American Harvest
Rochester, NY 3:22 PM I went to a movie preview of a documentary last night in Rochester, at the independent theater, The Little. The film is, American Harvest, directed by Angelo Mancuso. The story: “Anti-immigration sentiment sweeps across America. A journey from Florida to New York, including a trip to the Mexican border, reveals the lives and issues of legal and illegal migrants and farmers working toward a better life. Is the immigration system in America flawed? Immigrants are dying to feed America. (This film was shot while traveling over 15,000 miles in the U.S. and Mexico from May...
Read MoreCar
Rochester, NY 12:46 AM My car did not start today. My heart pressure did not skyrocket and I did not curse the car, I just called the dealer who told me to call roadside assistance. It is funny how a warranty will set you at ease. They arrived in 45 minutes and I had a loaner within another 60. It turns out it is an oxygen sensor, which is under warranty. Cars always present unexpected things. The sensor shut it down, but with a little patience, I’ll be back up and running soon. That car has treated me right. Now I wait for a part to come in from California and drive a Tucson....
Read MoreAvoidance
Rochester, NY 2:06 PM When you are in upstate NY and it is the end of November, you do what you can to get outside. When it is 68 degrees with no wind, you have to go out, even if there is work to be done. I’m tinkering with the format of the book. This has caused some stress, but a walk on the beach after lunch has calmed me down. The sea gulls are still here. And there are geese still floating on the water. So it’s not winter yet. But there are no leaves on the trees rustling in the calm wind. There are no boat or jet ski hoists clouding the horizon. So I type this to avoid...
Read MoreWedding Video
8:28 PM I just got done watching the hot off the press video of my sister’s wedding from August. It brought chills to my neck and I must admit, some misting of the eyes. It is a two hour movie where I am part of the supporting cast. I can’t imagine what it must be like for the two stars to see their life, their day, their family, and their friends all in one sitting. I am no marriage expert, but I think all couples should have a yearly tradition of getting out what ever wedding memories you have (photo album, old 8 track, VHS tape, or DVD) and cue it up. Relive your movie…
Read MoreWedding Video 2
12:52 AM I wanted to talk about this, but not in the same document as my sister’s wedding. On the road and in my life, I’ve met people whose movie hasn’t proceeded exactly like a fairy tale. Heaven has come early for spouses. Divorce is a part of life for many. With that being said, one of my interview subjects who I respect incredibly said one of his three keys to happiness was being in a relationship. He had been widowed, grieved, and found another love. Others have had to battle through the anguish and questioning of a divorce. However the loss occurred, the biggest thing...
Read MoreThe Secret
Your Mind 2:28 PM I just watched a movie that has been generating quite a buzz. And not on E! or Entertainment Tonight. This movie is about the Law of Attraction and the power in each of us. If you want more out of your life, I truly believe this movie can help. The Secret is 90 minutes, costs $4.95, and is viewed on the web. Watch with a pen and paper. I pass on the link because it was passed on to me. Enjoy. The Secret And Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Read MoreWaistline
Goodyear, AZ 11:29 PM It’s time to head back to the looming winter of the northeast. Phoenix has been wonderful. 80 degrees and sunny skies in November are hard to beat. Being in a place I used to live and with my friends is even better. After Sedona on Saturday, we loaded up the truck and headed to the Arizona Cardinals new stadium in Glendale. The sight of the Monday Night debacle stared at us as we eased into parking area 3 and set up the tailgate. Anthony had a 10 X 10 tent that covered us from the sun, as well as the TV that was plugged into the truck, and a mobile George Foreman...
Read MoreRed
Sedona, AZ 10:25 PM We hit the links yesterday at a Jack Nicklaus wonder, Estrella Mountain Ranch. Playing with Anthony’s father’s clubs, I realized how nice technology can help the game. I’ve hit the same irons since I was in 8th grade, and hitting Callaway X-12’s were great. The rust and the northeast ice melted away as the day progressed. The course was in immaculate shape with a lot of bunkers, but I stayed beach free for most of the day and knocked it around to an 81 with two birdies. That was yesterday. Today we made a trip out of the valley, north to Sedona. Anthony and Donna...
