source: http://internationalseo.biz/twechniques-for-targeted-twitter-followers/

"Rely on yourself. It's the difference between following the car ahead of you and mapping out the directions yourself. The first way may be faster, but you never really know where you are."

You know those guys that carry the signs on the side of the road that advertise for businesses? Everyone has seen them: $5 Hot & Ready Pizza from Lil' Caesars, Model Homes, Foot Massage $25, anything! There are even a bunch of real professionals who dance, do flips, and other tricks with their sign. Although it might not do anything more for the advertisement, its still pretty entertaining for those waiting for the stoplight to turn green.

While I was driving into work this morning the radio station I was listening to was playing video clips. At first I thought it was a joke, but soon realized that they were dead serious. Did I miss something?! Video on the Radio? Hmmm.

I get that they were probably doing it to drive traffic to their website where the video links were. That in my opinion is smart. What isn't smart to me is the fact that they were playing these clips, as some sort of teaser to get us to go to their site. Wouldn't it just be better to explain it? Geez, that really grinds my gears. Who makes these decisions?

Yeah that's right Channel 933, I'm calling you out!

I just want to go on the record and say that the laziest exercise/machine at the gym is for sure the Hip Abductor Machine. I've felt this way for a long time. You just sit down and open and close your legs repeatedly. i don't know, it just annoys me to see girls use it for like 30 mins straight...and funny to see a guy on it. there's got to be a better exercise that works those muscles and others at the same time.

...a close second would have to be the ab bench thingy. you know what i'm talking about, the one with the handles and neck pad that moves up and down. it's not that the exercise itself is lazy, its more the people who do 5 crunches and then lay there for 5 mins talking to their friend.

(Best part of this post is the title.)



Update: Just googled, "hip abduction machine is the worst." and found this...

The Seated Hip Abductor Machine

"The myth: This machine is the best way to work your out thighs, including your glutes.

The truth: Because you’re seated, it trains a movement that has no functional use. And if done with excessive weight and jerky technique, it can put undue pressure on your spine.

The alternative: Work the same muscles, but while standing. Simply loop a resistance band around both legs, and position the band just below your knees. Now take small steps to your left for 20 feet. Then side-step back to your right for 20 feet. That’s one set. This is much harder than it sounds, but you can do it anywhere, and it’s also a great warmup for any sport."

I was eating a vegetarian burrito today and I was by myself, so naturally I started thinking about something random. I started to think, "I'm pretty sure Jesus was a pescatarian." I've never done any research on this, but i couldn't recall ever reading in the Bible that Christ ate meat. One story that came to mind was, "The Feeding of the Multitude" or "Miracle of the five loaves and two fish". Wikipedia just told me that it's the only miracle, apart from Jesus' resurrection, that is present in all 4 Gospels...must be why I thought of this story. Anyways, what had happened was, there was a crowd following Jesus but all there was to eat was a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. So He said something like, "Let me see that son!(referring to the bread and fish)....BAM!" And the bread and fish were able to feed 5,000 men and who knows how many women and children...pretty cool stuff.

So I was thinking about all this and thought, "Well, if Christ was a Vegetarian, he wouldn't have multiplied the fish. He must be a Pescatarian!" JUST LIKE ME! That's as far as I got. You see, i've been on this whole "no meat" thing since late September and I'm still searching for the reason why i'm doing it. It hasn't been difficult for me, but at the same time i'd like to have a reason other than its just me being masochistic. Here is what i've come up with so far:

1. I really do love vegetables and fruit...seriously, i do.

2. I'm very sensitive to the sight of dead animals. Read the 2nd paragraph of this EXAMPLE to see what i'm talking about. I think i've just been conditioned to not think twice about a dead piggy or cow. But I just read an article in Men's Health about how much beef the average person eats in his/her lifetime and the total amount of cows that would add up to. I don't remember the exact number but i'm pretty sure it was something like 80,000+! I kind of felt disgusted after that. I'll update this once i find the exact number.

3. As a result I'm eating healthier. Not that I ate that bad before, but this lifestyle forces me to be a little more selective about what I eat...which translates to less late night, after party runs to grab mexican food.

4. And now I can add to the list that i'm more like Jesus! He was a pretty good dude, why wouldn't I want to be like him? He's probably fist pounding me from Heaven right now for my choices...

You know, I like that I have a little more clarity, but i also love the fact that i'm not the kind of person who flaunts this lifestyle. Hopefully i'll never be one to be "preachy" cause I already think there are way too many people who are taking life way too seriously, and I don't want to add to that.


