Odd Todd

Fat Atom goes viral to save a client's Facebook fan page

2010-03-12T16:14:00.002-05:00

So here is what happened. We, Fat Atom Internet Marketing (fatatom.com), did a Facebook fan page for one of our clients. The site took off like a rocket, hit almost 50,000 fans, and then we wake up one day to find Facebook had taken the page down. They sent no warning, had already validated our page, and offered no explanation later. We sent support requests to Facebook for almost 2 weeks, everyday, afterward, and they have yet to get back with us. Thousands of dollars were spent on this campaign, and now they are all gone.

We think it is very irresponsible of Facebook, who is still young in the professional world, to treat paying customers like this. Facebook is a great place to grow your business online, but behavior like this is downright terrifying. Business need to have confidence that they are safe investing money in Facebook.

We created this video to express our frustration and confusion.

If you have had this happen to you, please leave a comment and help us spread this video around the web!

Fat Atom Internet Marketing
http://fatatom.com

2010-02-04T10:06:00.001-05:00

2010-01-04T15:21:00.001-05:00

Daily Mugshot

Total Failure?

2009-11-02T16:09:00.003-05:00

Well, the news was not good. Yahoo ranks the top 15 franchise failures - http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/entrepreneur/100191506-1-top-15-franchise-failures.html

The bad news is the top one was a client and the third one I owned. If I thought about it, I might be depressed, but if I really thought about it, I should be happy. I believe all our past experiences bring us to the person we are today, that is almost undeniable. But here is where my road takes a turn; I also believe that we have the power to make who we are tomorrow. Tomorrow is not defined by your past. We have the ability to make tomorrow whatever we want...the two questions most of us have to answer are these:

1) Do you know what you want?
2) Do you know how to get what you want?

16 things I don't get....the short list:

2009-10-20T20:17:00.007-04:00

Here is a random list of 16 things I don't get. If you have any thoughts, please let me know.

1) Politicians - Are they all self-serving?
2) Liberal Politicians - Do they really think that way??
3) Women - Maybe I need a manual.
4) Liberal Women Politicians - no comment
5) Olympia Snow - just put a "D" next to your name and get it overwith
6) Chevrolet - really, you let Obama push you around.
7) AIG & Lehman Brothers - where did all the money go?
8) People who build bubbles - WTF?
9) Women who had sex with David Letterman - yuck.
10) Women who look like men...and like it - double yuck.
11) People who pierce their face, tongue or lip - ouch.
12) Why can't I just pay for ESPN? - Isn't it the 21st century?
13) How does Twitter make money? Or have the money to exist?
14) Why can ships dump their trash (and poop) in the ocean?
15) Businesses who still by TV advertising - seriously, have you heard of Tivo?
16) People who have reptiles as pets - How can you love a snake?

Shiny Objects - my newest company

2009-07-15T18:29:00.003-04:00

That was a RnD post from shiny objects developement. We are createing a ping.fm iPhone app.

The above was sent from Jack Hall, he is our intern for my new business, Shiny Objects Development, LLC. More to come on this, cool that we are about to launch. Everyone is invited to our launch party in August....stay tuned!

2009-07-10T13:15:00.002-04:00

Ok, if you have not watched the movie "Expelled" by Ben Stein yet, your missing something great. As most of you know, I have given up TV for the year but honestly, I will not be going back to my old habits...but that is another entry.

Back to "Expelled". Holy crap what do we let our politicians and teachers get away with? How can we take a group of reasonable people, which I believe is about 63.7% of America and stand up to make a change. Not Ass or Elephant, but reasonable change that a majority of Americans can get behind? Please, someone help me because I am at wits end. I am going to purchase a sailboat and check out because I don't see a light at the end of this ugly tunnel we call "political correctness". Thoughts...anyone...anyone...?

Reflections from 9-5-98 (my first year anniversay)

2009-05-27T00:39:00.003-04:00

The following list was written by my beautiful wife on a roll of paper towels on our first anniversary - May I never forget them.

Snuggle with me
Don't judge me
Cook for me
Made a deck for me
Cleans the house
Opens my car door
Tries new things
Keeps in shape
Walks around in blue jeans w/o a shirt on
Includes me in the kids lives
Satisfies me sexually
Provides financial security for our family
Includes me in decisions to do with our family
Keeps me warm in Church
Holds my hand
Spends time with the family
Takes care of the finances
Walks on the side of the street near the road to protect me from cars
Holds me at night
Kisses me goodnight
Massages my body
Kiss me passionately
Read our couples book together
Snuggles on the couch
Have patience with me
Listens to my ideas and opinions
Makes me feel special
Makes me laugh
Hug me
Ask me how my day was
Understands the importance of my job
Tell me I did a good job with the kids
Tell me you are attracted to me
Tell me if you are having a bad day
Tells me you love me
Appreciates me
Kiss me when you get home
Loves me for ME.

Vicki, I hope I can do these things for as long as I have breath in me. All my love to you wife!

King of Anologies...

2009-04-30T12:48:00.004-04:00

This is a place where I will be updating any analogies I make....as I was recently called by a prospective client, "The King of Analogies":

4/24/09 - In reference to us not having done a traditional marketing analysis before - "it like a condo builder who builds great condos and he has a friend who wants him to build a 2-story custom home, can he do it and do it right? Yes, has he done it before, not exactly.

5/4/09 - In reference to helping our clients get what they want. Our clients want to go to the beach. They want to have fun and play in the sun and water, but that's all they know. What beach should we take them to? Indiana Beach? Lake Michigan? Maui? Bora Bora? The point is, without research, asking questions and planning, you might end up at a beach, but not the one you really wanted. The same goes for web design. You have to love when clients say they want a new website or they want internet marketing, but don't want to pay for the plan...it is a recipe for disaster!

