Now Appearing in an Extended Engagement! Join David Robison as he takes you into his world and his daily life of reviving a stand-up comedy career. Prepare for side trips exploring the "art" of salesmanship and business ethics and his experience with Multi-level Marketing. Enjoy some frequent detours describing his observations on life. Read the exploits of this self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and blooming blogger as you go
On The Road With Dave.
I always thought, suspected, speculated that Al Haig was the man behind the Watergate source known as "Deep Throat". I was wrong.
It was then-#2 FBI man, W. Mark Felt.
I recently even alluded to my "Haig suspicion" at Quixtar Blog, in the "Comments" section.
"On The Road With Dave" is not much of a political blog in the topics that I write, but, I always like admitting when I'm wrong. So, on this ONE topic, I am wrong.
On April 25, 1866 the ladies of Columbus, Mississippi decided to decorate both Confederate and Union soldiers' graves buried in Friendship Cemetery with garlands and bouquets of beautiful flowers.
A poem, entitled "The Blue and The Gray" by Frances Miles Finch appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in 1867 as a direct result of this gesture of healing and compassion. Columbus is now thought of as a place, "where flowers healed a nation".
Although, Waterloo, NY is considered the official birthplace of Memorial Day, and a proclamation declaring the holiday did not happen until 1868, nor a National Holiday declared until 1966, I still consider my small hometown of Columbus as the true origin of the holiday.
But the origin, while in dispute, is not important. It is the feeling behind the origin. It is a feeling of respect for the individuals that gave freely and bravely for their cause. Whether, they emerged victorious or defeated as an army, they should be remembered as individuals.
And while the "Blue" and the "Gray" are once again "united" as a nation; wars and battles still rage on. Armies win, and Armies lose; but individuals lie in the graves.
The Blue and the Gray by Frances Miles Finch
By the flow of the inland river, Whence the fleets of iron have fled, Where the blades of the grave-grass quiver, Asleep on the ranks of the dead; Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; Under the one, the Blue; Under the other, the Gray.
These in the robings of glory, Those in the gloom of defeat; All with the battle-blood gory, In the dusk of eternity meet; Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; Under the laurel, the Blue; Under the willow, the Gray.
From the silence of sorrowful hours, The desolate mourners go, Lovingly laden with flowers, Alike for the friend and the foe; Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; Under the roses, the Blue; Under the lilies, the Gray.
So, with an equal splendor, The morning sun-rays fall, With a touch impartially tender, On the blossoms blooming for all; Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; Broidered with gold, the Blue; Mellowed with gold, the Gray.
So, when the summer calleth, On forest and field of grain, With an equal murmur falleth The cooling drip of the rain; Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; Wet with the rain, the Blue; Wet with the rain, the Gray.
Sadly, but not with upbraiding, The generous deed was done; In the storm of the years that are fading, No braver battle was won; Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; Under the blossoms, the Blue; Under the garlands, the Gray.
No more shall the war-cry sever, Or the winding rivers be red; They banish our anger forever, When they laurel the graves of our dead. Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; Love and tears for the Blue; Tears and love for the Gray.
I was surprised today to receive a Blogger:404 message when I went to read the Quixtar-employee blog Quixtatic. The blog seems to have been removed.
If that's the case, it's dissapointing. It was a great blog written by a capable author. It's a shame that many of it's most recent articles will not be able to be accessed anymore, because the author, Kathleen, was making some great points about "how to" write employee blogs.
As an IBO myself, I enjoyed the "inside" look at Quixtar, and found the blog great reading.
I'm gonna keep the link in my "Links I Like" section for the time being, maybe Quixtatic will be revived in the near future.
I'll keep you updated.
****UPDATE******
I contacted Kathleen, author of Quixtatic and expressed my dissapointment over the demise of her Quixtar-related blog. I told her that as an IBO, I had grown to rely on her insight and thoughtful posts as they relate to MY OWN Independent Quixtar Business.
She expressed some remorse over closing Quixtatic, but has decided to pursue blogging on a more personal scale. For those readers that enjoy her style of writing, even if it doesn't relate to Quixtar, you can still enjoy Kathleen's thoughts at "Things I Have Seen."
Personally, I feel Quixtar has lost a valuable voice on the Internet, that represented their company with class and professionalism.
It was today in 1986, that I stood hand in hand with my then-pregnant wife and another woman I had just met, as their other hands were grasping someone else's hand in a long chain of people on the side of a small road outside of Memphis, Tennessee.
