tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80570616129515124892024-03-13T21:19:49.376-07:00The Orange Duck.Recent first time father,Husband,resource gathering opinionated blogger with a passion for life, marketing, & pop culture.Orange Duck.Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-2544524330401866102012-08-10T20:04:00.000-07:002012-08-10T20:20:36.454-07:00Emotions come early. Emotional intelligence and Self Awareness shouldn't start late<div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.09375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">Being a father to what is now my one year old daughter, one of the things I am amazes at most are her fits of rage, frustration, and excitement. She is overcome with emotion if you take her fill in the blank from her. Her intitial reaction is to seize up and scream, cling and lunge to reclaim what was her enjoyed reality. She has a similar reaction. When she sees one of her other small cousins. Excitement encapsulates her and her blinders of acceptance and motivations of a good time she wears from head to toe. It's her natural instinct. She's too young to reason with social norms or emotional self awareness but she rasseles with the same natural instincts we do as adults. How we respond to different stimulus.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.09375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Each of us have pet peaves and hot buttons, some are quicker to anger than others but we all are aware whether we stop ourselves or cross that line that of self awareness, the one where we avoid the emotional equivalent and outcome as countless toddlers who don't get what they want (frustration, regret, or resentment by you or from others).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.09375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">The point I am trying to make is that often times we take defensive posture whe approached with self awareness, but should we? The most instinctual and natural things we do are derived from raw emotion. Unfiltered feeling that isnt processed by thought. And if that is the case and we all suffer from the affliction should we embrace the idea of self awareness with open arms. Shouldn't we teach this at young ages and seek to master it by our (potentially life ruining) late teens? I have always been an advocate for never apologizing for ones emotions for reason I mentioned earlier concerning how organic emotions are. I do though believe we are responsible to how we respond to our emotions, and there lies the accountability to grow and move us past our oldest bad habit. </span></div>
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</div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-60128436625974900042012-08-10T19:39:00.000-07:002012-08-10T20:05:43.218-07:00The Perspective Windshield<img src="webkit-fake-url://796CB5B8-CED1-4838-9CDA-91A27DCCE19F/imagejpeg" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.09375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.09375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">Recently on a trip from Dallas to what is now my new area of residence in Houston, my wife and I came a cross a classic Texas summer rain.one late afternoon. You know, sun shining white bright no clouds close enough to consider a threat, sudden, hard down pour. They feel like a Hollywood movie scene on a perfect summer day where water is rigged to an apparatus that pours down a forced and fake down pour of rain. So as we were traveling south on 45, like a beam from a uFO the sunshine and rain both find us. On come the wipers. As we soak this contrasting weather occurrence of heat and rain I noticed on the passenger side where my wife is sitting there are dark clouds, typical of what you would see accompanying the rain that is beading down the windshield. On my side to my left the sun, shining no clouds. </span></div>
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Isn't this indicative of what perspective is all about? Regardless of the rain pouring in front of us we often times have the option to choose which conditions we believe we are experiencing. Are we in the middle of a storm? Are we fixated on what's coming? Are we choosing to see the brighter side of things? Basic glass half full or empty thought process yes, but when the rain is pouring which way do YOU turn? </div>
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It was ironic that my side of the vehicle had the sunshine and my wife's the contrary considering often times this how we view challenges, but this was just another example of how important we can be to others when facing rain together to be sure to empathize with what they see and share with them an opportunity to see things differently. </div>
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This from surprisingly (and sarcastically) a hopeless optimistic.<br />
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</span>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-73756202926819764852012-08-10T19:33:00.000-07:002012-08-10T19:33:08.416-07:00The First Year<img src="webkit-fake-url://A734B435-D107-4B39-8E74-38708B5AD790/imagejpeg" /><div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.09375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">Today my daughter turns 1. A big birthday within hours. Car seat forward, a cupcake (met with apprehension) without "no's" and concerned faces, better foods (welcome to chic fil a Mia), no more formula, milk. Whole milk. And for us? <div>
A reminder to cherish more moments and thank God for more blessings. A chance to be confronted with how to respond to attitudes, fits of rage (yes rage already, and numerous decisions on the other side of what has become an increasingly faster learning. Curve with less chance to adjust, troubleshoot and prepare. We also get the privilige of trying to describe as countless parents do what makes parenthood so enjoyable. The selflessness of providing? The organic charm and curiosity of watching them enjoy new experiences? The level of trust they hold in you? Wondering what good or BAD habits you passed genetically or by example (fixable)? Regardless I have no doubt time will fly while we try to figure which one we are enjoying or dreading most.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The next big birthday is 5 (kindergarten :)), 13 (teenager :/) than 16 (driving :I ) than 18 :(.</span></div>
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Blessed! </div>
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</span>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-80098157226317340552012-02-11T22:14:00.000-08:002012-02-12T19:48:24.450-08:00The Older Man: A Refreshing Resource With No Filter<div align="center"><img src="http://cdn2.hark.com/images/000/017/663/17663/original.0" /> <img src="http://dryden.eastmanhouse.org/media/grol.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><img src="http://images.sodahead.com/polls/000005979/polls_fox.jpg_5223_464187.jpeg_poll_xlarge.jpeg" /> <img src="http://wepartypatriots.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/who1.jpeg" /> </div><div align="center">*Editing in Progress*</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Have you ever wondered where you stood with an older gentlemen? I mean been unclear regarding whether or not they like or dislike you. Have you ever been unclear as to what they themselves care for and don't care for? If you weren't sure here's a trick...ask them, they'll tell you. The liquid courage so many of us require and crave to share simple truth serum filled opinions of our very own, pumps through the veins of a social security eligible male similar to the ferocity of adrenaline pumping through a visceral twenty something. You see despite plaque build up in an older man's arteries and senses so often plugged by bushels of hair that mirror an unkempt spring lawn, the channels of honesty flow freely and with greater ease the older male subject. What's crazy is that I view this outspoken, mistakenly conscience free indivual as refreshing. Refreshing in the since that a conversation with an "old man" is exactly what it is at face value. So often we acceptance driven individuals side step and carefully touch and go in the dark any amount of topics for fear of offending or losing favor with others. And while often times we would like others to believe this is to be as selfless as it sounds we often times are really seeking to avoid alienation, labels, or hurt future relations, but not the older man. He is void of an agenda and too comfortable to bother taking off his verbal muddy boots not to mess up the carpet and at least most of the furniture. While the Archie Bunkers of the world are both scoffed at and revered it's honestly because it's considered uncouth to completely speak your mind, but so damn refreshing to completely understand ones honest opinion in a matter of seconds. The least refreshing part is knowing that in those same few amount of seconds there is about a .5% chance you have to change their minds. But you grow to respect that as well. When I started with my company 2 years a go my team was comprised of 5 other males all over 50. I at the time was 26 and after meeting and getting know men not my father on a friend level I found this group of peers to be a new standard of comfort. I found myself at national meetings gravitating to the older guy who didn't give two shits how his jeans fit or even what the new hot shot thought was a good idea in the past, present, or future. Every conversation seem to end with a period as opposed to the open parentheses tennis match I was sharing with my similar aged work chums tactly filled with positivity and safe political correctness. I enjoyed the comfort of the old man. A bunch of guys who poured out established opinions and spoke to experience with complete conviction. And despite having enough manners to "say" they didn't know it all, make the rules, or hold the key to right and wrong, they were pretty sure that whatever option they were sharing was the closest thing to an acceptable conclusion of right. <br />
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Here's a tip: If you would like to know the past of the company regarding, what worked, what didn't what came from it minus the positive spin? Ask the most tenured individual at the company, they'll tell you.<br />
From this I deduce that the older man (with a spine) is free of agenda. They aren't trying to impress, be popular, get laid, land a job or land a friend for that matter. Amazingly more often than not their only agenda is getting their point across. They simply are sharing, and if you happen to buy whatever is being sold be aware they aren't selling. These guys value honest exchange and that's what they want in return. Shooting them equally as straight is just as refreshing to them and leads to an open unbiased and tolerable exchange which is the reward of this young and old relationship. Plus it's too hard not enjoy people who for every theory you have they have 3 stories and every one experience you have to derive an opinion they have 5 experiences that can conclude to a concrete lesson.<br />
I mean think about it, who doesn't want our country's next President to be an old unwavering, experience drawing figure free of an agenda and only consumed with established values (man or woman). These types are like a broken in pair of jeans or shoes in that they're comfortable and dependable first, and if someone happens to like the way they look, it's a bonus. <br />
