now I could sit here all day and night and mutter something cheesy, yet profound. But I won't, I will just leave you thinking about that awesome quote. It sings.

Till next time.

Mergers and Acquisitions breeds Mediocrity

Sometime over the past week, I either heard in a podcast or read it somewhere about how when companies merge or acquire one another, one of the companies takes on the other's rules, policies, and procedures. That's a great idea, that way everyone is on the same sheet of music.

Well there is a problem, there are organizations that are not undergoing an M&A but for the sake of change or even to make an already bad situation better start to take on the look and feel of other companies/organizations. While this may appear to be a good thing, it actually ends up doing nothing for the organization that wanted the change or needed to get out of a bad situation.

This is because they are not changing anything. They are not being innovative or creative, they are only doing what the other guy is doing and to the other guy, its the same old thing that they have always been doing. Therefore, this means that while it may work in an M&A situation, it won't in a critical change situation in fact it just means trading in old mediocrity for new mediocrity and is that a good thing?

Seth Godin does it again

This week, world famous interrupter, Seth Godin publishes his next book, The Dip. It is probably his first true self-help book. The 800CEORead.com website states, "Every new project (or career or relationship) starts out exciting and fun. Then it gets harder and less fun, until it hits a low point - really hard, really not fun. At that point, you might be in a Dip (which will get better if you keep pushing) or a Cul-de-sac (which will never get better, no matter how hard you try). The hard part is knowing the difference and acting on it."

It goes on to say about the book, "The Dip is a short, fun-to-read book in the tradition of Fish, packed with powerful ideas and a graph that changes everything. It will forever alter the way people think about quitting - and success."

This sounds great and who knows it might just work with me. If this book is anything like what Fish offered, then we have a sensation. However, we'll now have to wait and see if the proof is in the pudding. I will post a review after I get my copy.

What is my name?

I just got a phone call. You know those phone calls, solictors. Even though I am on the NATIONAL DO NOT CALL LIST, they still call. When I tell them that my number is on the DO NOT CALL LIST they tell me that they are exempt because they are raising funds and not selling something. Always a loophole...Well, not today.

The home phone rang and I answered by saying "Hello" twice there was a silence, that should have tipped me off. That silence is the voice recognition system deciding whether you are you or your answering machine. Well some male voice comes on and starts to ask if he can speak to Mr. GER-ABALDA (what was that?). It was at this point that I told him as politely as I could, "If you cannot say my name right then you do not need to speak to me, good bye" *CLICK*

ATTENTION EVERYONE:

• if you can't say a name then don't make the call.
  
• If think you are going to have problems a name ask for help
• If there is no one that can help then make the call but say you are going to spell the name of the person you are asking for, it won't make you sound weak to spell a name.
• You will sound weak of you can't say a name properly.

How about showing a little respect, you might have had a chance to say your script before I would have hung up on you.

Where have I been?

Its like I have got to stop disappearing like this. It is April 17, are your tax returns in?

Dave's Notable Books 2006

Who said the notable had to be published exclusively in 2006? Not I...That's why I am putting down the most notable books I read in 2006. What books have changed your world view? your personal latitude? you?

Here are those books and with a list like this, I can only imagine what my list will look like in 365 days.

Freakanomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
This book put a whole world of misconeptions in order. This book challenged a great many myths, some that were taken for granted and others that I really didn't want to know but am glad that I do now.

Married to the Brand: Why Consumers Bond with Some Brands for Life
by William J. McEwen
Great book if you want a lot of hard core data. This book delivers the 411 on why some products have maintained their brand status and others will only wish they could.

Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands
by Kevin Roberts, A. G. Lafley (Foreword by)
Another great book about brands and why they did to become the brands they are today. This book not only covers great American brands but a few international brands, that are the greatest thing since sliced bread came to their country.

Re-Imagine!
by Tom Peters
Re-Imagine, has changed my life. It has opened my eyes to what I have always known but was too dumb and naive to accept. Now I question everything and accept nothing at face value. I also learned that business is business and friends are friends. That's why you never have one equal the other.