5/26/09 - Set the scene. My wife is showing our 6 year old daughter why she should be thankful for the food we have. She shows her a picture of a poor, starving african child, who is barley alive, crawling to a UN peace tent to get food, nearly dead mind you, with a vulture lurching in the background waiting for the child to die. I say to her, teaching a kid about why they should be thankful for food is like teaching your teenager about sex by showing them a Jenna Jameson Porno....while effective - it is probably a little over the top!

God be with you...

2009-04-22T08:05:00.002-04:00

So my family volunteers every Tuesday at the local nursing home. We usually see the same 3 people, Alverda, Jim and Van(Robert). We have been doing this for the last 9 months or so, for a couple of reasons. First and foremost is to teach our children there is more to life than what they see on TV and at school. Second is to remind my wife and I that there is more to life than what we see at work and home. Thirdly, it is the right thing to do, to give back.

Yesterday was like any other; I was busy. 6:30pm rolled around and I knew I had to leave, but I was still at work, hungry and frustrated that the day went by like a quick thunderstorm (loud and fast.) Yet my iphone kept chirping at me...time to go....time to go. So I reluctantly jumped in my truck, got a quick bite to eat and headed down the road. The nursing home we go to is only a 1/2 mile from my office, so while I was late, I thought it was no big deal. After all, I am volunteering right.

I walked into the home to find Vicki and Maggie already there, Kevin didn't come tonight, but Alverda and Van were there to, no Jim. Alverda is 93. She is always really "Good" (inside joke). She walks with her walker, loves to play Bingo and talk with us. She was born in Indiana and has a couple of great neices, but other than that, no family. She remembers us, but has some other memory problems that come with old age...but for the most part seems happy. Van is in a wheelchair and cannot walk. He is 83 years young, but has Parkinsons Disease. He is funny and just a good ole guy. He loves to talk, eat Baby Ruth's and drink Root Beer.

Jim isn't like the others. Jim is totally imobilized. He is in his early 50's if not late 40's. He has an offshoot of Parkinsons that is REALLY bad...so bad that he can really not do much. When we first met Jim, he was able to go fishing with us and actually reel in a fish. I could understand him, a little, when he spoke and he was eating good. Lately, Jim has gone down hill. Last week I brought him a 3 muskateers and he ate it happily, but he stopped eating everything else.

Back to last night. So when I walked in and saw all the gang, minus Jim, I was slighlty relieved. After all, he is harder to talk to, take care of and quite honestly, it is uncomfortable to be around him. So when I walked in, I almost felt happy he wasn't there. I sat by Van and asked how his week was and he said it was good, not much has happened except that Jim died yesterday. I feel like a schmuk. Life isn't about us. It isn't about "feeling" good all the time. It shouldn't be comfortable and happy 100% of the time. I will miss Jim. I will miss taking him fishing, to the library to type on the computer (looking for a BMW to convert to an electric car) helping him wipe the food from his hands and face, making him feel wanted, human. Yes, I will miss him, and I am sorry that he had to go for me to realize that volunteering isn't about me.

Ho Hum, They have control of our Power Grids....

2009-04-10T11:17:00.002-04:00

So while not watching TV yesterday, I picked up the Indy Star and began to read. Page 1 was filled with the typical BIG news stories, the main article of world importance this day was about roller coasters and the theme parks in Indiana.....yep, I am serious.

Hmmm, oh well I thought, and kept cruising through the "A'" section to see if anything else this "jolting" was happening anywhere else in the world, when I came across an small article on in the crease of A7. Now in the crease for real because the fold of the paper actually made the news article impossible to read. As luck would have it, my OCD kicked in and I began to straighten out the paper so I could read the article.

When I went to reproduce the article here for you to read, the Indy Star DOESN'T have the article in it's archives....and this was from yesterday? So then I went to the Internet and found a couple articles on the whole thing....mostly saying, yes, it has been hacked.

a mindless - free flowing rant follows:

All that to say this point. WAKE UP PEOPLE. We are literally being put to sleep each day by our jobs, the media and television. We need to see what is really going on with our lives and the lives of others around us. If we don't act now, we might not have the power to watch our nice TV's. The funny thing is, the article goes on to say that basically, we have been hacked, but nothing has been messed with. OF COURSE NOT! We are being lulled to sleep by our TV, our computers and ipods. The best thing they can do is allow us to keep them on and not worry about their little attempts to bring us into the stone age with them.

Sailing...coming sooner than you might think...

2009-04-09T09:13:00.003-04:00

Ok, I know everyone has probably wanted to sell everything they have and buy a boat and crusie the world, but really who ever does that? ME, that's who (oh and Vicki and Maggie). So I got this crazy idea in my head about 7 months ago...why live like everyone else? Why go through the "routines" of life, only to find at the end, it all ends the same....death.

So I decided not to go through life like so many others, to blaze my own path, which happens to be on a 40+ foot Catamaran. Now, dreaming is the easy part. Coming up with the 300K or so to do this right is going to be challenging. We are soon to be debt free, less the house. Then after that, we can start chipping away at that mortgage. I figure we could be totally debt free, by late 2013. Then we could sell the house, the business, all our crap, move into our new home on the ocean and go explore the world (or at least the really warm parts that have water near them - Think the BVI's, Costa Rica, Panama, Hawaii and any other small island in the Pacific).

Now alot of people ask, Todd, how long have you been sailing? The answer to that is easy, I haven't. Then how the heck do you know if you will like it. To that end I say, no matter the struggle, how hard it may be, I know that my family will always LOVE the results!

April 2008 - Inc. - Featuring Todd Muffley

2009-04-01T14:59:00.002-04:00

Thought I might throw this in as well !

