Intellectual Poison

Fumungous - an incredibly huge stink, like when Nande gases out an entire room with her fish oil farts. A mashup of fumes and humongous, of course.

And yes, I'm quite proud of this one.

To be stored, as always, in the Fictionarium, with all the other new words I've coined.

Labels: nwotd

So, it seems that I've busted some part of my publishing pipes for this here blog again. It happened while I was getting my photography site up and running and, for the life of me, I can't remember how I fixed it the first time.

Which means that, currently, publishing to Intellectual Poison is an annoying multi-step process. I publish here, I go to BlueHost, I log in and then go to the File Manager, navigate to the sub-sub-menu, copy the just published index and then paste it into the top directory where it should have gone the first time.

Annoying but I don't really have the bandwidth to dedicate to getting it fixed right this minute. Soon but not right now, I hope.

Update: Ahh, now I remember. And, if I got it right, this should work properly again.

Labels: blog

Assome - an awesome ass, in a good way.

And yes, this new word will be filed in the Fictionarium with all the others.

Labels: nwotd

Riffing off of John at Where's My Plan, I thought I'd see about listing fifteen books that have made a strong impact on my life.

Before I get into it though, I will note that, with the rise of the internet, RSS feeds and the like, I haven't been much of a book reader for the last few years. I still read a tremendous amount of written material but the majority of it is online.

Anyway, on to the list in no particular order.

A Mantis Carol - Laurens van der Post

A Far Off Place - Laurens van der Post

My Uncle Oswald - Roald Dahl

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More - Roald Dahl

The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

The Stand - Stephen King

Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut

Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter Thompson

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

Devil on the Cross - Ngugi wa Thiong'o

Desert Solitaire - Edward Abbey

Nonzero, The Logic of Human Destiny - Robert Wright

Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The Snows of Kilimanjaro - Ernest Hemingway

I could probably write out long explanations of why these books came to mind but I'll refrain because I'm sure, if I did this again next week, a bunch of other books would supplant these. That's just the nature of these sorts of personal introspection exercises.

So, what 15 books changed your life?

Labels: books, reading.

I think I must have been about fifteen or sixteen when I can remember actually paying attention to a Michael Jackson song. The reason was because my mother's boyfriend's daughter and I were hanging out in her room listening to music and I was, in a word, enthralled with her. She was a couple of years older than me, bodacious, curvaceous and very, very sexy. Of course, like most other boys becoming men, at 16 I was, basically, a walking boner.

Anyway, we were sitting in her room, laying on her bed and she was explaining to me how sexually provocative music could be. She played Billie Jean by Michael Jackson and broke it down, telling the song's story. She also played Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf and mimicked the groan/sigh's throughout the song, I think there were seven but I know she knew exactly how many there were and when they occurred in the song.

And I can very clearly remember her shaking her rather impressive booty to Billie Jean, pursing her lips for the "Oooh!" and I was, at the time, much more taken with her than the music being played. She could have been grooving to polka music and accordions and I'd have been interested. As it was, she introduced me to Michael Jackson, Duran Duran and the inherent sexuality of pop music.

That was a long, long time ago, I wonder what she's up to these days? I bet she was one of the many who have been devastated by Michael Jackon's sudden death.

Labels: memory, sexuality

Angravation - when you get aggravated and angry.

Go here for a whole blog full of new words you won't find anywhere else, unless the Washington Post steals them again.

Labels: nwotd

There's alot going on these days and I don't really have the time to devote full posts to each of them so I'm going to mash up blogging and Twittering and will rapidfire some thoughts out.

Jon & Kate - didn't watch their tranwreck but saw this divorce coming a mile away. Why? Well let's see, Kate's a control freak bitch and Jon looked so utterly lost and like a cornered rat with huge eyes, it was inevitable. Who loses? The kids. Sometimes (most times really) "reality" sucks and this show is one of the worst and most egregious offenders of decency.

Mark Sanford - dude disappeared for a week and flew to Argentina to have sex with his mistress. Which normally wouldn't be anything especially notable except he's the governor of South Carolina and, supposedly, a pillar of the GOP's family values. Now he's just another asshat politician who's a slave to his cock.