We were participating in an event called Hands Across America. It was an effort to raise funds and awareness about homelessness and hunger.
Success of the event is widely debatable, but the cause was honorable.
Yep, in the last two days I became what I hate. A blogger that doesn't update. A pox on my head for that.
But, that's not to say that I haven't been regularly writing at other places.
I recently started a private "internet group" for my Quixtar downline. You have to be a member of my downline to be a member of the group. The group will be offering advice and instruction on conducting a Quixtar business.
So, I've been steadily "seeding" the group with posts and files before I open it up to my downline. Some of my readers will be happy to know that quite a few of the articles written here at "On The Road" have made it to this group.
In other news, I suppose it's okay to tell you something personal in my life that happened a few weeks ago.
On April 27th, as they say, I didn't lose a daughter, I gained a son-in-law. That's right, my only daughter got married.
The reason I didn't shout it from the rooftop when it happened was that I didn't know it happened until a week afterwards. Yeah, I had a "secret" runaway bride in my house and didn't even know it. Only this one didn't run away from the wedding, she ran away TO the wedding.
Anyway, after all the dust settled, I'm getting used to the idea. My new son-in-law is a nice guy; who loves and is devoted to my daughter, and that's what is most important to me as a father. (Although, even as I type this, I still get a bit upset that I missed my chance to walk her down the aisle.)
But, there has been "some talk" that a more formal ceremony may be down the road; ya know, maybe invite a few friends, have a "re-vow" type service and a small party; we'll see what happens.
And to answer the question, EVERYONE has asked; NO, she wasn't pregnant; just "young" and in love. Go Figure.
Well, that should get ya up to date for today. With quite a few MLM blogs I follow; updates are becoming less and less frequent, and some are announcing they are closing their blogs; thats not gonna happen here. You can rest assure that if I don't update for a day or two, that I'll be back with a vengeance.
Even when you are "On The Road" constantly, a rest stop is sometimes in order.
"Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too."
I wanna thank Ventriloquist Bill DeMar from YahooGroups WorldVents for today's Potential Parent Tests.
MESS TEST:
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.
TOY TEST:
Obtain a 55-gallon box of LEGOs (or you may substitute roofing tacks). Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream because this would wake a child at night.
GROCERY STORE TEST:
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.
DRESSING TEST:
Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all the arms stay inside.
FEEDING TEST:
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.
NIGHT TEST:
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8-12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 3:00 pm begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 pm. Lay down your bag, and set your alarm for 10:00 pm. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 am. Set alarm for 5:00 am. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.
INGENUITY TEST:
Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and pot of paint, turn it into an alligator. Now take a toilet paper tube and turn it into an attractive Christmas candle. Use only scotch tape and a piece of foil. Last, take a milk carton, a Ping-Pong ball, and an empty box of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower.
AUTOMOBILE TEST:
Forget the BMW and buy a station wagon. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there. Get a dime. Stick it in the cassette player. Take a family size package of chocolate chip cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car. There, perfect!
PHYSICAL TEST (women):
Obtain a large bean bag chair and attach it to the front of your clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10 of the beans.
PHYSICAL TEST (men):
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.
FINAL ASSIGNMENT:
Find a couple who already have a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training and the child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run wild. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.
It's like any other city, it has its good points and bad points.
But the area was completely summed up for me yesterday while I was driving around town and listening to Hot104-FM.
There's an idea for a new line of Barbie(R) toys coming out strictly for the Gulf Coast. After you read the descriptions I'm sure you can match our areas of Mobile, with similar areas in your own city.
Spring Hill Barbie: This Barbie comes with choice of a BMW sports car or a Hummer H2. Included are personalized Carpe Diem mug, credit card rolodex, yellow lab named "Bo" and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. But you can't afford them anyway.
Daphne Barbie: This princess Barbie is only sold at Dillard's on the Eastern Shore. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade handbags, a Lexus, a long-haired foreign yappy dog named "Honey" and a cookie cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with "augmented" version.
Cottage Hill Barbie: This trendy homemaker Barbie is available with your choice of Tahoe SUV or Ford Windstar minivan. She gets lost easily and has no full time occupation or secondary education. Traffic-jamming cell phone sold separately. Optional matching gym outfit.