Here was an interesting article I just read on Jesus being a vegetarian: Holla!

excerpt:
"The early Christian fathers adhered to a meatless regime...many early Christian groups supported the meatless way of life. In fact, the writings of the early Church indicate that meat eating was not officially allowed until the 4th century, when the Emperor Constantine decided that his version of Christianity would be the version for everyone. A meat eating interpretation of the Bible became the official creed of the Roman Empire, and vegetarian Christians had to practice in secret or risk being put to death for heresy. It is said that Constantine used to pour molten lead down the their throats if they were captured. Ironic indeed that pagan Rome here would have this longstanding influence upon Christianity.

In any case, I think we can all be thankful that it is a lot easier today to be a vegetarian. The occasional rudeness and social disapproval a vegetarian must tolerate is a pretty small inconvenience in comparison to Constantine's way of dealing with vegetarians."




Sidenote: Just went to search "was jesus a vegetarian" in google, and I got to "was " and the suggestions popped up as usual. Here's what it thought I may be searching for:

#1- "was lady gaga born a man"
#2- "was hitler jewish"
#3- "was jesus black"

in my opinion, i think it would've been cooler if the #1 suggestion was, "was lady gaga born of hitler, and was hitler black? jesus was jewish. obvious."

Facebook is getting a little ridiculous with these "suggestions":

I always knew one day I would have have fans. And I even knew that I might have an obsessed stalker or two in my lifetime. I just really didn't expect it to be right now in my life. Because honestly aside from being really, really awesome, I haven't accomplished a whole lot just yet. But you know, I don't want to sell myself short and I have decided to embrace this new celebrity I have...cause having 1 fan officially makes you a celebrity right, haha! Anyways, I was sent this message earlier today, and I feel as my first fan, I owe it to her to not only mention her in my blog, but also to touch on some of the topics she has provided for me. So here you go Sam!

Original Post: July 29, 2009

During my shower at the gym earlier this evening, two gentleman were having a conversation while I was trying to mind my own business and wash the sweat off me. Normally, this would fully be against the Man Rule. I would even consider telling them to shut up, but that would also cause me to be breaking the rules. But these two gentleman were speaking Spanish, so I felt oddly OK with it. Because I couldn't understand a word of what they were saying, I didn't feel awkward listening to them. That being the case, I think this should be an addendum to the rule.

This morning I was outside stretching and I smashed an ant with my index finger. Actually what really happened was that while I was stretching, I noticed this ant crawling towards me and so I decided to push it away from me, rather then let it crawl on me. I then noticed it was squirming around and struggling. I think I may have smashed its head or something but I decided to just end its pain swiftly rather then just watch it die, and so with one poke it's life ended. This actually made me feel a little sad. I started to envision its wifey ant back at the farm, caring for their hundreds of baby ants. And I messed all that up. Ridiculous I know, but true.

Then while I sat there stretching, I started to think back to one day when I was in elementary school. I'm not sure what grade exactly, but I know I was at least in 2nd grade. Back then I lived a block or so from my school and I would ride my Huffy to and from. One fateful day, I was speeding back home after school and when I was about halfway, I heard a *crunch* and a *chirp*. I jumped off my bike and saw that I ran over a baby birdy. I remember crying about it and feeling such an empty feeling inside. To this day I can still vividly see the setting and hear the sounds. When I tell this story to friends, I joke that I was traumatized by this moment, but secretly I really feel that way. I could go off on a tangent about death, but that would be straying from the point of this blog.

What I'm wondering is, why am I so damn sensitive? Last night I was keeping myself busy by googling random stuff. At one point I came across Zodiac signs and my sign in particular: Scorpio. I read this: http://www.astrology-online.com/scorpio.htm and have to admit was a little intrigued. As a Christian I don't believe in that stuff nor would I ever imagine that people's character is based off of the time frame of when we were born. But I couldn't help but to notice that as I kept reading the traits of a Scorpio, I started to see a lot of those same traits in me. Most of the traits I read, that I also see in myself, are things that I am proud of and glad to possess. But there were a couple that I wish weren't true: Jealous & overly sensitive (emotional). My jealousy is a whole other post, so i'll stick to just talking about my issues with sensitivity.

As I sat there on the concrete, with ant remnants on my finger and hurt in my heart, all of these thoughts came rushing into my brain. And I tried to think, is this a good thing or bad? I mean, I like that I can be sensitive to someone else's feelings. But I really hate that I allow myself to be hurt by the smallest things. Is this normal for a guy? Is this normal for anyone? Can I ever be in another meaningful relationship if I don't harden up? I have no answers really. But in the end, I love who I am and would never trade it all in to be somebody else. I try every day to work on the things that need to be changed in my life, and I feel like there is a healthy daily growth. At least I'm thinking about stuff like this right? Or wait, is that not normal either? (Feedback appreciated)

...I really need to stop listening to Copeland when I blog, haha.