E! Bans Speidi - Speidi is Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, two vapid attention whores with absolutely nothing to add to the universe except stupidity and self absorption. E! put it to a vote and 96% of votes went to banning any mention of them on the channel. That's, um yeah, that's a strong consensus. And yes, I harbor as strong a dislike for these two jackasses as someone possibly can for people they've never met.

North Korea Sentences Two Female Journalists to 12 Years Hard Labor - Is there anyone that doesn't know this is all political posturing? These two women are being used as pawns so that North Korea can get something from the United States. They are being held hostage on the national stage and getting tons of press for it.

Gay Marriage Remains an Issue - For some ridiculous reason, people stil have their knickers in a bunch over whether two people who love each and only happen to be the same sex can be married. Same sex marriage is a total non-issue to me, same with Don't Ask, Don't Tell. My sexuality, my preference is and should be of no concern to anyone else. How I treat my spouse, who happens to be a woman, is of concern. I look forward to a day when we look back at this time and wonder just what all the fuss was about.

Closed Minds - If your spouse was interested in adding to your family's income in an effort to cut down on the the ridiculous number of hours you worked and improve your health and the health of your kids in the process then wouldn't it behoove you to, at the very least, consider it? It may not end up being your solution but not even bothering to take an honest look is just idiotic.

Iran's "Election" - Look, we all know it was a complete sham. Own up, give up and run an honest election and people will stop protesting, stop calling you great big fatwa liars. And, while you're at, please stop with the affected outrage at being questioned about the validity of the election. You are fooling no one and look like absolute tools while you protest the protests.

That's it for now. Time to put on some pants and go let my dentist drill on my face for a little while.

Labels: Iran, random, rapidfire, sham

Truisms that aren't true are called falsisms (at least that's what I'm choosing to call them). Here are some for your consumption.

Its always darkest before the dawn - um, no, it isn't. Its darkest when there's no sun or moon in the sky or on the horizon.

No pain, no gain - um, no, not always. Pain denotes possible damage and I'm not sure where the gain is in tearing your rotator cuff or blowing out your knee or accidentally getting jabbed in the eye with an errant toddler's finger.

A stranger’s just a friend you’ve never met - or he's the POS who slips a ruffie into your drink while you're in the bathroom so he can rape you later on in the evening. Strangers aren't necessarily an unequivocal good. Take each stranger on a one by one basis and don't pass sweeping judgments.

Beauty and brains don’t mix - ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I submit Natalie Portman as proof of the falseness of this supposed truism.

Cheaters never prosper - no, they just become president, embezzle billions of dollars from failing Ponzi schemes and become baseball superstars making more in a single game than most people make in entire year.

Dead men tell no tales - sure they do, watch an episode of CSI.

Don’t kick a man when he’s down - actually this is a pretty good one, if you do then you'll get a one point deduction and that can cost you the fight. But this only counts if there's a referee and witnesses, if its just you and some dude who jumped you then definitely kick him when he's down or he might get back up, pull a gun and shoot you dead.

Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom - I'll admit that I've never heard this but that's likely because any mention of God around me makes me metaphorically put my fingers in my ears and go Lalalalalalala until they stop blabbering. Besides, fearing your God seems awfully contradictory to the concept of worship, fear isn't worship or servility, fear is control by threat of violence and is the path of despots and dictators.

Good fences make good neighbors - nope, good people make good neighbors. I had a nice fence between me and Ike the Asshole and he was still the worst piece of self-absorbed shit I've ever lived next to.

Hard work never hurt anybody - tell that to the countless slaves that died building the pyramids in Egypt.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em - try telling this to someone who opposes the hate posing as Prop 8 in California. More so, this is the lamest sort of surrender possible and espouses having a wishy washy set of beliefs that you should change to suit the situation so that you're on the "winning" side. Like people who become fans of teams that make the playoffs.

It's a dog-eat-dog world - I wasn't aware that dogs ate each other with any regularity. This truism would be much more true if it read It's a cat-eat-mouse world.

Everybody loves a winner - except the loser and when that winner is the New York Yankees.

I think that's about enough for this round. Please feel free to leave a comment about your most annoying Falsism disguised as a Truism.

