I know we are all in the money making business, but I think it's important that we remember to have a little fun along the way! Life can get in the way of making money, but money should never get in the way of living our life! By that I mean, mix a little fun into your daily routine from time to time. Don't make the mistake of getting in such a rut that you can't see over the sides of it.
Even Mother Nature puts a little play in all her animal creatures, but Man with all his knowledge has seen fit to almost make having fun a crime. If you look around you in most public places, I can guarantee you that you'll see more frowns than smiles. That, my friends, is just not acceptable! We have to figure out some way to change all that.
Now I have a suggestion as just how to do that. It's a simple solution to a seemingly complicated problem. Just smile! That's it! Just smile...smile at everyone starting with the most important person in this scenario! Yourself!
When you get started in the morning, start things off by smiling at yourself in the mirror. I'm serious, just smile at yourself. In fact, to really get off to a great start, smile as big as you can, make a silly face, smile and raise your eyebrows at the same time, maybe even hum a little tune! I think you'll be surprised at how much better you'll start to feel.
Now when you get to work or the store, or when you see the neighbor, mailman, yard man, meter guy anybody...share that same smile or goofy face (depending on how well you know the person you're sharing with) and see if it doesn't cause a domino effect around the whole environment. Very few things can be as catching as a smile, a laugh, or even a giggle. Don't believe me? Have you ever been in a place, like a theatre, where the audience started laughing? Did you try and NOT join in? Ever seen a baby or a child laughing at nothing at all and not been able to join in? No, I'll bet you haven't! It's catching, believe me.
Now to help you get this project off to a great start...I'll make a fresh pot of coffee! Want to join me?
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Sunday Insanity...!!
I agree that Sunday is normally a day of rest, so instead of talking business I thought I would share this little bit of craziness with you, my friends. So grab a fresh cup and enjoy this offering of absolutely useless bits of trivia, OK?
Now let's get back to the important stuff !! Let's get some fresh coffee...OK?
In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled
"Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
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The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone
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Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S.Treasury.
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Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
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Coca-Cola was originally green.
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It is impossible to lick your elbow.
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The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
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The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28%
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled
"Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S.Treasury.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coca-Cola was originally green.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28%
(now get this...)
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
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The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
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The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour: 61,000
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Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
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The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
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The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
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Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
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111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
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If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the
air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air
the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
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Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
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Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
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Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All were invented by women.
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Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
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Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
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In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."
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It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month .... which we know today as the honeymoon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
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Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.
~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour: 61,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the
air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air
the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All were invented by women.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month .... which we know today as the honeymoon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.
~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!
Now let's get back to the important stuff !! Let's get some fresh coffee...OK?
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Saturday Again...
Well...it's Saturday and I am running behind as usual. I will have an update on some programs a little later, but until then I am going to leave you with a little surprise! In keeping with the Saturday T.V. shows of the past, today I am showing some Road Runner cartoons. Remember them? I hope you enjoy the show and I'll be back later, OK?
Save me some popcorn, my friend!
Hey...look at this! A double feature!! Who said the Hermit was cheap?
Save me some popcorn, my friend!
Hey...look at this! A double feature!! Who said the Hermit was cheap?
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy Independence Day...
I wanted to take time today to say "Thank You" to all the troops that make it possible for those of us at home to enjoy the freedoms that we have. We should always be thankful to the people who go where they don't want to go and do what they don't necessarily want to do just because it is their duty. I'm thankful that these men and women believe in words like honor, loyalty and duty.
My father was a veteran, as am I. My oldest is a vet as well. None of us wanted to go, none of us really believed in war or in fighting. But when we got the call, we felt honor bound to go. We didn't do it for the pay, didn't expect any thanks. We did it for the simple fact that we felt it was the thing to do.
To serve one's country is not just our duty, but an honor and a privilege. It's a shame that the governments of the world have to waste the proud and loyal men and women of our collective countries in fighting wars started by politicians, fueled by greed, misreported by the biased media, and controlled by the same industrial complex that controls all wars for the purpose of profiting from them.
However, we should be thankful to all of the heroes that serve for us. We should say a prayer for them every chance we get. It's like the saying goes...Freedom is not free! Many, far too many, have paid the ultimate price to make sure that we have the freedom that we enjoy today.
Happy Independence Day, everyone...!
My father was a veteran, as am I. My oldest is a vet as well. None of us wanted to go, none of us really believed in war or in fighting. But when we got the call, we felt honor bound to go. We didn't do it for the pay, didn't expect any thanks. We did it for the simple fact that we felt it was the thing to do.