Theodore Barbie: This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Buck knife, a Chevy with tinted windows and her own Meth Lab kit. This model is available after dark and can be paid for only in cash. Preferably small, untraceable bills. Unless you're a cop. Then we don't know what you're talking about.
Dauphin Island Parkway Barbie (DIP): This model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR shirt, breast augmentation, and has a tattoo of a Tweety bird on her shoulder. She has big, stiff hair, a six-pack of Miller Lite and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and can kick Mullet-haired Kenny doll's ass when she's drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get its Confederate flag bumper stickers and your choice of "piss on Chevy" or "piss on Ford" decals absolutely free.
Point Clear Barbie: This collagen injected, botox Barbie wears a leopard-print ski outfit and drinks Chardonnay while she entertains friends. Comes complete with Housekeeper Barbie, Hairdresser Barbie, Personal chef Ken, and Personal trainer Kenny. CEO/Dr. husband Ken available as well as Tennis Pro Ken. Percocet prescription available.
Tillman's Corner Barbie: This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased her beer-gutted boyfriend out of D-I-P Barbie's house. Her make-up is dark red lip liner with your choice of lips covered in a sparkly pink or no fill-in at all. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans with assorted colored G-strings that stick out the back and a white see-through halter-top. Accessories include: CD-player equipped with Bon Jovi and a rusty old Ford pick up with an "Earnhardt #3" on the rear window.
Oakleigh Barbie: This Barbie is the same model of Barbie that was released in 1882. She comes with shoulder pads, maxi-length tartan plaid skirt with big pin, white pantyhose and a bad up-do haircut. Historical Society plaque and Washington Square deer also available.
You might be able to tell from a few of my "Links That I Like", that I have a more than a passing interest in environmentalism. So, I'm browsing the Shaklee site and I see this "story" on Global Climate Change and what Shaklee is doing about it. Don't bother looking at it. I really thought I was going to read something about steps they were taking to change manufacturing or money they were donating, but It was more of just a commercial, after you read the first two panels, on their products.
That was disappointing.
BUT...
Then I saw an acknowledgement of 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, a woman from Africa responsible for the Green Belt Movement. I'm not sure what Shaklee's "hook" with Professor Maathai is, but the woman is remarkable in her efforts.
From the site of Green Belt Movement we read:
"Our vision is to create a society of people who consciously work for continued improvement of their environment, and a greener, cleaner Kenya Our mission is to mobilize community consciousness for self-determination; equity, improved livelihoods securities and environmental conservation- using tree planting as an entry point. Guided by the values of volunteerism, love for environmental conservation, pro-action for self-betterment, accountability, transparency, and empowerment.
GBM works to realise its vision and mission through programs in tree planting/biodiversity conservation, civic & environmental education, advocacy & networking, food security, capacity building for women and girls and Green Belt Safaris. GBM also has a learning centre at Langata in Nairobi, which we rent out for seminars, workshops and accommodation."
Whether you are a "tree-hugger" or not, one has to admire the effort and determination of the good Professor.
If ever a group of people were known for their propensity for being right, it would be that group known collectively as, "They"
"They" say, "Find what you love, and then do that". They are right, again.
T.S. Eliot said, "Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers."
I've done some editing in my day, and now I occasionally consider myself a writer.
I haven't put a limitation on my writing yet, that would gauge whether I'm a failure at it or not, but I do know, I love writing.
The exhilaration that a marathon runner feels as he breaks the tape at the finish line must certainly be the same feeling that sweeps over me as I finish a paragraph.
The feeling of accomplishment that an actor receives as he bows to the applause of his audience might just compare to the feeling of myself reading a note from a reader who tells me. "I learned something from you" or "you made me laugh".
I have many interests; many things I feel the need to accomplish. Only one supersedes my love of writing.
It's sad to see any blog that I enjoy reading not updated for several days. I wonder what trials and mental blocks the blogger must be going through. I admit I have a skipped a day or two in my blogging venture, but usually I can not fathom going a day without finally hitting that "Publish" button and sending my latest ramblings out into the blogosphere.
My heart races just a tad faster if I know someone has posted a Comment to something that I have penned. And all the troubles of the day seem to melt away, if I hear or read somewhere that my writing has been recommended by someone.
I'm thankful for each one of my readers of "On The Road", and I sincerely hope that they get as much enjoyment from these daily postings as I derive from writing them.