Labels: falsism

Time to ake some predictions for this Saturday's TUF Finale. If you just want the short answers, here are my picks: Sanchez, Pearson, Johnson, Diaz, Lytle, Tibau, Dent, Osipczak.

Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez
Result: Sanchez by Unanimous Decision
Reason: I dig Clay Guida, I dig his energy, his enthusiasm for kicking ass and, yes, his wild head of hair thrashing all over the place. But I think he's just going to get out fought by Diego, who puts so much intensity into his fights that he could almost shoot laser beams from his eyes.

Ross Pearson vs. Andre Winner ("TUF" lightweight finale)
Result: Pearson by TKO in Round 3
Reason: I'll admit that I don't know too much about Andre, he was one of the quieter Brits on the show. I just think Ross Pearson is a tough, strong and full of heart little fighter who wants to win more than anything.

DaMarques Johnson vs. James Wilks ("TUF" welterweight finale)
Result: Johnson by TKO in Round 2
Reason: Wilks barely beat Frank Lester for the second time. That was Lester's 4th fight in 34 days. And Demarques is a superior fighter in every way. Demarques also has made no bones about disliking Wilks.

Nate Diaz vs. Joe Stevenson
Result: Diaz by Submission in Round 2
Reason: This may be blasphemy to say but I think MMA and the UFC have passed Joe Stevenson by. I've seen his last few fights and his game hasn't improved, his fighting hasn't changed. He's predictable and static. Besides, only a fool ever bets against one of the Diaz brothers, a fool who wants to get his ass kicked.

Kevin Burns vs. Chris Lytle
Result: Lytle by TKO in Round 3
Reason: This should, by all accounts, be a great fight. Both fighters like to bang, both fighters are tough as nails and this will likely win Fight of the Night honors. That said, I think Lytle's further along in the evolution of his fighting and will win it in the end.

Melvin Guillard vs. Gleison Tibau
Result: Tibau by Submission in Round 1
Reason: Guillard is a punk headcase. He doesn't have the mental capacity to compete in the UFC. He's a talented fighter to be sure but he's also an idiotic punk.

Jason Dent vs. Cameron Dollar
Result: Dent by Submission in Round 2
Reason: While I think Cameron Dollar has the skills to be a fighter, I just don't think he's got the heart to be one. Jason Dent is a smart fighter, using as much as he needs to win and not overtaxing himself beyond that. I expect he'll use his skills to get Dollar down and then catch him in an armbar to end it.

Frank lester vs. Nick Osipczak
Result: Osipczak by TKO in Round 2
Reason: Osipczak gave Demarques all he could handle in a three round war. While I like Frank Lester and give him major props for toughness, he's going to be outclassed by a much crisper fighter in Osipczak.

Update: Went five for eight on my predictions which isn't too bad but it could have been better. The fights were very good all the way around. My only wish is that Spike would have started showing the fights earlier and that people didn't post so many spoilers to Twitter.

Labels: mma, predictions, UFC

Michael Savage Threatening Sites That Connect Him To Rockstar Energy Drinks? - Michael Savage's family profits from every can of Rockstar sold. If you buy Rockstar then you are directly supporting Michael Savage and his ugly hate-based rants.

Voted Most Likely to Get Her Kids Beat Up on the Playground even though her underlying motivations are honorable. She is fighting against the regular distribution of sugar laden foods in public schools but going about it in the most abrasive and hyperbolic way possible (which is odd since she's in public relations and should know that you get far more traction with kindness than screaming).

Bicyclist Harassment Ordinance Passed and, as Levi Leipheimer tweeted, this should be a national law against the random, stupid harassment and harming of people on bicycles on our roads.

PETA wishes Obama hadn't swatted that fly because we don't have quite enough flies for all of their bullshit.

Pimp my ECO Ride: Win a Strida Folding Bike - pretty much what the link says. Jump through their easy hoops and get a shot at winning a very, very cool folding bike.

iPhone 3.0 Update: Hidden Features and includes some rather useful stuff. Got an iPhone then you should give this a read.

And, finally, the Skull Face Motorcycle Helmet. Yes, there is a picture, click the link to see it. I tend to think its stupid rather than cool but part of me does think its kind of neat.