So I encourage all to respect their elders but most importantly listen to them. There are great experiences wrapped in stories and great lessons wrapped in overly Skued heartfelt advice. Plus if you were wondering how your attitude, shoes, sales pitch etc. we're, you'll be sure to find out in a matter of time... refreshing I know.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Secondhand Lions" height="325px" src="http://www.reelingreviews.com/secondhandlionspic.jpg" width="485px" /></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-43477767794423222212012-01-09T19:04:00.000-08:002012-01-12T21:09:18.471-08:00Branding Yourself: If You Aren't a Honey Badger, Who are You?<img src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/article/media_slots/photos/000/236/994/130216314_crop_340x234.jpg?1320208408" /><img src="http://www.tigerdistrict.com/images/products/large/001-1112/LSU_HONEY_BADGER_Shirt_Design_White.jpg" /><br />
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If you watched the very forgettable NCAA National Championship football game involving LSU and Alabama this week you may have heard the name "The Honey Badger" used a few hundred times. LSU defensive player #7 Tyrann Mathieu holds the animals You Tube sensational video as his self described playing style. It was most likely the most memorable detail of the game outside of Alabama's dominance on defense. The animal and its affiliation through either the viral video or the LSU player Mathieu has become so popular I estimate that a majority of football fans watching the game may only remember Mathieu as "The Honey Badger". He was successful in branding his ability that may at some point yield more money, but most importantly it has yielded him differentiation and a lasting impression.<br />
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We all wish to leave a lasting impression in our own respective careers. Depending on your field, possessing a unique identity and that identity being remembered can be crucial to first and lasting impressions. In a very competitive workforce, making an impressive showing of ones abilities as well as creating an ingrained reminder as to who you are is key to successful networking. It's marrying both ability/talent with a lasting impression while making it easy for others to remember and reference you that is so important to making an effective connection. As a result I personally have latched on to my identity as <em><strong>'The Orange Duck'. A motivator, accomplishing the frantic work of a duck below the surface while portraying poise all the while.</strong></em> It is my brand, my Honey Badger if you will. It represents me, and more importantly a memorable me in two words. (At the bottom of this post I explain where and how the "Orange" and the "Duck" originated from for me.)<br />
I plan to leverage the "Orange Duck' identity this year to test its effectiveness. I mean if Kobe has the Black Mamba and countless other sports figures have nicknames that tout their best attributes why not me? So what I encourage is for one to seek out what your personal brand or mascot might be, and seek it from the opinions of your peers and superiors (beware of detractors). I caution you to avoid too much of a self anointing role when identifying your best characteristics. Make sure that your professional brand consists of input from credible or discerning outside opinion. Often times what we perceive to be our strengths are what we would LIKE them to be as opposed to what we actually posses. This misrepresentation often leads to eventual unmet expectations and a brand not capable of delivering on its brands claims. Embrace your perception amongst your peers, leverage it through an example that embodies you, and soon you will be looking forward to making the most of that elevator speech that is both efficient, effective, and hopefully memorable.<br />
While the 'Orange Duck' may not ever sell any Nike shoes, or inspire a You Tube viral takeover, it just might get me remembered. In the instance that it does I'm prepared to take care of the rest.<br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="color: orange;">Orange:</span></u></em></strong> After finishing leadership training for my company last year I completed a complex personality survey (<a href="http://www.insights.com/Libraries/Factsheets/Insights_Discovery_Learning_System.sflb.ashx">http://www.insights.com/Libraries/Factsheets/Insights_Discovery_Learning_System.sflb.ashx</a>). At the end I was assigned a color that corresponded with my personality and preferences. It was spot on to say the least. My color was orange. I was labeled under the banner of 'Motivator' amongst other things. Orange. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tWW9MphGtO4/TFoH1WbROLI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Yvq_Xn8GJeQ/s1600/Orange2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_lka1x2="2" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tWW9MphGtO4/TFoH1WbROLI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Yvq_Xn8GJeQ/s320/Orange2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><u><span style="color: yellow;">Duck:</span></u></strong></em> Never afraid to display perceived skill in front of my peers, I volunteered to role play with my boss in front of the Vice President of our Division during a sales meeting. After I was done the VP of the division paid me the complement many have before, but in a unique way. He compared me to a duck. He mentioned my ability to conversationally accomplish a pitch without it seeming like one. I held on to that. What better way to share a personal strength or skill than have it summarized by an animal? This is where I get the duck label. Had I not put myself out there to role play in front of my superiors I would have missed out on his assessment. It paid off.Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-40462478705746664272011-11-10T20:25:00.000-08:002012-01-13T04:11:14.518-08:00Disgusted: The Death of Accountability in Modern Society<img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRNx_xcUPx0vP9SwYeS2WJZV4FdEWpiGRO9DvRndP1gYNr5XEQPYsxfyYRETg" /><img src="http://burblah.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/OccupyWallSt-300x160.jpg" /><img src="http://nbcsportsmedia4.msnbc.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/_archive/Cartoons/ss-111109-paterno/ss-111109-paterno-tease.300w.jpg" /><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">As a citizen under 30 ( Gen Y) belonging to these greatest states of America and the greatest of all of them, Texas... I am beyond appalled by the lava like decay of American morality and societies inability to label it. It could be that possible as a new father for only 3 months now I have already become increasingly aware of the lack of foundation our country is currently detached from and floating over not in the least bit feeling the omission of a moral high ground. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Recent current events such as the Penn State cover up of coach Sandusky and his immoral acts of pedophilia as well as the breeding ground that was supposed to be his charitable organization I believe has simply sent me over the edge. But it was also the global and more surprisingly national build up of the 'occupy wall street' movement that helped me nudge me to the edge that has me staring deep into an abyss that seems all but occupied by the new the moral majority. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The common theme in each of so many cases of crime is the self serving nature of immediacy. Some call it justice, or just perceived responsibility and entitlement to self free of any deserved consequence. This ideal is something we as a nation have embraced at least within marketing, driving habits that have led to a slippery slope. <b><i>But what concerns me most isn't that we fail to truly treat the problem (like a man with a smokers hack lights up another cigarette)...but it is our inability to acknowledge that we have a smoking problem.</i></b> Today's lack of a defined taboo or moral standard is terrifying. It has been replaced with justification and motivations, but those are only precursors to the end result which is what one should be accountable for, what we choose to do. Decisions that DEFINE our character or at best lack of judgement. Joe Paterno and those at Penn State made a selfish decision to protect THEMSELVES over doing the right and selfless thing by not holding Sandusky's feet to the fire. No one wanted to be accountable for risking messing up their own or their schools football related circumstances. And while I can say being courageous isn't usually the easy thing to do I would hope someone in this world would hold me to account for doing or not doing the RIGHT thing. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The Occupiers want free EVERYTHING at no cost to them. (Funny how those who have the least to lose seem so willing to take from others with no risk of their own at stake) their destruction of business and property and lack of cooperation with the law is selfish without regard for others. When we started living and thinking about ourselves instead of our communities we reduced our responsibility and became consumed with our ability to serve our own gutless convenient and less than impressive justified motivations for often selfish decisions </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Our inability to hold others to account for fear of hypocrisy or political correctness has crippled our ability to "call out" and now even define what is right and wrong, which translates into a society that is void of honesty. Without honesty there is no accountability and no progress and more importantly no moral foundation spoken or unspoken that binds is to convictions and making selfless tough decisions.</i></b> While I am no saint I do expect to be judged and held accountable for my actions with or without a way to explain my behavior. I will become a better person for these reflections but only by understanding what is wrong or right and acknowledging it can I move forward in a positive direction. This should be the healing PROCESS for our country. I emphasize process to point out that it is something we should strive for daily. <b><i>We have a smoking problem in America and a hacking cough to match...what will we do about it?</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Link: <a href="http://deadspin.com/5858468/">Current Penn State Players Reaction to Coach Paterno's Firing</a></i></b><br />
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<div class="tweet-row" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><div class="tweet-user-block" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/go_combs" style="color: #0084b4; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img alt="Marcus Combs" class="tweet-user-block-image user-profile-link js-action-profile-avatar" data-user-id="29615140" src="https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/1421372999/photo_2_normal.PNG" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 32px;" /></a><br />