Under the heading "Where should I go for ideas?" the authors write that you should visit your competitors' websites. I'd say a better plan would be to enlist a competent Internet marketing company to come up with fresh strategies and ideas. Just because your competitor has a website with different features than yours doesn't mean it's effective. Finding what works for your company's website takes planning, implementation, and testing.

Todd Muffley

President

Plan B MarketingCarmel, Indiana

7 Tips for Managing Part-Time Workers

2009-04-01T14:49:00.003-04:00

Wow, 2nd time in Inc. Magazine in a year....Fat Atom is on a roll!!!

To fill gaps without adding fixed payroll costs, more companies are turning to part-time workers. Here's how to do it right.

By: Tamara Schweitzer
Published March 30, 2009

Employee management can take on all shapes and forms in today's economy. When a company's sales slow down, managers typically seek to keep labor costs in check by limiting or reducing headcount and then relying on part-time workers and freelancers to fill gaps. But as businesses add more part-timers to their workforces, they must adapt to changing dynamics in matters ranging from productivity and customer service, to meeting deadlines. We asked business owners and human-resources experts for advice on how to manage part-time employees, and how to successfully integrate part-time employees on your staff.

1. Write a proper job description.
Just because an employee is working part-time doesn't mean they should be given a series of miscellaneous tasks. No position--not even a part-time position--should be treated ad hoc. Because the part-time employee will have a more limited presence in the office, it is even more important to set clear goals and expectations for their position, says Nancy Mobley, founder and CEO of Insight Performance, a Boston-based HR consulting firm. "When interviewing potential employees, make sure to state the requirements of the position, as well as the hours and number of days a week they will need to be in the office," says Mobley. Both the business owner and the part-time employee should be on the same page when it comes to the time commitment the job requires.

2. Assign part-timers to projects, rather than to departments or teams.
At Think Big Solutions, a Denver-based marketing firm, CEO Shawn Allison has hired part-time employees to handle some accounting and marketing projects because the work is straightforward and task-oriented. "When I brought part-time employees into my company, it was because I had a very specific issue to address," Allison recalls. "I needed a skilled controller but couldn't afford to pay a full-time salary with benefits." Other functions, such as customer service and sales, are less hospitable to part-time work, he adds, because the workflow is not as regimented and requires staff members to interact with and provide service to clients whose needs are unpredictable and impossible to schedule.

3. Avoid treating a part-timer like a second-class employee.
Even though some of your employees may not be in the office all day, they are still considered part of your staff, and business owners should make sure that part-time employees receive important company-wide communications and are kept abreast of major decisions affecting their departments. "You have to work really hard as a business owner to include everybody, and be careful not to label people only as part-time or full-time staff," says Mobley. Their value to the company "should be looked at in terms of the employee's function and not the amount of hours they are working."
And you should take steps to make sure your staff shares this attitude. At Fat Atom Internet Marketing based in Carmel, Indiana, president Todd Muffley makes sure that his part-time employees get to know the full-time staff by encouraging them to attend company social events and by organizing a number of professional events at which they are able to interact. This minimizes any division between full- and part-timers and creates an environment where part-time employees are perceived as equals.

4. Gather contact information.
Inevitably, there will be days when something urgent comes up and your part-time employee is out of the office. Most part-timers understand the need to make themselves available during off-hours, should an urgent matter arise. Make sure you know where to reach them when they are out of the office--and make certain they are clear about when they need to answer the phone. To ensure that communication on projects continues after part-timers leave for the day, Muffley issues all employees company cell phones. "This gives part-time employees a way to be accessible and they do an excellent job of answering their phones outside the office," he says.

5. Schedule regular meetings.
Insight Performance's Mobley suggests setting "core hours" for your business--perhaps they are from 10 to 2--or a bracket of time during the day when all of your staff is there, when meetings can be held, and when important decisions are made. This allows part-time staffers to feel connected to the company during the time they are in the office. "We include our part-time staff in our strategy sessions and our team meetings, and they come up with some great ideas," says Steve Durie, CEO of Secure Search, a Denver-based company that conducts background screenings for employers and educational organizations. It's also a good idea to have a weekly check-in meeting with your part-timers. At her weekly meeting, Mobley encourages employees to express any concerns they may be having about their job or just discuss how things are going.

6. Understand the relevant employment law.
Each state has its own laws when it comes to how much time off part-time employees are allotted, both for daily breaks and for vacation time. If you don't have a benefits administrator at your company, the U.S. Department of Labor's website provides the relevant compliance laws for part-time employees in your state. At Insight, Mobley offers benefits to employees who are working 28 hours or more. That's fairly uncommon: At most companies, an employee who is working between 20 and 30 hours a week is not eligible for benefits.
Another legal tip: When interviewing someone for a part-time position, it is important to be consistent with your hiring procedures. "Your interview questions should be the same for both part-time and full-time positions," says Mobley. You're entering murky waters when you start asking about personal circumstances or why an applicant might prefer to work part-time. If you then use that information as the basis of a hiring decision--for example, hiring an employee who doesn't have kids over someone who does--it could ultimately be used against you as discrimination, says Mobley. "Be clear about the qualifications for the position, but steer clear of asking about personal situations."

7. Keep in mind that managers--as well as junior employees--can work part-time.When it comes to managerial positions at your company, you don't always have to overlook part-time employees for the job. At Insight Performance, Mobley has a senior director who works part-time and manages a team of employees below her. The arrangement has been extremely positive, according to Mobley, who worked with the woman to structure the position according to both of their needs. "As a CEO, you should have a people strategy," she says. "Look within your organization and determine which job functions you can think more creatively about."

A year without TV....

