The last three days have been great! No television - and I seem to be getting more done.
Have also been to the gym for 7 of the past 8 days. I kind of have a strange goal for my work at the gym in the next few months. I want to gain about 20 pounds while losing bodyfat. My goal is to be 200 lbs with 10% bodyfat. I started out at 180 and have already gained (at least) a couple of pounds - that won't be the hard part. Getting down to 10% bodyfat will take some real discipline that I have never had before .... According to my scale at home, I am currently 14.7%
My goals of reading and writing more this year are taking shape. I'm blogging quite a bit more on a number of blogs and have a couple of books going at the same time. I'm currently reading a book called "Realty Blogging" by Richard Nacht and Paul Chaney from Blogging Systems. It's a very informative read and I will be writing more of a review for Eastside Business when I am done.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Blog, Blogs, and Blogging About Blog Books
The other day when I was checking my post office box, I had received a number of books in the mail. It's not unusual that I receive books in hoping that I will review and publicize said books either in one of my blogs or in the print edition of Eastside Business, but was interesting was that there were two books about blogging. I'm super psyched about both of them and am anxious to digest. It turns out they were actually sent to me at my request - and I have met three of the four authors involved.
Realty Blogging is by Richard Nacht (of Blogging Systems) and Paul Chaney. Blogging Systems has had a big presence at the two Inman Real Estate Connect conferences that I've attended. Both last summer in SF and earlier this month they held special sessions for attendees. Richard was on a panel at another session I attended about blogging for your real estate business and I was able to meet him afterwards. With my love of both real estate and blogging, I'm really looking forward to this book.
The other blogging book that I received is called Publish and Prosper - Blogging For Your Business and is written by DL Byron & Steve Broback. DL and Steve put on the world famous Business Blog Summit (which I recommend that you attend at all costs). If you go here - you can also get a free copy of this book.
It was two years ago at the Business Blog Summit that I heard people like Robert Scoble (formerly of Microsoft, currently VP of Media Development at PodTech.net and co-author of Naked Conversations, a great book about blogging that came out last year), and Buzz Bruggeman of ActiveWords, along with DL, Steve and many more people speaking about the benefits and fun blogging. I guess that was what got me hooked. Thanks guys ... ;-)
Realty Blogging is by Richard Nacht (of Blogging Systems) and Paul Chaney. Blogging Systems has had a big presence at the two Inman Real Estate Connect conferences that I've attended. Both last summer in SF and earlier this month they held special sessions for attendees. Richard was on a panel at another session I attended about blogging for your real estate business and I was able to meet him afterwards. With my love of both real estate and blogging, I'm really looking forward to this book.
The other blogging book that I received is called Publish and Prosper - Blogging For Your Business and is written by DL Byron & Steve Broback. DL and Steve put on the world famous Business Blog Summit (which I recommend that you attend at all costs). If you go here - you can also get a free copy of this book.
It was two years ago at the Business Blog Summit that I heard people like Robert Scoble (formerly of Microsoft, currently VP of Media Development at PodTech.net and co-author of Naked Conversations, a great book about blogging that came out last year), and Buzz Bruggeman of ActiveWords, along with DL, Steve and many more people speaking about the benefits and fun blogging. I guess that was what got me hooked. Thanks guys ... ;-)
Resolution Update (Make Sure to Check Out Epicenter Fitness)
I just realized from looking at my last post in this blog that it has been a full two weeks since I've posted here. Not sure what that says about the progress on my resolution to write more this year. It is true that I do write a number of different places, but I really thought I would be posting here more often.
Here is a post from the other day on the Eastside Business Community Weblog:
New Year’s Fitness Resolution Starts (Fashionably?) Late
Here is a post from the other day on the Eastside Business Community Weblog:
New Year’s Fitness Resolution Starts (Fashionably?) Late
It’s kind of interesting that I would use the term “fashionably late”, as someone said it yesterday in a meeting - as I was thinking that there is no such thing - there’s nothing that can be positive about someone being late and wasting other people’s time.
Still the same, I was in no hurry to get to some of my New Year’s resolutions this year, especially considering the fact that this was the first time in my 44 years that I have every set resolutions for the New Year. To make a long story, longer - I finally decided to join a gym. Not just any gym mind you, but Epicenter Fitness in Bellevue Place.
Last night was my first decent workout since I started working for HomeTeam back in June of last year. It’s something I definitely have to do more often, but like everyone else, I have been busy.
