tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29141852482756171002024-03-13T20:21:08.048-07:00Daniel Wagner's CreativerseInspiring Change in Your Life -- One Idea at a TimeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-89143625593510551572013-11-27T21:57:00.001-08:002013-11-27T21:57:28.607-08:005 Tips for Starting a Business Plan<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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5 Tips for Starting a Business Plan</h2>
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<span class="item">A friend of mine came to me recently,
asking if there were some practical advice I could offer him for setting up a
business plan. I’m glad that he recognized the value in having some kind of
plan before throwing himself in head first. </span></div>
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<span class="item">The following article discusses five
major key points that need to be addressed that any great business plan should
contain; whether you are planning a small town hair solon or a major installation
of a new industrial complex.</span></div>
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<span class="item">1. First, I suggested he start with a clear vision
and meaningful mission statement. What is the purpose for beginning this
business? What do they hope to accomplish? A great mission statement should
encourage and inspire action; it should really grab your audience’s attention
like the first sentence of a great novel.</span></div>
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<span class="item">2. Next, my friend would need to provide a description
of their product or service. A vision is all well and good, but it is worthless
without a basic description of how they wish to accomplish their goal.
Therefore, there must be a basic description for communicating their intentions
to their audience (whether it is a potential business partner or an investor).
Is it clear what you provide in the eyes of the customer?</span></div>
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<span class="item">3. Third, my friend should figure out how
their product or service is different from others in the same industry. Differentiation
is going to be one of the key factors in determining the potential success of
the business. If you plan on bringing a similar product or service to market,
it had better be different in one way or another. Are you improving upon a
design? Are you providing a service more efficiently than your competitor, for
example? My friend was unable to clearly communicate the answers to these
questions yet. However, with some time to sit down and think about it, I’m
confident that he’ll be able to come up with something now that he’s aware of
the need for differentiation. </span></div>
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<span class="item">For the last two pieces of advice, I asked
him to remember a couple acronyms. SWOT and SMART. <br /> </span></div>
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<span class="item">4. SWOT is a concept that challenges you to look at your businesses through the
lens of potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. “Scan the
environment for significant opportunities and threats facing the business.
Opportunities are positive external options; threats are negative external
forces” (Zimmerer, et al., 2008). You should be able to get at least a loose
grasp on these four areas and include them in the business plan. It will show
potential investors that you really understand your market and are aware of the
challenges you may face. </span></div>
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<span class="item">5. SMART is the other important acronym. This
has to do with setting goals with your business. Goals are incredibly
important. So important, in fact, that I would be pretty concerned if someone
approached me with a goalless business plan! Being SMART with your goals means
that they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. For example,
I had a goal for my Peaceful Parenting blog to obtain email subscribers. I made
it SMART by stating (on paper) that I wanted to reach X subscribers by X date using
X method. This gave me an opportunity to break it down into smaller pieces; and
when included in a business plan, investors will see that you are no stranger
to fine tuning your goals and creating deadlines for yourself.</span></div>
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<span class="item">I can only imagine that writing your first
business plan can be incredibly overwhelming. It doesn’t necessarily have to
be. Patrick Hull, a writer for Forbes.com explains, “</span>If your product or
service is not overly complex, your plan doesn’t have to be very lengthy. For
example, a business plan for a hair salon is not going to look anything like a
plan for a biotech research company” (Forbes) (Hull, 2013).<span class="item"> They
could start with an online search to find sample business plans. There are many
that you can use as templates or guides for writing your own; almost in a color
by number fashion. This takes the focus away from formatting and knowing what
to include and puts it on the actual content of the plan. </span></div>
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<span class="item">Resources: </span></h3>
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<span class="item">Here are a few resources to get you started; all with free templates and sample business plans: </span></div>
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<span class="item"><a href="http://www.sba.gov/tools/business-plan/1" target="_blank">Small Business Administration</a></span></div>
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<span class="item"></span><span class="item"><a href="http://www.greatbusinessplans.com/?gclid=CLDiuL3jhrsCFaHm7AodKioABg" target="_blank">GreatBusinessPlans.com</a> </span></div>
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<span class="item"><a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/landing/216013" target="_blank">Entrepreneur.com</a></span></div>
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<span class="item"> </span></div>
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<span class="item">Daniel Wagner.</span></h3>
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<span class="item">If you found this article useful, please
share and let me know what you think!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">References:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hull, P. February 21, 2013. 10 Essential Business Plan
Components. <i>Forbes</i>. Retrieved November
27, 2013 from <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickhull/2013/02/21/10-essential-business-plan-components/">http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickhull/2013/02/21/10-essential-business-plan-components/</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Zimmerer, T.W., Scarborough, N.M. & Wilson, D. (2008). <em>Essentials of
entrepreneurship and small business management </em>(5<sup>th</sup> ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education</span>.<br />
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<![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-81153572522900675582013-11-21T06:52:00.002-08:002013-11-21T06:52:37.058-08:00Interested in Entrepreneurship? I am!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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There is certainly something to be said about the allure of
beginning an entrepreneurial career. There’s the aspect of being in control,
getting to control the direction of your company as well as take the blame for
any mistakes. There is the idea of being your own boss and not having to report
to anyone except your customers. If you miss a day of work, you do not have to
worry about the ever-looming idea that you might get “written up” by your boss. </div>
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<br /></div>