2009-01-13T15:00:00.004-05:00

Check it out. I decided to go a year without TV. Big deal some people say, if that is you, then stop reading. If you are intrigued, check out my group on Facebook (a year without television) along with interesting daily videos, hot discussions and sexy women (well, the last one isn't true, unless your sexy and want to go there).

I have been TV sober for almost 13 days now. Feeling a bit woozy, but can't wait to break the habit and get on with my life. I love the quote I saw on the Internet, I wish I could attribute it to someone...it went like this, "Millionares never know who got voted off the island".

Not that I think money is eveything, but c'mon, according to tvb.org, n 2007 the average guy spent over 4 hours A DAY watching television. That is more than 28 hours a week or 1456 hours per year (that is over 60 days of the year folks)

Stop and think of it that way, and everyone should stop watching tv. Hello, 2 months of the year spent watching someone else live their life or even worse, actors acting like their role means something. (ie: CSI, Grey's Anatomy etc) What could you do with an extra 182 - 8 hour days? Start a new business? Get a part time job (at $9 per hour that would be an extra 13K a year in your pocket!) read a book, or 50. Possibilities are endless.

Cmon, get off the couch, out of the recliner and join me. What do you have to lose? Or a better way to put it, look at how much you have to gain!

The Fish were plentyful!!!!

2008-12-16T09:13:00.003-05:00

Spring Break - 2008

Place: Gulf of Mexico, Bradenton Florida

Happy 16th birthday present for my son...fishing for 2 1/2 days. The weather was beautiful and it was awesome to spend time with my son, Kevin. One day got to take the fish we caught and have them cooked up for us at a local restaurant, it was unbelievable! We had them cook only half the bag we brought and it filled up the entire table! We couldn't eat it all, Amberjack and Permit, but we both decided we loved the grilled, fried and blackened Permit the best. Here is a rundown of the fish we caught: Sea Trout, Snook, Red Fish, Barracuda (Kevin is the man!), Lemon Sharks, Spanish Mackerel, Lady Fish(bait), Grouper, Goliath Fish(Jew Fish - never landed one but got some great video of them attacking our AJ's), Pin Nose Fish, AJ's(Amberjacks) and Permit.

We also saw Flying Fish, Dolphins and Leopard Rays. All in all, it was the best fishing trip I have ever been on. The fish, weather, location and most of all, the company, will be hard to beat...but knowing me, I will try. Can anyone say family fishing trip to Alaska?!

No thanks...

2008-09-07T21:49:00.002-04:00

Thoughts going into November 4th.....

I saw a great t-shirt the other day...it said "NO'BAMA...keep the change".

Why is it that "change" is good. I guess some change can be good, some bad. Higher taxes, bad energy policies and bigger government are changes that I think are bad.

Speaking of bad, do you think McCain could step down and Palin take over? I don't know about you, but I would stand behind a fiscal conservative so fast your head would spin. She's a MILF, young (for a politician) and a conservative...she has it all!

What is Obama's name? Oh ya, Barack Huessein Obama. They say his Muslim upbringing isn't supposed to be discussed. They say we shouldn't ask what went on with him at Columbia "the missing years". What are they trying to hide? Lot's I think.

If BHO does get elected AND the Dems' keep the congress...I am going to short the market and make a killing. There isn't a tech boom to help them like Clinton got.

My thoughts on gun control....

2008-02-27T16:17:00.002-05:00

Thomas Jefferson said, "Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."

Some other random thoughts....
An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
Assault is a behavior, not a device.
You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.

What are your thoughts?

It's the end of the world as we know it....

2008-02-25T16:49:00.002-05:00

(as taken from FoxNews.com)

The good news: This won't happen for another 7.6 billion years.
The bad news: Life on Earth will end long before then.

In fact, we've only got a billion years left before the slowly expanding sun boils off the oceans and reduces our planet to an uninhabitable cinder, says Smith.

That may sound like a long time, but in fact life on Earth's been around a lot longer than that — a total of 3.7 billion years, according to the latest estimates.

For those first three billion years, true, we were nothing but pond scum. Still, the new figures indicate the long story of life on our fair blue-green planet may be entering its last act.
Is there any way our future descendants can save themselves? Why, yes, explains Smith.
He cites a recent study emanating from the University of California, Santa Cruz. It proposes taming an asteroid to swing by the Earth every few thousand years, slowly nudging the Earth into higher solar orbit, enough to outpace the sun's own outward growth.
"This sounds like science fiction," says Smith. "But it seems that the energy requirements are just about possible and the technology could be developed over the next few centuries."

Todd's take:
First off, I am sorry, but I refuse to believe that we came from "pond scum". I find it hard in today's age that smart people think that something (humans) can come from nothing (what they say earth was). Show me that anyone has made something from nothing, they haven't, you can't...period.

Secondly, if it sounds like science fiction Mr. Smith, it is because it IS science fiction. Go back to your Star Trek reruns and let us "normal" people get on with their meaningless existence :-)

I saw the snowman....

2008-02-13T00:50:00.005-05:00

I am in Washington DC at the 2008 CRT (Cardiac Revascular Therapies) with my client, the Cell Therapy Foundation (http://www.ascrnetwork.com/). Tim Russert canceled on the event (thank God) and Tony Snow stepped up and in.

Here are some highlights from the event besides me shaking his hand and briefly talking to him after the event. I did get to ask a question, which is below with the answer.

1) Definition of a Maverick: Someone who doesn't stab you in the back, they stab you in the forehead.

2) The USA has had 52 months of consecutive job growth.

3) Protectionism is just another word for defeatism.

4) Tony thinks it is going to be a good year for the Democrats - picking Obama to pull it out

5) Said about the Clintons (paraphasing) Bill cannot take second seat to anyone, not even his wife. Hillary doesn't really know who she is.

6) Both Bush Presidents share two common enemies, Sadaam and the English Language, they both defeated only one.