Labels: links, random

It is, as I start this, 8:00 am on the dot. I should be at work, turning on computers, cursing the after school guy for not cleaning up the mess the kids make while he ignores them and surfs Cartoon Network's anime movies. If I'm lucky then I'd have one of my favorite students in the computer lab helping me out, requesting some Johnny Cash on iTunes so she can rock out a little bit.

But none of that is happening and only partially because school is out for the summer. For one, summer school is kicking off and, for some ridiculous reason, it starts earlier than regular school even though it has a shorter day overall. No, I do not understand who thought this would be a good idea.

I'd originally applied to work summer school and keep doing my tech support that I've been doing. But, upon some thought, it didn't make sense to do it. The pay is barely above what I will make on unemployment and I'd have to get up even earlier to work. So, after discussing it with my wife like any good, smart man should do because making monetary decisions in a vacuum is a good way of getting in big trouble, I decided to concentrate my energies this summer on our network marketing venture with Kyani.

To that end, we are going to be spending the summer working on our local prospects, taking trips up to the east bay and possibly beyond with the end goal of building out our business to the point where we are earning the same (though, honestly, we'll need to earn more to compensate for my lost benefits) as from my full-time work in the school district.

I've been laid off before but never with such a great opportunity to generate our own future and I'm not really going to miss having to get up before 7 to get to work on time. Though I will miss the teachers and the kids quite a bit.

Labels: layoff, paradigm shift, work

With another UFC event just around the bend it is time to put some predictions down on this weekend's UFC action. I've chosen six fights I feel I can make a reasonably informed prediction about.

Rich Franklin (24-4) vs Wanderlei Silva (32-9-1)
Prediction: Franklin by KO in Round 2
Reason: Against anyone not named Anderson Silva, Rich Franklin is a monster. Wanderlei is a legend but he's not Anderson.

Cain Velasquez (5-0) vs. Cheick Kongo (14-4-1)
Prediction: Velasquez by TKO in Round 1
Reason: I like Cheick Kongo quite alot but Cain Velasquez is one of the next big things in the heavyweight division. He's hyper aggressive and very, very strong. I think he's going to overwhelm Kongo.

Mike Swick (13-2) vs. Ben Saunders (7-0-2)
Prediction: Saunders by TKO in Round 2
Reason: I know Mike Swick is a very good fighter but Ben Saunders' star is rising, he's gotten better in each of this fights, he is a disciple of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do style of reactive fighting and, sorry Mike, but that's cool. I expect an explosive fight and it could go either way but I'm taking Saunders. And only partially because I went to high school with another Ben Saunders.

Marcus Davis (16-4) vs. Dan Hardy (21–6)
Prediction: Davis by KO in Round 2
Reason: Dan Hardy's been talking trash and Marcus Davis is not someone you want pissed off at you. I expect Marcus Davis to tear into Hardy like a hungry pit bull and knock him out.

Spencer Fisher (22-4) vs. Caol Uno (25-11-4)
Prediction: Fisher by TKO in Round 3
Reason: Uno is highly experienced and highly regarded in the sport of MMA. But I think Spencer has his fight game on these days, he comes into fights in perfect condition, his hand speed is blazingly quick and he's got a knock you out instinct. Uno might end up upsetting him but I think Fisher will take the fight to him, take him out of his game and drop him.

Mustapha Al-Turk (6-4) vs. Mirko "Cro-cop" Filipovic (24-6-2)
Prediction: Cro-cop by KO in Round 1
Reason: A healthy Cro-cop with a chip on his shoulder is a damned scary thing. He's got something to prove and wants to erase that ugly, ugly KO by Gonzaga that knocked him down like a rag doll.

So there ya go. I've got Franklin, Velasquez, Saunders, Davis, Fisher and Filipovic. Who have you got?

Labels: mma, predictions, UFC

Today is my last day of formal employment with the school district. So far this morning there's almost no one else on campus and I'm not expecting too many people here at all today. A good day to wrap up projects and leave things in as good a shape as I can.

I thought it would be fun, as I'm wont to do, to list the top ten things I won't be missing in the rolling clusterfuck that is the educational bureaucracy in California.