I understand that Monday was known as Black Monday - the day that many people fall off of their New Year’s resolutions. It’s kind of funny to me that I would just be starting on mine and many had already given up.
The Epicenter Fitness location in Bellevue Place is right next to the Hyatt Hotel and a number of great restaurants (it may be tough to pass them by after a tough workout), and has a lot of great equipment, good cardio gear and the best thing is that they have a swimming pool. I’m sure our entire family will enjoy that. Jackie Kennedy loves to swim!
The facilities are great, staff is friendly, memberships are reasonable, parking is free. The gym is open from 5am - 10pm most days druing the week, so I’ll probably spend my time there in the evenings. Hope to see you at Epicenter!
Update as of today (1/25/07): I have been to Epicenter Fitness for the past three nights and I haven't seen YOU there! Come on in - they have some pretty good deals on memberships and have FREE parking in Bellevue Place. It's not a huge gym, but does have a swimming pool and has not been crowded on any of the times that I've been there.
Eastside Business, skidoodleski
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Jackie Kennedy is Great Topic for Google Ad Words
I was just looking at this blog and noticed that most of the Google ads were Jackie Kennedy-related. Hadn't noticed that before, but it must be because the link to my daughter's site - the real Jacqueline Nataliya Kennedy is on the blogroll.
I don't get to spend nearly enough time on her site, but will be loading some new photos again soon.
I don't get to spend nearly enough time on her site, but will be loading some new photos again soon.
Back on the Tube Boycott
Yes, it was difficult to try to not turn the tv when I was sick and then out of town. I guess that it is a habit that has become so ingrained in me that having the tv on actually makes me feel comfortable.
That said, I am feeling more comfortable all the time to NOT have the boob tube on (even in the background). I'm more focused and able to accomplish a lot more without it (which is a good thing since I litterally have stacks of work both here in my home office, as well as my downtown office).
Just over 10 days into the New Year, I am feeling very good about the success of my resolution and look for it to carry over into an ongoing way of living. I haven't spent as much time writing or reading nearly as much as I would like to, but so far this "year" I have spent more time doing both than I did in a similar time period last year. I have momentum, focus and the desire to make this life change.
skidoodleski, Eastside Business, AAA Properties
That said, I am feeling more comfortable all the time to NOT have the boob tube on (even in the background). I'm more focused and able to accomplish a lot more without it (which is a good thing since I litterally have stacks of work both here in my home office, as well as my downtown office).
Just over 10 days into the New Year, I am feeling very good about the success of my resolution and look for it to carry over into an ongoing way of living. I haven't spent as much time writing or reading nearly as much as I would like to, but so far this "year" I have spent more time doing both than I did in a similar time period last year. I have momentum, focus and the desire to make this life change.
skidoodleski, Eastside Business, AAA Properties
Sunday, January 07, 2007
TV Update - Excuses for Turning on the Boob Tube
If you've read any of my most recent posts, you've read that one of my biggest goals for 2007 is to cut back on hours the tv is on and increase my reading and writing.
The first few days went very well and I was enjoying life without television. Thursday was my third day in a row without tv, but I ended getting violently ill most of the night (don't think it was from tv withdrawal). Friday I stayed home from work and slept most of the day, but eventually got tired of being alone and listened to pounding rain on the roof of our house. So .... I foolishly turned on the tv. Not a great way to break a streak.
Yesterday I was on a plane for a good portion of the day on my way here to New York City for the Inman Real Estate Connect conference. I have to admit that as soon as I checked into the hotel (right after trying to get an internet connection) I turned on the tv in my room to watch the Seahawks get very lucky to get past the Dallas Cowboys in their first round wildcard playoff game.
I'm still not feeling that great and didn't get started this morning until about 9am and could not get an internet connection at all (I eventually ended up changing rooms this afternoon so I can get connected). I was planning to attend the final day of taping of the most recent HomeTeam television show, but by the time I was able to get ahold of the people on set, I was informed that the "reveal" had been moved up from 1pm to 11:30am and that I probably would not be able to get there in time. My mistake, as I was really looking forward to finally seeing part of the show being filmed. I look forward to watching the latest New York (Mount Vernon) HomeTeam episode when it airs across the country (next month?).
Since I wasn't able to make it to see the reveal, I spent some time exploring the city in the morning - finding the conference hotel, checking out Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building and then came back and ..... turned on the tv in my room so that I could watch two more NFL games - each involving a NY team. My buddy Rolf's team is the Jets and they got beat up pretty good by the Patriots this afternoon. Right now, the NY Giants aren't looking so good against the Eagles. I was really pulling for the Jets, but every time I see the Giants play I want them to get their butts kicked - and probably will as long as they have a Manning on their team.