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For me, the largest motivators for becoming an entrepreneur
is the idea that I can choose my own schedule. I have a large family and would
love to spend more time with them. Currently, I am working third shift at a
manufacturing plant, I sleep all day, and it is currently my only source of
income. I plan on creating a series of websites, becoming location independent,
and hope to fly toward a future in cereal entrepreneurship. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, I can imagine there might be some problems if an
entrepreneur were to become obsessed with one of these rewards. They might come
to discover that there isn’t nearly as much freedom with running your own
business as they had imagined. They can risk becoming overworked and burnt out
before they even start to turn a profit. Also, for many people who wish to
become entrepreneurs will talk themselves out of even trying because a strong
fear of failure keeps them pacified. In my case, I am prepared to invest large
amounts of time in the front end of my web businesses with little to no pay off
to have the chance at creating huge rewards later. A form of passive income, if
you will. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Through a lot of personal development and self-knowledge,
fear of failure is no longer an area of concern. In fact, I have learned to
embrace failure as part of the process. Hey, I didn’t come out of the womb
running, did I? It took practice and LOTS of failure. So far, I have had three websites that didn't work out. They were great ideas, but I didn't know what I was doing. I have learned since then how to build traffic, how to create better content, how to optimize my pages and posts for search engines (SEO). It's been a lot of work, and fun along the way. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever had a business idea that was a total bomb?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daniel Wagner.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-62384146122849816142013-10-31T07:35:00.000-07:002013-10-31T07:35:15.538-07:00Cash for Clunkers? Was it a Success? <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
I do not think that Cash for Clunkers (properly known as
Car Allowance Rebate System—or CARS) was a good approach to help decrease air
pollution from mobile sources. In fact, the program ended up being a complete
debacle, resulting in creating more waste than it was meant to save in the
first place. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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The Automotive Recycler’s Association (ARA) suggests that “in
addition to conserving natural resources, automotive recycling plays an
important role in reducing air and water pollution, and solid waste generation”
(2010). This would have been wonderful, except for one important fact. The cars
that were collected from the CARS program were federally mandated to be
shredded, rather than recycled. </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">W</span>here
do you suppose the shredded material went to? That’s right, the landfill—Gasp!<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “For each ton of metal recovered by a
shredding facility, roughly 500 pounds of shredder residue are produced,
meaning about 3 to 4.5 million tons of shredder residue is sent to landfills
every year” (Santisi, 2013).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://blog.nj.com/jerseyblogs/2009/08/large_Cash_For_Clunkers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://blog.nj.com/jerseyblogs/2009/08/large_Cash_For_Clunkers.jpg" border="0" class="decoded" height="130" src="http://blog.nj.com/jerseyblogs/2009/08/large_Cash_For_Clunkers.jpg" width="200" /></a>Nearly 100% of vehicles are able to be recycled. <span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In fact, </span>“<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the engine itself takes the most amount
of energy and resources to manufacture, so car companies reap both an
environmental and cost benefit from being able to recycle engine parts” (Santisi,
2013). Therefore, companies that could have been repurposing those engines were
instead having to use important resources to create brand new ones to keep up
with the new market demand void that was left by the CARS program. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just
like every other government program, the Cash for Clunkers deal was a complete
failure. I would be extremely hesitant to suggest that the government should be
involved in any other method for pursuing decreased air pollution from
vehicles. I don’t believe that they can do a better job at environmental
protection than the private market can.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
a very enlightening Fox Business News report in which Michael Wilson</span>,
executive vice president of the Automotive Recycler's Association discusses the
impact 'Cash for Clunkers' has had on the environment, <a href="http://www.a-r-a.org/content.asp?contentid=703">click here</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daniel
Wagner.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">References:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Automotive
Recycler’s Association, 2010. The Role of the Automotive Recycling Industry. Retrieved
October 31, 2013 from <a href="http://www.a-r-a.org/content.asp?contentid=435">http://www.a-r-a.org/content.asp?contentid=435</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Santisi,
J. January 2, 2013. The Cash for Clunkers Conundrum: That Cash for Clunkers
Program Was Not an Environmental Success Story. Retrieved October 31, 2013 from
<a href="http://www.emagazine.com/blog/the-cash-for-clunkers-conundrum#sthash.EgYxTzp8.dpuf">http://www.emagazine.com/blog/the-cash-for-clunkers-conundrum#sthash.EgYxTzp8.dpuf</a>
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-67490940624977482422013-10-24T22:44:00.000-07:002013-10-24T22:44:26.423-07:00Top 5 Fears Keeping You from SucceedingI don't think I've ever met a person who did not have a goal or a dream that they wished they could achieve. It's like our lifeblood, keeping us moving forward. But what happens to those who get left behind; stuck in an unfulfilled monotonous rut? Most might automatically assume it's money, time, or skills that provide that nagging roadblock, continuously keeping us from pursuing our goals. However, you might be surprised to discover that its more in our heads than we think. Today, I want to discuss some of the real reasons many goals never reach fruition.<br /><h3>
1. Fear of Failure:</h3>
<br /><img alt="Failure" class="wp-image-72 alignleft" height="301" src="http://jarhalffull.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Failure.gif" width="370" />Failure in and of itself is a <em>necessity </em>for survival! We all are born with this innate sense that we must keep trying if we wish to succeed. How many times did you fall over when you were trying to learn how to walk? Yeah, I don't know either, but I'm fairly certain that you didn't come crashing out of the womb with both legs marathon ready. We all have this great goal setting ability very early on in life. Do you have any idea how many times that stubborn ol' mule Edison had to fail before he successfully created a commercially viable light bulb? (The internet can't seem to agree on an exact amount, but they all agree that it was A LOT of times).<br /><br />I can say one thing for certain: Never trying at all guarantees 100% chance that you will fail.<br /><h3>
2. Fear of Being Different:</h3>