<div class="tweet-user-block-name" style="line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; min-height: 36px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a class="tweet-user-block-screen-name user-profile-link js-action-profile-name" data-user-id="29615140" href="https://twitter.com/#!/go_combs" style="color: #0084b4; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-weight: bold; margin: -1px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Marcus Combs">@go_combs</a><span class="tweet-user-block-full-name" style="color: #999999; display: block; font-size: 12px; margin: 1px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Marcus Combs</span></div></div></div><div class="tweet-row" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><div class="tweet-text tweet-text-large" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif! important; font-size: 21px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px; word-wrap: break-word;">The most concerning issue in America today isn't the amount of wrong happening, it's the inability to define it and be accountable to it.</div></div></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-68892764552428774392011-08-27T22:43:00.000-07:002011-08-29T20:04:20.491-07:00Most Eligible City: Dallas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">As a Texan, a secure male, and father to a well behaved 2 week old daughter I recently embarked on the new Bravo Television show Most Eligible Dallas with my wife and our new newborn house arrest sentence (happily to begin raising our daughter). We watched DVR episodes in between naps and diaper changing over this weekend and after only 2 episodes deep into the series I have deduced that the MOST ELIGIBLE subject looking to court a new mate is none other than the city of Dallas/North Texas.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Despite the group of attractive cast members boasting their self proclaimed greatness, Most Eligible Dallas is the city of Dallas' audition tape for new residents. It seems to have been created to entice young professionals to a city that can see an opportunity to seize the day to attract talent and money while the other major markets struggle. Dallas is on its A game like a playboy spotting a rebounding female fresh out of a bad relationship across the bar. The city of Dallas can see its prey and their ready to pounce.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Since hosting the (sadly uneventful) Super Bowl, NBA All Star Weekend a World Series appearance by the Texas Rangers and a World Champion Dallas Mavericks run, the city of Dallas has shown the nation and celebrities alike that they can hang with the cool kids of Chicago, New York, LA and Atlanta. Already known as one of the fashion capitals of the world Dallas can hold its own in both entertainment and appeal. We have culture. I'm not saying Dallas is directly on par with some of the other major markets party scene wise or on a "fabulous" scale with its major city counterparts but on paper we look a lot more sexy than them to singles, families and businesses. It all seems so similar to the push the original show 'Dallas' made decades ago.(By the way that series is launching its 21st century version soon)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><img src="http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/dallascast.gif" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">The Original "Team Dallas"</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Our states Governor is leading in the GOP polls able to boast that his state is responsible for creating 2/3 of jobs in America that are oh so rare in the rest of the country. Texas does not have a state tax while Chicago has just raised theirs for the next few years. Tort reform for the entrepreneurs as well as low business taxes are a financial draw to businesses looking to relocate. North Texas has more space and a better housing market than those over valued more popular cities ( Dallas is only second to Houston in new home property development). With an increasing number of states having budget issues it's ironic all of our cooler competition in particular belongs to states that routinely have bankruptcy and tax increase related terminology attached to them. Even Dallas retail better reflects what used to be exclusive to certain regions. A Californian would feel right at home with North Parks' H&M and burger favorits Carl's Jr and the famous In and Out Burger all now in the Dallas area.If we start to steal Chicago's deep dissh pizza joints I'm going to have to suggest we seriously start stealing some of California's bike lanes. All in all we look better on paper and we are starting to look more familiar as well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The city of Dallas is campaigning. The exploratory committe has done there diligence and they want the votes of young professionals areound the country for most desireable major market. So while the cast of Most Eligible Dallas seems to only perpetuate the idea that Dallas is as vain and self promoting as the more desirable major markets of the country, what this show feels is an important takeaway for the potential convert is for them and the nation to see is that you can have a similar self discovering, beautifully flirtatious lifestyle in North Texas similar to coastal cities with potentially significantly more money left in your wallet at the end of the year. Dallas is seizing this opportunity to win the hearts of people around the country and the last 2 years party hosting (and possibly a future presidential term's timing) couldn't be better with so many other major cities hurting..It's like the the starting QB of the football team just got injured and Dallas is the 3rd string backup has its moment to win a starting spot. Soon the nation will be aware of the upside of the Big D, and the best part is North Texas has seriously more depth than the cast that is the face of the show, which is all the more reason to Date Dallas.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">The NEW Team Dallas. Want to Join?</span><br />
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</div></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-15839066536073202642011-08-07T21:55:00.000-07:002011-08-27T21:51:20.243-07:00The 'Tipping Point' for Social Media: The War over Users isn't about Users, but How Best to USE Us<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">*EDITING IN PROGRESS</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The business climate in social media has shifted. Before it was a come as you are all food provided shin dig for the masses and having users on your site spending time was enough to make theses networks feel like they threw a pretty good party. But all of a sudden as a result from new market entrants and pressure to convert users to get off the bench and spend online. the party has come to reflect more of a state dinner or fundraiser spewing out motivations to convince marketers they are making key additions and an atmosphere best to offer consumer insight. to spenders of money and not just time wasters. their has been a major shift in focus in the past month. I suspect soon the image will better reflect a gubernatorial or presidential fundraiser, with networks fighting to have the most influential users and more of a whos who. The future of social media is no longer FOR US but now includes us only in a strategy that involves making the media and information we share quantifiable for marketing while turning us into check out customers as opposed to passive opinionated stalkers. Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Tumblr, Linked In, FourSquare and whatever other site I am missing have built their networks with volume in mind, but with pressure to perform they now are charged with who can make us the user most profitable. They are looking to leverage increasingly more savvy and aware users like Google+ has with techies and early adopters of new technology plays in their favor. Remember the most appealing feature of Facebook initially was that it was exclusive to college students. Assumed to be more educated and most importantly eventually bigger salaried customers (also assumed) all together in one space with preferences displayed for all to see and analyze. It was looked at by marketers as a virtual ant farm for highest earning potential and most influential consumers. Facebook had an immense amount of leverage.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Each network is doing their best to square away their niche and their place amongst marketers. As certain users online influence grows I see companies catering toward or even paying popular users to test or share online items and opinions of products and services in a very "coolest kid in class" type attempt to penetrate influence on a community based level amongst desired groups. The rapid pace of change for the social media scene has just begun and I see no signs of it slowing. Below is an article on how Facebook now acknowledged by the Nielsen ratings company responsible for marketing data and Television rankings is being adopted as a legitimate measure for marketers now. This battle isn't for users it over users. Stay tuned at sites like Mashable referenced in the below article for the latest.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://on.mash.to/ok5ayD">Facebook vs. Twitter vs. Google+ via Mashable</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/1771291/could-nielsen-s-new-measurement-system-finally-prove-the-worth-of-online-advertising">Fast Company article on Nielsen & Facebook</a>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-49182295991900767172011-08-07T11:45:00.000-07:002011-08-07T11:47:58.745-07:00Time Waste: iPhone app 'HALF TONE'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So what do you do when your wife starts early labor and your stuck in the house all day? Grab an app that will allow you to murder a few hours while you wait. This iPhone app I found called 'HALF TONE' is FREE and has lots of features if you are as warped as I am to turn your iPhone's photo album into amusing comic book like material. Below are some of Saturday night's creations. This app actually is a good reason to catch more natural poses and capture situations in your photography. I use it to hone ad writing skills (despite most material being low brow and lowest common denominator). Have fun with it. Oh how life has changed...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icicvo9Lmd8/Tj7ZGrRIZ5I/AAAAAAAAAHo/bqqCvD3bW58/s1600/photo+1+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icicvo9Lmd8/Tj7ZGrRIZ5I/AAAAAAAAAHo/bqqCvD3bW58/s320/photo+1+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN0S8tL_B_M/Tj7aWYIg3_I/AAAAAAAAAIw/6rp4wZuJ1cw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN0S8tL_B_M/Tj7aWYIg3_I/AAAAAAAAAIw/6rp4wZuJ1cw/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-16243825332192139672011-08-05T17:06:00.000-07:002011-08-09T20:58:31.190-07:00Consumer Buying Conflict: Who Knows the Public Best @Retail?<br />
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In a time where marketers and retailers are scrambling for a competitive edge I find it amazingly puzzling how often they do not leverage each others information. It seems more often than not do not even fall across the same conclusion regarding what consumers do and do not want in the marketplace. As a part of a market leading consumer goods company the information gathered from marketers on consumer buying habits are the first thing that is commuicated amongst the sales force. My current company looks to be a resource that achieves mutual benefit in growing our business as well as the customers. Nothing puzzles me more though than when retailers (be it small convenience chain or big box such as Wal Mart) do not arrive at what is driving their business.Or even worse not leveraging the resources of their vendors to come to more solutions that equal maximized solutions for particular industry's they themselves do not claim or seek to be experts in. <br />
