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Monday, April 30, 2007

Monday Madness

Two weeks from "GTP" day. (go to press) Feeling great though exceptionally overwhelmed with the task list. One at a time - go with the flow - this is going to be great!

Went to church yesterday... now that was unexpectedly enjoyable. Millions of memories from my childhood came as I listened to familiar hymns. I haven't been to church in years and though my visit was motivated by an article I'm writing, I've been wanting to attend this church for some time. Broadway United Methodist church... it's a good one.

Bought a yard tractor yesterday too! Funny how "going with the flow" worked to my advantage yesterday. Everything came together perfectly such as sale price, financing, rebates and even walking through the door at the exact moment when our sales guy was walking by. It took longer to drive the tractor to the front of the store than to actually buy it.

I mowed! So what? Well, that's another thing I haven't done in a while and it is something I enjoy. I used to own a "mowing company" and had as many as 16 yards. While mowing, my mind is clear and I think of many many things. I like mowing and having just a little time when I don't have to do anything but make sure my lines are straight... which I didn't do so well yesterday.

Crazy week, exciting week, busy week. I may not answer the phone so please leave a message.

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Friday, April 27, 2007

Baseball in Bowling Green KY!!

Peanuts and Crackerjacks!!!
Friday 27 Apr, 2007 7:11 am

HAPPY DAY!!!

Bowling Green approves baseball
Posted: 7:22 PM Apr 26, 2007
Last Updated: 10:29 PM Apr 26, 2007
WBKO Reporter: Ryan Dearbone

After nearly a month of discussion the Bowling Green City Commission finally makes a decision on bringing a minor league baseball team to town.

On April 26, 2007, the commission unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow the city to continue exploring the option of bringing a single-A baseball team to Bowling Green.

Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker says focusing on just the baseball team would be one-sided because that wouldn't be the only addition to downtown through the development.

"Rather than us talking about a ballpark that we're bringing to downtown, we're looking at a re-development program that will have the effect of changing the whole downtown area," says Mayor Walker.

http://www.wbko.com/home/headlines/7212091.html

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Saturday, April 21, 2007

Not at quiet as it seems

I know that it seems it's been quiet here on my personal blog, but I assure you, it's been far from quiet in my world of late. With the new project coming together nicely and ahead of schedule, I've been exceptionally busy. I'm so excited that I'm about to burst!

Last night was a huge treat! I got to spend some time with my whole family! Yep, Carrie, David III, Jesse and myself sat on the porch, talked about the new business and grilled rib eye steaks on the barbee. I must admit, I miss my boys! Heck... I miss my porch!

Carrie and the boys are going to Alabama this weekend which will give me some uninterrupted time in the office to concentrate on some important issues facing the new company. Process, procedure and oversight are very important to me and I will be creating an IT infrastructure to accommodate it all. Using the Microsoft Small Business Server in my office, as well as Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft SharePoint server, I will be putting together a complete package that will enable "the troops," prepare for growth and manage the glut of information that has already started to flow into the business.

I will write more about this on the Soky.Biz blog later today as I draw out a plan (using Microsoft Visio 2007). Speaking of Soky.biz, I have made a couple of posts there since my last update here.

Soky.biz Small Business website
Loving Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007 10:12 AM CDT
I recently wrote a post about upgrading to Microsoft Office Outlook 2007. I wrote about how easy it was to upgrade and how much I liked the junk mail filter. I ve been finding all kinds of features ever since that make managing my dozens of e-mail accounts easier. I thought I would highlight anothe... more

Making Things Simple
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 9:43 AM CDT
The small business person faces countless tasks every single day. Searching for and discovering little things that make each task as effortless as possible is yet another task and one that goes undone due to so many other things that need to be done first. I use a number of tools that simplify my t... more

I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement for the future! The new business I am building is going to be fun, exciting and very lucrative! I have a renewed hope and confidence for the future and the growth of my companies. This is just the first step of a longer journey, a journey that I have never completely explained to anyone and I am looking forward to each step on the way.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Dave 2.0 part 3

About David Francis / Dave 2.0:
This is the third part in a series I started in February of this year. Dave 2.0 part 1 and part 2 can be found in the February archive or by following the links. 2007 is vastly different that I could have imagined, but it is turning out to be a wonderful year for me, my family and my business.

Once in a while, a man just has to take stock, make decisions and then make it so! Looking back at what works and what doesn't; what is pleasing and what isn't; what hurts and what feels good is a very healthy exercise. This past 45 days I've been forced to reflect on the past and make some life changing...

Continued at length at Soky.biz

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Microsoft emergency security patch

I've been mildly concerned about this for about a week now.

