Archive for the 'Personal' Category

The First Easter Bunny

Andy Grant (www.afgrant.com) put the short film we worked on up at Google Video. This award-winning short features Andy and I, as well as a bunch of folks from ArrowPoint/Cisco, and my kids Marissa and Carson (as well as the Roberts kids, Justin and Samantha).

It’s a bit long - 14+ minutes - but well worth watching.

Enjoy!

Chuck

Re-Imagining My Life

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the future, and what it is that I want to do with my life.  There’s been a lot of my own babblings about this in past posts (you can read about it if you want), but with starting back to a full-time corporate gig, I have to make some choices about what I’m doing with all of my web sites and what I do with my “spare” time.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve been up and down financially, and I’ve learned that the money doesn’t really drive me.  Sure, I would love to have millions, but only because of what it will bring… Freedom.  Freedom to choose what I want to do, when I want to do it, with whom I do it (and no, I’m not talking about sex).  I’m looking to have choices.

In addition, I want to be able to say I’ve made my mark in this world.  Sure, I’ve got a couple of great kids and a wonderful wife, but just raising a family is not enough for me.  If that’s selfish, then so be it (and I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who would agree I’m selfish).  I just want more -notoriety, fame, respect, admiration.  I want to BE someone beyond just a good family man and provider.

I’ll be working out some of the details as I go along, but here’s what I’m thinking about:

  • Reducing the number of web sites that I own - right now, I have way too many, and may sell off some to gain back some time.
  • Focusing on those web sites that I think have long-term potential - NashobaValley.com and some other Web 2.0 projects.
  • Focus on the few sites that are actually bringing in money - QuiltingBusiness.com, MyCraftBusiness.com, a couple others.
  • Working on some personal projects - I want to get into video logging (vlogging) and create a couple of social sites.  I also want to finish up my damn novel, “Act of Remembrance,” before I’m too old to remember it.

With the kids, there are plenty of activities that can distract.  I’ll do my best, and make sure that the time I spend on my projects is well spent.  No more “dicking around” with too many projects and distracting ideas.  I’ll post what I think are the sites I’ll be focusing on in a later entry, but I’ll definitely be shedding some activities.

NEW JOKE

One of the sites I’ve been playing around with is www.GuyFarts.com.  I’ve just added a new joke - check it out here.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy,

Chuck

YOU (me) On a Diet

Well, like many other Americans, I’ve pulled into the New Year with the hope of losing some serious weight. In fact, I have a bet with my golf partner on who can lose the biggest percentage of weight before the start of the golf season. So, in an attempt to put all of my cards on the table and let more people know where I’m at and where I want to go.

So, with that being said, here’s the…

  • Where I’m At: 241.5 pounds
  • Where I Want to Go: 195 pounds
  • The Bet: Loser buys beers for the winner the first 3 weeks of golf league

I also have another incentive system in place. I have been growing a beard since Thanksgiving, and I’m really sick of it. But, in order for me to shave, I need to get down to 215 pounds. This is a little “jumpstart” incentive to make sure I stick to the program so I can shave off this damn beard.

To lose weight this time around, I’ve been reading “You On a Diet The Owner’s Manual for Waist Management” by Mehmet C. Oz and Michael F. Roizen. This book offers a ton of information that most dieters know already - i.e. you need to eat less crap and more healthy foods while exercising - but it does a nice job of explaining how your body works and the best ways to eat and exercise to get rid of the unhealthy fat that gathers around your stomache.

I’ll be posting every once in a while to let you know how things are going. I may do some “before and after” pictures along the way to show how much I’ve lost. Not sure about this yet, but I’ve been inspired by “The Biggest Loser” on TV.

Hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday season, and here’s to a successful 2007.

Regards,
Chuck

The 80/20 Individual

I’d like to thank all of you that helped me out with my “life survey” and as promised, here are the results of the questions (anonymously listed):

Question 1. What sort of thing really excites Chuck? What have you heard Chuck be most passionate about? (do not confine this to work-related matters)

Answer 1.

  • “Anything to do with comedy or entertaining friends, family and strangers. He is very passionate about his writing and video projects.”
  • “his children and his desire to be successful”
  • “Spending time with his friends…having something to look forward to (eg golf, trip Mexico & superbowl, party). His projects that he has control over. When you left cisco and starting your own business. Spending time with the kids when you don’t feel put upon. Sex, HD TV.”
  • “Internet stuff, and running his own business.”
  • “Starting a new venture and seeing it grow. Seeing his children grown into indivuals and celebrating their successess.”
  • “The Patriots; Kansas State; making movies, writing books, telling stories in general; his family; performing athletically; internet marketing”
  • “movies ? making them and watching them, his children, his wife, learning about anything, research ? his or others, the latest technology”
  • “Making money and golf.”