And finally, my question to Mr. Snow was, "If you could put yourself in each canidates shoes, who would you choose as your VP? Obama - Sam Nunn (needs to have experience behind him) Clinton - Obama (yes, that was his answer) McCain - Fred Thompson (Said Fred just needs to start acting like he wants to be there) and for Huckabee - (said Obama will be available and didn't really have an answer, thought McCain 100%)

In conclusion, Tony was a great speaker, polite to both parties, respectful to the administration and 100% a great American.

Sometimes we just need to remember...

2008-01-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

I received this letter as email...it says what I feel.

"Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001? Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania? Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

Am I supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was "desecrated" when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all. I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11. I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat. I'll care when the cowardly so-called "insurgents" in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques. I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs. I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberal ties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care. When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care. When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed "special" food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being "mishandled," you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled "Koran" and other times "Quran." Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and-you guessed it-I don't care !!

And some good quotes.... "If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under."(Ronald Reagan) and "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out." (Tony Blair)

How time goes by....

2007-12-10T18:45:00.000-05:00

It seems like only yesterday my friend Dan Hirst and I wore bras on our head as we raided the 732 MI BN first floor laundry room. It was in 1991 that this assult on the dryers took place...fast forward to 2007, 16 years later. I sit in amazement, 16 years. Thoughts race through my mind about that gap in time. What have I done, or haven't done. What should I have done, or not done. Regrets, we all have them; memories to.

It's when I look at the pictures I see two men, who let to much time pass by without connecting. We are much different people now then we were 16 years ago, as I pause wondering if we are better men. I will speak for Dan when I say he certainly is. Involved in his Church, raising a new family and retaining a valuable position within the community...I would say, yes, much better. Dan stopped by and we had time to talk and eat dinner, but again, time went to fast. We said our so longs, and as he drove off, I felt sad to see him leave, but happy to have seen him again.

So many thoughts and emotions. If you would, just take a moment of your time to reconnect with someone who you haven't talked to in a while. Let's take this Holiday season and work on relationships, the true gifts in life, rather than the other commercial aspect of the season....I promise it will be better than any other gift!

KIVA.org Micro Loans to 3rd world business owners

2007-12-10T10:17:00.001-05:00

This is my latest thing, lending money through micro loans to business owners in need, who have LOTS less than we have. Check it out, what a great way for business owners to help others. Kiva.org was featured on Oprah last wee, yeah, I watch her....get over it. What a great business. Please take a moment to look at it. Your time and small loan will change lives...it is amazing what people can do with $25.

2007-11-17T10:47:00.000-05:00

Maggie's 5th birthday is tomorrow...and to commerate, here are a couple "Maggieisms" I will share:

Dad: Stop getting so big!

Maggie: God want's me to get big.

Dad: He does?

Maggie: Yeah, so I can reach things.

Dad: Your getting to big to cuddle with, I think we might have to get a new baby.

Maggie: And get rid of me? No, I really like you guys.

Happy Birthday my beautiful girl...I will always be there to catch you!

A great place to find......

2007-10-15T16:45:00.000-04:00

Check out http://www.yaholo.net. Want a great take on religion? You will find it here, along with lots of other.

What's the deal?

2007-10-13T00:21:00.000-04:00

What's wrong with our society today? Contracts, agreements, lawyers...don't get me started.

My grandfather and my father taught me the value of the your words. The value of your follow through and committment to your agreements...even when it's hard, when you don't want to and even when you "feel" slighted or wronged. This is hard...hey...life is hard.

The moment when your words are consumated into an agreement happens upon the handshake. Your words followed by your agreement. The point that you say, trust me.

Let's not take this for granted any longer. The next time we are in the situation that requires a handshake, lets grip firmly, look into the others eyes and let them know with confidence and or authority that you will do what you said you were going to do, when you said you were going to do it.

It's time to be brilliant!

2007-10-08T13:53:00.001-04:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant?” Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same.

As we are liberated for our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Nelson Mandela – 1984 Inaugural Speech

Need a break ?

2007-09-08T15:38:00.001-04:00

http://www.a1vacations.com/USA/Hawaii/Oahu/vacation-condo-Makaha/p159314.htm#unitAmenities

Check out a picture from our recent trip to Hawaii. Our condo was AWESOME, as you can see from the picture above. Laura, the owner, was easy to work with and the trip was a 100% perfect. Why stay downtown when you can get away from it all...and for around $800 per week!

Make a choice....

2007-07-16T20:21:00.000-04:00

A while back I gave a very modest amount of money to http://www.donorchoose.org/. It was such a small amount to me, I didn't give it a second thought after I hit the button .

Much to my surprise when I walked in the house from a long day at MediaSauce (and Super Suppers) to find an envelop from them in my mailbox. I almost pitched it, because I didn't remember even donating! But WOW, what follow up by this company. I received a nice letter from the Executive Director of Donor Choose and then 3 letters and pictures from the kids that I bought books for! (they are from a school in NY)

Myself and 2 other contributors received these great letters and I wanted to share with you a couple poems the kids wrote to us, the book they are reading is Iqbal, a story about children slave labor. If you are reading this, please make a choice today to give!

"Torture in the Factory"

Kneeling in the silent gloom

Working swiftly at the loom

Fingers blistered, fingers bleeding

All the colored strings receding

Torture in the Factory

It's for them, not for me

Jack

Weave in

Weave under

NEVER let your mind wander

for if you do

you'll hear the crack of the whip

and feel the pain of the sting

and you'll scream a scream that will ring

throughout the country

and into the next

but you'll NEVER know it's yours

because your mind will be fixed

on erasing your lines

and boarding that ship

and NEVER

EVER

looking back.