Microsoft Patches Windows Vulnerability
Apr 4, 7:55 AM (ET)
By JESSICA MINTZ

SEATTLE (AP) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) released an emergency security patch Tuesday to plug a hole in several versions of Windows - including Vista, which the software maker has touted as its most secure operating system ever.

Microsoft was so worried about the hole - which allowed hackers to break into personal computers and install malicious software - that it pushed out the critical security fix a week ahead of a regularly scheduled update.

The Redmond-based software company told customers last Thursday about a vulnerability in ".ani" files, which are used to change the cursor into an hourglass while a program works, or into a dancing animal or other animation on specially designed Web sites. Security experts said the hole was actively being exploited by hackers to install keystroke-logging programs.

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20070404/D8O9P4N80.html

I'm not sure it it was a bell or whistle that caused the hole, but the fact is the little animate cursor is the culprit. That little bugger had the potential of allowing hackers to record keystrokes, upload files and more or less ruin your day. There is a patch available by clicking tools in Windows Explorer and then Windows Update. Or you can visit http://www.microsoft.com/security for more information.


UPDATE

Windows cursor patch causing trouble

By Joris Evers, CNET News.com
Published on ZDNet News: April 4, 2007, 3:01 PM PT
ZDNet Tags: Microsoft Windows, Security threats, Personal computers, Microsoft

Installing Microsoft's Tuesday patch for a "critical" Windows vulnerability is causing trouble for some users.

Microsoft broke with its monthly patch cycle Tuesday to repair a bug in the way Windows handles animated cursors. Cybercrooks had been using the hole since last week to attack Windows PCs. But the fix is not compatible with software that runs audio and networking components from Realtek Semiconductor, some Windows users have found.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6173413.html
Copyright © 2006 CNET Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Mitt Romney has a shot I think

GOP Mitt Romney

If you know me, you know that I'm a republican and a supporter of the Bush administration. I don't write about it too often because of how passionate people can get on the topic. Frankly, I don't even talk about it much because many of my friends are democrats and some lean to the far left... even so far as to passionately hate the current administration. I take no pleasure in debating or discussing politics with anyone who has already made up their mind and will defend their position at all costs. It just seems pointless to me.

I've been so busy building websites and now working on the magazine that I have not been able to keep up with politics at all. I haven't been watching the news nor have I been reading political articles, blogs or feeds. I feel a little out of the loop but as we get closer to the election, I'm sure my interest will be rekindled.

One of my best friends is a self admitted liberal, (which is the first step to recovery... grin) and we have had some lively political discussions in the past. He is a reasonable fellow though and that's why I enjoy our discussions. We both allow each other to hold our opinions without finding it necessary to correct one another.

My friend is a smart guy and he enjoys politics. He posted a blog last night that was mildly surprising, quite revealing and most refreshing. I'm reposting it here with his name removed and without his permission.

Mitt Romney in '08 (seriously... )

    Okay...   I've got people asking me "who's Mitt Romney?" ... and others who say "Seriously, do you realize he's a Republican?"...   and here I am super liberal {name removed} stumping for the enemy...

Well  as I've always said... I vote the issues .. not the party.. and here I am putting my vote where my mouth is...

Mitt Romney is the closest person I've seen to the ideal candidate in my entire life (even more so than Bill Clinton, although I think Clinton was a good president... blowjobs and marijuana smoking excluded.. or not)

Here's why...   Mitt Romney is concerned about the budget deficit and the effect on the future of our country.  In my opinion our debt is the #1 issue at play... even more so than the war in Iraq or on terrorism (bankrupt countries can't fight wars)... so here we have a guy who as the governor of Massachusetts balanced the budget, paid off the debt and in the process still managed to develop a system that will help everyone (actually 95% of the people) in the state get health  insurance by July 1, 2007. 

He understands that the threat of not keeping up with Asia in our business practices will crush our economy, he knows the importance of giving teachers the tools they need then holding teachers and parents responsible for the education of our children... He realizes you don't spend more than you make... He knows that the tax system we have now is too complicated and rewards the wrong people... and he is aware that we need to break our dependence on foreign oil

This only scratches the surface of how talented this guy is... If you check his business background, his intervention in the Olympics and his ability to be conservative but reasonable you'll understand why I'm voting for this guy. 

go to www.mittromney.com and check out the tab that says  "Issue Watch"

I followed the link and it is difficult to get past all of the registration requests. I think I will be keeping my eye on this guy. Like my friend, I will vote on the issues as well and though I have remained in the GOP camp for presidential campaigns, I would like to think I could vote democrat... fortunately, it looks like I can remain comfortably encamped with a GOP candidate that has what it takes to lead this country.

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