Any ways, because Andrea delivered about four weeks early, X-Man spent his first 5 days or so in the NICU unit at the Children’s Hospital at Banner Good Samaritan in Phoenix. Although we wanted desperately for the little guy to come home with us right from the beginning, we can’t help but thank the doctors and nurses enough for the help and assistance they gave me and my family during the time we were there.

With everyone home, healthy,and resting (in increments of 3 hours) things are going great… except for our house of course. Actually, work to our kitchen and living room is nearing the last trimester of their renovation plan, even if it did take a few extra weeks. Paint is up, cabinets are up, counter-tops are just about up, and to make things even better, our backyard now has grass!

Sometimes it is crazy to think about everything that has happened over the last 2 months or so. Actually, really.. over the last year. With Andrea’s and my move to Phoenix almost two years ago, we never really knew what to expect, or how our lives would change. But as I sit here (at work) writing this blog entry, I have to say things are going really well. Sure we really do miss our families and friends from back home, but our time by ourselves has really made us grateful for each other, our 1 year old basset hound, and now our son.

So I guess it’s back to work. Blogging? Sure why not. Writing.. yes of course, and venturing… the sky is the limit.

Peace

As Andrea is nearing the end of her pregnancy, we been fairly busy with our landscaping projects, kitchen remodel, and the nursery. To make a long story short, we’ve had our hands tied up in home improvement projects for a few months now, but things are beginning to iron out and come to fruition. For starters, our kitchen should be close to being finished by the end of next week, along with a new coat of paint in practically the entire house! I can’t wait to smell that -_-. Also, all of our rock, and brick in our landscaping has been laid and set, so now we’re just kind of waiting around from some nice new grass. That should be coming down the pipes in the next week as well.

Finally, Xavier’s room. As final preparation for Xavier is underway, his nursery is coming more and more together with each passing moment. Which is a good thing since Andrea went into the hospital last week for premature labor. Thankfully, she’s alright, and Xavier can bake a little longer Still, Andrea’s not to happy to be on bed rest for the next three weeks.

Any ways, as you can probably tell, things are happening fast and furious right now. I know I haven’t blogged, or even updated my Twitter status in ages, but I promise some good content (including pictures) really soon. I just don’t want to show you a pile of dirt in my yard

Peace.

Any ways, to give you an idea of what we’re doing though, here’s our todo list:

• Create landscape design (rock work, pavers, grass, new plants).
• Purchase and install new pavers, rock, and plants.
• Repair sprinkler system.
• Plant new grass (seed in front, sod in back).
• Wall up kitchen door.
• Make new kitchen door.
• Take out cabintry.
• Update plumbing in kitchen.
• Update electrical in kitchen (and rest of house).
• Lay new hardwood floor.
• Install new cabinetry.
• Install new plumbing fixtures.
• Divert gas line to kitchen.
• Frame new walls for kitchen.
• Drywall new walls.
• Install new lighting.
• Update vents, take out old.
• Install new vents in bathrooms.
• Finish Xavier’s room.

That about covers the major stuff. Again, I don’t have any pictures, but check back Friday, and I should have some pictures for you then. In the meantime please keep your fingers crossed that this stuff gets completed in a timely cost-effective manner. I’m crossing my fingers as hard as my fingers can cross.

Peace.

Today, Apollo Group, the owner of the ginormous, University of Phoenix, fell 4.71 points to $56.71 today out of news that they were below street estimates. The prime culprit you ask? Bad debt.

Now remember back in the day when people were foreclosing on homes, losing their jobs, yadda yadda yadda? Well to combat this, our government decided to issue some  stimulus into our economy. More money to people means more money in our economic system right? Not necessarily, but the idea is good. In addition to that stimulus, Obama told people, “Go back to school!”, “Get a higher education,” and so on and so forth. Again this is a great idea and an important tool to increasing the prosperity of our nation.. but what do you think happens to the schools when you have people who can’t pay for this education?

Another bad day on Wall Street.

High Education, For Profit Education.. it was a nice little alternative for people who lost a lot last year in banks or financials… but looking forward to this year and beyond… my only suggestion is to take caution. UofP mentions that they’re trying to focus their efforts from Undergraduates to more Graduates and Doctoral students… this does make sense, but if you are seriously considering a Masters or higher, I’d try and find a reputable University that focuses on Masters or higher.

For a long time, UofP and their undergraduate programs were a behemoth to not get in a battle with, but is it crazy to think that the idea of ‘Online University’ is moving more along the lines of ‘Online Graduate University’? I think it should, or at least play a more substantial role.

Online degrees (undergraduate) were a good idea, but as people become more and more independent within their own personal education system, so do their mentalities once they began their career. Now, with high school diplomas available online, are kids supposed to think that all higher education is easier AND better online? I hope not. Traditional universities with a campus, athletics, coffee shops, etc. are an important lesson ground for everyday life.. aside from a career perspective. Giving students that kind of experience is almost impossible for online universities to do.. this is why I believe online education should be a post undergraduate thing.

What do you think?

Peace.

With that said and done, here is my Top 7 Reasons Top 10 Lists are So Popular!