<br />There seems to be this misconception that standing up above the crowd and being different is a <em><strong>bad</strong></em><strong> </strong><strong></strong>thing. This fear of being different is crippling for people. People will even try to put you in your place when you are becoming <strong></strong><em><strong>too</strong></em><strong> </strong>different from them. It's ok to be concerned with what others think of us; it's how we get our social proofs that we're on the right track. However, you should not simply listen to what others think of you and take that as law. There needs to be an evaluation process so you can measure yourself against your own beliefs to determine how different to be. For example, if your goal is to dance in the street in mid day with no music, people might find you to be a bit crazy. But as long as it's not hurting anyone, <em>who gives a crap??</em><br /><h3>
3. Fear of Not Adding Up or Not Being Accepted:</h3>
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="198" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BRzhflMkGLg" width="352"></iframe><br /><br /><em>What if I'm not good enough?</em> This question plagues many of us and cripples us in such a way that we simply don't try. It's this concept that the experts will scoff at us and call us out. It's the idea that we will only disappoint people with our ideas and gifts; that they will not be worthy. My question is this: What makes them the experts? What committee was put in place that offered them some official title of 'most knowledgeable in their subject?' You have much more to offer the world. Perhaps it's in a different voice, from a different point of view, or from a slightly different angle. Perhaps your method for getting the information across to someone is more powerful or entertaining. There are so many ways to "add up" without feeling like you have to become an authority on a subject before you are allowed to speak.<br /><h3>
4. Fear of the Unknown:</h3>
<br />This is a big one... what kind of questions does this invoke for you? For me, it's a HUGE list of 'what if's.'<br /><br /><em>What if it doesn't work out? What if my website doesn't look good? What if new technology comes out that makes all this work invalid or obsolete? What if I don't know the answer to someone's question? What if these tutorial classes I signed up for end up being worthless?</em><img alt="Gulliver" class=" wp-image-69 alignright" height="160" src="http://jarhalffull.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Gulliver.gif" width="260" /><br /><br />These are just a few examples I could come up with off the top of my head. Very real questions for me that I am dealing with individually. But, if I continue to let these questions eat away my drive to succeed, I'll never get anything done; I'll never achieve my career goals. The fear of the unknown can end up being the death of a dream if you let those nagging questions keep pulling you away from your objective. The scene from Gulliver's Travels comes to mind when the Lilliputians (small people who are about as big as one of Gulliver's fingers) tie him down and he ground with their tiny ropes; rendering him helpless.<br /><br />Don't let the Lilliputians get you too!<br /><h3>
5. Doubt:</h3>
<br />Nobody gets inside our heads more than we do. The effects of self-doubt can cripple us, even to the point of never trying. The mental and physical toll it takes can be detrimental to our health and can affect our ability for goal setting. It certainly doesn't help that we always seem to have that little voice called doubt constantly nagging us--keeping us from achieving great things. For me, doubt is a cold combination of all fears combined into one. I believe it has been doubt that has kept me constantly going back and forth to work everyday in my 9 to 5 boring job. It has been doubt that has forced me into thinking that I am not good enough, or that people don't care what I have to say, or that my actions don't have an impact on anyone's life.<br /><br />But I'm here to take back my life and banish doubt from my vocabulary, and you can do the same. Typically, your doubts are ungrounded in reality and are simply constructs that you put up in front of yourself to obscure your vision of a brighter future.<br /><h3>
Conclusion</h3>
<br />Of this list of five fears, the main fear that I struggle with is the fear of not adding up. I always wonder, <em>who in the world wants to hear what I have to say? </em>I feel as though my words will not have an impact the way I hope they will. That I will be called out as a fraud or disingenuous or a phoney. But, I have decided to try anyway. I decided that I will write because it helps me clarify my goals. I will continue to do this because there's certainly at least <em>one</em> person who cares what I have to say, and that's enough for me.<br /><br />Remember: Never trying at all guarantees 100% chance that you will fail. Overcoming fear is a great place to start.<br /><br />So, what fears do you have that keep you from pursuing your goals?<br /><br /><br /><br />Daniel Wagner.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-16748830783812746222013-06-13T17:32:00.001-07:002014-02-15T22:20:40.022-08:00Our Kids Will Never Have to Deal With These Gaming Problems Again!<h2>
Our Kids Will Never Have to Deal With These Gaming Problems Again!</h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzWijwFhJUQ/Ubpjw7uuTnI/AAAAAAAAAFY/yHx7UWsl_aA/s1600/blowing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzWijwFhJUQ/Ubpjw7uuTnI/AAAAAAAAAFY/yHx7UWsl_aA/s320/blowing2.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
I was talking to a friend--rather excitedly--about old school gaming problems that our children will never have to deal with. This was a very fun topic which brought back many memories. Now, to be clear, neither of us were children of the Atari--which I'm certain had its own host of issues--but we did share early memories and struggles associated with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and beyond. Most of these items we have all had to experience if you've ever owned one of the old cartridge gaming systems. Our children are the future, and they will undoubtedly have their own gaming-related struggles that they will one day reminisce upon themselves. However, our children were lucky, because they will never:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Have to deal with blowing on a cartridge as a means to get it to operate properly. While blowing on the cartridge likely had little effect in 'actually' making the game operate correctly, that didn't stop mom from instructing us on the proper techniques for blowing and making sure we didn't spit into them. (No, I don't mean that mom taught us kids how to give blow jobs... ya perverts).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGsnyJxJZ3M/UbphWbWCoEI/AAAAAAAAAFI/fMoFf9tL_5w/s1600/blowing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGsnyJxJZ3M/UbphWbWCoEI/AAAAAAAAAFI/fMoFf9tL_5w/s1600/blowing.png" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1273162694"></span><span id="goog_1273162695"></span><span id="goog_709700639"></span><span id="goog_709700640"></span></li>
<li>Have to devise creative methods for wedging a game to one side of the machine or another to get the picture to come in clear, such as folded up paper, cardboard, pencils, etc. Anything that would 'hold 'er steady' and achieve that perfect working angle.</li>
<li>Have to worry about misplacing a memory card (For all those post-NES systems) and having to start our game all over when we finally were able to afford to get a replacement card. </li>
<li>Have to see a three page itemized list of actions they should NOT do while game is saving. For example: Do not turn off power, do not unplug power cord, do not remove memory card, do not pass "Go," do not collect $200, do not talk, do not blink, and do not consider breathing.</li>
<li>Have to place their system in the middle of the living room floor so that they can sit on their couch due to to the wonderful invention that is wireless controllers. Deep down, we all knew that we were setting ourselves up for failure when we had the system power cord stretched from the television to the console, and our controllers stretched out from that, creating a twelve-foot trip hazard across the entire room. Inevitably, someone was GOING to trip over that cord, disconnect the power source, and piss us off cause we were just about to beat Mario 3!!!</li>