A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City
by Anonymous, Philip Boehm (Translator)skip to next title
Having lived in Berlin for two years of my life. I always yearn to learn more about the history of this close to 770 year old city. However, after reading this almost day to day account of what happen when the Soviets conquered this once international city, I was left with a deep scar. The story of the women in Berlin and what they endured when the victors from the East claimed their spoils of war. The scar comes from living and loving that city and its citizens. It also comes from being one of the victors. No I did not fight to conquer Berlin nor was I in World War II. However, when I was in Berlin I was considered a member of the victorious Allies (British, French, Soviet, and U.S.). While I can see the Soviets were only getting a little payback of what the Germans did to their country, I still do not condone what was actually done. This is a must read.

What are you doing reading a blog on Christmas Eve?

What sort of idiot would write a blog posting on
Christmas Eve?


"Only you, Dave!"


"A week ago I'd have kicked your butt out of here. But you are
absolutely right.

I'm not crazy. It's Christmas Eve. It's the one night when we
all act a little nicer. We...we smile a little easier. We...we...share
a little more. For a couple of hours we are the people we always
hoped we would be. It's really a miracle because it happens every
Christmas Eve. And if you waste that miracle, you're gonna burn for
it. I know. You have to do something. You have to take a chance 
and get involved. There are people that don't have enough to eat
and who are cold. You can go and greet these people. Take an old
blanket out to them or make a sandwich and say, "Here." 

"l get it now."

And if you give, then it can happen, the miracle can happen to you.
Not just the poor and hungry, Everybody's gotta have this miracle!
It can happen tonight for you all!
If you believe in this pure thing,
the miracle will happen and you'll want it again tomorrow!
You won't say, "Christmas is once a year and it's a fraud." It's not!
It can happen every day! You've just got to want that feeling!
You'll want it every day! It can happen to you!
I believe in it now.
I believe it's gonna happen to me, now. I'm ready for it!
And it's great. It's a good feeling.
It's better than I've felt in a long time.
I'm ready."

                Have a Merry Christmas. Everybody.

Sound familiar? These are the greatest lines about the true
meaning of Christmas since Linus spoke those famous words on
the stage of the Christmas show in Merry Christmas Charlie Brown.
These words come from one of my top three Christmas Movies of
All Time, SCROOGED starring Bill Murray as Frank Cross.



BTW, the other movie is It's A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart
and Donna Reed.

Fall 2006

Wow, where has the time flown? Where is the ending and where is the start? Since I last checked in to this blog, so many things have happened. While on the surface, you could say there were bad things. To me they were some of the best things that could have ever happened to me.

Over the past months, I have been on a journey. A truly once in a lifetime journey. The kind of journey that I wish no one ever had to take but if you do, this is the journey that will prove what you are made of. Whether you can walk the talk. Your moment of truth...The Journey that will set your course for the rest of your life.

While not getting into the particulars of the events, I will say that summer started off rather nice, then it all went down hill from then. In the events that transpired, I had to say goodbye to two family members and turned my back on my church, as it was on vacation when I needed it the most, broke professional ties with a few individuals who would rather make themselves the center of the universe while attempting to manipulate the lives of the people around them.

In our lives there come times when the trees must be shaken to see the what falls out. In my case, since late August until last Tuesday I kept shaking the trees until the bad apples fell from it and the dead branches have snapped off. While shaking things up are a good thing from time to time, in this case there was some shaking that was overdue and there was some shaking that caught me by surprise.

So what does this mean? It means that having lightening my load has made me even more agile, more able to move forward without having to worry about hurting feelings or having to tread lightly. Don't get me wrong, I did not go into this lightly. As I mentioned, there were a few situations that I was forced to do what I did. There was only one situation where the relationship had grown stale and was not ever going to get back on track. The logical thing to do was to cut the ties.