Question 2. Imagine that Chuck becomes famous in his lifetime. What possible things might he be celebrated for?

Answer 2.

  • “For making people laugh coming up with the next big comedy hit or novel.”
  • “definitely his sense of humor and bringing light to difficult situations.”
  • “Mensa Man, Risk taker, great father and provider.”
  • “Writing a humorous column like Dave Berry.”
  • ” For his ingenuity and his creative thinking. Hopefully for his contribution back into the community.”
  • “Winning an Oscar (director, writer, producer, or actor); becoming a famous writer; something humorous”
  • “His unique invention and the awards it has won.”
  • “Arrested for Internet Fraud. Autobiographical tale of dot.com hero to quilting guy”

Question 3. What is the single most distinctive thing about Chuck, that defines his individuality? What is most difficult and idiosyncratic about him?

Answer 3.

  • “With chuck it doesn’t seem like he is afraid for going what he thinks is funny he will do anything to get a laugh. The same thing sometimes he doesn’t know when to tone it down.”
  • “His humor is his most distinctive thing. He is very opinionated but not in a bad way, he enjoys good conversation and sometimes will play devils advocate just to get a rise out of the people that he is in a discussion with. I probably do the same thing.”
  • “He is funny and likes to hear people laugh. Has bi-polar tendencies. Can be laughing then screaming within moments!”
  • “His humor which is a little deep for most people. He can be moody, I wonder where he gets that from?”
  • “His intelligence and ability to think ?out of the box?. His mood swings are difficult to understand and to deal with.”
  • “His individuality is complex and not singular ? it?s the combination of humor; incredible loyalty, generosity, and support to friends and family; and a propensity to get uptight on occasion”
  • “The single most distinctive thing about Chuck is his loyalty and giving of himself to his family and close friends intertwined with a very unique sense of humor. Chuck can have a tendency to hold on to an issue on occasion and get a bit tense about it.”
  • “Great sense of humor, mindfull of useless pop culture. What is most difficult and idiosyncratic about him? Impatience of idiots, analness”

Question 4. What do you think Chuck would be happiest and most fulfilled doing?

Answer 4.

  • “Working with a sitcom and writing for a major publication.”
  • “Chuck is an entrepreneur and will definitely be happiest if he is defining his own way in the world. I don’t think this is necessarily tied to money but plain happiness.”
  • “Writing and being creative. On his own time without interruptions.”
  • “Writing ? either a weekly column or novel.”
  • “Building a business to the point where he only participates at a ?consultative? level but is able to gain an income that will support his family and enable him to do fun things.”
  • “Making movies”
  • “I think Chuck would have a great time behind the scenes of the film industry, still balancing his time with his family”
  • “Taking Jack LeBlanc to the big screen.”

Question 5. What one thing is Chuck best at, and better at than Anyone else you know?

Answer 5.

  • “He can make people laugh at themselves; he is always joking around and making people laugh.”
  • “golf? not!! I think that Chuck is driven to succeed and he has a very good business marketing mind. I think that Chuck has the ability to look at a business at a distance and realize its potential and can put a plan in action to make it successful. Not many people have this ability.”
  • “Writing and proof reading, when he is happy life is good.”
  • “Writing and being able to talk to the level of his audience. “
  • “Seeing opportunities, focusing on the opportunity and making it happen!”
  • “Golf ??????; understanding complexity”
  • “Chuck is great at educating himself on any issue! If he doesn?t already know something about it, he will use his resources to find out more about it.”
  • “Writing”

Question 6. What occupation or role do you think Chuck is best suited to?

Answer 6.

  • “This is a repeat question? Same comment as in question 4.”
  • “Self employed in a tech industry or working for a small company that allows its employees to be creative and put ideas into action.”
  • “Technical writing, internet marketing”
  • “Independent self-employed”
  • “Being an entrepreneur is the only thing he will be happy in. He is much to intelligent to work for someone else and to deal with the politics of a corporation.”
  • “Sit-com writer”
  • “Comedic writing ? book or script”
  • “TV Critic”

Question 7. Think imaginatively about a different arena or activity that Chuck might be excellent at, preferably far removed from his current job? Be creative and surprising, perhaps not entirely serious.

Answer 7.