</ul>
These are just a few of the issues we had to deal with to get our games to cooperate with us. Nowadays, the biggest issues I worry about it that terrifying three letter word ... Lag. It's the new number one reason people throw keyboards through flat screen monitors. lol<br />
<br />
You remember the caveman days of gaming... Share some of your memories with us in the comment section below!<br />
<br />
Daniel Wagner.<br />
<a href="http://www.parentofprogress.com/">http://www.parentofprogress.com</a> <br />
<ul>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-42437351606123327242013-05-03T07:09:00.000-07:002013-07-13T15:16:57.374-07:00Job Hunt Begins Before Graduation (Part 2)<h2>
Welcome to part two of the "Job Hunt Begins Before Graduation." </h2>
In case you missed the first episode, the following is part two of my journey through <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2013/dp/1607741474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363439741&sr=8-1&keywords=what+color+is+your+parachute" target="_blank">What Color is Your Parachute: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers</a>"</i> by Richard N. Bolles (2013 edition). So far, I am progressing quite well in my self-actualization exercises recommended by Richard M. Bolles in his annual series "<i>What Color is Your Parachute." </i>It appears to be a multifaceted and well organized group of exercises designed to take a deeper look into what drives me as a person, and eventually will attempt to match me up with potential careers that will best bit these personality traits and preferences.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tN3zRwzLua8/UYPDrRD7KnI/AAAAAAAAAEo/GGV_-2Wpi5c/s1600/SmallFlower.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tN3zRwzLua8/UYPDrRD7KnI/AAAAAAAAAEo/GGV_-2Wpi5c/s1600/SmallFlower.png" /></a>At the end of the self-actualization exercises there is a flower diagram that basically sums up the entire person you are onto a single well-organized sheet of paper. This diagram is used to prioritize all the information pulled from the data collected as each exercise is complete; each petal (and the center) representing<i> </i>seven ways of thinking about yourself. So far, I have completed three of the seven petals and I will briefly touch on each of these petals and the implications that occurred to me while filling them out.<br />
<br />
<b>Petal #1: My Favorite Knowledges or Fields of Interest</b><br />
In this section, I was required to think back and take notes on different areas effected by my favorite mediums (mine were ideas, words, music, people, and graphics). It took quite some time for me to think back on all the categories and fill in each place with whatever knowledges I possessed about anything. Turns out I knew more than I remembered I knew, and I think you may find the same result as you break down these parts. The areas included:<br />
<ol>
<li>What I knew about these favorite mediums that enabled me to work more confidently in that medium. </li>
<li>What I knew from previous jobs</li>
<li>What I knew about outside of work</li>
<li>What fields, careers, or industries (involving these mediums) sound interesting to me </li>
</ol>
At the beginning of this exercise, I had decided that I would be left with many blank areas because there was not much that I know. As it turns out, I have picked up way more information in the past than I remembered at first glance. Taking a moment to break down and categorize each item helped tremendously in considering the details rather than the overall picture.<br />
<br />
<b>Petal #2: My Favorite Kinds of People to Work With</b><br />
This petal was fun. I was supposed to think back on all the people I had to work with in the past that simply irritated the crap out of me or left a bad taste in my mouth. What were some of the personality characteristics that they possessed that rubbed me the wrong way. I don't want to mention any names here, although I probably should since they more than deserve it.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0UE3pESxmM/UYPED0WIawI/AAAAAAAAAEw/MiMGHTPhBvw/s1600/flower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0UE3pESxmM/UYPED0WIawI/AAAAAAAAAEw/MiMGHTPhBvw/s320/flower1.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample of a Completed Flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once I broke down those fun adjectives, the next step was to figure out what the opposite of those were and put them into a prioritization chart (a very interesting piece of paper if I ever saw one). In this case, in order of importance to me, I'd prefer to work with people who are positive, honest, polite/professional, supportive, and think 'outside the box.' <br />
<br />
<b>Petal #3: What I can do and Love to Do (Favorite Transferable Skills)</b><br />
The main reason it took so long to relay this next blog post was because of this petal. I place blame squarely on the shoulders of this task because it had multiple parts. To pick out what my seven favorite transferable skills were, the next step was to write seven stories about myself (to myself no less!) in which I had accomplished some task involving a goal, hurdles, and a description of what was done step-by-step, outcome/results, and any measurable/quantifiable statement of the outcome. <i>Whew!</i><br />
<br />
Some of these transferable skills included: Problem solving, planning, studying and observing, communicating, and analyzing. Pair those up with some favorite traits such as creative, unique, enthusiastic, and achievement-oriented, and you start to have a picture of the kind of person is represented on this flower.<br />
<br />
<b>In Closing</b><br />
I still have four more petals to go before I begin the <i>actual</i> job hunt process. Fortunately, I still have time before my August 2014 graduation date to accomplish this goal; but I'd better get on it.<br />
<b> </b><br />
I'll be updating this story upon completion of the last four petals. Looking ahead, I think the most tedious work is behind me. Wish me luck and thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
Daniel Wagner.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://dwcreativerse.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-job-hunt-begins-before-graduation.html">Click Here to read "<i>Job Hunt Begins Before Graduation (Part 1)"</i></a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-91337713244846060752013-04-05T15:32:00.001-07:002013-04-05T15:32:44.021-07:00Zombie Apocalypse Survival Creative Writing Contest!<h2>
Come join the Zombie Apocalypse Survival Creative Writing Contest!</h2>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">TO
PARTICIPATE, PLEASE CLICK "LIKE" ON THE "DANIEL WAGNER CREATIVERSE"
FACEBOOK PAGE, THEN LEAVE YOUR VERSION IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. COMMENTS
ON THIS PAGE REGARDING A SURVIVAL STORY WILL NOT COUNT. (Here is the
link: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/danielwagnercreativerse">https://www.facebook.com/danielwagnercreativerse</a> ). Read on for more details.</span></span><br />
<br />
This is something a little different from the normal blog posts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olxSAdNWqHk/UV9QDz6eRhI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/lJtLNGGIl-M/s1600/AnnaZombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zombie survival writing contest " border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olxSAdNWqHk/UV9QDz6eRhI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/lJtLNGGIl-M/s1600/AnnaZombie.jpg" height="320" title="" width="240" /></a></div>
Here's the story (Some of you on Facebook may have already seen this; but additional commentary and details is to follow, so stay tuned!):<br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">Do you have the wits to survive a Zombie
attack? If you can prove your prowess in a series of insane scenarios,
full of unforeseen challenges, you may have the chance to win a prize
(Awarded to the top three "Survivors" at the end of this storyline).