1. They are Quick. – The thing that many bloggers don’t have a lot of these days, is time. If you’re like me, you’re always looking for little 10 or 20 minute windows to pump out an entry in between the day job activities. Although I don’t really do this I have to admit, I do. But this is not a problem with Top 10 Lists! The beauty to writing out a in-depth and well thought out Top 10 List, is most of the work is already done. In in all reality, its really like writing a top 3 list!

2. Its great content that everyone loves reading! (tiny bit of sarcasm there) – If you can pull a top 10 list out of your butt and have it be at least somewhat engaging, people out there will read it. Let’s just say you do a top 10 list of the reasons why H tags are important in SEO…. If you do SEO, I’m sure you can think of 10 reasons why H tags are important, and if you can’t, I’m sure you know how to find those reasons out. The point being made is… these so-called lists are the quickest and most informative way of expressing content in a post. I bet I can do a Top 10 List every day and the average amount of traffic I get to my site will increase day after day… which brings me to point 3.

3. They are quick to read. – When someone is looking through some author’s hugely engrossing Top 10 List, if they don’t want to spend the time carefully uncovering those treasured facts, they can skim through the headings and get the gist of the post. Bold your headings or at least do some sort of thing to make your list look like an easy read.. even if it isn’t.

4. You don’t need any creativity.. Just find someone else’s top list and just jumble their list items around to make your own, it’s really simple actually for you lazy bums out there. On that same note, creativity does actually help when trying to persuade your audience why your specific list item is there, but in all reality.. they’re not reading your thought out reasons… am I right? (In this case, I hope I’m wrong).

5. They make you look informed. Although I have to say my top 7 list does not really do me any credit when it comes to social media, I just wanted to add fuel to the fire.. like I always do. Believe me, I am not an informed social media guru… I’m not even that big of a D-Bag. I’m just an individual taking both sides of the social debate. The talker and the listener… its quite fun and revealing when you are on both sides.

6. Its a nice Thursday morning write-up when you can’t think of anything else to write. – While professional bloggers might think they are future novelists and great thinkers of the Web2.0, there are times when writer’s block strikes the best of us. The beauty behind Top 10 Lists is that they are mindless. A good way to come up with a new list… 1) Take something you like. 2) Find 10 reasons you like it. 3) Spend 2 minutes writing them out. You’re done. Congratulations!

7. They are the easiest way so-called “social media experts” can get you to their content. – Sorry, but its true. When people are looking to be informed, they are looking for simple easily readable information. If that person thinks you’re credible or at least likes your list.. well great. On the other hand, those who disagree with you from time to time will also enjoy reading your lists and explaining back to you why your list is wrong and totally screwed up. Hey, but at least I’m getting traffic right?

So there you have it. My Top 7 Reasons Top 10 Lists are So Popular. If you skimmed through this and didn’t take the time to read the actual post, well then thanks. My writing isn’t good any ways.

Peace.

As December suddenly made its way into my hectic lifestyle, a few important and very exciting things have started occuring to me… and I guess it centers mostly on family.

Being away from my family this past Thanksgiving was a little difficult, but Andrea and I made the most of it through spending some quality time at Disneyland. Honestly, it was a really fun trip, and I’m still going through withdrawls. (the car ride home was horrible) But that being said, I can hardly wait for Christmas to come. Not only will I get to go home, but I’m totally excited to see my family, friends, and eat good food. Just thinking about it now makes me ansy.

And although I know this has no relevance to anything in search or social, I’ve really felt the strong desire to tell you now just how I feel. Actually, I was visiting a blog of my friends who is in Japan teaching. Recently, Julia has been updating her blog on holiday plans, food posts, and pictures of her daughter, who is just too cute. It is the highly personal things (from family and friends) that really make me come back to a blog to read more and continue to stay updated. I may think I’m more into reading up on my professional area of expertise, but I think when it comes down to it, friends, family, and thoughts of comfort (home) is what makes me the most happiest.

And so I guess this brings me back to my blog. No personal pictures, no stories of my family, and not even a steady post rate. As a blogger, I’d have to say I deserve the grade of a strong C-. There is a lot to improve upon, but more importantly, I’m thinking I don’t really want to lecture in my posts anymore, but communicate more along the lines of talking and discussing. I know I’m a month early, but I think a good new years resolution for me is to push out 5 times as many posts as I did this year. (I don’t think that will be too hard) I’ll try more.

Peace

Image from: Yahoo! Music - new.music.yahoo.com

In a recent article I read on Yahoo, Rock ‘N’ Roll Might Be Over, Says…U2?, the popular (insert musical adjective) group, U2, explains that Rock ‘n Roll as we know is it a dying breed. Even more, the group’s bassist, Adam Clayton says:

“What is rock ‘n ‘roll in this changing world? Because, to some extent, the concept of the music fan–the concept of the person who buys music and listens to music for the pleasure of music itself–is an outdated idea,”

Alright alright, so the traditional music fan doesn’t exist. I wholeheartedly agree. But I think there are way different reasons as to why this is, and I personally think they are good.