Will I do this again? You bet I will. I will do it in a heartbeat. I will do it when the following conditions occur:
1. You want me to be there for you, but when I want/need you, you are nowhere to be found
2. You want me to follow you blindly no questions asked.
3. You like to manipulate people because $$$ talks and people don't matter.
4. You abuse my trust.
5. You abuse my family's trust.
6. You use your position in my family or my life to make yourself immune from the responsibility of your actions.
7. You DEMAND that your actions/inactions be excused because you are self-important no matter what role you play in my life or in the lives of my family.

So should you commit any of the aforementioned offenses, trust me you WILL be held accountable. You will have more than just me to answer to.

This might sound harsh and extreme, while most of you will never reach this point with with me, but some people will surprise me, as some have in the past. It is then that you will have to pay the piper.

In the meantime, I am ready to move forward having shed some dead weight.

Let's get back to business,
Dave Guerra

Summer Reading: 2006

Summer is here and with that its time to pack the old SUV and head out for that ever relaxing summer vacation. As you are packing for that precious and priceless time throw in some summer reading material.

Here is my summer reading recommendations:

LOVEMARKS: the future beyond brands by Kevins Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi

Field Guide to the Night Sky by National Audobon Society


We will start light this summer, the intent of vacation is to not get into anything too serious but to maybe learn a thing or two while having some fun along the way. By the way, there will be a test the first week of the fall.

Enjoy!

Memorial Day 2006

I would like to take this time to pause and reflect on what Memorial Day is and what it means to me.

Memorial Day, according to MemorialDay.org, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

Just one day to honor those that have paid the ultimate price, I don't think so.

We should remember them every single day we live in this nation. Just like we wake up every morning and give thanks to God for giving us this day, we should also Thank God for giving us those brave individuals who answered the call and paid the ultimate price.

As a veteran, I have nothing but the highest respect and honor for my fellow veterans and active duty military men and women. When it comes to those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines that have died in the line of performing their duty something greater comes over me. A sense that I owe them an honor that I can never begin to offer properly. So I do what I can. I will raise the flag with Pride and Honor that I was part of a great organization that made men of such caliber and grateful to be born in a nation that has had such men living among us.

So when you are outside with your Barbecue Pit, grilling your dinner and enjoying the start of summer, take a moment and thank all the fallen warriors who made your dinner possible.

The Real DaVinci Code

Folks, this just in...the latest revelation. The lastest addition to the newest testament. Of course, the DaVinci Code is at the heart of it. Would you have it any other way?

From shaking the foundations of the Catholic Church to the highest seats of world governments to the darkest corners of secret sects, this latest controversy will have to be accepted by every man, woman, and child, no matter what their religion, no one will be immune.

Are you ready for the secret? Can you handle it? Can you deal with it?


The REAL DA VINCI CODE is: At the heart of the renaissance, Leonardo Da Vinci, created a scheme so huge that today, men are making so much money on books, video, dvds, films, and theater tickets. Those that know the real secret to the Da Vinci Code are laughing their way to the bank.

They have every alleged "expert" doing their dirty work. For every piece of controversy that is aired those at the center of the Da Vinci Code phenom are on average earning $1,000,000. So the more they can stir the pot, the more money they make. Besides advertisers are all reaping the collateral reward for they are sponsoring the shows and the talking heads to give them more fuel for the fire.


The real Da Vinci Code is this: Make some real cool paintings, drop a hint of androgyny in them, add a religious theme, and create a secret sect or two, and wait several hundred years and *POOF*...you got a multimillion dollar blockbuster and runaway best seller.

Now you know the real Da Vinci Code. It's all about $$$$$$ yep the BENJAMINs, the D-Marks, the Euros, the Liras, the Rubles, and yes even the Yen.

If your little mind still does not get it here it is in plain ENGLISH: IT IS ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY AND NOTHING ABOUT RELIGION....geez

SIDE NOTE: If everyone realizes that this is ONLY about money then they can enjoy a good entertainment motion picture based on a book marked as FICTION.