More details to follow.<br /> <br /> With each new chapter, winners will be chosen from submissions in the comment sect<span class="text_exposed_show">ion of this post and announced as either "Dead" or "Alive" based on a decision from our crack team of judges. <br /> <br /> This week will be easy. <br /> <br /> So without further ado, survive this:<br /> <br />
Something has happened. You have no idea what it was that has caused
large chunks of the population to turn into zombified vessels of their
former selves, but it doesn't matter at this point. Pulling up Google
for answers on your smart phone will do you no good at this point. The
Internet's gone -- kaput!<br /> <br /> The only thing that does matter is
this: A horde of partially decaying starving zombies is feverishly
tearing away the barricade you and your friends have placed at the front
doors of the local Walmart. <br /> <br /> Stuck inside with nowhere else to
run, it's time to come up with a kick-ass survival plan. Unfortunately,
the current Obama administration has spent so much time pushing
anti-gun legislation that many of the people--fearful of losing their
right to bear arms--have already bought out the entire stock of guns and
ammunition. This is where your quick wit and infinite creativity may be
the difference between life and death.<br /> <br /> Staying within the guidelines of the following short list of rules, do you have what it takes to survive to the end?<br /> <br /> 1. Stay in the Arena (In this case, Walmart store is your oyster)<br /> 2. Be as realistic as possible (No casting magic spells)<br /> 3. Try to keep the language appropriate and respectful (Dropping the "F" bomb will result in automatic disqualification.<br />
4. Have fun with it. This is by no means a graded assignment, will not
be viewed by the government for tax purposes, and will not reflect
poorly on you as a productive member of society.<br /> <br /> <br /> (Ammo for your Arsenal: Notice I have not specified who your friends are or how many of them there are.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">I REPEAT: TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE CLICK "LIKE" ON THE "DANIEL WAGNER CREATIVERSE" FACEBOOK PAGE, THEN LEAVE YOUR VERSION IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. COMMENTS ON THIS PAGE REGARDING A SURVIVAL STORY WILL NOT COUNT. (Here is the link: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/danielwagnercreativerse">https://www.facebook.com/danielwagnercreativerse</a> ). </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">After this round is over (submissions due by April 25, 2013, so please tell as many of your friends as you can!), I will be taking the best suggestions and incorporating them into chapter one of a final story. After the completion of the final story, three overall winners will be selected to win a cool prize to show how AWESOME you are for kicking Zombie ass!!</span></span><br /><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Here they come. I can hear some god-awful moaning and growling coming from outside!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Don't forget to share this page as well!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Daniel Wagner. </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-42731573793624097732013-03-28T06:19:00.000-07:002013-04-05T07:16:26.124-07:00Ten Year Anniversary Celebration at Readyville Mill<h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFUTF7P-Icc/UVRANn-NDGI/AAAAAAAAAD4/dzomm1zsL6U/s1600/PICT0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Outside Readyville Mill" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFUTF7P-Icc/UVRANn-NDGI/AAAAAAAAAD4/dzomm1zsL6U/s1600/PICT0008.JPG" height="200" title="" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Readyville Mill</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Tucked away in a great spot next to the East Fork Stones River,
the Readyville Mill is one of Middle Tennessee’s best kept secrets. For our ten year
anniversary, Manda and I decided to grab a meal during their Saturday morning
breakfast. As soon as we entered, we were met with a variety of aromas from the
eatery that set our stomachs into a ferocious rumble. I had the fried vegetable
frittata with sourdough toast and she had their locally famous whole-wheat
pancakes with all-natural maple syrup. I devoured every morsel, short of licking the plate clean.</div>
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After discovering the occasion of our visit, their incredibly talented in-house
band, <a href="http://johnnybandtheballadeers.com/" target="_blank">Johnny B. and the Balladeers</a>, played for us a beautiful anniversary song. They seemed like a great group of musicians, periodically playing a mix of traditional American Music and originals and nonchalantly hanging out with the rest of us as we ate.</div>
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The owner, Tomm Brady, wielding a cup of coffee and an
equally warm smile greeted everyone as he circulated the grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During a brief conversation with Mr. Brady,
he told us it took about five years after purchasing the property in 2006 to
get the place ready for the public. He encouraged us to tour the property and to take as long as we like and was even courteous enough to snap a photo of Manda and I sitting on an outdoor deck by the riverside. </div>
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We took a picture of the mill itself from the outside, though it looks even better from the inside. The staff was very friendly and professional and the
atmosphere was charming and inviting. I would definitely recommend this
destination if you’re looking for a great experience, complete with great food
and more southern charm than you can shake a stick at.</div>
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My only concern is that you may have a little trouble
finding the place due to a serious lack of any eye-catching signage posted on
the main road. So just in case, here is a link to their website for more
information: <a href="http://www.readyvillemill.com/">http://www.readyvillemill.com</a><br />
<br />
For one last great photo... the writer in me HAD to have this one of the typewriter. Thanks goodness for good ol' Microsoft Word!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Typewriter at Mill</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Daniel Wagner.<br />
<br />
Please don't forget to share this if you enjoyed it. I welcome comments as well; the more the merrier! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-88426598391558202262013-03-16T06:54:00.000-07:002013-04-05T07:16:02.405-07:00The Job Hunt Begins Before Graduation<h2>
The Job Hunt Begins Before Graduation</h2>
Rather than wait until after graduation at the end of 2014, hoping luck is on my side, I decided now was the time to begin my search for a company who would be interested in my particular skills and talents.<br />
<br />