To serve one's country is not just our duty, but an honor and a privilege. It's a shame that the governments of the world have to waste the proud and loyal men and women of our collective countries in fighting wars started by politicians, fueled by greed, misreported by the biased media, and controlled by the same industrial complex that controls all wars for the purpose of profiting from them.
However, we should be thankful to all of the heroes that serve for us. We should say a prayer for them every chance we get. It's like the saying goes...Freedom is not free! Many, far too many, have paid the ultimate price to make sure that we have the freedom that we enjoy today.
Happy Independence Day, everyone...!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Plan B...? What Plan B...?
My friend Blondie said something yesterday that got me to thinking. She said “Time for plan B”. Plan B ? Do I have a plan B? Do I even have a plan A? I mean, I must have a plan A! If you have any plan at all, then by default it must be plan A, right?
How many plans am I supposed to have, anyway? I mean, I plainly need a plan A and a plan B. Plan B must be very important because people are always talking about it. They say things like “Time for plan B” or “What's plan B?” or “ If something goes wrong, then we switch to plan B!”. I don't ever remember anyone saying anything about a plan C. Usually if plan B doesn't work out, then someone most likely says “ Now what?”...at least that's what they do in the movies!
And what about the Secret Plan? I get the impression that only the Bad Guys have a Secret Plan, as I only see Bad Guys ever talking about the Secret Plans. I guess the Good Guys are sticking with the plan A and plan B routine. Maybe that's what they teach in Good Guy School!
I get confused about the Secret Plan because if I have this figured right, the Bad Guys nearly always have a gang. At the very least, they seem to have a flunky or right hand man. Now if the Bad Guys share the Secret Plan with the other Bad Guys in their gang, then the plan can't be secret, right? I mean, the very act of sharing the plan seems to do away with the secret part. At least that's how it seems to me.
I'm pretty sure that I am a Good Guy, because I don't have a Secret Plan. If I do, it's so secret even I don't know about it! I think that I must have a plan A, even though I never really called it that. But the fact that most of the things I do in life seem to follow some sort of plan, then I must have plan A.
It's this plan B thing that has me baffled. I am determined to find out if I have a plan B, and if I have plan B where would I have put it? Do I have a file somewhere marked “Plan B”? I would think that plan B should be very easy to get to since it seems to be so important.
Do you see why I'm a little confused? I think I'll just get some fresh coffee, sit on the patio and enjoy the morning. Whadda ya think...sound like a plan?
How many plans am I supposed to have, anyway? I mean, I plainly need a plan A and a plan B. Plan B must be very important because people are always talking about it. They say things like “Time for plan B” or “What's plan B?” or “ If something goes wrong, then we switch to plan B!”. I don't ever remember anyone saying anything about a plan C. Usually if plan B doesn't work out, then someone most likely says “ Now what?”...at least that's what they do in the movies!
And what about the Secret Plan? I get the impression that only the Bad Guys have a Secret Plan, as I only see Bad Guys ever talking about the Secret Plans. I guess the Good Guys are sticking with the plan A and plan B routine. Maybe that's what they teach in Good Guy School!
I get confused about the Secret Plan because if I have this figured right, the Bad Guys nearly always have a gang. At the very least, they seem to have a flunky or right hand man. Now if the Bad Guys share the Secret Plan with the other Bad Guys in their gang, then the plan can't be secret, right? I mean, the very act of sharing the plan seems to do away with the secret part. At least that's how it seems to me.
I'm pretty sure that I am a Good Guy, because I don't have a Secret Plan. If I do, it's so secret even I don't know about it! I think that I must have a plan A, even though I never really called it that. But the fact that most of the things I do in life seem to follow some sort of plan, then I must have plan A.
It's this plan B thing that has me baffled. I am determined to find out if I have a plan B, and if I have plan B where would I have put it? Do I have a file somewhere marked “Plan B”? I would think that plan B should be very easy to get to since it seems to be so important.
Do you see why I'm a little confused? I think I'll just get some fresh coffee, sit on the patio and enjoy the morning. Whadda ya think...sound like a plan?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Bad News For The Cookie Monster...
I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I LOVE cookies. All kinds of cookies, but peanut butter is my favorite. I got to thinking about how great it would be to have fresh cookies delivered to my door all the time without having to go to the store, or bake them myself. If I had a steady Lady Friend then I would have someone to bake them for me...but being a Hermit, that's not an option.
Anyway, I decided to check and see if they had such a thing as a "Cookie of the Month Club". Off to Google I go, type in the request and PRESTO! A ton of sites come up! The offer of fresh cookies delivered to my house every month made my mouth water! I thought I had found the answer to my dreams! But when I started to read the fine print...I nearly fell out of my chair.
