Is your Business a House of Straw?
Is your Business a House of Straw? Is there a big, bad “wolf” just around the corner (and maybe on his way for you) … right now? For some business owners, success seems elusive. Even with the best skills, technology and plenty of money thrown at it, people just don’t seem interested. Great product or service? … Check √ Commitment to making some money as a business owner? … Check √ Website looks great? … Check √ Customers knocking down your doors & $$ flowing in daily? …. …. …. So what...
read moreWriting and Toastmasters?
Writing and Toastmasters? Can a public speaknig club help your writing?
read moreA Journey To Luang Prabang
A Journey To Luang Prabang I’ve got to tell you, flying into a third world country is a lot less stressful than I thought it would be. We disembark right onto the runway. Steam ascends off the concrete from a recent cloud burst. Low grey clouds cloak the jungle from my anxious eyes. But I can smell it. The earth is hiding just beyond my sight, stalking, waiting for an unsuspecting moment to pounce out from beyond the cloak of mist An attendant in a brightly colored sarong and button down sweater guides us to the visa office. The lines are...
read moreHoliday In Cambodia
“You buy from me! Mr. You buy from me! Only one dollar!” The kid ran up to me followed by six or seven of his stiffest competitors. Each of them had some sort of postcard, magnet, plastic flower, banana, or yes different postcards with better pictures. They are like little bugs crawling out of the wood work when a van or bus pulls up. I imagined them all in a back room playing cards, smoking a quick butt on their break. With the sound of an engine larger than a scooter, they sprint into action. Rub a little dirt on their face,...
read moreOld Dogs Can Learn New Tricks
Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks! Happy New Year from the other side of the world. It certainly has been an interesting and enriching year. I’ve traveled to foreign lands, published a book, got my real estate license, and finally relaxed enough to enjoy my life. I have big dreams for 2015. And I know they can come true. True, it will take a lot of work, time, and effort. I embrace the challenge, and look forward to the rewards of taking life by the tail, swinging it around and yelling Yahooo!!! Recently I have been asked by...
read moreBlind And Dirty
Blind And Dirty Something happened today. I realized there is a big difference between being on vacation somewhere, and living somewhere. While the ‘vacation’ part I mostly write about has all been peachy, groovy, and lots of fun, the living part of being here has afforded me not so every day insights into this extraordinary place I am calling home, for now. I am a people watcher. Always have been. I make it a point to look at everybody as they pass my way. Sometimes, not often, I get a glance in return. When I do, I smile...
read moreMy Week At The Beach
My Week At The Beach I sit in on the veranda of my bungalow on the beach and watch the rain. A monsoon has us under its liquid grip. The tide has left quickly. The fisherman, waist deep, don’t seem to mind. My supper will be served on a plate, theirs at the end of their line. I’ve learned much in our week at the beach. I’ve learned that mothers, friends, sisters, and lovers from around the world find the time to nurture themselves, and each other in this humble land. I’ve learned that europeans take a lot more vacations then Americans. ...
read moreThe Amulet Market
The Amulet Market Who Knew I would turn into a geek so quickly. My eye is not keen for the nuances. Nor do I know much about the background, or the history behind amulets. But there I was geeking out like a 12 year old boy peering at his favorite athletes’ player card. I know, I was, and still am one of THOSE kids. My sports card collection is so big I could sell it by the pound, and still turn a tidy profit. I had walked through the amulet market earlier in the week, and also on a previous trip. Or at least what I thought was the amulet...
read moreSinging Bowls And Ferris Wheels
Singing Bowls And Ferris Wheels A free boat will take you to a not so free mall of sorts. At the pier across the river you can catch a river taxi to Asiatique, an indoor outdoor mall complete with high end restaurants, outdoor theatre, music, stalls with all kinds of wares, and yes a ferris wheel. A large ferris wheel, one that had me squirming in my seat as it slowly rose over the river. Heights! Hah, who’s afraid of heights? Well I guess I am. Weird. I have skied down mountain chutes that are so steep you cant even see the bottom from the...
read moreFrank Zappa And Fireworks
Happy Birthday To Me I joined the masses today. While on a mass transit trip across the city to the dentist, I did it. Yep, I assumed the position. I put my phone in hand, headphones in, and scrolled down the screen. I felt like one of them, one of us, the few the many, the electro-age. Yes the warm fuzzy feeling washed over me. I was just like every one else. YES!! Now I can smile, laugh, and look into the eyes of my fellow travelers and feel the joy, the happiness, and community of the many. That is until my choice of music hit my ear...
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I hope you will join me as our characters take you near and far, to real places and those that are imagined. I see my characters as Lost Sailors trying to unlock some mystery of life that they have been handed or have had forced upon them.