A good friend of mine--who happens to be part of the human resources management team for a multimillion dollar company--recommended I read a book titled <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2013/dp/1607741474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363439741&sr=8-1&keywords=what+color+is+your+parachute" target="_blank">What Color is Your Parachute: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers</a>"</i> by Richard N. Bolles (2013 edition).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oY6FULF4q74/UUR1KldkjCI/AAAAAAAAADc/HwcnDIsTYG8/s1600/Job-Hunting-Tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="job hunting tips, career change tips" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oY6FULF4q74/UUR1KldkjCI/AAAAAAAAADc/HwcnDIsTYG8/s1600/Job-Hunting-Tips.jpg" height="211" title="Job hunting tips" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How in the world do we stand out in a crowd?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So far I have to admit, after having read the entire book cover-to-cover, it was nothing like I expected. This isn't a predictable text on how to find <i><b>a</b></i> job. Rather, it's a cornucopia of invaluable resources and information designed around helping you discover your potential and ultimately find and secure <b><i>the perfect</i> </b>job or career.</div>
<br />
Mr. Bolles takes the reader through an in-depth series of self-actualization exercises, offers a variety of job search tools and research methods, lays out the steps leading up to and including the interview process, and provides great advice for aleviating anxieties associated with salary negotiation. <br />
<br />
I plan on starting at the beginning again and slowly working through the steps and exercises. Then, I will periodically post updates, detailing my progress; the successes and failures alike.<br />
<br />
My work begins in chapter five: <i>You need to understand more fully who you are</i>. For this, I will be taking into account everything that my life experience has provided through work, play, hobbies, school, etc. and figuring out what types of things I can do. The idea is to break down everything into much simpler forms. In this case, a list of mediums that I enjoy working in (words, people, graphics, wood, etc.) and determine what skills I have already acquired that pertain to those individual mediums. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-84028420124731708262013-03-08T20:10:00.001-08:002013-07-13T15:18:26.425-07:00Having Trouble Landing that Job? Get an Attitude Adjustment!<h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Having Trouble Landing that Job? Get an Attitude Adjustment!</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With unemployment rates hovering around 8% and employers hesitant to hire during these uncertain economic times, finding a job can prove rather difficult. If you are having trouble getting a leg up against the waves of applicants trying to enter the job market, maybe you need to get an attitude adjustment.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFxmKle7-Ow/UTq1q6xBtWI/AAAAAAAAADM/yccdA_7utmw/s1600/656058-job-hunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="unemployment, job searching, job hunting, jobs, advice" border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFxmKle7-Ow/UTq1q6xBtWI/AAAAAAAAADM/yccdA_7utmw/s320/656058-job-hunting.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">According to Sartain (2003), "Employees with positive attitudes have a more constructive influence on the success and fulfillment of organizational goals and objectives than employees who have more education and experience but also have a negative attitude."</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many companies recognize that a positive attitude trumps technical knowledge almost every time; especially when recruiting for positions which deal directly with customers. A positive attitude permeates throughout an organization, affecting employees and customers alike. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">High enthusiasm, strong desire to learn, and self-motivation are some key characteristics that employers thirst for above all other qualifying details.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I attended a webinar through Ashford University, and had the unique opportunity to speak with actual HR job recruiters. One key point they drilled into us was to make sure you are submitting a cover letter each and every time you apply for a job. <i>It can never hurt! </i>Plus, it is an opportunity to show off your personality a bit through the tone of the letter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Think of it as a sales pitch where you can express that positive forward-thinking attitude and show that you've done your research for the company you are applying for.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Current employers are still out there looking for the perfect candidates to fill spots. Don't be so pessimistic!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Get out there and keep at it. Just don't forget to smile once in awhile. ;-)<i> </i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel Wagner.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a plan to begin that all-important search using an excellent book as a guide.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2013/dp/1607741474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363439741&sr=8-1&keywords=what+color+is+your+parachute" target="_blank">What Color is Your Parachute: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers</a>"</i> by Richard N. Bolles (2013 edition). You can begin that journey with me here: <a href="http://dwcreativerse.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-job-hunt-begins-before-graduation.html">http://dwcreativerse.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-job-hunt-begins-before-graduation.html</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Please be sure to sign up for Email notifications below and please share this on Facebook too!</span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="reference">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Reference: <span class="werd" id="w118175">Sartain,</span><span class="werd" id="w118176"> L.</span><span class="werd" id="w118177"> (2003).</span><span class="werd" id="w118178"> Getting</span><span class="werd" id="w118179"> extraordinary</span><span class="werd" id="w118180"> results</span><span class="werd" id="w118181"> from</span><span class="werd" id="w118182"> ordinary</span><span class="werd" id="w118183"> people.</span><span class="werd" id="w118184"> In</span><span class="werd" id="w118185"> Effron,</span><span class="werd" id="w118186"> M.,</span><span class="werd" id="w118187"> Gandossy,</span><span class="werd" id="w118188"> P.,</span><span class="werd" id="w118189"> &</span><span class="werd" id="w118190"> Goldsmith,</span><span class="werd" id="w118191"> M.</span><span class="werd" id="w118192"> (Eds.), </span><i><span class="werd" id="w118193">Human</span><span class="werd" id="w118194"> resources</span><span class="werd" id="w118195"> in</span><span class="werd" id="w118196"> the</span><span class="werd" id="w118197"> 21st</span><span class="werd" id="w118198"> century </span></i><span class="werd" id="w118199">(pp.</span><span class="werd" id="w118200"> 3–9).</span><span class="werd" id="w118201"> Hoboken,</span><span class="werd" id="w118202"> NJ:</span><span class="werd" id="w118203"> John</span><span class="werd" id="w118204"> Wiley</span><span class="werd" id="w118205"> &</span><span class="werd" id="w118206"> Sons.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-22522266872907738732013-03-01T14:32:00.000-08:002013-04-05T07:15:31.846-07:00Massachusetts Boys Legally Allowed in Girls Restroom?<h2>
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</style> <![endif]-->Today I’d like to open up a discussion topic very near and dear to my heart; political correctness. I read an article about the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) ordering K-12 public schools to allow transgender students the use of locker rooms, bathrooms, and changing facilities of the opposite sex.<br />
