I'm quite sure most of you have read or heard this before...a very clever, yet simple way to illustrate the importance of "things" in one's life, and a reminder to prioritize. Each time I run across this old adage, I smile and am thankful for having been reminded of it. 

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.” More...

A lady once hired a plumber to come and fix her sink. He walked right up to it and banged the pipe and turned a knob until the clog was fixed. He promptly handed the lady a bill after about 2 minutes of work. “$105! Why all you did was bang the pipe and turn a knob! I want a breakdown of why this is so expensive.” The lady exclaimed angrily. The plumber smiled and said, “It’s $5 for banging the pipe and turning the knob. It’s $100 for knowing where to bang.”

And there you have it, in this day and age knowing where to bang More...

It is hard on a lazy Sunday afternoon to motivate yourself to go to the gym in particular after a hard week of working on your feet in a pizza store. I’ve done it, I know; I have however kept a steady regime of exercise throughout my life. It helps me think better, give me more energy and lubricates the old joints so they don’t hurt too bad. It is almost as if things get better in everything and every where  when I exercise, even in my day to day affairs. It sounds crazy doesn’t it? May be there is some truth in the saying the harder I work the luckier I get! But I can’t afford it…I don’t have time……. All excuses I am afraid. Are you busier than the president of US? Look at running for example:

• Anyone can do it. Running is accessible. Almost anyone can put on a pair of trainers and become a regular runner, although you might need to start with walking and build up speed gradually.
• It's practical. Running is cheap and easy. You don't need a lot of expensive equipment (just a decent pair of trainers) and you can run anywhere that's safe to walk. It's time-efficient too because you can head straight out and don't need to travel anywhere before you can start.
• It keeps you fit. Running and other forms of cardiovascular exercise are a great way to increase your fitness, because they raise your heart rate, giving your heart muscle an effective workout and improving your circulation. Increased aerobic capacity will make everyday activities, such as running for a bus or walking up the stairs, easier. It will also reduce your risk of heart attacks, angina, high blood pressure and stroke.
More...

This morning as I was driving to work in the windy 15 degree weather I saw a young girl dressed up like the Statue of Liberty waving at drivers to stop and get their taxes done.  It reminded me of some of the tough jobs I’ve had, or at least tougher than the one I have now.  Having spent the better part of 25 years working nights, weekends and numerous shifts for people that failed to show up for work, I am deeply grateful for the job I have now.  I have the privilege of providing value for people trying to make a go of the restaurant business.  While running restaurants is not like fighting fires on oil rigs in the middle of the ocean, it has its own set of challenges, as all of us who have given our hearts and souls to the biz well know.

Back to the Statue of Liberty, something that represents what a lot of us take for granted:  and that is FREEDOM.  Freedom to worship or not to worship, Freedom to be the kind of person we want to be, Freedom to hang out with who we want to, Freedom to go to work or not go to work depending upon how hungry we are.   My point being that regardless of what nationality, faith or ethnic culture we come from, I think there is a universal truth that applies to us all.  I know you are saying what Ken, what universal truth are you referring to.  Well I am going to tell you:  KINDNESS.  Yes kindness.  As Mother Teresa once said "Small things done with great love will change the world."  So tomorrow when I pass the Statue of Liberty standing in the cold, I am going to stop and give her a cup of hot chocolate and maybe a donut.  Just a small way of paying back what I have been so freely given.  I hope you have the opportunity to show a little bit of love to someone today.

We humans like to complain about everything: it’s too cold, I am tired, it’s too hot, I am starving, I can’t save enough money to have a new car; and the list goes on. Unfortunately it takes a major disaster to recognize the triviality of the everyday issues one encounters. I am certain the folks in Haiti also complained about all the things we do till the earthquake hit. Now getting a glimpse of the partner you were complaining about is all you ask God for.

I read this moving article last night about this young British girl. It certainly put a silencing cap on many of my complaints [at least until I went to bed], realizing how lucky I was to be alive and without pain:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article7002306.ece

As we begin the New Year, it is easy to forget that lean times bring unique opportunities for businesses seeking to strengthen their long-term position. Consider the following iconic products that were launched during prior economic slumps.

Fortune Magazine – The publication was launched in 1930, less than a year after the stock market crash. Fortune became popular as the public’s interest in business grew and the rise and fall of wealthy capitalists was of interest to the common man.  Fortune had what at that time was a large cover price of $1 however that did not stop its popularity.