1. Sandpaper disguised as toilet paper.
2. Calling my payroll rep 10 times while trying to find out about unemployment procedures, never getting through to her, leaving messages (her outgoing message requests my social security number which is abysmally stupid and dangerous) and never getting a call back.
3. Overbearing power-mad control freak office managers who have absolutely no problem screaming at staff in front of kids and parents. Well, to be honest there's just one office manager I've heard of that does this. But she seems like multiple people because she can be really nice or really just downright mean.
4. Paperwork.
5. The absolute lack of timeliness.
6. Have I mentioned the sandpaper yet?
7. Students who treat staff and faculty like they are there to serve them.
8. Curmudgeonly custodians constantly chaffing computer correctors.
9. Nightmare parking lot access irritations.
10. Parents who see schools as complicated babysitters for their poorly raised children. They pull up into the faculty parking area, drop off their kids and nearly burn rubber getting out of the parking lot.

All of this said, some of it not really explained with much detail to protect the guilty, I have enjoyed my time in the school district. The people working in the district are, by and large, dedicated, wonderful and caring people working in an industry that's treated badly by the state government with budget cuts year after year that forces districts to make horrible choices.

Labels: employment

Twitbag or Twithole - someone who follows you on Twitter in order to get you to follow them back and then they unfollow you.

As always, all new words of the day are cross posted to the Fictionarium for posterity.

Labels: nwotd

I thought this week was going to be a pretty easy one, unplug some computers, clean up the computer lab a little and enjoy the last few days of employment peacefully. But, as it turns out, there's a crapload of stuff to do and not anywhere near enough time to get it all done.

I'm going to get as much done as I can but there's definitely going to be things that should have gotten done but didn't get done. And they'll likely not get done until midway through next year as there will be no tech support to get them done.

I do not envy those that are left in a system as it slowly grinds itself apart.

Labels: tasklist, work

And another opens. The closing door is my work in the school district. It has been illuminating, exasperating, depressing and, sometimes, really gratifying. I will be leaving with a much improved technical support skill set, I've gained a huge amount of knowledge of how networks function, how to fix all manner of computer problems, how to manage a massive pile of disparate work at several locations. I've also learned some of the ways to work within a massive and often idiotic bureaucracy.

The exasperating part is seeing how deeply under funded education is and seeing how the cuts effect the school's ability to instruct children, seeing how much of education is smoke and mirrors and duct tape, that the system is so badly strained that it feels very close to snapping and unraveling altogether.

The gratifying aspect comes from being able to resolve a teacher or administrator's pressing technical problem. Or from being able to help propel some student's educations a little further along through the application of technology. Or getting kids turned on to educational sites that are fun but also teach them something worthwhile as opposed to the game port sites that let them play Sonic or Mario or some other time waster with no redeeming qualities.

In the end, I have enjoyed my time in the district, I've met an awful lot of very cool, very dedicated and good people. I've made a good number of friends, I've made a huge number of contacts and I've helped lots and lots of teachers, staff and students out with their problems.

But this isn't the end, this is just the beginning to another chapter. And, if we are able to grow out our Kyani business then we'll be in a great place by the fall. Having the summer to get it going will give us the opportunity to make it a success.

Labels: education, opportunity, work

As the Pornificator's Ford Fiesta has finally given up its wheezing, smoky ghost, it was time to do a little car shopping. Car salesmen are, if you haven't seen any lately, as nervous as crackheads with no more rock in their baggies. They are even more shifty eyed than usual, their white belts over their white pants are cinched extra tight to compensate for how lean their sales have been. Its a bad time to be selling cars but a good time to be buying them since you can demand great prices, great interest rates and a whole host of add-ons or you'll go to the next dealership down the street.

Anyway, the Pornificator had some fun re-imagining cars as porn names. Here are some of the more fun ones he came up with. Yes, some might stretch the imagination but hey, its all fun and games anyway, right?

Let me know you're favorite in the comments, if you please. Or, if you've got some of your own, leave them in the comments too. And yes, my mother is proud of me.

Toyota Camry - I Oughta Cram Me
Ford Escape - Four De Rape
Cadillac Escalade - Scatalac Mess We Made
Hummer H2 - Humper For 2
Chevy Tahoe - Shovy In Da Hole
Honda Accord - Whore Da Ass Card
Chrysler Lebaron - Crappler Le Bare Bone
Jeep Cherokee - Creepy Pair on Me
Volkswagen Jetta - Pokes We Gone Wetta

Labels: cars, pornificator

Toolbag - a slightly more PC version of douchebag, a combo of tool and douchebag. Inspired by one of the custodians at one of my schools who epitomized the essence of a toolbag.