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<a href="http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/stateQuarterDay/images/stOutline_ma.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/stateQuarterDay/images/stOutline_ma.gif" border="0" class="decoded" src="http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/stateQuarterDay/images/stOutline_ma.gif" height="200" width="200" /></a>Because of certain <a href="http://www.doe.mass.edu/ssce/GenderIdentity.pdf" target="_blank">language in the document</a>, as long as a boy tells school officials he identifies as a girl, they must essentially bend over backwards to ensure he is treated as such.</div>
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Furthermore, if another student expresses outward discomfort—perhaps in the form of a high school girl being offended at having an anatomical male in the locker room—it is considered discrimination<b> </b>and is punishable according to the DESE’s “anti-bullying” policies.</div>
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Does anyone see anything wrong with this picture?</div>
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I’m all for tolerance in certain cases. Let the students identify as the opposite sex. I don’t care. But at some point, a line has to be drawn. For me, that line is drawn when my children’s safety and innocence is in jeopardy. </div>
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I have a little girl on the school basketball team. If I found that my daughter had been benched due to a boy who “felt like a girl” joining the team, I would be rather perturbed. </div>
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What’s worse is the DESE was aware that “parents and students would likely have concerns, but they dismissed such feelings as invalid” (Anderson, 2013). My question is: Who the hell is the DESE to decide whose feelings are legitimate and whose are not?</div>
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The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is moving full force toward a world cursed by a disease called political correctness.</div>
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I am so dedicated to showcasing the flawed nature behind the politically correct mindset that I have been working on an adult-oriented children’s book series titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Politically Correct Adventures of Jesse Thynskin</i>. If you are interested in reading a completed manuscript, please shoot me an email requesting a copy to <a href="mailto:Creativerse@yahoo.com">Creativerse@yahoo.com</a>. I would appreciate any comments and feedback.</div>
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Let all your friends know what is going on. Please don’t forget to share/like this article.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Reference: Anderson, K. 2013. <i>Massachusetts forces schools to let 'transgender' boys use girls' restrooms, lockers. </i><a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/massachusetts-forces-schools-to-let-39transgender39-boys-use-girls39-restro">http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/massachusetts-forces-schools-to-let-39transgender39-boys-use-girls39-restro</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-43461106113480635582013-02-22T19:15:00.000-08:002014-02-15T22:20:11.016-08:00Are You Passionate?<h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding passion in our lives </span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone posed a very important question to me; one that we should all take time out of our busy lives to consider. The question: What is your passion?</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjUIK9kdFnc/USTg7AHMpGI/AAAAAAAAACo/f6p5R6YDyvw/s1600/Passion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjUIK9kdFnc/USTg7AHMpGI/AAAAAAAAACo/f6p5R6YDyvw/s1600/Passion.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For many of us, passion is what happens when a man and a woman love each other very much and start getting all <i>giggity</i> in the bedroom after mom hollers, "You kids behave for five minutes while I go help your father change into his work clothes."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But somehow, I don't think that's the type of passion we're talking about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I think back on it, the path to self-discovery has been a long and constantly changing road. I remember asking myself about eight years ago, "Daniel, what the hell do you want to be when you grow up?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the first time in my life that question carried the weighted realization that life truly is short.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I didn't begin this post intending to troll on about my interests and passions. You will see those manifest as I continue writing these entries. What I actually wanted to do today is challenge each of you to consider where you are today in your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you happy? Are you where you want to be? If not, are you doing something to change it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my experience, this seems to be the #1 reason people do not succeed: Inaction, usually paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. I've heard a wide range of excuses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I'm too old."</i> Nonsense. just last year I completed a class with a 72 year old gentleman who was less than a year from earning his Masters in Business Administration. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I don't have enough time."</i> Quit your whining! Fortunately, time is the one precious resource that successful and unsuccessful people have equal amounts of--24 hours each day. Learn to manage it better. (I'll give you a hint: I couldn't tell you who won American Idol for the past five years. Can you?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I have too many kids."</i> Oh brother!! I'm working full time, going to college full time, and still find time for family and remedial projects. Not to mention; the only reason you have those kids is because you were practicing the wrong kind of passion. ;) I have another blog about <a href="http://www.parentofprogress.com/">peaceful parenting</a> where you can get some great advice if you're interested.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big question I wish to ask is this: What have you done today to pursue your passions and dreams?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While you ponder this, I have to go. My wife is wanting to help me change into my work clothes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel Wagner.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Please be sure to sign up for Email notifications below and please share this on Facebook too!</span> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-85652391605338828192013-02-17T09:46:00.001-08:002013-04-05T07:14:11.233-07:00Perks of Being a Wallflower -- Aftermath.<h2>
Perks of Being a Wallflower -- Aftermath. </h2>