I LOVE WRITING!
Which means whether you return here tomorrow or not, I will still log on to this site and anguish over some topic, hoping to convey some useful thought, or bit of humor or day-to-day trivia. And I will breathe that sigh of satisfaction once again when I feel from the first word to the final punctuation is just "so".
I expected the usual Death, Doom, and Destruction today, but leaving out some details of the day, I can say that the sun did come out, no meteors hit the house and I got to watch the final two hours of Star Trek:Enterprise; so all in all, it was a pretty good day.
When I was working in Maryland, my old partner and I would stop at a local store every week and pick up a couple of MegaMillions tickets, and talk about what we would do if we ever "hit the lottery".
Also, if we were traveling between Maryland and Alabama, and noticed a "quick stop" selling Powerball, that'd be the place we stopped for gas and drinks and we'd buy a ticket.
The habit sorta stuck with me, after I started staying in Alabama. The Florida state line is just about 45 minutes from my house, and so, on Saturdays if I feel like getting out of the house, I make a drive over to the state line, where conveniently sits two LOTTO stores, and I buy a Dr.Pepper and a ticket for the Florida State LOTTO.
Along the way, I listen to the radio, notice the scenery, and still wonder what I would do if I "hit the lottery". Last night, the State of Florida had a winner for $27 Million Dollars, after several weeks of "rollovers".
Now you can probably gather from this, that since today's entry is entitled "LOTTO" and NOT..."I have a WHOLE LOTTO MONEY!" that I was, sadly, not the winner.
I bring this up because, I hear from the critics of Quixtar, that a Quixtar IBO has better odds of winning the lottery than achieving any worthwhile results from being a rep for Quixtar.
Makes me wonder what the odds are for Independent Business Owners in Quixtar who have ALSO won the lottery?
My opinion, is that there's nothing wrong with buying the occasional Lottery ticket provided you don't spend the money, before you win the prize. Which is exactly the same kind of advice I would give IBOs, don't spend your money, before you achieve the results.
Anyway, if I become a very successful IBO in Quixtar, my "On The Road" readers will be the first to know; but it's unlikely that if I ever hit the LOTTO, I would tell my readers. The reason is "everyone" wants to be your "friend" or "family" if you are a lottery winner; that rarely happens when you are discussing a business opportunity.
I've mentioned before, the great "women-centered" marketing blog callled Lip-Sticking.
Two posts caught my eye this morning, one deals with author Yvonne's trip to Denver where she gives a small child hope, that a day of going to the boring supermarket, may be coming to an end, and that shopping online is so much easier for Grandma.
The other is a Mother's Day post that also mentions shopping Online, and although Yvonne has told me she doesn't really care for MLM ventures, it seems she has visited the Quixtar site. (or at the very least, felt it was worth mentioning)
Of course, the real reason I mention these posts, is that hopefully you'll get "stuck" at Lip-Sticking and spend some time reading her other articles.
You learn something new everyday. In my quest to do that, I paid a visit to The Direct Marketing Association website today.
It's a very informative site that includes "white papers", news about the industry, resources, and networking possibilities.
Also listed is their Hall of Fame page. A listing since 1978 of prestigious and historical Direct Marketers such as L.L. Bean, Harry and David, and Montgomery Ward.
Interesting, to me, was the inductee from 2004. None other than, that ole historical figure and someone I think may have "Blogged" during his day; Benjamin Franklin.
From the site:
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Inducted 2004 One of America’s greatest minds and a pillar of our national heritage, Benjamin Franklin is famous for being a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, a philosopher, an economist — and a direct marketer. Well known are his inventions including bifocals, the Franklin stove, and the lightning rod as a conductor of electricity. In addition, he is believed to have been the first cataloger in the United States.
Here's just a little something silly for Saturday.
When you'd like a nice cold carbonated beverage, what do you ask for.
A soda?
A pop?
A coke?
Or something else.
It usually depends on what area of the country you live in.
I have usually maintained the opinion that here in the south we say, "Gimme a coke" and then specify what kind of coke we want. Be it Coca-cola, Pepsi, Dr.Pepper; even the un-colas like Sprite and 7-up qualify as "cokes".
But I forgot, that we also use another expression; and that's "drink".
Such as, "I need a drink, think I'll stop and get a Dr.Pepper.