And yes, as always, all new words are cross-posted to the Fictionarium for posterity and rating goodness.

Labels: nwotd

More "help" for Tweeps that don't understand why I stop following you. Seriously though, I rarely follow new people, I'll check out their stream and make a judgment call then. If I follow you and then unfollow you then you've probably violated one or more of the rules below.

1. Reference God often.
2. Tweet in All Caps.
3. Use text speak.
4. Following and replying to twitards like Spencer Pratt.
5. Nothin' but retweets.
6. Automated direct messages.
7. Tweeting ten to twenty times at once regularly.
8. Have internet marketing guru in your bio. Actually, I'll never follow you in the first place.
9. Tweet about your sexual conquests.
10. Tweet minutiae all the time. Nobody, really, nobody cares that you are going to bed.

Bonus, 11. Lie.

All of this said (or written, if you want to be precise), I still do follow some people that break one of more of these rules but they almost invariably have a really cute avatar pic. So keep that in mind, when in doubt, a great photo can make up for a lot of shortcomings.

Labels: twitter

Have come across some good stuff on the internets lately and wanted to share.

Need some more wild in your life? Check out Nick Brandt to see some spectacular images of Africa. He has a fantastic eye and has captured a whole host of animals, panoramas and the feeling of the wildness of Africa. Truly inspiring photos.

The other is referenced in the post below. Texts from Last Night provided me with more laughs in a few hours yesterday than I can remember in a whole week. I could post a dozen that made e laugh out loud but I'll just post a choice couple.
"(416): I just jerked it to the same porn two nights in a row... and she says I have problems with commitment..."
"(512): i just sat at a stop sign for 10 minutes waiting for it to turn green. i need to STOP SMOKING THIS SHIT."

Via Amy's Reader Feed, Looking Into the Past is a Flickr pool of old pictures held up where they were taken. Trust me, it is very cool.

And, lastly, SuperCook lets you enter in food you have and then kicks out a bunch of recipes you can make. It is pretty awesome.

That's all I've got for now. I've got some calls to make, trails to ride and hearts to break (just kidding on the last one).

Labels: awesome, links, photography, random

I curse Ryan Rhodes for inflicting the awesome hilarity of Texts from Last Night upon me via Twitter.

Seriously, I can't stop reading, laughing and calling over the teacher in the computer lab to read and laugh with me.

The internets are hilarious again! Huzzah!

Labels: funny

I think we've been to three kid's parties in the last three weekends. The one on Saturday was a good one even though our weekend weather lately has been less than stellar. It was a combined party for two kids, a boy and a girl. The boy was a classmate of Grady's from his pre-school so there were alot of his friends from there and that ensured him having a good time charging around and playing with them.

Sully has a slower entry speed to parties these days. He gets very shy and keeps his face buried in my shoulder. But, once he warms up, he's a little demon running around with a huge grin and playing soccer and pretending to be a monster and he's even gotten pretty adept at battling the pinata scrum to claim his share of fallen candy. He used to pick up one piece and then work on unwrapping it so he could eat it but now he groks the gather as much as possible mentality with the best of them.

There were two pinatas at this last party, one in blue for the birthday boy and one in pink for the birthday girl. I, for one, am astonished that there were no serious incidents with the whacking stick. The first pinata took many serious hits from the kids, some of whom bring an almost frightening amount of power to their swings. Yes, these are five year olds but damn, some are making very, very loud contact.

It was the back swings that scared me the most. As the pinatas started to break apart, a couple of pieces of candy would fall and several kids would try to rush the field and claim the candy while the child with the whacking stick would still be attempting to whack the pinata. There were some incredibly close calls including one where Grady missed getting smashed in the face by about two inches.

And, oddly enough, I was channel flipping last night and happened across America's Funniest Videos doing a segment on pinatas which had me laughing out loud. From the wild swings into the parent's balls to the baseball style annihilation that turned the pinata into a missile to the little piker's taking swings only to get decked by the pinata swinging back into them. It was awesome and really, really funny.