I sat down with my wife the other night and watched a great movie called <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/perks-of-being-a-wallflower/" target="_blank">The Perks of Being a Wallflower.</a> I fully recommend anyone see this excellent movie. After watching it, I was left in deep thought. Deep to the point of tears that couldn't be held back any longer as a discussion began. It has been a long time since a movie has forced true and honest emotion to spill from the tip of my pen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/hr_The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/hr_The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower_8.jpg" height="200" id="yui_3_5_1_5_1361124180787_952" title="The Perks of Being a Wallflower: MOVIE" width="177" /></a></div>
These tears weren't caused by my own terrible memories manifesting, but rather for a very different reason. I thought about all of those around me who have suffered innocence-robbing situations in their childhood and adolescent years that nobody should have to be a part of. While my imagination is strong enough to imagine with rich detail the events and situations people are faced with, I will never know in my heart the hatred and inability to work through the pain.<br />
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The current statistics are scary. "1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys under the age of 18 are sexually abused" (<a href="http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-abuse/child-abuse-statistics.html" target="_blank">Teenhelp.com</a>, 2013). By the numbers, that means that there is a statistical chance that one of my three daughters will suffer through the unimaginable. As a father, that terrifies me. As a human, that saddens me.<br />
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Luckily, I was fortunate enough to make it through my childhood unscathed, but at times an odd sense of survivor's guilt sets in, as if I somehow missed a ricocheting bullet. It's not that I feel envious or jealous. I don't feel as if something <i>should</i> have happened to me. But perhaps if something terrible would have happened, I would be better qualified to offer words of advice to those who had no choice.<br />
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower forced me to consider the 'whys' behind it all. <i>Why</i> was I spared? <i>Why</i> didn't anything happen to me? <i>Why </i>do I deserve peace where others have none?<br />
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I would like to take this opportunity right now to thank my parents for providing a home for me that allowed my innocence to remain fully in tact. I love both of you, Mom and Dad, for protecting my siblings and I and shielding us from certain evils in this world. For doing for us what countless parents fail to do for their children. For allowing us to escape unscathed save for the scars of a normal, boring childhood. <br />
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I can't stress enough how important it is that we do everything in our power to protect our children from harm. They need us to be the shield, the blanket, the band aid that keeps them innocent.I promise that my three daughters and my son will suffer nothing more than the same boring upbringing as I did.<br />
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If you know anyone who may find this article useful, please do not hesitate to pass it along.<br />
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Daniel Wagner. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">[Thank you Mom and Dad] for allowing us to escape unscathed save for the scars of a normal, boring childhood.</span></span></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914185248275617100.post-6096567902853071482013-02-15T17:16:00.000-08:002013-04-05T07:13:29.688-07:00My Views on Bacon Cheeseburgers<h2>
My Views on Bacon Cheeseburgers</h2>
I asked of my friends and family in a recent facebook post, "If I were to start a blog, what would you want to hear about?" I wasn't surprised a bit when the majority of the responses were completely sarcastic and served only a comedic purpose.<br />
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What they didn't realize was, I was already determined to use this pool of suggestions to find inspiration no matter how far fetched the idea may be. So in this spirit, I would like to thank Michael Ferrebee from Noblesville Indiana for providing an excellent topic for blog entry #1.<br />
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Michael asks, "What are your views on bacon cheeseburgers?"<br />
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I'm glad you asked Michael.<br />
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I recently saw a commercial where a man was down on bended knee proposing to a beautiful woman. When the camera showed what he had in his hand, it was actually a mini bacon cheeseburger. You can <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMpA34NL3uE" target="_blank">see the video here</a>.<br />
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I have never seen anyone so excited over bacon on a cheeseburger before in my life! Commercials such as this are rampant on our airwaves as if to say with subtle peer-pressure, "Everyone's doing it... Try one!"<br />
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I want to be careful to respect the cultural phenomena that is the bacon cheeseburger, because I do recognize the role these tasty delights play in the daily lives of the people who love them. However, this was about my personal views, and I do not happen to be a fan. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eHSEPWV6pUY/UR7dYw0AxgI/AAAAAAAAACI/U-D0oj4xt28/s1600/cheeseburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eHSEPWV6pUY/UR7dYw0AxgI/AAAAAAAAACI/U-D0oj4xt28/s1600/cheeseburger.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like in the Commercial! Right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I was in my late teens, I worked for Wendy's. My interactions with the famous Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger were numerous. During my time there, I had to have made thousands of these things. Even today, the thought of one turns my stomach. I think about the litany of unhealthy and unnatural ingredients that went into each of these 99 cent "value" burgers; the bleached enriched flour buns, the pre-made frozen and uniquely square meat patties, processed American cheese, and the all-important pre-frozen microwaved bacon slices, sitting in their own grease until an order was made.<br />
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YUM!!<br />
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Now, don't get me wrong. I'm certain there is a bacon cheeseburger out there somewhere that could potentially send my taste buds into orbit, but I have yet to meet that sandwich. Something more in tune with the real food diet our family has grown so accustomed to.<br />
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I imagine the perfect bacon cheeseburger would start with a lightly toasted whole grain bun, a grass fed beef patty with sharp cheddar cheese and real bacon bits mixed right into the meat. Put two more thick strips of bacon on top with a bit of Dijon mustard and sauted onions. NOW you have a proper bacon cheeseburger.<br />
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Eat your heart out Mr. Ferrebee!<br />
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Know a great place to pick up a world class bacon cheeseburger and you want to brag about it? Let me know where we can find that tasty masterpiece.<br />
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Daniel Wagner.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01427816736897395640noreply@blogger.com8