  • “I think if any major publisher read his articles he could be the next Andy Rooney or Harvey Pekar (American Splendor).”
  • “Believe it or not I think that Chuck would be good in a social service environment. He jokes alot but is genuinely concerned with the welfare of others and wants everyone to succeed.”
  • “Writing comedy - screen plays”
  • “Literary critic.”
  • “Delivering seminars across the country on ?Escaping the Chains of Corporate Life to Earn Big Bucks?. He could bring his ?stand up comedian? skills to the seminar and illustrate the frustrations he faced in the ?corporate life? and what the steps are to venture out on your own. First is to face the fear of no income?..a paralyzing thought. I think he could be very entertaining. This could lead to VODs, books, etc.”
  • “Dick Van Dyke?s role from the Dick Van Dyke Show (lead writer for a sit-com)”
  • “Patriots statistician or the guy who comes up with the questions for Hollywood Squares”
  • “Director of Marketing for Gillette Stadium”

Question 8. In Chuck were to start a new venture that become extraordinarily successful, what might that new enterprise be? Use your imagination.

Answer 8.

  • “Try to get his writing out to the public to read, once the public reads his articles they will be infected by his wit, and humor and with his personal way he describes ordinary life.”
  • “A self help type of consulting business.”
  • “Cross-stitch…since you did quilting. Writing a novel”
  • “Selling and E-book that helps people be creative writers and creative thinkers.”
  • “Movie production company that has classes and provides funding for those people that should exceptional talent. This is also a way for people to understand what it takes to make a movie. The classes could start with the creative, story boarding, production, etc. There could be beginners to more advanced. Books, etc. would provide additional income. “
  • “Something that includes technology and creativity; production company”
  • “Some kind of interactive invention that incorporates television with the home computer.”
  • “Strip club.”

I really appreciate all the time and effort that went into this, and I’ve decided to get all of you a copy of “The 80/20 Principle.” The books will be in some time next week, and I’ll deliver them as best I can. Hopefully, you’ll get as much out of that book as I have and decide to take the same kind of messed up inward journey I’ve just started on.

Peace,

Chuck

Pat Tillman

I have very rarely been as touched as when I was at Smokey Bones and heard the news of Pat Tillman’s death in Afghanistan serving in the armed forces. This is a story of true bravery, and I have a tough time typing these words.

Whether you believe in what is going on or not with the US in the Middle East, Pat Tillman took a stand and decided that he needed to support the US by joining the military after the September 11th attacks. His personal sacrifice is one of the many that have happened in the war on terrorism during the last 24 months. Regardless of politics, when young men die in the honor of our country, I feel there is nothing more that I can do than try to support their decision and send my best wishes to their family and friends.

I didn’t know Pat Tillman, but I mourn his loss and wish that there our world was one where this kind of tragedy did not have to happen. There is nothing that should lead to the loss of such a brave soul, and people should realize that there is nothing that separates us that justifies taking another life.

People are people. All of you are my brothers. And just like you argue with your family, there’s no reason for the killing or the hate. It’s just life, and life is all that matters. I truly love all human beings, and no matter what I might say or do, I believe everyone has an equal footing on this planet. I’m not a religious man, but I do believe in love, and as the Beatle’s say, “love is all I need.”

Peace,

Chuck

Lip Service

There’s nothing like multiple cold sores to make your week. After my big guy’s golf weekend this past weekend (wow, I wrote “weekend” twice! - well three times in the same sentence), I will NEVER not put sunblock on my lips again. The entire foursome got some sun, but I’m guessing I’m the only one with the multiple lips scabies.

But, not all is bad this week. I’m working on figuring out my life’s purpose. Not sure why I waited until I was 40, but better late than never. I have a bunch of people filling out a short survey about me to see what other people think I might be good at, in addition to answering the same survey myself. I’ll be posting this on the site in a couple of days, after I have all the answers back.

The kids are out of school this week (Spring vacation), and the pool was opened up this week. The kids tried to get in, but the water was only 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so they got out pretty quickly. But, hopefully with the heater going, we’ll have some warm enough weather to get in this weekend.

Enough rambling. I’m looking forward to putting together my life plan, and to sharing it with all of you bastards. And you know who you are! Thanks for helping for my “core” group, and if anyone else has any input, let me know.

Peace,

Chuck

What a Weekend

Well, the birthday bash is over, and combined with the Easter holiday, I’m pretty sure I put on about 10 pounds this weekend. I also lost about 5 years off my life from excessive libations (if you know what I mean).

Guess I truly am getting old. I had to get up early on Sunday morning for the Easter Bunny’s visit, and I wasn’t all that happy with the hippety-hoppity bastard. The kids wanted to get their Easter eggs, and all I wanted to do was get a few more minutes of shut-eye. Oh well… I’ll sleep when I’m dead.

Getting some things done today, so only have a couple minutes to type. Hope you all had a happy and healthy weekend (whether it was a religious holiday for you or not), and I’ll talk to you later.

Chuck