This is a serious issue. I workout at 24 Hour Fitness and whenever I have to go somewhere afterwards, I usually shower there. If you've never been, the shower room setup is exactly how it was in Jr. High or High School. Although there are dividers, there are no doors or curtains. This isn't really a problem for most guys as long as you are comfortable in your skin and your sexuality. I don't have any problems with this setup, but as I walked in to shower today I was shocked to see two men having a full on convo as they were drying off. As I showered I couldn't help but feel that this situation was just not right.

I believe it should be a generally accepted "Man Rule" that whilst in the shower room, you must keep your head at eye level and shower at the most efficient rate possible. No lingering...and definitely no conversations. Come on guys, can't you just wait until you get back to your locker?

I went to a church service tonight for the first time in quite a while. Laziness, Anxiety, Guilt, Fear, Satan...I'm really not quite sure what has been keeping me away. But i've definitely been missing out on meeting the full potential that God has in store for my life. It's not that I've fallen away, its just that I have so much more to work on before "maximizing" all of the gifts that God has given me. I'm glad I went.

And the LB Project is also very cool as well. It wasn't a very typical service and I learned some things that I didn't expect I would. They will be in my prayers. http://www.thegardenlb.org/

I love how He is patient and loving, no matter where we are in our lives :)

As I learned at a young age, knowledge is being aware or understanding different things. But wisdom, is the actual application of that knowledge and to me much more vital in life. I'd like to think that when I make a mistake I learn from it and apply it to my life. But there is one mistake that I often make which I never seem to learn from. I thought that maybe writing it down would help me to instill it in my life. So here it goes:

Brandon,

As a bachelor, you only have to look after yourself. Which means, when it comes to dinner you can make whatever your heart desires. That being the case, it is OK that you take multiple trips to the grocery store throughout the week. The only problem is that when you are at the checkout line, NO MATTER WHAT, DO NOT GET IN LINE BEHIND AN OLD LADY! It has come back to bite you too many times to count. While she writes her check instead of paying with a debit card, or uses 29 coupons in order to save 19 cents, or disputes with the cashier on whether or not celery is 96 cents per stalk rather then 99 cents, or pays her whole bill in pennies after counting it twice just to make sure, all YOU can do is stand there in regret and wait to pay for your 5 items while all the other lines seem to be going in fast forward. Brandon, in the future, please learn from these mistakes.

With Love,

Brandon

I think Obama is a one-man stimulus with all this Obama-related merchandise all over the place. Is it possible to purchase stock in a single person?

Why is it that emotional issues seem to come in waves? Like right when I start dealing with one thing, another issue from the past hits me unexpectedly?

Although, I did notice that in the past I would hurt much more. Now, or at least today, I can analyze the situations, brush off the shoulder, and take my mind to a different place. So what does this mean? Growth? Is it healthy or not? Did I take a step forward or back?

I don't know, but it'd be cool if issues would just be nice and let me deal with them one at a time.

Greater Love, More Assurance. Greater Righteousness, Less Doubt.

During these times, where it seems like more and more of my peers are standing up for issues that are of this world ...this is something I needed to hear.

On my way to work this morning, I saw a guy about my age, standing on the corner of Jamboree and MacArthur. He was clean cut, dressed in a nice suit, and was holding a big white sign saying something like, "Hard working, recent MBA Graduate looking for work." Since my office is right by that intersection, I would have liked to walk down there to take a picture and talk to him a little about the challenges he is facing. Looking back, I regret not taking that opportunity.

I happen to be an Industry Manager at Jobing.com - the nation's largest, locally-focused provider of employment media. We are a unique online community that provides the forum, resources, and technology to connect employers, job seekers, and community organizations. Although, I'm not a recruiter/headhunter and my job description doesn't involve actually getting people jobs, my every day entails talking to to Hiring Managers, HR Personnel, and proactive job seekers. And it seems like just about every one around me is adversely affected by the current state of the economy.

Seeing that guy on the corner is the reason for this blog entry. He really made me stop and think. And so I did. Every day I hear the same stuff, just coming from different people: Best friends, who by association alone are obviously great people, can't find a job in the industry they want to work in. Newlywed friends with no consistent income. College graduates who recently stepped into the "Real World", but have to settle for jobs that they could have got without a degree and all the student loans. Companies that are on a hiring freeze or forced to layoff a huge percentage of their employees. Clients who were unfortunately part of those layoffs. Colleagues who have been laid off out of necessity. Even my stepdad, has recently faced his own struggles being in the Financial Services Industry. Even as I write this blog, a guy came into the office to check the fire extinguisher. He saw our company logo and said, "Well now after seeing your company name...can you get me a better job?" We shared a half-hearted laugh together, but I couldn't help but notice that there seemed to be some seriousness behind his request.