Diet Coke – We have all heard of Diet Coke!  It was introduced in 1982, and turned the beverage industry upside down.  Today considered the number one diet beverage in the world, this product was launched in the middle of the troubled economy during the 1980s.

iPod – Who has not heard of an iPod?  The answer is no one.  Apple released the iPod just 2 months after the Sept. 11th attacks and the economic downturn that proceeded. Once again like the Fortune magazine from the Great Depression, the iPod was considered an expensive luxury.  Sales have obviously taken off as oven 100 million iPods have been sold.

Snuggie – And last but certainly not least how about the Snuggie, that oversized fleece blanket with sleeves.  This product was launched during the global recession in 2008.  Now it is in Grocery Stores, Malls, and Magazines everywhere.  This “As Seen On TV” hit has become part of our pop culture having sold over 4 million

Economic downturns create a great opportunity for businesses looking to gain market share and come out ahead. Invest in your business’s future growth - superior products will always be in demand.

It's heart-wrenching to watch the death toll climb and the frustration mount for these poor people left to dig themselves out of the rubble by their fingernails; while there seems to be no other option than to sit by helpless when so many need so much. Thankfully, there are so many relief sites popping up everywhere; one organization after another is joining in the effort to help, so much so that news sources are now warning individuals of fraudulent sites standing by to prey on the generosity of mankind. Following are 2 very simple ways you can help contribute to the aid that Haiti so desparately needs. All it requires is the ability to send a text from your phone. Simply text "Haiti" to 90999 and a donation of $10 will be donated to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts. You will see the charge on your next phone bill. A similar text message campaign is one run by Yele Haiti, a grassroots group founded by former Fugees singer Wyclef Jean, who has Haitian roots. Simply text "Yele" to 501501 and a donation of $5 will be made. You can re-text and donate up to 6 times. With each of these options, you will receive a confirmation via a text that your contribution was received, and you should expect to see the charges on your next phone bill.

Obviously there are numerous ways you can get involved, and any little bit helps. Please think of those in need, those who's suffering will continue for some time to come, and do whatever you can...it'll also make you feel a tiny bit better for having done something. 

Found that Cnet has uncovered some more godmodes for Windows 7. These let you control most every setting on your computer. This can be very helpful for those in the IT field.

"CNet snagged an interview with Windows division president, Steven Sinofsky. The Microsoft executive gave a little insight into why GodMode exists, explained the name and even revealed more undocutmented features for Windows 7.

According to CNet, Sofinsky said several similar developer features provide direct access to all kinds of settings, from choosing a location to managing power settings to identifying biometric sensors. Sinofsky also clarified that GodMode is a term coined by bloggers. Also interesting to note that Microsoft says it has yet to encounter the problem so many of you had trying this little trick with Vista. Some of you using 64-bit Vista say activating GodMode caused your machine to crash. Sinofsky says the folks at MS have yet to replicate this problem.

Given that Microsoft is keeping schtum, it's probably safe to say Vista users shouldn't try the shortcuts below.

All one has to do is create a new folder on the desktop named the following:

{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

{00C6D95F-329C-409a-81D7-C46C66EA7F33}

{0142e4d0-fb7a-11dc-ba4a-000ffe7ab428}

{025A5937-A6BE-4686-A844-36FE4BEC8B6D}

{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}

{1206F5F1-0569-412C-8FEC-3204630DFB70}

{15eae92e-f17a-4431-9f28-805e482dafd4}

{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966}

{1D2680C9-0E2A-469d-B787-065558BC7D43}

{1FA9085F-25A2-489B-85D4-86326EEDCD87}

{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}

{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}

{241D7C96-F8BF-4F85-B01F-E2B043341A4B}

{4026492F-2F69-46B8-B9BF-5654FC07E423}

{62D8ED13-C9D0-4CE8-A914-47DD628FB1B0}

{78F3955E-3B90-4184-BD14-5397C15F1EFC}"

"The indispensible first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want." - Ben Stein.  

 I agree with old Ben Stein it's kinda like saying I don't know where I am going because I don't know how to get there.  Where is there, right now I am here and I am staying here until I leave to go somewhere. 

When I get there I will let you know.

Remember we are here at Pizzaovens.com Monday thru Friday from 8 - 5 pm, sometimes earlier, sometimes later.  Give us a call and we will help you get what you need to get where you are going!

Does today's youth have any idea what "The American Dream" is? Sure, they grow up hearing about it...I grew up hearing about it. Will I or the vast majority of Americans ever live the American Dream?Doubtful. In the words of James Adams, "The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement...a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."  More...