Here is the offer...every month you get two pounds of cookies delivered to your door for the low, low price of only $79.00 a month!! WHAT..?? That's right, $79.00 a month for two pounds of cookies! Plus freight! That's about $40.00 a pound for cookies! Now like I said, I love cookies but I'm NOT going to pay $40.00 a pound for them, delivered or not!
The local grocery store has a good cookie selection and I can buy a pound of really good ones for $1.39 a pound. A big difference from $40.00 a pound, huh? Now taking into account the shipping at the post office for up to three pounds is around $3.50 anywhere in the United States, somebody somewhere is making a HUGH profit!
So I figured we could start our own "Cookie Of The Month Club"! We could offer four pounds of cookies a month , shipped in a tin box ( I can get them at Wal-Mart for $1.50 each) and we can still make a tidy profit! The customer would be happier, we would be making money and everybody wins!! Even if we dropped the price to $59.00 a month, it still would mean a profit!
Check out this scenario...
1. 4 pounds of cookies @ $1.50 a pound= $6.00
2. 1 metal shipping box@ $1.50 each = $1.50
3. estimated shipping per order= $4.00
Total cost per order $11.50.....Total monthly charge for membership $59.00.....Profit per month @ one order per member $47.50.
Seems to me that this could get to be a good and profitable business. Of course, these figures are only for the sake of argument but you can see what I mean. We may be in the wrong business, my friend!
Let;s get some fresh coffee and talk this over...oh, and bring the cookies, OK?
Anyway, I decided to check and see if they had such a thing as a "Cookie of the Month Club". Off to Google I go, type in the request and PRESTO! A ton of sites come up! The offer of fresh cookies delivered to my house every month made my mouth water! I thought I had found the answer to my dreams! But when I started to read the fine print...I nearly fell out of my chair.
Here is the offer...every month you get two pounds of cookies delivered to your door for the low, low price of only $79.00 a month!! WHAT..?? That's right, $79.00 a month for two pounds of cookies! Plus freight! That's about $40.00 a pound for cookies! Now like I said, I love cookies but I'm NOT going to pay $40.00 a pound for them, delivered or not!
The local grocery store has a good cookie selection and I can buy a pound of really good ones for $1.39 a pound. A big difference from $40.00 a pound, huh? Now taking into account the shipping at the post office for up to three pounds is around $3.50 anywhere in the United States, somebody somewhere is making a HUGH profit!
So I figured we could start our own "Cookie Of The Month Club"! We could offer four pounds of cookies a month , shipped in a tin box ( I can get them at Wal-Mart for $1.50 each) and we can still make a tidy profit! The customer would be happier, we would be making money and everybody wins!! Even if we dropped the price to $59.00 a month, it still would mean a profit!
Check out this scenario...
1. 4 pounds of cookies @ $1.50 a pound= $6.00
2. 1 metal shipping box@ $1.50 each = $1.50
3. estimated shipping per order= $4.00
Total cost per order $11.50.....Total monthly charge for membership $59.00.....Profit per month @ one order per member $47.50.
Seems to me that this could get to be a good and profitable business. Of course, these figures are only for the sake of argument but you can see what I mean. We may be in the wrong business, my friend!
Let;s get some fresh coffee and talk this over...oh, and bring the cookies, OK?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Life Is Like The Litter Box...
As those of you that have cats know, one of the daily chores that go along with cats is cleaning out the litter box. Not a pleasant task, but necessary none the less. While there are many kinds of litter on the market, I use one that clumps up very nicely. Because it is quick to clump any waste, it is fairly easy to clean. All you have to do is to scoop out the clumps and you're done. Now after a while, it is necessary to empty the entire box and wash it, replacing all the litter with fresh.
While performing this task today, I was struck by the fact that life is a lot like the litter box. Almost on a daily basis, your life is being filled up with a lot of crap. Being around negative input throughout the day can fill your life with a lot of needless waste just like a litter box. And each and every day, this waste needs to be scooped out and the waste discarded. Only by this daily cleaning can we keep our minds and our lives clump free and fresh. Daily we can assure that the rest of our life stays unaffected .
So we need to take a small amount of time each day to clean your litter box. Remove the negative thoughts and feelings from your mind, replacing them with pleasant thoughts, pleasant memories. Think good thoughts, do good deeds, be pleasant in all you do. Try and surround yourself with joy and beauty. Smile at everyone, even to yourself in the mirror! You'll find that you will be better for it.
Speaking of pleasant thoughts, let's go get some fresh coffee...OK?
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