As some of you may know, my company offers a pretty cool benefit where they cover 100% of my fuel costs, as well an additional stipend, as long as I wrap my car to look a little something like this:


Driving around in a car like that obviously attracts attention, that's kind of the point. But my point is that, now more than ever, I can't go anywhere without meeting someone who needs some type of career-related assistance. Just the other day I pulled up to my gym and a lady leaving kept looking at me curiously as I was organizing my gym bag. Finally she worked up the nerve to ask me about Jobing. She was in the mortgage industry for the past several years...and that should pretty much explain the rest. Also, a couple weeks ago I was picking up my tv from BestBuy and had to park out front. While I waited, 3 different people came up to me in a 10 minute span to ask about my company and how I might be able to help them out. Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely love that part of my job. In fact, I would say that my favorite part of my job is being able to help my friends, family, and even random strangers in any way that I can to help get their lives in order.

Its just that seeing stuff like this every day, some times brings me down. I find myself more often than I want to, agreeing with people who talk about how tough it is right now, and only offering up the generic,"Yeah, it really is tough right now. Things will turn around soon though. Just keep being positive." For the most part, all of that is true. Times are tough for both people with jobs and without. And you need to stay positive, because that's the only way to persevere. But the last part I can't say with much conviction...because honestly, who really knows when things will turn around? From what I am hearing and reading its actually just the opposite: Next month, things will get worse.

So Then What?

Well, that brings me back to the Title of this post and the jobless MBA grad. I was talking to my stepdad this morning about how my month has been from a professional standpoint. Its been just about my worst month yet, given my circumstance. And what makes it even worse is that my worst month followed my best months ever. That in itself is enough of a disappointment to rattle anyone. What makes it so difficult for me is that, I love to win, but I hate to lose even more...and I can't help to feel that i've been losing all month long. I know I'm probably making it sound much more severe then it actually is, but that's just me...all my life i've been harder on myself than anyone else. But Eddie(stepdad) broke it down for me, "You know, what they say really is true: tough times don't last, tough people do. You'll be alright Brandon, just do the best that you can do."

I don't know who "they" is, but the quote really made me think. Nobody knows how long it'll take, but things will EVENTUALLY turn around and get easier. And then things will get hard again at some other point in life. This has been the first time that a bad economy has actually affected me in a career. And for good reason. I think the last time things were difficult was in 2001...but luckily back then I was just graduating from high school and entering a new chapter at Vanguard University. These past several months have provided me with a very valuable lesson and has helped me grow more than I probably even know yet. In order to Last, People need to be Tough. The way I interpret that quote is that we need to be Mentally Tough. If you are struggling to find a job, don't just go through the motions. Sit down and think about how you can differentiate yourself from everyone else. Be creative. Be persistent. Be tenacious. Be consistent. Do what you have to do to stand out. And the same goes for those of us that have jobs that are more than just a 9 to 5. If you are in control of your own destiny, then be grateful for that. Many people don't have control on how their company performs and those very same people can't really do much to avoid company lay offs. But those of us that can measure our performance, need to absolutely be mentally tough. Its so easy to use the economy as an excuse, but I don't remember one time that I gave the economy credit for me doing well. If I can take credit for the good times, I sure as hell better take accountability for the bad times. All you have to do is your best...which sadly is a lot easier said then done.

Like the MBA grad on the corner, i'm sure he isn't the only person in his position without a job. But just look at the statement he made today. He was willing to do what it takes to stand out in a crowded sea of unemployment. He was up before I even was, ready to Do His Best that day. And you know what? I know many people took notice. I wouldn't even be surprised if he got a job offer today. In fact, I don't know if he knew this or not, but he was standing directly across the street from Priority Staffing. And if those girls were doing their best today, they would have already figured out the perfect client of theirs to make the placement.

First off, this isn't an observation, but I am watching the Project Runway Finale. Take from it what you please.

I made some observations the other day that i've been thinking about. The first one was when I was leaving the gym. I was walking to my car and some guy was walking towards the entrance and he pulled chapstick out of his and started to apply it. My first thought was, "That guy is probably gay." Seriously? I wondered why I thought that. I mean I use a little Burt's Bees daily. But then I realized that I always keep it in my car, unless I accidentally forget it in my pocket. And I always put it on in my car. hmm....

And when I was in Vons tonight, I saw some guy shopping and my immediate thought was, "Lets just say, i wouldn't trust my kids with that guy." (as if I was actually talking to somebody else) But the truth is, I wouldn't. He just had something about him. Just some observations, I thought were funny. Kinda sucks that I would assume those things without even knowing those guys, but it still makes me giggle a little.

Oh and by the way, I guessed Leanne would win and she did. I didn't even watch the show. I guess I just have an eye for fashion.