Read MoreDrive
Goodyear, AZ 7:02 PM After driving my Hyundai for so long, I got the opportunity to get low to the ground today as I drove Donna’s Acura TL to and from my talk. Paradise Valley CC is about 50 minutes from the house. Armed with my shades, CD’s, and sandals, I hit I-10 east and then chugged north on the 101 loop. I passed the Arizona Cardinal’s new stadium and anticipated seeing it up close on Sunday. I put my work shoes and socks on. The school was open and spread out. Sunlight poured into the courtyards and no matter how many times I come to campuses, I get caught up in the intellectual...
Read MoreEmmaus
Church 12:12 AM It has been quite a while since I went to a church on a different day than Sunday for something other than church. I guess it’s even been a while since I went to church. But yesterday my parents spoke to me about a priest who was giving talks over the next three days. They were fired up and said he was a young, eloquent speaker with a hefty dose of passion. Of course, that peaked my interest. After going through the back and forth of am I really going to do this or not, I rushed around and made it out the door at 6:45. The familiar drive to the church of my youth always...
Read MoreGunshots
Greece, NY 10:21 AM I woke up today to the sound of repeated gunshots. This has been the case for the past few weeks. It’s a weird thing, lying in bed preparing for the day and hearing the rat-a-tat-tat. Lucky for me, I am not in Iraq or Afghanistan or any of the countries where there is constant fighting. I am not in the depressed part of the cities of our country where Americans kill Americans. Where I am currently living is three miles from a police station. And they do their practice range shooting there. My middle class suburban upbringing was not mixed with guns and violence....
Read MorePolitical Ads
Everywhere Please, make them stop! Only a week to go until the web, TV and radio waves are cleared of the political fodder that continues to ramp up in frequency and foolishness. Attack, attack, attack. How about detail who you are and what you’re about in comparison to your opponent? The sad part is that type of advertising probably doesn’t work. An interview subject of political note told me that for our democratic system to truly work, we need an educated electorate. I am an educated person, but I couldn’t go into detail on specific candidates in my area. And I now the large...
Read MoreTime
Rochester, NY 5:18 PM As I sit and type at the kitchen table, the reality of the time change has hit. What was a joyous occasion to many Halloween revelers on Saturday night (an extra party hour), now the night settles in before many are out of work. If the drive home has headlights, that’s normally not a great thing. I am one where the weather can dictate my mood. Darkness, grey skies, and rain bum me out. It was a sunny day here, which helped and is the reason why I’m typing from the kitchen table and not my closed in office. Staring out at the lake puts things in perspective,...
Read MoreSurvivor
Buffalo, NY I just drove to and from Buffalo, NY. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the first snow that we had in Rochester. It was a few minutes of white stuff. Sixty miles west they got two feet of snow, and for October, even for the B-lo, that is rare. And bad. Because the leaves were still on the trees and the snow was wet, the trees couldn’t handle the weight. They showed it on the national and local news and I read about it in the paper, but driving there today, I was amazed by the decimation of the trees. The further west I went on I90, the more limbs and trees were crumpled...
Read MorePainter
Hamilton, Ontatio, CA 1:17 PM The house where I type this sits on land that has been in our family for over 150 years. And I must say, it’s been a great place to be while off the road and writing. Living down south for as long as I did, it’s been awesome to be close to a lot of my family. My parents are here, my sister 20 minutes away, and my aunt, uncle and cousin, next door. As much as I am ready to hit the open road once the book is out, this is a great time in my life. Three years ago the family took a bold step and decided to expand on the cottages that were here. They knocked down...