Well, it seems Matthew Campbell and Prof. Greg Plumb of East Central University in Oklahoma are conducting an ongoing survey on the word choices of thirsty Americans when it comes to asking for a "drink".
You can complete the survey at The Pop vs. Soda Page and see detailed results so far on the debate over Pop versus Soda and view other choices as well.
If you happen to take the survey or visit the site to have a look at how your word choice compares to your region of the country, come back here and let ME know what your choice is, as well.
So, what do you say? "Soda?" "Pop?" "Coke?" or "Other?"
As most know, my daytime job is no longer that of a handyman.
So, I've been out looking for work. I've applied for a variety of jobs, including those in construction, and I've applied for customer service type jobs as well. I haven't gone the "fast food" route, yet; and I'm not too proud to do that, but would prefer not to.
So far, I think the problem is my resume has too much "self-employed" work on it, which may scare some employers. But most employers only want 3 or 4 of your latest employments. I suppose I could add jobs I had further back in history.
Maybe I'm just not qualified(maybe over qualified, who knows?)for the positions. It's a puzzle, and it's becoming frustrating.
So in the interest of gaining some feedback; I thought I would post some info included on my resume' and see what my readers thought. I have not included actual employer names.
So, would you hire this guy?
Employment
3/2004-3/2005 Handyman
Began work in March of 2004 helping a friend’s business to relocate from Maryland to Alabama. Spent a year outside the DC area in home renovation/repair and handyman services. Finished projects in home renovation, bathroom remodeling, deck construction for existing clients. Help relocate business to Alabama and work on home remodeling for re-sale and rental income.
4/2002-3/2004 Owner
Re-established old business. Industrial supplies sales and consulting. Establishing Internet Communities for Marketing and Leads. Concentrating on Attraction Marketing techniques to market direct sales company via Internet
5/2001-1/2002 Superintendent
A cold storage construction company. Began in March 2001 as a laborer. Worked 6 months on various projects across NW Indiana. October 2001 assumed "foreman's" position. Hired 6-man crew to re-design warehouse for cold storage for X. X is a Dairy Fresh distributor for the Detroit area.
3/1995-12/1999 Co-Owner
Co-Owner, video productions company. Responsible for sales, scripting, direction of on-site industrial safety videos. Safety videos credited with improving work and safety performance for Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation. Also performed Contractor Orientation and Safety training for Kerr-Mcgee. Award-winning marketing video produced for Baldor Electric Company. Product promotion video for Marathon Equipment seen across USA and Canada. Marketing materials for Video Ventures; award recipient (ADDY) by Golden Triangle Advertising Federation.
Professional memberships
1/1999 - 12/1999 Public Relations Association of Mississippi Chapter President
1/1999 - 12/1999 Public Relations Association of Mississippi State Board member
1/1998 - 12/1999 Northeast Mississippi Industrial Safety Association Member
Every now and then you come across a conversation on the "net" that makes you think.
I've said it before, I'm not very keen on the idea of "dreambuilding" when it comes to presenting an MLM opportunity. I think that "hyping" some elusive dream of wealth, fancy cars, and diamonds in order to sell your MLM "opportunity" gives a false hope to the prospect, and makes his decision to join you, an emotional decision rather than a business decision.
Now, I do believe in setting goals of acccomplishment, i.e. sales goals and rewards that offer an incentive to attain a goal. And there's nothing wrong with saying, "When I make "X" amount of money I will purchase "so and so".
Which is why I am re-printing the following conversation. I think what is written is some excellent advice.
(The names of the posters have been changed)
Can you seperate the "goals" from "the DREAM?" I don't think so? A goal is a stepping-stone to the dream. For example, everyone wants to make more money.
The dream part is WHAT is going to be done with the money? If someone wants $500 per month for a new Jaguar, it helps to "draw them a picture" of them actually driving the car---exterior color, interior color, hardtop/convertible, etc. The point is, the "goal" has to take you somewhere, and that is the dream part.
--GoodPoster1
But why does this "someone" want the new luxury car that will cost 500+ per month? Is the dream the car, or is the dream to be recognised as a person of significance?
Admittedly, someone who is on the road a lot may have a dream that involves owning a comfortable car, but is that why most buy Jags.
The point may sound simplistic, but when the tokens/icons of the dream are mistaken for the dream, its easy to sail into some pretty shallow water, and even to run aground.