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I also find it ironic that in the age of information, social networks, and what I will deem this decade to be ("The Age of Sharing"), I find it puzzling the amount of disconnect between consumers, voters, participants or end users and the powers that be that seem more distant than ever. This could be a result of the number of measures now used to draw conclusions of what people want through research, surveys and consumer grouping etc but I seem to believe that the disconnect is a result of agendas. Agendas that have retailers and buyers and even Washington legislators not LISTENING. During the recent debt negotiations depending on who who one sides with, speak to, or network you watch arriving at what the American people want or who they are is not the easiest of tasks. So how much of the data that is collected is accurately used or represented? Example: I could tell you that all 10 SKUs in my company's brand category perform well as a whole if I choose to represent all 10 of them under the banner of the brand. As individual SKU's or flavors though, one might discover maybe 4 of the 10 flavors are carrying the load, or are effectively representing the brands success. This is strategic information one would choose to share at your discretion but can be compromised with the proper unbiased and credible resources. <b>How can the age of information be so wrong, so often in delivering favorable results? We are more engaged than ever measured by more metrics than ever.</b> It seems so many of those responsible for delivering to the end user are far more consumed with what they would like to be perceived as or would want customers or voters to value more than listening to the true atmosphere before them. There was a time when businesses learned to engage with the customer, than they learned to adapt more quickly, now they need to LISTEN with intent to deliver. We see a bit of this now with changes like grocers taking out undesired self check out lanes.<br />
At at time where Nielsen, IRI, focus groups and other data driven resources are so leveraged successfully at one level it seems the trickle down is just now beginning to be felt at a retail level. The confections company that I work I believe does a masterful job of leveraging accurate and credible information to prove our worth and differentiate from the competition on several levels. Informing buyers at headquarter and retail level is something the company thrives on but the inability for organizations to adopt our recommendations as experts of the industry an not just our own products and brands baffles me when retailers do not seem to put forth the same investment in time credible non bias information.<br />
It would be interesting to see a ratio comparison of the investment dollars spent and resources used on consumers buying habits, wants and needs and industry trends based on retailers vs. product developers. Below are 3 articles that share what customers habits are at retail. See if you identify with the information they have discovered among most consumers. Then see if your grocer or retailer is listening. Enjoy<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktRONj4M6bc/Tjx0ELvby8I/AAAAAAAAAHk/C_F0_zNtwm8/s1600/7+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktRONj4M6bc/Tjx0ELvby8I/AAAAAAAAAHk/C_F0_zNtwm8/s320/7+Up.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Proof of conflict at retail. I noticed the trend in the soda industry more popular than ever, soda made with REAL sugar. Dublin Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Pepsi and 7 up. The article below says that Americans are drinking less sugar infused beverages. In a weak economy it seems commodities such as sugar are more highly consumed as a cheap treat, and I would believe that most would prefer a true cane sugar based beverage over a "zero" you name it. Another example of an industry going against what they "say" consumers want. Who knows the the end user best?<br />
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Link: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/28/america-drink-less-soda-sugar_n_911992.html">AOL/ Huffington Post: Americans Drinking Less Soda, Consuming Less Sugar</a><br />
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<img src="http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/rde0024l.jpg" /><br />
There's enough stress going on in our daily lives so marketers have discovered the K.I.S.S. method is best for retail math in these tough times.<br />
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Link: <a href="http://www.talentzoo.com/beyond-madison-ave/blog_news.php?articleID=10839&utm_source=SubscriberMail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Your%20Dose%20%2D%20How%20to%20Deal%20with%20the%20Coworkers&utm_term=&utm_content=52925c493f0c4117b255e5ce4695fe78">Is More Really Less? Go Figure!</a><br />
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<img alt="Front counter mint selection" src="http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/files/ImageGallery/Independents/mint-selection.jpg" /><br />
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Even in the UK it stands true that the gum and mints business is an impulse item best delivered closest to the register. This discourages shoppers from second thoughts of over indulgence and retailers benefit from the unplanned purchase..<br />
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Link: <a href="http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=219683">Cash In: Mints & gums - Ed-chew-cation</a>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-73137968793174846122011-07-22T09:04:00.000-07:002011-08-08T20:15:11.935-07:00Negotiation: The Essence of Capitalism - Jack Donaghy<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">*EDITING IN PROGRESS<br />
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<img src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0519/espn_cartoon_sy_576.jpg" /><br />
<img src="http://www.drewlitton.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/killjoys.gif" /><br />
<img src="http://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/news/110521cartoon1.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://slinkingtowardretirement.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/110712_cartoon_600.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With NFL and NBA lockout labor disputes, Republicans, Democrats and the President all trying to hash things out, negotiation is certainly in the air. Powerful men with powerful arguments playing their best games of strategy looking to get the upper hand that will ultimately lead to more money or what some would believe most important, bragging rights. It's all so All-American, negotiation. So how appropriate for negotiating be at its peak this All-American month of our independence, July. So I thought the below scenes of man among boys '30 Rock' exec Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) displaying his negotiation prowess was appropriate to celebrate the chess game that is the negotiation month of July. Below are 2 great resources from Inc.com. on negotiation. Enjoy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A. <a href="http://www.inc.com/magazine/20030801/negotiation.html">Take It Or Leave It: The Only Guide to Negotiating You Will Ever Need </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">B. <a href="http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/04/tips-for-great-negotiating.html">7 Tips for Masterful Negotiating </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="368" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x3np2b" width="480"></iframe></div><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3np2b_negosh_shortfilms" target="_blank">Negosh</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Beckylooo" target="_blank">Beckylooo</a></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Understand Your Leverage</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4XizDMfgVjM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>Never Negotiate Against Yourself</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-58856458853785182962011-07-13T21:33:00.000-07:002011-07-14T16:07:00.363-07:00The American Debt Ceiling: The Difference Between Debt & Deficit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85uv9wei4SU/Th5piiB2PMI/AAAAAAAAAGg/SLEU9LlhuOQ/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85uv9wei4SU/Th5piiB2PMI/AAAAAAAAAGg/SLEU9LlhuOQ/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For those of you who may consider the country's fight to raise or not raise the debt ceiling to be a confusing, overdrawn, untrustworthy pain in the ass I would like to quickly put into perspective the way that I understand what is at hand regarding why our country will not go into default.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For starters the <b>country has both debt and a deficit</b>. <b>Two separate things. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Many times the both are placed under the umbrella of just "debt", Debt (we owe) is something that requires immediate attention like social security and the interest on our debt. The equivalent of our credit cards, utilities, cable bill etc. Obligations.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">The Deficit is what we plan to spend. This would be future programs paid for by the FED. Equivalent to our need to repair the fence, repair the roof, take the kids to Disney World, a promise to the wife to put in a new pool for the summer. Future spending. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Now imagine if you (personally) have been living paycheck to paycheck and you just lost your job. Let's say you went to your parents and said I need $10,000 or your family won't make it, withholding the fact that you only need $5,500 to cover your debts (obligations/necessities) the rest of the $4,500 would go toward your deficit, (future frivolous pending). </span><b style="border-collapse: collapse;">You told them if you don't get $10,000 your family will be broke and will be out on its luck. </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">This is what many in Washington are doing when they threaten default will result by not raising the debt ceiling. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">$5,500 Debt (Utilities, Mortgage)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">$4,500 Deficit (Fence Repair, Disney, Pool)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Total Loan $10,000</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">The point is, it would be irresponsible to misconstrue what is needed to meet your obligations by asking for a loan that lumps together </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">frivolous expenses</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> under the same name as obligations.You would have to show some integrity, and be accountable to your realistic situation.