Poem by Devan of Team Pleat

A friends site....

2007-07-01T23:08:00.000-04:00

Check out http://www.anneryder.com/. There you can find her blog for "in an instant". MediaSauce designed her site and I helped with the SEO...you will see a great picture and story of Maggie there...along with other stories that are awesome reading.

I look forward to keeping up with her blog....Great job Anne!

Another Sunday in the books....

2007-07-01T22:50:00.000-04:00

My wife turned 40 a month ago. For weeks leading up to the "funeral party" she totally thought I was blowing off her birthday, to the point where I think she questioned whether I really cared.....ha. With 40 friends and relatives dressed in black, Vicki was successful surprised and walked in to her party to the guests singing Amazing Grace.

This picture is priceless. Maggie learned what solemn was about 2 days early, and I told her to touch the picture and act that way..beautiful pic!

Thoughts at random.

I am swamped at MediaSauce, work work work. I am the old man there...unbelievable.

Curt, I haven't forgotten you. My daughter is playing summer travel softball, I should get her July schedule shortly.

Dan the man, I have been to Bremen 1 time in the last 7 months....What are you doing for the 4th? Want to come watch the fireworks in Bremen with us?

703rd MI BN, 732nd MI Brigade - comment on my posts....let me know where you are at. I have found Mitchum, Reynolds, Staker, Hirst and Hooch (Steve Holmes)....looking for Gemmill, St. Clair and others.

Try to write more soon...have a great 4th of July everyone....remember, freedom isn't free, thank a soldier or military veteran this holiday season.

Quote of the Day....

2007-05-02T12:33:00.000-04:00

"Good is the enemy of Great"

After much thought, isn't this the truth. How many times do we stop and say about something, good enough. What if, in everything from our relationships with our family and friends, work, projects everything...we said instead, that is not good enough, we can do better...we can have great?

The one definition of good is, "something useful or beneficial". Most of us would aspire to be good. One definition of great is, "markedly superior in character or quality".

After reading, thinking and thinking some more, I want to be great. What about you?

Want to know what it takes to make the move? Check out www.goodtogreat.com

Buy the book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Companies-Leap-Others/dp/0066620996/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9072599-3923963?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178126184&sr=8-1

or cheaper here:

http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Companies-Leap-Others/dp/0066620996/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9072599-3923963?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178126184&sr=8-1

What do you know, it's tech time!

2007-04-12T22:50:00.000-04:00

What's a widget/gadget? Mac's aside, check out the new Google interface at http://www.google.com/ (personalize home)

New and not improved...the PPC interface that Yahoo ( http://www.yahoo.com/ )brought on, how should I say it...sucks. But not as bad as MSN.

Get a cool tool at http://www.download.com/ (search for FastStone Capture tool) Be careful, it is addicting.

Honorable Mention: http://www.realphrases.com/. Some people call it spamming, I call it cool. You make your own decision.

Enough is enough...

2007-03-29T10:02:00.000-04:00

Technorati ProfileI don't know about anyone else, but if I hear the name Alberto Gonzales again, I think I am going to explode....and by the way, Janet Reno fired 93 Attorney Generals in 1993....don't believe me, look it up and get over it. http://sweetness-light.com/archive/flashback-attorney-general-reno-seeks-resignations-from-prosecutors-nyt-1993

In other news circles, what the heck is up with Iran? We have 15 of your soldiers, but if you create, and I quote, "a fuss" about it, we will not let the woman soldier go.....I am speechless. I admit, I would not make a good president. I would not tolerate this. I would say, not fuss...just say hello to my little friend, the nuclear bomb. http://sweetness-light.com/archive/flashback-attorney-general-reno-seeks-resignations-from-prosecutors-nyt-1993 That would shut them up. It is hard to bomb them back to the stone age though, since I don't think they have left that era....anyways...

We went to see Seinfeld in March and suprisingly, he wasn't that good. Granted, I love the show and can memorize at least 50 Seinfeldisms, I just didn't like it all to well. Anybody else have the same thoughts?

Going Going Gone....

2007-03-17T11:42:00.000-04:00

Found another friend from my Army days, Scrivner lives in KS. We went to AIT together and then were stationed in Hawaii....it was great to hear from him.

This coming week is a big one as lots of decisions are going to be made about my future. All work related and lots of opportunities, I am exicted about it all...keep you posted.

We are going to TN for a quick Spring Break, try to get some R&R with 2 other families and their 5 kids...what am I thinking? (Where's the beach?)

Things that make my life easier....

2007-02-18T21:38:00.000-05:00

Here are some great tools that everyone should know about to make their life easier.

Robo Forms - www.roboforms.com - This great tool organizes and memorizes all your passwords and log-ins to as many web sites as you want....what a great tool! (Thanks Josh!)

FastStone - available at www.download.com - This little jem will let you copy and cut anything you want from the web and save it as any type of file to use in any document or email you want. It is really cool. (Thanks Des!)

Gotomeeting.com - www.gotomeeting.com - Have a conference call anytime, anywhere AND let everyone watch your screen....this is a great business tool for teaching or selling.

Salesforce.com - www.salesforce.com - Need a CRM (Contact Manager) but tired of Outlook, ACT! or Goldmine? This is the real deal. Online, powerful and intuitive...If your job is managing relationships and contacts...you need this. (Thanks CJ!)

Godaddy.com - www.godaddy.com - .com's for $9.20. Hosting for $4 per month. Funny commercials, they got it all.

Shutterfly - www.shutterfly.com - What to do with all those digital pictures on your laptop? Worry no more! Order pictures and much more right here.

Just another game...

2007-02-05T17:34:00.000-05:00

Well, they did it. the Colts won the big one. My Sunday went like this. I got ready to watch the biggest game of the year and some great commercials....yada, yada, yada, I went home and went to bed.

