Spent a great day at Corona Del Mar beach yesterday with the family and my kid sister who was visiting from Jersey.

Caught my all-time FAVE Western last night, "The Magnificent Seven". Got me to thinking...where are all of our larger than life heros?
 
The Steve McQueens, Yul Brynners, Frank Sinatras, John Waynes, Humphry Bogarts, Jimmie Stewarts, Gary Coopers, etc... Something we're sorely lacking, and could ...desparately use these days, IMHO. Unfortunately, the prob is our culture has evolved into one that scoffs at the idea, turning the classic 'hero' into a cliche, and instead idolizing/embracing the non-traditional, sensitive, inward/quiet type who is in touch with his feelings, and hugs first, shoots second. :-)

In my best John Wayne accent - "Well pilgrim, that's a god-damn shame!"

By KISS - sung by the late/great Eric Carr.  (and words to live by)

Ten million stories in the city, ten million backs against the wall...
Desperation's out tonight, you can cut it with a knife,
Everybody wants to have it all...
Well they tell you that the world is rough
But they never rocked it hard enough

Hey little Caesar, nobody messing with you
Hey little Caesar, go show 'em what you can do

Nobody said that it was pretty, you haven't got a penny or a prayer...
You know it's gonna be a fight, if you wanna see your name in lights,
Ain't nobody gives a damn out there...
Well you got your guts, you got your pride
But you'll never let them see inside

Hey little Caesar, nobody messing with you
Hey little Caesar, go show 'em what you can do

We rented Crazy Heart last night with Jeff Bridges. A terrific movie about a washed up country star who's relying on his hit songs from the distant past and barely scraping out a living playing at bars and bowling alleys. Everyone around him, including a current top-40 country act whom he mentored, is urging him to write new material, but he resists, insisting that it's too late for some at 57 to re-invent themselves. Bridges acting was phenomenal...he really deserved all the accolades he got. But more important I think was the message the movie delivered so poignantly... that no matter who you are or where you are in life, it's never too late to start over, set a goal and go after it.

I know I sure need to reminded of this from time to time. I sometimes get complacent in terms of pursuing those hobbies and projects of mine that sit in the corner of my mind gathering dust. Its natural to feel that once you reach a certain point in life those types of activities are a waste of time...but nothing could be further from the truth. On the contrary, that's when you need them most. So get out there and write that song or book, create something that is uniquely you. Our dreams are who we are, and who we aspire to be.
Go after them...no matter how old you are or how bogged down you are in the daily grind of life...make it happen...find a way...you can!   Be a Crazy Heart, before it's too late.

Started the day early (5:30 am) to attend at 7:00 am Executive Board meeting at my company TechAmerica. We're a non-profit High-Tech Trade Association advancing the cause of technology and innovation across the country. We are primarily driven by volunteers and committees from member companies in the area who are passionate about technology. Software/Hardware, Internet, Cloud Computing, Chips, Telecom, Networks, BioTech, you name it...our membership represents the best of all sectors in the technology space.

I am head of the Orange County Council (19 councils total across the country). I manage one staffer, 7 committees, around 30 volunteers and approximately 40 annual events/roundtables. In addition, I manage all of our PR, marketing and business development efforts, so cultivating new business while managing/growing existing relationships. It’s fascinating and a privilege to work with executives in the business community...they are so passionate about what they do. And what's most interesting, NONE of them are in it for the money...they do it because they love it. They thrive on technology, and asking the question "What's next?" And I think we can all learn a lesson from them....as the saying goes...

Happiness brings success...Not the other way around!

I am very lucky to be in this position. I am working with pioneers in technology, and learning so much about what it takes to be successful in business, and in life. Do what makes you happy, help others...and the rest will fall into place.