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">As a country we can cover our debt. You wouldn't get kicked out of your house for not repairing your fence or not getting your wife the pool in the backyard (depends on who your wife is maybe) but you would be in trouble if you didn't pay your mortgage, or light bill.You would be force to prioritize spending based on obligation and need. If you were broke and won $2,2000 would you put in a new pool or pay your mortgage? Priorities I assume would be taken care of first. Dave Ramsey stuff, accountability. But to delve deeper you have to understand that this is a fight over more than money. This is a disagreement on the direction of the country, the role of government, and which party's ideologies are right for the country. It's become personal for each side. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">hat Americans want from the government is</span><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b> </b>a smidge of honesty and communication on the true state of economy. We can swallow that pill, but we won't eat peas the President won't even entertain on his own plate. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Exiting soap box...</span></span></span></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-44125770193605236862011-07-02T18:18:00.000-07:002011-07-02T18:24:54.655-07:00Nothing New Under The Sun: Hip Hop<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img src="http://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/node_article_image/files/jay-z_43.jpg" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><img src="http://www.indialine.com/travel/images/indianmusic.jpg" /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.whosampled.com/sample/view/237/Jay-Z%20feat.%20UGK-Big%20Pimpin'_Hossam%20Ramzy-Khusara%20Khusara/">Click Here: 'Big Pimpin' Started in India</a></span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Growing up as children every new experience you learned was both new and exciting. Little did we know that our fresh experience and discovery regardless of how enlightened the experience had been was "experienced" before. So when we swear we just heard the most original song, saw the coolest movie, athlete, actor, or argue a topic yet to be addressed, most likely it came from some origin before your time, or, may be a carbon copy of someone or something before your time (see Lady Gaga/Madonna). </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Been there done that. Nothing new under the sun. The premise of history repeats itself. Those words were imparted to me by my pop growing up and it would drive me NUTS! This is what I thought of when I heard the Ticket host Donnie on BAD radio do a segment on where some popular rap songs origins came from. Pretty amazing stuff. Credit is definitely due to the producers of the world who can turn the "whack" into an epic beat track, which leads me to an obvious ironic epiphany, ...There's Nothing New Under The Sun. Enjoy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.whosampled.com/">http://www.whosampled.com/</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img src="http://www.theunticket.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/old-school-ll-248x300.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.theunticket.com/sampler-platter-with-donnie-doo/">Take a Listen</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-14337493722933487502011-06-22T20:21:00.000-07:002011-06-30T20:30:44.136-07:00Wear a C.A.I.P. to Work<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img src="http://www.inc.com/uploaded_files/image/good_to_great_pan_228.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I want you to be aware that the C.A.I.P. (acronym) I refer to is word play on the physical "cape" superheros and fancy gentlemen dawn. It is intended to draw the parallels between the physical appearance of a superheo and the superhero feeling one possesses when they are at the height of their self-actualized successes.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> As children it's funny how we are asked by parents and adults, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" We then would answer with what we considered to be at the moment a respectable and at least interesting profession. What I don't remember was anyone asking "what would you mind having to do as a means of survival or obligation"? These are questions that conjure up the age old discussion of the difference between a career and a job, and what the differences are. As someone who has been working since15 and now am a college graduate with some post graduate work history under my belt I see the difference as such....</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> As a person not fond of running (I lost 50+ pounds this year without running if that tells you anything) I am amazed at these people that both aspire and enjoy running long distances. These people have a stride, a weightlessness and drive about them I do not have for this particular exercise. If you watch my attempts at running long distances, I wear the weight that is the burden of WHY I am running. I'm running to lose or maintain my weight. Which means if I didn't have to, I wouldn't do it. I see it as a chore, a necessary evil to achieve a goal. If you were to put me next to the natural runner we would appear night and day not only by level of fatigue but mostly by enjoyment. This is how I would describe the difference in having a job and pursuing a career. One, involves the weight of obligations (bills, necessity, livelihood) and the other involves internal drivers driven by pride and self actualization. To me the same argument can be made for the difference between citizens of a socialistic and capitalistic system. There is a difference in participating and thriving. This is also best illustrated in Maslow's hiearchy of needs pictured below. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9ANYEOwHXo/TEbqFF6Yz9I/AAAAAAAAAH0/74_A6XwG6IA/s1600/maslows-hierarchy.gif" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">This is why C.A.I.P. or </span><b style="border-collapse: collapse;">Creativity, Accountability, </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Integrity and Passion</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> is crucial to putting one's self in a position to succeed. Each one of these characteristics both challenge ones pride, appeals to their self actualization and is accompanied by some level of emotional investment. The types of things that drive us to thrive in a work environment. A connection to the work we do. For clarification purposes I would like to make the distinction</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> between accountability and integrity. </span><b style="border-collapse: collapse;">Accountability</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">, is the responsibility one has to review their efforts and effectively measure their performance, taking ownership of outcomes good and bad and learning from them. It's r</span><b style="border-collapse: collapse;">esponsibility void of excuses.</b> I see <strong>Integrity </strong>as<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> a set of personal convictions or principles that one operates under and becomes ingrained in their decision making regardless of circumstance, your</span><b style="border-collapse: collapse;"> moral foundation</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> I honestly feel that if most people were charged with building their careers on characteristics of CAIP, fullfillment would result more often. So often though, regardless of the reason, we choose professions that meet unfounded or short term obligations, even some time settling. Most of the time this is driven by financial obligations to debt, children etc. but It's when we sell ourselves short early on that derails our "plans" into our aspirations which turn into our dreams and our self actualization becomes further out of reach. I am unfortunately guilty of this as I have sacrificed twice in my young career opportunities that rewarded a short term goal. Turning my plans into aspirations, all the while not building skill sets that would put me in position to use my CAIP.<b> My problem is I seem to get the plan but its the execution that's killing me (accountability)</b>. .</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XLI_vmhqJ3w/St0voC0jZDI/AAAAAAAABBg/XPAsSHH5TJA/s400/CapAlphaMaleCover-RESIZED.png" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> So here's my takeaway, I once quoted a professor I had in college, Professor Angela Boston and her 4P's to success. It's meaning is as follows: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong>PURSUE your PURPOSE with PASSION and receive the PAYOFF</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">. I see the 4P's as a road map to ones self actualized success with ones CAIP as the fuel for the journey.When it comes down to it we want to have the effortless stride of a runner if we have to run life's rat race... wearing a CAIP helps.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img src="http://www.blackbox-nutrition.co.uk/images/Runner.jpg" /></span></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-29580542047425719812011-06-03T20:02:00.000-07:002011-06-30T20:16:27.745-07:00Holla!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.theunticket.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/8hjiu-150x150.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Gordon Keith, journalistic leader of men.</span></div><br />
Not only is Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket the #1 sports station in Dallas/Fort Worth but they are most known for and honestly most popular for touching on about every other topic and taboo not involving sport. The guys do a great job of gauging the pulse of people and atmospheres while capturing what seems to be a privileged day to day existence of embracing life's moments with wide eyed curiosity that makes our 9 to 5 lives pale in comparison. Regardless I found this delusional character below with the Musers (Morning show) in the streets of Miami beyond amusing and hilarious. Just wait to hear self proclaimed "Lady Gaga" attempt to sing 'Just Dance'. Radio gold. Enjoy, awkwardly.Thanks to TheUnticket.com<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.theunticket.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/312210158-150x150.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Not funny if you're genetically responsible for a guy like this.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theunticket.com/holla-interview-from-south-beach/">Hilarious audio of Holla</a> (Click to go to site & play)</div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-28737983160816716522011-05-27T21:41:00.000-07:002011-05-28T08:32:09.899-07:00What if Dirk Nowitzki Were Black?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><img src="http://chasing23.