The reason I will never pull for a Manning is the way that Eli and his father handled the draft situation when the Chargers had the first pick in the draft and Archie told them not to draft his son because he would not play for them. They drafted him anyway and immediately traded him for David Rivers, who has led them to the best record in the NFL this year. I really wish I could see the Mannings watching the Chargers playing the in the Superbowl.
But I badly digress .... The point of this entire post was supposed to be how difficult it is (at least for me) to avoid television - especially while sick, traveling and/or during football playoffs. I'm not giving up, but I definitely have room for a lot of improvement. On the positive side, I did get well into a book called "Mortgage Confidential" by David Reed while on the plane yesterday and will be doing a lot of blogging from the Inman conference in the next few days.
Stay tuned.
The first few days went very well and I was enjoying life without television. Thursday was my third day in a row without tv, but I ended getting violently ill most of the night (don't think it was from tv withdrawal). Friday I stayed home from work and slept most of the day, but eventually got tired of being alone and listened to pounding rain on the roof of our house. So .... I foolishly turned on the tv. Not a great way to break a streak.
Yesterday I was on a plane for a good portion of the day on my way here to New York City for the Inman Real Estate Connect conference. I have to admit that as soon as I checked into the hotel (right after trying to get an internet connection) I turned on the tv in my room to watch the Seahawks get very lucky to get past the Dallas Cowboys in their first round wildcard playoff game.
I'm still not feeling that great and didn't get started this morning until about 9am and could not get an internet connection at all (I eventually ended up changing rooms this afternoon so I can get connected). I was planning to attend the final day of taping of the most recent HomeTeam television show, but by the time I was able to get ahold of the people on set, I was informed that the "reveal" had been moved up from 1pm to 11:30am and that I probably would not be able to get there in time. My mistake, as I was really looking forward to finally seeing part of the show being filmed. I look forward to watching the latest New York (Mount Vernon) HomeTeam episode when it airs across the country (next month?).
Since I wasn't able to make it to see the reveal, I spent some time exploring the city in the morning - finding the conference hotel, checking out Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building and then came back and ..... turned on the tv in my room so that I could watch two more NFL games - each involving a NY team. My buddy Rolf's team is the Jets and they got beat up pretty good by the Patriots this afternoon. Right now, the NY Giants aren't looking so good against the Eagles. I was really pulling for the Jets, but every time I see the Giants play I want them to get their butts kicked - and probably will as long as they have a Manning on their team.
The reason I will never pull for a Manning is the way that Eli and his father handled the draft situation when the Chargers had the first pick in the draft and Archie told them not to draft his son because he would not play for them. They drafted him anyway and immediately traded him for David Rivers, who has led them to the best record in the NFL this year. I really wish I could see the Mannings watching the Chargers playing the in the Superbowl.
But I badly digress .... The point of this entire post was supposed to be how difficult it is (at least for me) to avoid television - especially while sick, traveling and/or during football playoffs. I'm not giving up, but I definitely have room for a lot of improvement. On the positive side, I did get well into a book called "Mortgage Confidential" by David Reed while on the plane yesterday and will be doing a lot of blogging from the Inman conference in the next few days.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Cold Turkey For Two Days
Today is my second day without tv and I'm Jonesing for a football or hoops game on the tube. Not really a big deal, but I do feel like I'm getting more done without it.
The past two nights have been spent building a new pc and installing software (tonight), so I haven't read or written as much as I would have liked. I will have time to improve on that in the coming days and weeks.
The past two nights have been spent building a new pc and installing software (tonight), so I haven't read or written as much as I would have liked. I will have time to improve on that in the coming days and weeks.
First Day Without TV Fairly Non-Eventful
Yesterday was the first day of my resolution to watch less tv. The goal is to spend more time reading and writing each day than the number of hours that the tv is on. Yesterday's stats:
TV - 0 minutes, 0 hours
Writing - 45 minutes
Reading - 30 minutes
The tv number is good, but I need to enhance the other numbers. This is a great opportunity.
TV - 0 minutes, 0 hours
Writing - 45 minutes
Reading - 30 minutes
The tv number is good, but I need to enhance the other numbers. This is a great opportunity.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Television is a Hard Habit to Break
Despite the fact that I work for a company that has a nationally syndicated television show, I'm making every attempt to not watch as much tv this year. That includes just having a game on in the background while I am working on the computer.