Sure they won and yes I am happy, but it just seemed uneventful. From the commercials (which I thought horrible, especially for 2.6 million dollars) to the game itself, it was just so...blah. (I guess my wordsmithing is escaping me at the moment, it has been a long day.)

As for the Colts victory, "hurray". Now let's get back to work.

Happy New Year!!!

2007-01-01T19:43:00.000-05:00

Happy 2007 all Odd Todd Blog readers...

Just a quick note today. Did anyone happen to catch the icon of the ages, Dick Clark last night? They (professionals) always talk about going out on top of their game, and now I know what they mean. I really felt bad for the man, it hurt to watch.

It did make me thankful for my health and that of my families. After all is said and done, that's about all we have isn't it? Best Wishes to all in 2007!

What time is it???

2006-12-19T14:03:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what time it is?
Let me tell you.
It is time to REMEMBER. Remember friends, old and new. Remember family, close and distant. Remember our military men and women, for some, their sacrifice can never be repaid. Remember that there is more to life than work, then checking that last email or making one more call. Remember why we celebrate Christmas, for the birth of a Savior, who for those that believe, will someday come and rule this place.
It is also time to FORGET. Forget about the politics of the world. Forget about the grudges with friends and family. Forget about gossiping, greed and jealousy. Forget about those who have hurt you and those that owe you something.
And lastly, it is time to LOVE. Not the kind of love that most of you are thinking of, but the kind of Love like in the picture of my pal Craig and an Iraqi girl above. If we can do anything this Christmas season, let us love one another, like we want to be loved. Yes it requires work, and yes, sometimes we will fail. But if we remember that it is always time to love, I think the world would be a different place. Merry Christmas everyone.

Great quote...

2006-11-27T18:04:00.000-05:00

In the immortal words of of Deputy Barney Fife, "There's nothing I hate worse than a wino on a crying jag."

My family loves to watch Andy Griffith, after many many episodes of forcing them to sit with me, it has become habit...although I would like to think otherwise. Even my 4 year old loves it. She goes around saying, "Hellooo Doll" in a long drawn out voice, from an episode where Andy and Barney had to work late and couldn't take their girls, Thelma Lou and Helen to the movies. On the way to the diner to get dinner for the two of them, Barney stumbles onto some old acquaintances and he can't refuse their pleas to have some fun.

Anyway, just a great quote from a great actor. Don died at the age of 81, Feb 24th 2006.

And now a bit of trivia....what tv series is the following quote from....."oh, your friends with the urinator."?

Have you ever had a Thick Burger?

2006-10-23T18:47:00.000-04:00

It wasn't until last week that I experienced my first "real" hamburger. I know, the critics will say that Wendy's has a good burger, or some may still love the Big Mac. Hey, I used to love the Whopper....but no more. I have found my mecca.

Hardee's isn't your typical fast food restaurant. Not only is the food made fresh, they have no heat lamps, but the service is good and the place is clean. Hardee's is also launching another product called, Red Burrito. It is high quality Mexican food served fast, inside of some Hardee's stores. The closest Red Burrito is in Terre Haute, but I heard that they are coming to Indy in 2007. (watch out Taco Bell and Q-Doba...they are coming for you.) And if their Big Burrito is anything like the Hardee's number 6 I purchased on Saturday (sourdough bacon cheeseburger) they better be afraid.

If you haven't been to a Hardee's in a while, I suggest you stop in soon. Let me know what you thought....I know I'm going back!

Pals...

2006-10-05T10:05:00.000-04:00

What makes a Pal? First I think we should look into the origin of the word. Webster says it comes from Roman times and means: brother/friend. Now, anyone can have a friend, some of even have good friends, but few of us have Pals.

You see, a Pal is there to the end. Through thick and thin, a Pal stands besides you, and you beside them. My Pal once was going to fight 3 guys after I accosted them while we were coming out of a bar, and I was is no shape to fight. Heck, my Pal even raided the laundry room with me and put a bra on his head for no reason other than I thought it would be funny. And even though a friend may do all those things, when a friendship goes bad, its usually over. But when Pals have a falling out, its the brotherhood part of the meaning that allows them to return to each other. Welcome back Dan!

Knock ...

2006-09-22T21:13:00.000-04:00

Whose there? Opportunity. Opportunity who? Interesting saying, "Opportunity only knocks once", but what does it mean? Should we not ask who is at the door and just open it without thinking? Or should we look through the peep hole first, being cautious about whose knocking? Or should we just lay on the couch with the TV on and not even get up to see who is there?

Although the first and third option are most appealing to me, I think running to the door and looking through the peep hole is the best answer. Don't let opportunity sit there and fester. But don't jump at it automatically either. But do expedite things. Opportunities can also be distractions, ie-time killers, and no one needs that.

So get up off the couch, and check out those opportunities that surround you...before it knocks on my door!

What's the big idea?

2006-09-15T19:42:00.000-04:00

Ever asked yourself, "How much is an idea worth?". I do almost everyday. I don't have the mind of an MBA, PHD or BA for that matter, but I do have an idea creator between my two ears. As I always tell my clients, there are no bad ideas, just ideas that don't get used.

Keep track of your ideas either on a note pad beside your bed or in your laptop..anywhere. Don't get discouraged if someone else "takes" your idea. Don't we all say at one time, we had that idea first? But at some point, for some reason, someone else executed first.

So write down your ideas and keep them flowing, you never know when it might be your turn to execute first.

I think all the water is frozen solid!

2006-09-08T21:40:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of me in Wisconsin by a sign for the Ice Age trail. In January of 2004, my pal Pat and I went for a little camping trip. We started the mid-morning adventure at about 4 degrees above zero...Yes, FOUR. After hiking for 5 hours or so we set up camp and quickly got into our tent and sleeping bags.