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/dirk-nowitzki.jpg" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;">What if Dirk Nowitzki (White Guy from Germany) was Derrick Nelson (Black Guy from Anyhood, USA). Let me start by saying this is not a referendum on unfair treatment of a white German. Wi</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;">th that said what more can you say about Dirks performance in this years playoffs? He has hailed more praise and respect in one playoff than analysts much older than me can remember last. All this acclaim earned over a body of work that has flown under the radar simply because the media would not acknowledge its greatness due to playoff shortcoming after shortcoming. Their was a trust issue there. A trust issue that both had Mavs fan skeptical to buy in to a playoff run this April and kept analysts from singing his praises the past few years regardless of his efficiency and talent. So, what if? What if Dirk Nowitzki from Germany was Derrik Nelson from say Georgetown(fictional black guy alter ego). I caution you again, this is NOT a racist filled rant but simply a scenario of how things could have gone different for Dirk with a more familiar NBA background. Derrick Nelson from Georgetown would not have had half as much ridicule as Dirk did being taken so high in the draft over formerly with us Tractor Traylor for starters. I assume Derrick Nelson would have had automatic "street cred" within "the community" (see italics, think exclusive). This would have meant stronger relationships with the majority of what the NBA is, young black males. Maybe Nelson would have been with Chris Paul at his birthday this year. Or Lebron may have taken his talents to South Dallas instead of South Beach. Regardless because of being an introverted white foreign raised player I believe Dirk has excluded the Mavericks from a possible higher chance at sweepstakes for major free agency due to lack of relatability. Current stars with the Mavs are second chance seat fillers here by trade or lack of demand. Ask any NBA player if on paper they wouldn't want to play with someone who has Dirks stats. Insane that Dallas has never landed a major free agent considering the city, no state tax, lower cost of living, loyal franchise fans and facilities and the fact that it is major market. I know Cuban doesn't help but really guys have not truly even bat an eye at coming to Dallas. And this is what hurts Dirk, his lack of "fitting in" (remember italics). When he hosted the All Star weekend in Dallas he came off as a rich kid who supplied the party and sat isolated while everyone else enjoyed his party for him being that none of his guests were his actual friends. That's the kindve left out I'm talking about. The questions that begged to be asked are: Would analysts be so quick to call him soft or so fundamentally sound over purely talented? This is not a Chris Bosh apples to apples comparison. Dirk is head and shoulders a more valuable player and look what Chris Bosh got recruited into 2011! Would Derrick Nelson have the work ethic like Dirk Nowitzki has? (Racist?) Could Derrick Nelson have recruited a Robin similar to the way others have recently (ie.Melo LeBron Bosh Paul Boozer) earlier in his career? Have these things hurt Dirk? I propose that at the same timethis has possibly made it harder for him it has made his pilgrimage to win a ring that much more impressive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><img src="http://stk.dimemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dirk-32-3.jpg" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-family: monospace;">As "hood' as Dirk gets</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"> So what is the upside to Dirk? The upside is Dirk Nowitzki is a white foreign born introvert with a work ethic I believe we still fully don't comprehend. He has limited distractions in his life, and short of being a black guy, could not be more positive for his team and community. Despite the fact that the current Mavs have such a large group a veterans I do not find it to be of coincidence that the Mavericks may be the only team in this playoffs that were not mentioned as having "trust" issues on the floor or anywhere else for that matter (see Pau Gasol Lakers). I attribute so much of that to the fact that Dirk never talks about "getting his" or "shine" or anything of the sort, he is about solely winning. His teammates know that and I don't know of another NBA playoff run team with more cooperative role players with more trust and focus from former #1 options like Marion, Peja and Kidd all together unwavering in their contribution towards the team goal. That's just one major intangible contribution to the franchise from Dirk. Not to mention the fact that Dirk is the furthest thing from a distraction for his franchise. He's old school in the way that the ONLY dividends he's interested night in and night out is getting better and winning an NBA Championship ring.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><img src="http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/1315024975/image.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-family: monospace;">The 'Heatles' courtesy of @TheBlackAriGold </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"> </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;">So in this Finals I am more than ever rooting for Dirk to beat the "The Heatles". The Overdue crew vs. The Entitled Big 3. Good vs. Evil as my favorite local radio calls it. I have been watching the Mavs long before The Big 4 Blow Up (number four being Toni Braxton). I've been around long enough to KNOW this is a special run for the Mavs, with a special superstar with a blueprint and background that favors an unorthodox approach to the game and hopefully the rare outcome of the first to four wins in these NBA Finals. Enjoy.</span><br />
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</span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><img src="http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/files/2011/05/Dirk-Nowitzki-Western-Conference-Finals-306x204.jpg" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-family: monospace;">NOT Finished Yet...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><br />
</span></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-63028511531636471322011-05-02T18:55:00.000-07:002011-05-02T18:55:41.694-07:00White House Swag<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><img src="http://www.esquire.com/cm/esquire/images/ii/esq-white-house-correspondents-dinner-2011-050111-xlg.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" /></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Gentlemen when it's time to get it done, here's a head start for inspiration>>> <a href="http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/white-house-correspondents-dinner-2011-photos-5671118">Esquire</a></span></span><br />
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</div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-24227254621727662512011-05-02T15:09:00.000-07:002011-05-04T17:22:47.175-07:00Roadside Prayers<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQs5Vc0dxiTv0wj7LGlxEK0xlvRiaJnJ-ixhjZKAZOJmbxz3jkJ&t=1" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">I'll never forget one Saturday when I moved a family into Towne Crossing Apartments in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1304372457_0" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Mansfield, TX </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">back when I was in the business of leasing apartments. The husband had just landed a great job close by and decided to uproot his wife and two kids from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1304372457_1" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Oklahoma</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">. On the way up his pickup truck's tire blew out. In a hurry to get finished moving and paying movers by the hour he left his truck to change the tire afterwards. So after hours of unloading he and his family's belongings he got his brother to take him back to his truck to change his tire on the side of the highway. As he finished and was loading up the tools a car veered off the highway and smashed him between his truck and the charging car causing him to be in critical condition. The next Monday morning the family made me aware of what had happened and that he had lost his arm and leg. Mind you he was off the shoulder in the grass and was still hit. When I found out about this it really bugged me and I felt for the guy and his family. All of their plans would immediately change before they even spent their first night in their new plans. Wife didn't work and dad was everything.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">So all of that to START this... Since then EVERY single roadside tire changer, hood checker, smoke fanner you name it gets a quick pray from me. I won't ever forget seeing how happy and hopeful that guy was days before and then finding out that all of his intentions and ambitions were taken away from him by some unfortunate idiot. What's cool to me, is that now that I work out on the open road daily with a route the past 2 years that has extended from Denton to south of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1304372457_2" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Waco</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">I've said a whole bunch of prayers for sidelined drivers. I feel a responsibility to do that little bit to pray for their protection. Maybe that's why I have this job right now so that I can be this for many people. Happy to be it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"> </span>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-40993203152404908212011-05-02T15:01:00.000-07:002011-07-02T18:36:49.672-07:00The Fine Art of the Car Deal<h1 id="message_view_subject" style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</h1><h1 id="message_view_subject" style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGYihd4JY6s/TZKh6qCiVJI/AAAAAAAAA2I/628pUsUJuKk/s1600/car-salesman.jpg" /></h1><h1 id="message_view_subject" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Oh the car buying process! What an American tradition of an overly drawn out pissing match of stand offs and eye brow raising. Who will get the better of whom? Just this past week my wife and I purchased our first vehicle as a couple, A 2010 Acura TSX. It was nothing short of the initial description above but being educated about the process makes it feel less like your wearing a blindfold when it's your turn to shoot in the match. I sold cars at an Arlington dealer for month and learned a little about how the leverage and car buying process goes but a resource I found online was perfect for anyone seeking to understand how to protect oneself from that humbling buyers remorse feeling while driving off the lot in your new "sucker wagon". The site is listed here</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3f3f3f;"> <a href="http://www.miata.net/faq/newmx5.html">How to Best Negotiate a Car Deal</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">This sites instructions and advice prepared me and gave me confidence. Made me feel like Gordon Gecko in Wall Street or Baldwin in Glenn Gary Glenn Ross. I was ready to kick ass and take names. Unfortunately my lovely wife took all that confidence from my sales pitch. I felt like the prosecution did when the glove didn't fit OJ. You see the Acura TSX (The only car her heart desired within our agreement) is made in Japan, Tsunami Japan, where demand suddenly has gone through the roof. The car is made there, not just parts. She wanted black on black non navigation only in model year 2010. This of course meant that any dealer who already understood the value of the vehicle based on low supply and high demand could now hold me hostage for the my specific specifications since we were unwilling to settle for alternative colors. To boot as each vehicles availability would pop online it would disappear within 3-5 days. YEA!!! All my preparation down the drain. But in the end we did get what I considered a great deal on the car and bought from a good honest car salesman (possible oxymoron). He was nice.