This is going to be very tough. I've been home from the office for almost an hour and I've probably walked up to the tv in my office to turn it on. So far I have resisted each time. We will see what happens by the end of the night. This is only day 1.
My real goal around this is that I want to spend more time reading and writing in the next year that I spend with the tv on. Is there anyone out there who does this already? I would really like to hear from people who read a lot or write a lot - or both.
This is going to be very tough. I've been home from the office for almost an hour and I've probably walked up to the tv in my office to turn it on. So far I have resisted each time. We will see what happens by the end of the night. This is only day 1.
My real goal around this is that I want to spend more time reading and writing in the next year that I spend with the tv on. Is there anyone out there who does this already? I would really like to hear from people who read a lot or write a lot - or both.
2007 - An Opportunity to Get Closer to Greatness
Not sure why I just wrote that title, but when I tried to delete it I couldn't. Cannot explain that.
2007 is the first year that I've ever made a single New Year's Resolution and I've made a lot of them. In (most of) my previous 44 years on the planet I made a conscious decision NOT to make resolutions. This year, I feel I am in need of many. Here they are (in no order of importance):
Read more - books, magazines, mostly real estate related
Write more - I will be making a conscious decision to spending more time writing for Eastside Business, real estate industry publications, various blogs and putting together Another Book of Miracles. Right now I'm not quite sure what I want to write about, so I will be spending much of my writing time just jotting notes and telling some stories here. Beware.
Watch TV less - I really don't spend much time fully concentrating on a television show, but have gotten into the very bad habit of always having it on "in the background". I may end up having to get rid of the television in my office, as I have threatened many times previously. My wife Elena won't have me getting rid of it - perhaps she thinks it helps keep me in my place ... (which is one of the reasons that it has become a problem).
Be healthier - this is really a two parter - diet and exercise. I want to put only healthy things into my body and need to make the time to get regular (daily?) exercise.
"Do more" - as with most people I am sure (especially those who own and/or run their own businesses), I feel like I am constantly very busy and never have time to do the things that I want. I miss many meetings and events each month than I would like to and I want to start attending and contributing to more of them. My goal here is to attend one addtional event each week.
Spend more time with my family - although I don't think I will ever be converted to a shopper, or someone who likes to go to malls, I definitely want to spend more time with the girls. This is undoubtedly my most important goal and will take the effort that I am willing to give it. I am very lucky to have the chance to spend time with Elena and Jackie Kennedy.
I guess that is about enough rambling for now. I have a feeling these blog posts will be boring enough for most to keep people away from this blog in droves. I can just imagine the numbers of readers it won't have ....
I'm off to Fry's to exchange some parts for the pc I am going to build this week.
skidoodleski
2007 is the first year that I've ever made a single New Year's Resolution and I've made a lot of them. In (most of) my previous 44 years on the planet I made a conscious decision NOT to make resolutions. This year, I feel I am in need of many. Here they are (in no order of importance):
Read more - books, magazines, mostly real estate related
Write more - I will be making a conscious decision to spending more time writing for Eastside Business, real estate industry publications, various blogs and putting together Another Book of Miracles. Right now I'm not quite sure what I want to write about, so I will be spending much of my writing time just jotting notes and telling some stories here. Beware.
Watch TV less - I really don't spend much time fully concentrating on a television show, but have gotten into the very bad habit of always having it on "in the background". I may end up having to get rid of the television in my office, as I have threatened many times previously. My wife Elena won't have me getting rid of it - perhaps she thinks it helps keep me in my place ... (which is one of the reasons that it has become a problem).
Be healthier - this is really a two parter - diet and exercise. I want to put only healthy things into my body and need to make the time to get regular (daily?) exercise.
"Do more" - as with most people I am sure (especially those who own and/or run their own businesses), I feel like I am constantly very busy and never have time to do the things that I want. I miss many meetings and events each month than I would like to and I want to start attending and contributing to more of them. My goal here is to attend one addtional event each week.
Spend more time with my family - although I don't think I will ever be converted to a shopper, or someone who likes to go to malls, I definitely want to spend more time with the girls. This is undoubtedly my most important goal and will take the effort that I am willing to give it. I am very lucky to have the chance to spend time with Elena and Jackie Kennedy.
I guess that is about enough rambling for now. I have a feeling these blog posts will be boring enough for most to keep people away from this blog in droves. I can just imagine the numbers of readers it won't have ....
I'm off to Fry's to exchange some parts for the pc I am going to build this week.
skidoodleski
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