Btw GoodPoster1, I realise I've taken your comment to an extreme, and that you were saying something different, but your example (imo) is one that often leads folks into mistaking tokens for dreams.
--AnotherGoodOne
"Another misnomer is labeling the "desire" as the actual "goal". Goals should be only those things over which we have complete control - such as the actions and activities it takes to earn the $$$ (or rank) to obtain the "thing(s)" that satisfy the identified "why".
Our only responsibility is to consistently share information and to respect our prospective customer or business associate's timing and decisions because what they do with the information we share ... and when...is THEIR responsibility and right.
If we set, for example, a $$$ amount in sales as a goal or a particular rank within a particular time-frame, often that's a recipe for failure since we have no control over how many will or will not purchase or when.
However, if we set as our goal (as)the number of people to contact daily, weekly or monthly... the number of followups daily, weekly or monthly...the number of people we interact with in person, by phone or email daily, weekly or monthly...where and how often we advertise, how many we send to our website, etc....these are all actions and activities...goals... that are within our total control and is what will eventually produce the "desire" that satisfies the "why".
Goals that are dependent on someone else's actions are often self-defeating.
--HowTrue3"
Like I said, there's wisdom out there, and you just have to look for it.
About a decade ago Candace Bergen, actress,celebrity; wrote a book about being "Candy" Bergen, daughter of famed ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. Knock Wood became a bestseller and was met with mixed feelings in the ventriloquist realm from fans of her father, who felt uncomfortable about hearing of the master, Edgar's, personal life.
Okay, I tell you that, as somewhat of a "back story" to introduce you to a blog.
There's this other famous ventriloquist, his name is Paul Winchell. And while most have some idea who Edgar Bergen was, few under the age of 50( outside of die-hard comics and ventriloquists) know who Paul is.
Actually, Paul Winchell left the entertainment business and became a doctor, and worked on the first artificial heart experiments. But most would recognize his voice as the lovable Disney character, Tigger, from the Winnie the Pooh series.
OKAY, I TELL YOU THAT; as further backstory. (don't worry, this is going somewhere)
Paul Winchell ALSO had a daughter. Her name is April Winchell. And although April hasn't written a book; she does have a pretty funny blog, a pretty funny radio show, and even her own Yahoo Group.
I just read about her experience with plastic surgery(a lot of plastic surgery) it sounded painful, gross, and really funny. And her birthday cake story from St. Patrick's day is not for someone easily offended. The best way I can explain it is to say, think about going to an erotic bakery, for a St. Patty's themed cake and then use your best judgment if you want to see the picture of the cake in question.
She also is a self-admitted "whore" when it come to blogging for money and her Whore section and merchandise is also pretty funny.
For you Quixtar and Amway fans, she has a Mp3 page with little corporate ditties such as Amway's "What is this thing called Amway?", a rousing little 70s tune about a box of soap.
Also included in the section are other selections such as "Dryclean When you Care". The stirring anthem of the International Fabricare Institute and "Plop, Plop, Fizz Fizz," that popular Alka-Seltzer tune being "rocked" out by Sammy Davis Jr.
She seems to be having a little financial trouble in keeping the popular blog up and running, but there are ample links to donate money and buy items.
So, if you've got some time on your hands, pay April a visit.
Ok, think about it fourth dimensionally, but I warn ya, you could get a headache.
They hold the convention on Saturday, but only people from the present show up.
200 years from now, time travel is made possible and an adventurous time traveler reads about the convention in an old book or an archived website like this one. So he travels back in time.
Ok, it's Saturday again and they have ONE guy from the future show up.
He enjoys it, travels into the future, and tells his friends, they decide to go BACK to Saturday and now 15 people from the future are there and the news media shows up.
Okay, our future is now altered we know there's time travel in the future and we ramp up our research and make the whole idea feasible in only 100 years, now these guys from the future that is only 100 years away show up at the convention Saturday and meet the guys from MIT from 100 years in their past AND 100 years from their future.
NOW, YOU GOT YOURSELF A PARTY!
Anyway, in order to promote this "brainstorm" I offer future travelers the info and the coordinates, just in case MIT isn't around 200...I mean, 100 years from now.
The Time Traveler Convention May 7, 2005, 10:00pm EDT (08 May 2005 02:00:00 UTC) East Campus Courtyard, MIT 42:21:36.025°N, 71:05:16.332°W (42.360007,-071.087870 in decimal degrees)