Read More1992 NFC Championship
San Francisco, CA 1:45 PM I’ve trained myself pretty good to stay focused when I am off the road to work during the day. Part of that comes from my sales training and the ability my companies gave me to work from home. As I’ve done my book, the only time the TV comes on is during lunch, and that is usually Headline News or CNN and an occasional ESPN News. Today is different. Eating a late lunch at 1:00, ESPN has the NFL’s Greatest Games on. Today’s game from 1 to 2:30 is the 1992 NFC Championship Game between my Dallas Cowboys at the San Francisco 49ers. I must have been a junior in...
Read MoreGenesee Riverway Trail
Rochester, NY 6:22 PM I’m going through my book chapters to pull out quotes that will go into the margin and also do the end of chapter summaries. This morning the retired Navy Captain talked about how important his relationship was with his father and what an influence he was in his life. As I read that, the beaming sun and blue sky called out to me. So did the forecast for tomorrow, which is 100% rain. So I talked to my dad and off we went to the outdoors and a hike next to the Genesee River. The Genesee Riverway Trail is a newly publicized walk next to one of the few rivers that flow...
Read MoreSnow
Rochester, NY 6:28 PM As much as it pains me to type it, summer and fall are over in Rochester. The first snow of the season fell today. Not a lot, nothing stuck. The white flakes fell from the sky for only 180 seconds, but it was there none the less. A warning that you better get out of the house and outdoors while you can. A warning that deer season is approaching or already here (I’m not a hunter, so I don’t know. I did sit next to guys at breakfast last week who were going to put deer stands up). A warning of what is to come; Cold. Time to shift the closet from short sleeve to...
Read MoreFalls
Ithaca, NY Fall has hit the northeast. For Rochester, that has meant cool days with not a lot of sunshine. It’s been hard to see my friend’s forecast down in Charlotte. This is the prime time of year for the south. 70’s and 80’s with vibrant sunshine makes golf and going to football games perfect. This weekend we had a heads up on them. I’ve been cooped up staring at grey skies and when the forecast said mid 60’s and sunny, I knew I had to get outside. I couldn’t spend another Saturday in front of the TV with college football and baseball playoffs. I had never been to Ithaca...
Read MoreBusiness Practices
Ohio 11:55 AM I just finished a phone interview with the president of a company in Ohio. His wife heard me on NPR a few weeks ago and set it up. The gist of the interview is something I am continually finding more interesting: What companies can do to motivate their employees. Who wouldn’t want to work for a company that actually cares about them? Who wouldn’t want to go to work every day fired up about what they are doing and who they’re doing it for? And on the company end, what company wouldn’t want to have their workforce engaged and working their butt’s off? So...
Read MorePoker
WWW I am going to tell you a secret. I don’t think it makes me a bad man. I play online poker. There, I said it. And now I have to rant on the issue because I may not be able to do it because I live in the United States. Here is the link to the story. http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/story.html?id=892607ab-2b6d-470c-8fcc-08aada8dcbaf&k=97496 Am I hurting anyone by anteing $3 and spending my time trying to make $400? I guess I am if I win the jackpot and win other people’s money, but that is the risk you take. I am investing in my self, my brain and my skill. I can see...
Read MoreCatch it
Rochester, NY 12:22 PM Last night, I may have participated in the largest game of Catch Phrase in New York State history. I realize that is not the most exciting thing ever, but 13 girls versus 13 guys in any competitive event makes for laughs and intensity. Mother Nature forced the house party I was at inside and did not allow for the bonfire that I had so looked forward to. But, with an out of this world food spread and many different spirits, we made do. Bugles, the corn chip snack that my Grandma and Grandpa always had, were a hit. My past snack history was in full effect with Combos and...