</span></h1><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><img src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSt3zZU4rsXCT0cvEbbus1Z4lGddUC7H6_sYAR5VglljhManshW" /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-20210670242290681412011-04-21T20:33:00.000-07:002011-04-21T22:01:05.166-07:00Green Thumb Green with Envy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MAVgoQNp0pU/TbDzZWvQLaI/AAAAAAAAAD8/j8WqPin-BO8/s1600/photo+1+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MAVgoQNp0pU/TbDzZWvQLaI/AAAAAAAAAD8/j8WqPin-BO8/s320/photo+1+%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">They say a man's home is his castle. Well this manly man's home has <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303442355_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">green grass</span> with pink and white flowers that receive entirely too much attention lately. I attribute this mainly to the wife and my social calendar now limping for activity when compared to 6 months ago when our cup runnneth over with you name it. But back to these days where i'm Beginning to think that I wasn't much of a "man" before I became a homeowner. I really didn't take pride in how a home reflected me and my family. I considered my home as a place to pass out between long weekends and keep my electronics safe from outsiders. But now, my home has become my hobby. Particularly my front yard. 2 weeks ago I slaved (for lack of a better word for a black male working in the yard) for almost 6 hours planting new flowers in Miracle Gro soil and black mulch. All done voluntarily, FOR FUN. Example: I have on more than one occasion woke up at 5 something in the morning to fertilize my yard and prevent weeds. I'm a garden club member (for email and promotion reasons) at Calloway's Nursery. I'm obsessed with trying to get an awesome lawn. So much so that in an attempt to rid the yard of current weeds I accidentally grabbed a weed AND Grass killer which is what is currently giving the lawn a psychedelic cow pattern (pissed face). Regardless it's fun trying to get those patches back and staying on top of what I think will soon be considered one of the better yards in the neighborhood. Which brings me to another driver of my obsession...my next door neighbors. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIScgeuxuIE/TbD1bAl31YI/AAAAAAAAAEc/gUkOKe7nhVg/s1600/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIScgeuxuIE/TbD1bAl31YI/AAAAAAAAAEc/gUkOKe7nhVg/s320/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />With sayings like "the grass isn't always greener on the other side" I can't help but immediately think of my neighbors, who's grass and landscaping is greener & brighter and with less weeds. They moved in maybe 2 months before we did and have always seemed to be on top of their landscaping. So much so that they had the original sod mowed down to reseed it (I quickly followed suit less successfully). Come to find out the woman who lives there's ex husband was a landscaper and she seems to have the greenest of thumbs. Allyson and I are both friendly with the next door neighbors and even more so me who is always trying to get the lowdown on the secrets of such a lush palatial spread of foliage. The secret... Miracle Gro...often. So with MY Calloway's formulas of slow release this and that and fertilizers of extra Nitrogen this and that I plan on somewhat giving them a friendly run for their money. Especially since I found out they have been hiring help.I just can't explain why their same flowers (mind you planted a month before mine) look like Barry Bonds needle partners. I'm calling for testing! Its Just <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303442355_1" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Me Against the World</span>... I feel like the 2 PAC of landscaping (a phrase most likely never uttered, ever). Fun hobby I picked up waiting for Mia to consume my time the back half of this summer. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxsTQV6PCsw/TbD0Wh440jI/AAAAAAAAAEA/122LY6_DYWc/s1600/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxsTQV6PCsw/TbD0Wh440jI/AAAAAAAAAEA/122LY6_DYWc/s320/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Before</span></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MrctMjEMn4/TbD0eSVVF2I/AAAAAAAAAEE/ImWw8mp6QDE/s1600/photo+2+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MrctMjEMn4/TbD0eSVVF2I/AAAAAAAAAEE/ImWw8mp6QDE/s320/photo+2+%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MrctMjEMn4/TbD0eSVVF2I/AAAAAAAAAEE/ImWw8mp6QDE/s1600/photo+2+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>(After) </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Notice the slightly greener grass next door</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl2QYeAJa7s/TbD0oYURNwI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Tpo8_8-ufNg/s1600/photo+4+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl2QYeAJa7s/TbD0oYURNwI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Tpo8_8-ufNg/s320/photo+4+%25281%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hIh918uQrg/TbD0xhli-SI/AAAAAAAAAEM/F5NGqh-JQIs/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hIh918uQrg/TbD0xhli-SI/AAAAAAAAAEM/F5NGqh-JQIs/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">I'm going to place stones around the tree beds</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yC-6ndCTCQ/TbD05tjwO3I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/livfIDJCbu4/s1600/photo+2+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yC-6ndCTCQ/TbD05tjwO3I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/livfIDJCbu4/s320/photo+2+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Playing in the dirt. No turning back</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1oAVvn38OA/TbD1B3Z44LI/AAAAAAAAAEU/jZA7FdSBQiE/s1600/photo+4+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1oAVvn38OA/TbD1B3Z44LI/AAAAAAAAAEU/jZA7FdSBQiE/s320/photo+4+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>Damn Splotches!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RhIEOCDrqe0/TbD1LUfx4SI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JcMOXvIMnDc/s1600/photo+5+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RhIEOCDrqe0/TbD1LUfx4SI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JcMOXvIMnDc/s320/photo+5+%25281%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-65295661802402986512011-04-15T06:27:00.000-07:002011-06-22T20:29:20.761-07:00'The Mia Network'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_gYpwcC3Qc/TahEwm9eBlI/AAAAAAAAADs/a3cdDP6LQGc/s1600/Me+and+Ally.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_gYpwcC3Qc/TahEwm9eBlI/AAAAAAAAADs/a3cdDP6LQGc/s1600/Me+and+Ally.JPG" /></a></div>This year has been what I believe I will remember as the year my family's generations grew up and out. My sister in mid January gave birth to a beautiful handsomely headed (he got that good Puerto Rican hair) baby boy. In the last quarter of the year Allyson and I surprised ourselves with the news that we would be having our first child, Ms. Mia Lauryn. Besides the fact that she is MY little girl she will be the first female addition to the family since my 27 year old sister. That means in the past 13 years between my big brother and little sister I have had 6 nephews. Needless to say I was pprepared for a girl. Despite the fact my assumption of my baby's sex is far from sscientific in theory it is much stronger of a theory then my childhood logic of what determined a boy or a girl. <strong>CHILDHOOD THEORY: whichever of the two adults who enjoyed the sex the best "contributed" the most juices and THAT determined the sex of the child</strong>. But I digress. Between watching my sister become a mother and my nephews become teenagers and Allyson and I getting ready to put on the training wheels of parenthood I can't help but think what a difference a year makes. Contemplating have a child has already humbled me. <br />
<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VxhEuz8TQY/TaqDenif2bI/AAAAAAAAADw/bRgdYlKWzLI/s1600/rissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VxhEuz8TQY/TaqDenif2bI/AAAAAAAAADw/bRgdYlKWzLI/s1600/rissa.jpg" /></a></div></div>You see I have always been infected with this disease called 'escalation of commitment', better known as 'hard head'. Ask anyone if I don't believe that not only do I control my own fate regardless of circumstance but in most instances am capable of outperforming others when I make up my mind to expend the energy (pretty inflated). I don't get too stressed out about much and keep a cool head because "I got this". But now with Mia on the way I all of a sudden want BETTER THAN MY BEST effort for my little girl. I want people to pray for her, I want God to watch out for her, I want favor with her and for her and I don't want to think about her only having her parents to provide that. <strong>My baby needs a network!</strong> That's how I know I'm ready to love my little girl. I'll be honest the sonograms have lost their luster slightly (except for when she's dancing or doing somersaults). I finally can consistently feel her kick in Allyson's belly (Ally's all belly) and that's pretty cool, but I know there will be nothing like seeing her and making since of what I'll be to her. Like most men I have been mentally preparing for the passing of pearls of wisdom and the avoidance of shame geared towards raising a boy. So now I'm scrambling to figure how that best applies to a girl. What I do know is that after a family and friends ridden announcement party in February little Mia will be loved by more than just Allyson and myself. We are so grateful for what seems to be the overused cliche of "family and friends" but its true. When you see the support like we have we can't take friendship for granted. One of our good friends paid for all of her custom bedding the minute we told them the news of the baby! That's huge.<br />
<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mnnzegLIsLg/TaqDoCgL3XI/AAAAAAAAAD0/wDq_BYP2ack/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mnnzegLIsLg/TaqDoCgL3XI/AAAAAAAAAD0/wDq_BYP2ack/s1600/friends.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: orange;">Great Friends Gather to here the news.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the mean time I'll be studying another great gift I received which is a anecdote book on dads and daughters from a friend of ours. This will serve as the best head start I believe I can be<br />