Still, these kid's parties end up being much, much longer than I ever anticipate (Saturday's was around 4 hours!) and there's always too much sugar for my liking but the boys have a good time and that's the important thing to me. And, oh yeah, the food was outstandingly awesome, a taco bar with all kinds of authentico fillings, fantastic salsa and guacamole and a really tasty chicken salad! That never hurts!

Also, no bounce house this time around which is fine. I'm consistently amazed that there aren't really serious injuries from kids playing in those things. They seem like a perfect storm of out of control physicality, different sized bodies and launchpad bouncability. Though they are a really good time to play in!

Labels: mayhem, party, pinata

I may be off base here, I may be just plain crazy but it seems to me that someone who doesn't have a job but has a family to feed, a mortgage to pay and bills stacking up would be interested in exploring every means of providing income. Well, let's qualify that, any legal means. This means someone who's been a manager taking positions far below their usual station and pay. This means someone who's used to a six figure salary sometimes having to settle for making half what they made before, sometimes, oftentimes, much less than that.

In this current economic climate, employers hold all the cards and can make seemingly unreasonable demands of prospective employees. It is, simply, a buyer's market. Unless you strike out on your own and start up your own business. But there are major risks in doing so and the gamble can be too great a risk.

But, if someone you ostensibly know and trust to not be a complete idiot says that they have something worth taking a look at, would it not behoove you to take a look?

Just as the unemployed person almost has a duty to check the Help Wanted ads everyday and apply to any new jobs that reasonably align with their skills and experience, someone without a job should also be open to other opportunities. Now, I'm not talking about donating plasma, sperm or becoming a human guinea pig for science experiments. I'm talking about legitimate opportunities.

In my family's case, this opportunity is network marketing. Which is, as I'm learning, a curse to some people. People see network marketing or multi-level marketing and immediately dismiss it as a pyramid scheme.

But what is a pyramid scheme? One where all the money and power flows upwards to a highly select few at the top. Most corporations are pyramids with CEOs and Boards of Directors making many hundreds of times the incomes of the grunts at the bottom. The military is a pyramid with privates at the bottom and generals at the top.

Any network marketing program worth its salt isn't a pyramid scheme. I could start working at McDonald's and bust my ass for twenty years and there's still almost no chance I'd become one of the company's top earners. In network marketing, this isn't true. In network marketing, it is very possible to reach the upper echelons of power and income through effort.

And yet, some people hear the words network marketing and they sneer because they think they know what it represents. They are almost invariably wrong and have pre-judged the business opportunity based on partial knowledge and bias.

This post might sound like complaining and that we are having trouble getting to where we want to go with our Kyani business. I will admit that overcoming the stigma of network marketing has been more difficult than expected but the underlying reality is that we are moving forward, we are signing customers, we are signing distributors and we are making it happen for us.

This post is more a response to some friends we've known for a very long time who are ignorant of the workings of network marketing, who are unemployed and yet still refuse to even consider network marketing as a possibility, as a solution to their money troubles now and into the future. Because that is what we are doing. We are building a strong structure to bring in money now and down the line. Our efforts build upon themselves and each month we keep with it, we climb higher and higher into the structure.

Salespeople I know have no such structure they build, they start each month at ground zero and have to produce for that month. At the end of the month, the meter resets and they start at ground zero again. Its a grinding cycle without end.

Network marketing is, to me, a way out and a way up. We are going to succeed with or without those friends. It just irks me that someone who should be willing to investigate any and all legitimate means of earning a living would so cavalierly dismiss network marketing without even knowing what it is and how it works.

The proof will be in the pudding and we are definitely planning on showing them the checks we get as our income starts to rise from these efforts. Maybe they'll change their mind when they see some pudding, maybe they won't. Either way, we are going to make this work as I do not plan on going back to work full-time for anyone else ever again.

The opportunity is phenomenal, the products are absolutely the best quality available and the timing is incomparable. It is the perfect storm of opportunity and we just wanted to share it with our friends who were also suffering economically as we have been.

And, even with a mere eight working days left before I am laid off from the school district, I am more optimistic about our future than ever before. Because of network marketing.

Labels: business, ignorance, networking marketing, opportunity