Read MoreNew Website
There is a new website on the horizon. I’m supposed to meet with a friend in town about putting something together that focuses more on what I’ve learned from my IamOntheRoad experiences. Kind of a forum to pay it forward. A site where those who were asking the same questions I was before all of this can go and try and get help. This site will stay the same. It will even grow once the book is in print with pictures and quotes from the interview subjects. The book will be the focus of the new site. Once something is up, we’ll link to it. More to come…
Read MoreDoes God want you to be rich?
TIME Magazine I just got done reading a TIME article from their September 18, 2006 edition. The question above that is the title of the article struck a chord with me for obvious reasons. And it caused me to really think about the answers. As is the case with most religious questions, there will be opinions on both sides of the fence. Growing up and going to Saturday school and church on Sundays, I had never felt it was ingrained that God would love me more if I was a rich man. That wasn’t a way to ‘get into heaven.’ I even remember some of the teachings say it was better to...
Read MoreTalk
Geneva, NY 11:52 PM I just got back Hobart and William Smith Colleges. I gave a talk on what my fraternity has meant to me in college and in life. In particular, I highlighted how my fraternity contacts have helped me on my journey. Without them, you wouldn’t be reading this. A fraternity brother I had never met before built most of and maintains all of this website. Any time I talk to college students, it takes me back to my times in Arkansas and South Carolina. In this case, more so Arkansas because my fraternity experiences were more detailed there. I still marvel how a guy from NY can...
Read MoreTweak
Rochester, NY I’ve been back at the book full force since Cleveland. Being there showed me how much can happen once the book is out there. The book is written, all I need is a publisher. I’ve met with two published authors in Rochester yesterday and today. They’ve helped me tweak my proposal and way of thinking. As I normally do, I was shooting for the moon. I had my work in front of some big time literary agencies. But, they are used to working with celebrities. And as they said, I’m not a celebrity. My name recognition will not sell books. So, I’ve been tweaking and tinkering....
Read MorePositively
Berea, OH 11:55 PM I wish I could bottle the positive feelings I have right now. My day was incredible. The crescendo was the talk at Berea High School tonight at 7 PM. We gathered in the auditorium and I shared my story and the stories of those I met on the road. The group was diverse in age and sex. I would say 75% female. There were no students. As I talked I could see and feel the group wanting to interact. And when the questions came, it was not me answering. It was a dialogue between peers with the supreme goal: helping. The group went back and forth on various topics and questions....
Read MoreReasons
Strongsville, OH The Angel House continues to get better. I need to clarify from yesterday that it is a sweat lodge. Google it. I have to try it. I just spent an hour talking with Chris, a guy I could spend hours talking to. He helped me figure out some things about me that I hadn’t really looked at before. Some of my talents. Some of my reasons for me being here. Now I type with the NFL opener on the TV. The day was another jam packed one. I hit the road at 8 AM toward Kent State. 71 to 80 to 43 and I was there. There was a little rain. The Career Services department treated me great. I...
Read MoreAngel House
Strongsville, OH 12:19 AM Man, my eyes are burning. What an exciting but tiring day it was. I type this from the third floor of the Angel House Center for Art and Creative Life Change (www.angelhousestrongsville.com). Carol, my host and the reason behind all of my Cleveland happenings, just sent me to bed after a bowl of chocolate ice cream with cherries. She and I returned about an hour ago from the Cleveland ABC affiliate, WEWS, Channel 5. Ted Henry, one of the anchors, interviewed me. Boy, did he ask some tough questions. I wasn’t expecting some of the topics, but because of that, I...
Read MoreOn the road once again
Rochester, NY 8:16 AM That feeling is back. Because my focus has been on sharing my travel and interview experiences, my road trips have slowed down. The book and the speaking have changed the rules slightly, but I’m glad to know that the energy I have to get prepared for the road as well as prepare for my talks is still with me. This still feels right. Even better than right. This feels like I want to do. Dare I say it, what I’m supposed to do. So I turn the CPU off, load up, and head west on I90, through PA and into OH. I believe some live Wilco and some G Love will be on the CD...
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