afforded as a new dad. I hear nothing but good things from these veteran fathers so I'm encouraged. And if my daughter loves me as much as my sister loves my dad I'm in the clear. It's only mid April and I'm already thinking what a difference 6 months makes, 3 more to go until everything changes. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Srb2OxXeqZs/TaqDuu97wmI/AAAAAAAAAD4/M9cPq2aLA9Q/s1600/Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Srb2OxXeqZs/TaqDuu97wmI/AAAAAAAAAD4/M9cPq2aLA9Q/s1600/Book.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-57275524452487105432011-03-05T19:56:00.000-08:002011-03-06T09:35:06.184-08:00HCG Worked for me!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sunflowershoppe.com/hcg.html"><img height="281" src="http://www.sunflowershoppe.com/images/bottom-ads/hcg-diet.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the time my wife gave into dating me in High school I was a slender 200 or less pound 2 sport athlete in size 32/34 waist jeans. By the time I asked her to marry me lets say I was a bit... hungrier? Somehow I managed to meet my wife and my most fit, go figure. I never have been a natural fit person and to boot I have never been successful with getting fit without the miracle of science. So after ballooning to what I considered my largest as the New Year passed I had to lean on whatever was the hottest craze for weight loss. In homage to the old Sprite commercial asking "whats my motivation?" i came across that easy after reviewing disks of family photos and facebook tags where I looked like I was holding a turkey leg behind my back and favored the worst Saturday night Live actor Keenan Thompson and less Usher Raymond. Iit was time for a change (no Obama reference intended). In highschool I was a product of Xenadrine with the original ephedra (you know the one that almost gave me a heart attack and forced me into use of an I-V during a football game from dehydration) and I saw</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lastheplace.com/images/article-images//2009/03/finnic.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>VS.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_G-677wrLw1I/SOhYjQ9FTqI/AAAAAAAAACo/oNZJz01Iz-Q/s400/Usher-mm01.jpg" /></div><br />
<br />
saw incredible weight loss in 3 months time. The problem was it essentially revved my heart rate up to the point my necks heartbeat was bulging and I NEVER ate. Not a good way to establish "healthy habits". I am fond of activity and working out, but never mastered the art of a sensible diet. You know portion control and common sense (less pizza and cake and less upsizing). So after my mother in law and a good friend lost 25 plus pounds in 6 weeks time through a ritual of a strict diet and drops of pregnant womens urine (see link to webiste below) I figured what better way to start a New Year toward healthier habits!<br />
So HCG (<a href="http://www.hcgheadquarters.com/">http://www.hcgheadquarters.com/</a>) is a 500 calorie daily diet that requires you to take hormone drops that mimick a womans pregnancy and curbs cravings and burns undesired fat from hard to get rid of places. It is followed over a course of 21 0r 42 days. I did the 42 day diet and loss 40+ pounds in 6 weeks! I have to have dropped at least 2 pants sizes. What's most important is it really help me put food intake and how I eat into perspective in regards to the amount and the choices I make. Things like not drinking calories, eating less in a sitting and simple self control have really stuck with me. I din't cheat once on this diet either! (save for a valentines dinner riddled with pasta personally prepared by a nosy chef. Long story).<br />
Needless to say I am very proud of myself for showing such discipline in these 6 weeks. What I accomplished in my food choice is a big deal coming from a guy who grew up shutting down the buffett line. I felt energetic throughout the diet and slept better than ever. Let me state " EATING 500 calories in not NATURAL FOR A MAN" 6 oz of meat total a day and half a grapefruit is why the make bikinis, men don't wear bikinis, but I needed to gain some respect by completing this diet. I am determined to continue to make better choices and hopefully the pressure of holding the stigma of one of those people who lost a bunch of weight and ATE it all back will keep me from falling into old habits. The biggest reward of my weight loss may be buying a new suit for my brother in laws wedding and the other 2 or 3 weddings we have left in the year for me to embrace my vain obsession of clothes and dressing. A generally new wardrobe is in order as well. I can now fit in those european cut H&M shirts my wife always made frightful faces at. All in all despite controversy of the diet and skeptiscism of the science I can attest to a 40 plus weight loss, better eating habits, discipline and a manual to live with (gluten free is a big deal). Now that I've lost so much weight its time to start tipping the scale closer to the Usher side, don't hold your breath Allyson!Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-1129629449845556662010-12-24T15:22:00.000-08:002010-12-24T15:27:34.115-08:00Askmen.com: 12 Days to a Better Man<img alt="First Impressions" src="http://images.askmen.com/-914103-flash.jpg" /><br />
<a href="http://www.askmen.com/">http://www.askmen.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="pullQuote" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 25px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">We've all met people that we instantly like and want to get to know more or do business with.<span class="endingQuote" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.askmen.com/2010/bgAllAssets.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: -185px -32px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; float: none; height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -1000px; width: 29px;">"</span></span></blockquote><div style="color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> Askmen.com is doing a series of "How To" articles and informative sections on How to be a better man in various ways. No these instructions don't so much focus on the inner workings of a man and it is more aesthetic and vain in its nature than lessons from the Bible or the Dalai Lama, but its what most people want when it comes to the tools to achieve a desired lifestyle. With Sections like, "The Art of Taking Over a Room" and "Proven Ways to Impress Your Boss" the articles are strong resources for putting yourself in to position to have a more successful 2011. Enjoy...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">That means show up last without being late, and always smile like you just did something mischievous...</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px;"><br />
</span></span>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-78384277984594596422010-12-22T15:17:00.000-08:002010-12-22T22:39:21.192-08:00Putting Stock in Experience<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lisablake.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/experience.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took a recent vow to myself to FORCE my wife and I to enjoy more experiences together. Anyone who knows us knows that we have accumulated our fair share of "stuff".This would.t be a concern of mine but for decisions to pass on the college experience of leaving the metroplex, the decision to pass on a long and rewarding search to find our first new house instead building so quickly, and our inability to participate in any impromptu trips. All of these experiences were replaced by nice TV's, clothes etc. Well I had an epiphany! I suddenly realized that those things make for crappy framed pictures and we have none on our walls. So I decided as a way to get our feet wet we would start first with my new hobby of lawn maintenance and landscaping. Scoping Calloway's and Hardware stores for winter flowers and pots we began to get a small education in what we needed and what we need to know about successfully changing our landscaping. Next on my list was a tour of the Dallas Cowboys new stadium. The tour comes with a picture and something we can look back on doing together. That activity is pending as is a free trip we won for letting an EZ Water rep invade my home and hold Allyson and I hostage for over 2 hours (long story). Let's see how this goes because are walls are looking empty and this TV only holds other peoples experiences. I need my own reality reel. To be continued...</div>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057061612951512489.post-85773866944771963432010-12-22T14:47:00.000-08:002011-04-21T21:34:43.381-07:00Christmas Starts on the Roof<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><img src="http://www.movie-moron.com/wp-content/gallery/top-tens/best_christmas_movies_christmas_vacation.jpg" /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Both Pissed and slightly petrified high a top an 8ft ladder I throw down the strand of lights in my hand, red and clear bulb glass everywhere, doing my best not be what my mother in law calls "being ugly" to my wonderful wife. That was the scene an hour and a half into a new Combs tradition, hopefully minus the shattered glass and frustration. In line step with many firsts this year for my wife an I, as new home owners we (more my wife) decided to embark on the tradition of hanging Christmas lights. We have done this previous years on a much smaller and less dangerous scale at our past apartments where scaling the side of the roof was not an option or consideration. But now the opportunity has presented itself and well you guessed it, too late for Halloween I'll playing spider man for Christmas! So the plan was to do a red and white themed Christmas exterior (my language during the project was colorful enough) that involved me climbing on the roof of our home and meticulously positioning our lights to the satisfaction of my wife's expectations. This would be slightly less eventful if I didn't HATE heights. How much do I not enjoy heights, Example, I considered the Bobsled and Mini Mine Train at Six Flags so thrilling that it took the "love conquers all" heart tug of my wife's big blue beautiful eyes to even get me to attempt a larger roller coaster at the age of 20! Now its 2010 and here I am 7 years later with The Batman roller coaster, judge Roy Scream, and The Flashback under my belt crawling up the side of my roof. Why? For two reasons, reason number one, I love my wife and want to prove she can count on her man. Number two, I know for a fact a friend and several other neighbors had climbed their roofs, and me hiring someone was not an option as a two scrotum carrying male. So I braved the project with a slow pace warming up to the height of the roof while still accurately installing our lights. I used these new shingle clips as opposed to traditional stapling of the lights which saved me precious inches when installing the lights.Inches from a slip and broke you name the bone. Fast forward to the job complete with chest and head held high Allyson and I discovered our original mapping out of the lights had been "changed" due to our urgency to finish. Here's the fun part, we managed to not only position the lights end to not use the PAID FOR AN ADDED OUTLET built into the roof with the house but we had 2 FEMALE ENDS left to connect for power. For those of you who don't know what that means try to plug in both flat ends of an extension chord and tell me what happens. With this new circumstance at hand a refulsal by me to rectify the issue (HELL NO I'M NOT GOING BACK UP THERE) I head to the local hardware store to see if I can make 2 male ends safely relieve me of embarrassment frustration and "being ugly". Well I came to the realization that they don't MAKE adaptors that can achieve what I needed (which means I can't say it happens enough to other people) so I was shown how to make it one. So I successfully and safely made the 2 male ended electric adaptor before my wife got home. Saving me from a safety speech and her cringing looks of distrust and fright but instead received her excited expression when she her eyes saw her perfectly straight illuminated Christmas lit home. That's one more win in the experiences of 2010 category. </span></span></span>Marcus Richard Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00759565507024116992noreply@blogger.com0