Monday, March 30, 2009

I could eat nothing but Tuscan Cuisine for a year, or forever!

Of all the places I have traveled in my life, I could spend the rest of my days basking in the warm and inviting Tuscan culture.

Toscana - Tuscany by allegra_

Have you ever seen a skinny Italian?

I am not implying that every Italian person is fat, or by any means out of shape but you have to admit that there are not a whole lot of Italian people running around the streets with their ribs showing through their skin...

The reason for this is pretty simple. Italians view dinner as a celebration. Yes, dinner every night is a party not to be missed.

In the time I have spent in Italy, I have had the opportunity to spend many nights enjoying the variety of food and the process of enjoying the entire process of eating dinner. What an awesome experience!

First of all, dinner in Italy is a time to spend with family and friends. Dinner starts around 7 and rarely ends before 10. That entire time is spent eating (and for many drinking wine) something. Because you are with family and friends, dinner is spent talking about the day, the family issues and business. Because family is large, there are a lot of people to talk, and so there is a lot of food to make sure everyone has an opportunity to share their story of the day.

I have never left a meal in Italy feeling hungry, for that matter I have never left dinner in Italy feeling anything less than completely full! The food, from beginning to end is plentiful and awesome. When you feel you are all done, they bring something else to "just try", then they fill your plate with the "sample". Where else in the world can you be so well taken care of?

If I had to choose one cuisine to eat for a year, I would insist on spending that year in a small village in the Tuscan hills, enjoying the company and the food they serve!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Is your beauty under covers?

Beauty is a gift from God. Don't hide it from the world!


Looking down the hall of the office building I notice a nice, shapely young woman and because I am afflicted with maleness I continue to watch her walk towards me. Not in a creepy way mind you, but I watch as she gracefully walks down the hallway towards me.

As she gets closer, I notice that she is wearing a stunning business dress-suit. The jacket is long and cut to her curves, and I had to look twice as she grew near to see that her skirt was just a hair longer than her jacket. Her legs were as long as the hallway and as perfect as the warm sunshine outside. Covered with silk, they glistened as she walked by the window.

As the sun hit her legs, I briefly noticed the 3 inch heels her feet were cradled by. They absolutely completed the image.

A few moments later, the elevator came and it was my time to go. This memory will stick with me throughout the day.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Making out in In the basement at my 5th birthday party.

Cathy, you made my 5th birthday one for the record books.

Well, I surely do not want to toot my own horn; at 5, I liked the ladies and was goin for gold!

I honestly don't remember all that much about it , I was 5 after all; but I do remember that we were hiding behind the wooden rocking chair (didn't provide too much privacy) and Cathy Covey wanted to make sure it was a birthday I would never forget! I am pretty sure that my mom didn't plan any birthday parties for me after that, I guess she was pretty concerned at what might happen at age 6.

Well, I forgot, but many years later my mother reminded me while we were going through old photo albums. Wow, how did I let that one slip my mind?

Anyhow, the kiss must have set my expectations high because it would be some time before number two would come along.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

'The Little Red Book of Selling' will make you LOL

I mainly read business and growth oriented books. As the result, I have to find humor among other things in the writings of awesome business authors. What are you reading today?

Life is funny, if you look at it from the right perspective. Everything we do, everyone we encounter, each thought we have effects our attitude, our response to situations and our ability to laugh at ourselves.

The Little Red Book of Selling talks about real life situations and how to change your perspective on life and how to make that perspective work to your advantage. Read it and laugh your way to the next sale!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I'll spend my golden years in Park City, UT

Dave Loves to ski, and play in the alpine environment when he is not sailing!

Park City is a vast alpine worderland designed with every lifestyle in mind. From winter sports of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and just the simplicity of lazy horserides in the snow to the summer activities of mountain biking, jogging, hiking and more.

Located just 20 short minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and it's international airport, Park City is one location you can enjoy every day of the year without being far from civilization.

Monday, March 16, 2009

The athlete in me?

Worldwide superstar amazes crowds as he tops the competition on the water daily, and at his age!

Dave Hein, world renound for his photographic work in the alpine and marine environments is the worlds superstar when it comes to capturing the excitement, emotion and thrill of sports for everyone to enjoy. And doing all of this at more than twice the age of the average athlete appearing in his photographs. "Shooting sailing is one of the most difficult assignments a photographer can have." states Hein; "having to shoot moving yachts from a boat that is constantly moving itself with the motion of the sea limits the people that can even consider shooting the sport professionally."

Dave Hein spends considerable time on the water, shooting at least one major regatta per month, with nearly every weekend at an event in the summer season. His career as a photographer started in his teen years, shooting school projects and as photo editor of his high school yearbook.

Today Dave's images hang in the homes and offices of sailors and enthusiasts worldwide. As he continues his upwards rise in notoriety, his travel to events grows. He can be seen worldwide shooting sailing and some of his shots can be seen online at http://www.optisailing.com.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Seat me next to the quiet starer, please

While it has been a long time since I have been on a bus ride, I do take a lot of flights every month...


When a person sitting next to you on a long trip talks the entire time it is always nice to meet someone new and learn about them, however when I travel, I typically reserve that time to get work done as I am confined and away from calls and interruptions.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

In defense of my vice: cigar

Once in a while, I enjoy sitting outside on a warm afternoon with a great maduro.

Rolling single leaf cigars_Cuba 168 by hoyasmeg

Sitting in a small open air cafe in Miami. The air around me is damp, warm and well it has a sweet and distinct essence.

I look to the other site of the sidewalk to see an old man smoking a cigar with his coffee after lunch. He was sitting there, enjoying himself and relaxing in the spring afternoon.

Noticing the air around me getting stronger, I got up and walked down the street to and saw a store selling stogies and decided to walk in. Entering the door, I was immediately aroused at the blended scent of many different memories of my life. I walked into the humidor and began looking at the hundreds of different styles. Color, size, blends, strengths. So much to learn, so many different options.

Enjoying an occasional cigar reminds me of days gone by. It is a brief escape from the stress and pressures of business today and a reminder of the relaxing days to come as a reward for hard work through the tough times.

Friday, March 13, 2009

'Everything About You' will help you through a break-up

You know what? It also helps with the process of loosing a job. I guess a job is a lot like a girlfriend anyhow, always demanding more of your time and attention until they are gone.

Wow, it is so much more appealing to spend life driving your car down to the local marina and sail your days away with the strong winds filling your sails.

Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe

The first step in dealing with grief is denial. Like young children banging their spoon and fork on the high chair tray, this song helps.

Click Click Boom by Saliva

Then anger then sets in and everyone knows that it is much better to express anger in a popular song then with text messages.

America by Simon & Gafrunkel

As you come to accept the fact, it begins the process of searching for yourself and the beginning is in front of you.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

My song about Ellicottville, NY.

We ski at Holimont. What a great way to pass the dark days of Winter.

When the skies are gray and the air is chilled people fret and loose their will.
Many folks jump up and exclaim "its time for the frozen rain!"

They get in their cars and head out on the road
To Ellicottville we are bound and nothing will slow us down
Drive, drive drive
some down from the great white North
many from the land of hot wings
still others from the town of burning rivers
All to enjoy the too few days of frozen precipitation known as snow in the hills of Western New York.