Sunday, July 22, 2007

Glad that didn't happen



Whew! Sometimes we want something to happen so bad that we are willing to do anything to get it. We dream, beg, pray to God, anything to get what we want. We know it is exactly what will rock our world, make us happy, be the Thing that we always wanted. Then, it does not come to pass. Thank God for miracles.

If everything we wished for came true, we would be more screwed up than we already are. A friend of mine recently wanted a job opportunity to come to him. It did. They offered and he contemplated. He really wanted this job. It was the ticket. It was his dream. Travel, good income, status and fame. But there was one thing that stood in his way so he decided to decline. He hated that. He did not want to, but he had to say no. Three weeks later the company went down the drain. Out of business. Whew! Glad that didn't happen. He is so thankful that what he thought he wanted did not happen.

As I prepare to make some big changes and expand our business, I pray that God will guide me and make smart decisions that benefit all of our customers and clients, and my staff. I love having that burning desire to take a risk and make that dream come true. But I have to be cautious, prepared, and think smart. Thank goodness for a wonderful wife and insightful friends to guide me along the way. Together, this new venture will be a great journey. I will keep you up to date.

Monday, July 16, 2007

New Again!




Finally, the smoke smell is gone. After many months of long hard work, it is so nice to see the home that was gutted fire and the remaining fragments torn down, back up in even a better state than before. I know it is just a house, but when you have put so much effort and planning into a neighborhood and one of your babies has been destroyed, it hurts.



But now, she's back. Shiny and new; perfect. I still remember that panicked phone call at 4 in the morning, running over there to see the destruction. Just a memory. Just a house. Still our baby.



With the new tenants ready to move in, one can hope that all of us have a learned something from this experience; there really are heroes out there who care about people http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frtX7Shj6kg , fire can kill, and never ever disable a smoke detector.


Now we go on, looking to the future, but never forgetting.


Can't get away!




Sometimes it is great to get away from the daily stress of our ever so busy lives. I know, I know, I am busy because I choose to be. Nevertheless, I packed one duffel bag, grabbed the wife and off we went to Punta Cana, D.R. for the weekend. A long weekend on a sun drenched beach lined with palm trees. I love palm trees. The reality is, in this business one never gets truly away from it. While laying on the beach, I couldn't help reading lots of magazines about Web 2.0 and constantly making notes of what I was going to do when I got back. Although I did not have a phone that worked, nor a computer, I did resort to the old fashioned way. I just couldn't help it.

Now don't get me wrong, it was really nice making notes on the beach and I can't wait to do it again, but when you get right down to it, I was ready to come back and dig in. There are many challenges in front of me this year; bring it on.

So I can't really get away completely, but then again, I really don't want to. I love what I do, and the people around me. Sometimes, you just have to get away to see it.

Thanks to all who made it possible, my wife, my great friends, my staff, and my son who I think I owe a father/son outing one day soon.