Hi all!  Sorry I've been absent for a few weeks...been so busy at work with our Annual Awards Banquet we hold every year.  Its our biggest event...and this year's took place last week in Irvine.  It was a smashing success...I'm told the best one in 17 years, so definitely happy about that.   Can't believe the year is nearly half over...went by in a blink didn't it?  Its funny how you, or I should say I, start each year with such lofty goals and high hopes, but more often than not by this time they're just random memories and forgotten ambitions.   So much I want to do...so much I want to achieve...so many ideas floating around...but  how and when to start. 

I guess the answer is...NOW.

SO many ideas for new 'creative' projects. The hardest part?,,,getting started. Here's a brief synopsis of some of the ideas I've started, or are still floating around in my head.

Book concepts - 2
Song concepts - 6
Fundraising concepts - 3
Cartoon/Comic Book concepts - 4
TV Show concepts - 6
Business concepts - 2

So how do you put legs on concepts. There are no rule books, no maps, no guides. All you have is your gut, and MAYBE an example to follow by someone who's travelled the path before. Even that does not free up the time you need, or put the funding you need in your pocket, so how/where to start. How does something go from your head, to paper, to market, to bank, if you don't have the time, connections or relationships.

Gene Simmons LOVES to tout how he has all these projects in the works, and how HE made them all happen and nobody helped in, he makes the calls, he gets the appointments, and that if he could do it you could too. Great words, and all true, the problem and difference is if you HAVE a name people recognize, if you HAVE an established brand or track-record, of COURSE people are going to take your call, and take your meeting. the problem is 99% of the rest of us don't.

The moral of the story...? NONE, just venting/whining. Have a great weekend everyone.

Happy 8th Bday to my youngest daughter Cameron. Words aren't enough 4 this one, she has the biggest heart & brightest soul of anyone Ive ever known. She's the one who wakes dad up every morn at 6:30 w. a hug & kiss, and the one who, before I even turn the car off, opens the door greets me with a hug when I pull up in... the driveway at the end of the day. She IS unconditional love, and mark my words..she will be President one day. ;-)

How funny. Went to one of our FAVE Japanese places last night...Shogun in Mission Viejo. You know, the ones where they cook at your table and do all the silly, fun tricks like catching an egg on their hat, or the famous onion volcano? Corny, but we love it, especially the kids. Anyway, the other folks at the table were staring for the longest time and finally said "you look so familiar". I still get this from time to time, and my stock reply is '"do you watch the Gene Simmons show on A&E?" And I still get a kick when their faces light up and I hear "OH YEAH, you're that guy...!"

The moral...SO, whether you have 15 minutes of fame, or 5, or an entire lifetime, I say cherish it, embrace it, CELEBRATE IT! And figure out a way to leverage it...I sure am!

It's easy to get frustrated when the weekend finally rolls around and the weather doesn't want to cooperate. Here in Social we were deluged with yet another good rainstorm all night Friday and all day Saturday. Don't get me wrong...we really need the rain as we have a pretty major water crisis going on. (if your shower lasts longer than 2.4 minutes the shower police come and take you away in handcuffs.) But really, sometimes when the weather forces you to stay inside it can be a blessing in disguise.

Case and point...

Come Saturday night our family (my wife and 3 wonderful kiddles) hunkered down with some yummy appetizers and an old fashioned game of Monopoly. Now, this is actually our normal Saturday night routine...we'll switch between Scategories, Boggle, Blockus, etc...
It's a chance to get us all together and get the kids off of Xbox Modern Warfare for a time. But this weekend's 'game night' proved extra fun. Not for any particular reason...it was just...fun. While we were all scrambling for Boardwalk or Park Place, or sneaking hundred dollar bills from eachother's stockpile, we found ourselves laughing harder than usual. I even threw in my own twist by breaking into Abba's song "Take A Chance" whenever someone landed on the Chance square.

So the moral of the story...

Take a step off the hamster wheel of life once and a while and look around at what's right in front of you. And this is more for me than anyone, because I am very guilty of taking the little things for granted. And truly, the little things are the big things! A hug from your daughter, a high-five from your son...a shared look across the table with your loved one.

Celebrate all these things, because they're what matter most.