After taking a little nap and waking up around 5:30pm, completely dark and even colder, we made and ate supper and quickly got back in the tent. Attempting to sleep in sub-zero temperatures wasn't the easiest, but for my pal Pat, it was down right impossible. You see, Pat's sleeping bag was rated to +15, it was now -13. "It was the most miserable night of my life", Pat's words, and he wasn't kidding.

Now having said all that, what a great time and adventure we had! Sure we were cold. Sure all of our water froze and we had to cut our trip short...but what an adventure!

Isn't that how life is sometimes. When we are in the thick of things with deadlines, family troubles and stress everywhere it sometimes is just miserable. But after, when things settle down a bit and we look back at those times, can't we always find something good in those times? Something that we can look back at and say, yeah man, that was rough, but we got through it and we are better for it, stronger for it or just maybe it wasn't as bad as we thought?

I think we can. I think is we just slow down, pause and reflect......we can find good in just about anything life throws at us!

The entry that almost wasn't

2006-08-30T23:01:00.000-04:00

Well I almost felt like not typing today...it's 11pm and I am still working on "stuff". Big meeting tomorrow, lots of projects going on and a bit behind today.

I have lots of ideas swirling around my little mind, trying to create monthly residual revenue whether or not I am in Indiana or Aruba. I think I got a good one, just fine tuning it a bit. Nothing revolutionary or new, just smart marketing.

Sometimes, no most times, KISS reigns true (Keep It Simple Stupid). I think this new idea does just that....but why keep wetting your appetite when I cannot divulge the idea...yet.

Meanwhile, Don LaFontaine probably has one of the most interesting businesses, and his haircut isn't that bad either.

TGIT - Thank God I'm Todd

2006-08-25T21:11:00.000-04:00

How many times a day do I sit and think about how much I love being me? At least 10! Yes, my days have ups and downs. Take today for instance, a deal I have been working on for almost 4 months fell through. What a heartbreak. But on Tuesday, I was told by a potential client that they choose Plan B as their marketing agency of record! Logo, letterhead, envelopes, business cards, collateral material, web site, PPC (pay-per-click), email marketing, trade show consulting, you name it, we are doing it!

Yes I am upset about the deal that didn't go through, but excited about my new client. All that to say, I love being me. A business owner who is on a roller coaster ride with ups and downs, starts and stops. But still a business owner. Being in charge of my own destiny on earth isn't always easy, fun or glamorous. Trying to make payroll, keeping your family and personal in balance aren't easy...but I wouldn't give it up, even for a 6 figure paycheck.

On a lighter side, check out http://www.secondlife.com Someday soon, I will start a business here!

2006-08-20T00:17:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking lots about my failed summit on Capitol Peak about 3 weeks ago. My feet are still not healed and I am still bummed out about the whole deal.

There were a lot of things that went wrong on this trip. Poor planning and poor execution are two big things that come to mind. Now this was just a 5 day trip, and sure I wasn't happy not to summit, but some people have poor planning and poor execution everyday in their business lives....and that would be a lot harder to live with.

I think Plan B does a good job in planning and execution, due in some part to my business coach, CJ McClanahan of ReachMore Strategies. Also by defining what we do and limiting it to four areas helps bring focus to our work and clarity to our clients on what we can and cannot do.

If your living your busines life with poor planning and/or execution, go to www.goreachmore.com. CJ will get you on track. And for Capitol Peak, watch out, I learned from my mistakes and I coming back for you...and I will summit.

Another Day In Paradise

2006-08-14T18:31:00.000-04:00

I think one of the most under-valued resources we have are Mom's. After being a "single-father" for the last 5 days, I am re-thinking about giving my wife a salary with bonuses bases on things like, our childrens grades, how clean the house is and how good dinner is.

On a side note, I am meeting with a potential client this week on a great project we hope and expect to get. It will be a great web site with some other marketing pieces involved...right up our alley. I will let you know what happens.

My feet are almost healed from my failed summit attempt on Capitol Peak. I am going to start training harder and more intensly for a 28 mile snow hike in Colorado this winter...and then Isle Royal with the kids in June.

2006-08-11T10:31:00.000-04:00

How much crap I have taken for being a "web" compnay with no web site ove since Sept 05?? Lots. Well, no more. The launch of my new site is up and although not complete, about 80%, it is still something. I will continue to work on it over the next couple weeks fine tuning it, but here it is world.

Other items of interest include my recent atempt to asscent Capitol Peak last week in Colorado. Wow, could I tell some stories about that. My wife is in Florida this week, so I am juggling work, house duites and dad duties with the 3 kiddies.

The business is going well, growing steadily each month. We have picked up some great new clients that will give us lots of credibilty, make sure you check out our portfolios to see if you can find them, they will jump out!

So much to do, so little time to do it...

2006-03-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

I am in the process of selling one of my businesses, while keeping the other humming along. I have meetings next week to discuss my next venture, either a furniture store and retail development in downtown Carmel (can you say, Cool Condos?), or set up a Mortgage Brokerage Company to offer a specific product to homeowners with good credit and at least 15% equity in their home. I might just do both if I can wing it.

I am always doing more that one thing, because of my short attention span or for my need to be challenged...you could debate either way. Life is to short to not have fun. I took most of the day off and just relaxed with my daughter, did some work at Super Suppers, but mostly enjoyed the day and the life God has granted me....peace.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life...

2006-02-05T09:37:00.000-05:00

Making the jump into blogging, Odd Todd appears. I will discuss my life as a "serial entrepreneur" and go behind the scenes of my businesses, family and friends and show how they all come together to make my life.

So place your seat back in the upright position and get ready for.....Odd Todd.