First, to say that the traditional music fan is dead, or in essence, the music industry itself, is pure ignorance. People love music today just as much, if not more than yesterday, the day before, all the way back to the beginning of time. Although I’m biased, I don’t think people can really get tired of music. However, in regards to the music INDUSTRY..? yeah things are changing, but things always change!

In all reality, music HAS to change especially with the speed in which written publication has changed. Think maybe 8-6 years ago. If you had no clue how to create a webpage and write HTML, what would have been your best bet in publishing something that you wrote? The newspaper? Damn, I never thought I’d write something that more then 5-6 people would read. But I was in 3rd grade. Basically, publishing something you’ve written is as easy as clicking a button on a webpage. In relation to the music industry, that should seem unreal! And scary!

With the introduction of YouTube (the music player) people have been uploading remixes of crap they’ve done (heck I did one with Michael Jackson and Rhianna last year), covers, or even original compositions that sound pretty much as good as a lot of the stuff that companies are making major money with. The whole idea behind finding the next ‘American Idol’…. is it really that hard? I would hope it isn’t. That show just takes out the work. With all the people who say they hate capitalism, you’d think this would be a growing trend… but people like drama on television I guess.

Music today is more accessible. People can download T-Pain apps on their iPhone, or learn how to play guitar on YouTube! People can sample other works, and make cool mash-ups or remixes themselves, and above all, be proud of it! When professional musicians feel their music is changing, they should be happy, because only then, will they know that their fans are banding together to move music in more and more directions. And its all happening organically.

So to make my long story short, I think musicians today who have a hard time with people having fun with music..(ie: musicians who hate Guitar Hero… HELLO! Of course its not like playing the real thing, but is Madden anything like playing football? Is Halo anything like shooting aliens? Is NBA Live anything like playing in the NBA? I don’t think so!)… should just take a chill pill. As technology continues to evolve and shape the way we live, peoples tastes will change, but so will their involvement. Music is turning into an art form where people can continue to evolve and shape the real and beautiful artistry of it! Stand alone pieces? Elvis, the Beatles, Mozart, Chopin, Shakespeare, DaVinci, Monet, Rowling, and U2, just to name a few, all have created great works of art, but the inspiration and ideas their works instilled in others, should be an art form in and of itself. That is progression!

Peace

For example, for all you Michael Jackson lovers out there, this is a totally cool ‘Demo’ version of PYT, originally on the Thriller album.

I almost like this version more than the original. Just chill and relaxed. Can I have a plush couch with some modern retro art and mood lighting?

Want more? This next song is a classic.. I mean it… Truly a great classic. I heard Lou Rawls sing this back in high school when I played trombone in the jazz band (He was quite a bit older… I’m not old!)  Have any of you Social/SEM gurus out there participated in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, ID? Probably some of my favorite memories from back in the day. Oh, and our band took home 1st one year… mind you there were only 8 or 9 other bands in our division, but still!

Lou Rawls singin You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine

You’re gunna miss my lovin!

Peace

So I apologize for my absence from reality and lack of anything good posted here… really that last post was a piece of crap.. although the picture of me in the boat was real. That being said, I wanted to just write out a quick post with updates on what has been happening in my life. If you visit this site for content, then you might not be interested in reading further – this is a personal one guys.

So the fourth of July was spent back at home in good old Birch Bay, Washington. Spent with both my parents and Andrea’s parents, we spent most of our time chillaxin on the beach, eating homemade food, and playing board games. Have you heard or Thurn and Taxis?

Well, if you haven’t, its sorta like Ticket to Ride, combined with Settlers of Catan… and if you have no idea what I’m talking about, get out and play more boardgames! – Sorry I just had to praise Thurn and Taxis pretty much because I won 2 of the 3 times we played… and I think I figured out a good rule of thumb to winning the game. Don’t worry, I won’t give it away.

Well, after a few weeks back in Washington, I headed back to Phoenix, with a set of ‘new’ golf clubs in hand. Actually they weren’t new.. there was an estate sale that I took them from Now, I’m vowing to get good at golf. Hey, if I am ever invited to a green meeting I need to be prepared.  (Pun intended)

So any ways, after a good week and a half back at work, I was off again, this time headed towards my first trip to Las Vegas. Long story short, I’m still recovering from that one. But if you want the rundown, it went pretty much like this…

• Arrive
• Go to room
• Get food
• Drink
• Walk Around
• Drink
• Gamble
• Walk Around
• Drink
• Walk Around
• Drink
• Sleep

Aside from the Saturday night VIP table at Jet, and sitting out by the pool, the days pretty much just played out like that. I got to see Elliott from RyanAndElliott.com though! Also Mohammad, Mersudin, Brendan, Aziz, and Salam. I told you this was going to be boring if you’re here for any kind of content!

And now, sitting here at my desk Friday mid morning, I’m ready to be reunited with Andrea. Its been about 15 days or so since I’ve seen her last and I’ve come to realize bacheloring it is really boring. But hey.. I’ve got a conference in Chicago and a retreat in August to forward to!

Content coming soon I promise!

Peace.

Maybe I’ll post some pictures when I get back if I have anything cool. In the mean time, here is a picture taken probably 4 or 5 years ago… I’m on a boat.

Peace