Matsonian's Rants

Define: Philanthrocapitalism

2008-11-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

In case you were wondering, the great wordspy, which I follow on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/wordspy) has a great definition for Philanthrocapitalism.philanthrocapitalism n. Philanthropy that uses the principles, models, and techniques of capitalism.You can see more at http://www.wordspy.com/2583.asp

Downloading Google Chrome...

2008-09-02T10:35:00.001-07:00

All right, I must admit I am excited! Google Chrome! Now, I am a true MacAddict, but I have a new ACER Aspire 7720 17" Laptop running Vista. It is good for entrepreneurs to have multiple platforms... allowing you to have greater exposure to technology and to what people are using. While most of my work is done using by Intel Mac Mini, I like to handle email, and other functions on the Acer. The

Public school 1957 vs. 2007

2008-08-13T07:58:00.001-07:00

Another great one from Michael Genung... Comes around from time to time; its lessons remain sobering:Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never

1/2 Man - 1/2 Boy -- The American Soldier

2008-08-05T02:35:00.001-07:00

Another great email from Michael Genung.... ------------------------- 1/2 Man - 1/2 BoyThe average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and

SCAMS are all around!

2008-07-14T19:33:00.001-07:00

Friends,One of the great advantages of Blogger is the ability to send an email directly to my blog and have it posted immediately.Unfortunately, this email address made its way onto a spam list and recently I had no less than four email scams posted. I've left one up for you to see. The others were just as sinister... one claimed to be my long lost sister, one actually asked for personal

VERY VERY URGENT

2008-07-14T04:31:00.000-07:00

Friends,This is one of the SCAM emails that somehow made it to my blog. I deleted the others, but wanted to share this one with you.Matson-----------------FROM MR JAMAL YOUSEFMANAGER AUDIT AND ACCOUNTANCY DEPARTMENT,BANK OF AFRICA ''BOA''.ATTN:- DEAR,HOW ARE YOU? HOPE FINE, MEANWHILE, I AM MR JAMAL YOUSEF THE MANAGER OF AUDIT AND ACCOUNTANCY DEPARTMENT BANK OF AFRICA (BOA) OUAGA, BF WEST AFRICA.I

Nor Cal Blues Fest - Corrections, Surveys & More!

2008-07-12T23:33:00.001-07:00

Friends... A quick correction... if you want to hear the most incredible recordings of the two day sensation known as the Northern California Blues Festival... and support two wonderful non-profit programs (Blues in the Schools and Through the Mind) at the same time... go to www.JasonHaxton.com/ncbf (the previous URL I supplied was incorrect. So, stop what you are doing and check out

Blues, Beer & More: CreativeCATS Update: July 11, 2008

2008-07-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

You're recieving this email because you have either attended a CreativeCATS Event, requested information, or are a personal friend of mind. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. To All My Music & Beer Loving Friends! I still

How to Handle a Thief

2008-06-29T11:19:00.001-07:00

I live in a bad neighborhood.Okay, maybe that is not quite true. I live in Sacramento's Northern Ghetto... East Del Paso Heights. (South Sacramento is the Hood - where the gangs reside... we live in the Ghetto - its just full of poor people).I bought my house here in 2004, a couple years before the Real Estate Peak in Sacramento and across the state. When I decided it was time to purchase a house

Northern California Blues Festival... another great community event!

2008-06-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

Well my friends...It is over... the 9th Annual Northern California Blues Festival is in the can. And if you missed it, I am sorry... it was an event that shall never be the same again.The biggest risk we took this year was turning a one day event into two days. And if you are not familiar with event planning... two days means a whole new host of variables that need to be tackled. Questions like..

Sacramento County Republican Party... and Me

2008-06-04T16:57:00.001-07:00

Okay, a little horn blowing here.I WON! I WON! I WON!Won what? you ask? I came in second place out of eight candidates for Sacramento County Republican Central Committee, District 1.Next Question: WHAT is a Central Committee? I know, I know. Most people do not know that their political party has the right to have a central committee in each county. A committee of individuals who are chosen to

How to Be A Leader...

2008-05-25T17:02:00.001-07:00

Alright, this post is really not about leadership... it is about my recent termination from The Community College Foundation as director of sales and marketing for TechEd, the Technology in Education International Conference & Exposition.I think the leadership part comes from the central reason I was terminated... the new President of the Foundation, Rick Fowler, felt he could not control me,

Termination & Personal Belongings

2008-05-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

Rick,I wish to formally request the following:1. Please mail me a letter of termination detailing the reasons as laid out in this morning's meeting. You can mail it to the address on file.2. A cursory look at my belongings proved that much is missing. I therefore request an escort to my former workstation (after hours if that works best for the foundation) so that I may secure the rest of my

Lindsey Lohan - Why Nude Pics?

2008-02-19T06:07:00.000-08:00

It was the obvious next step for her.These millenial generation stars like Britney and Lindsey and non-stars like Paris, are so starved for attention, so starved for paparazzi attention, that they do crazy stunts, party all night and we are surprized when drugs and alchohol pay their toll.So they go on to artificial rehab centers and more media attention. Then people wonder what happened to them

Superbowl Results? Mixed

2008-02-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, so the game of the year is over. The results (Giants 17, Patriots 14) are disappointing for some, and a thrill for many more. At our party, the underdog Giants were the fan favorites. Even in the Cowboy loving household that hosted our party (no, I am not a Cowboys fan) they were all (sans two) rooting for the Giants.Was this the trend across the country? Were true football fans tired of

Brother Oliver's Update

2008-01-28T23:08:00.001-08:00

A quick update on Brother Olivers. Over the weekend we were able to salvage and offer up some items for sale. You will find the famous tables from Oliver's Pub at the rockin' "On the Y" bar near Fulton and Fair Oaks.Other equipment and goods are helping other entrepreneurs or non-profits across the area.But, here is the most important news.Apparently, now that Brother Oliver's is closed, the land

Fw: Nurse Rachette

2008-01-26T21:29:00.001-08:00

From: Michael Genung A heart-warming photo, you'll have to admit.Hey, hold on a minute: what's he doing with his fingers, next to the hand-shake???Michael PS: the caption for the photo reads - "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer."

A Sacramento Icon, Brother Oliver's, Closes its Doors

2008-01-24T05:29:00.001-08:00

In what may be the first victim of the faltering economy combined with a dramatic increase in California's minimum wage, Brother Oliver's, a Sacramento area restaurant best know for it's tudor style building and its English pub feel, closed its doors the night of Tuesday, January 22.Robert Miller opened Brother Oliver's over 28 years ago and for the last quarter century, it was an icon on the

Another Rapper Arrested... Say it Isn't So!

2008-01-23T21:48:00.000-08:00

Okay... so some rapper named Lil' Wayne was arrested. Wow. Surprising. Not.Now I am definitely not one to generalize about rappers, but doesn't it seem that the simple culture these artists come from lends itself directly to drugs, guns and all other forms of criminal behavior?It is understood that many times we are seeing inner-city youth fight their way out of poverty by the power of rhythm and

Heath Ledger, A Note on His Death

2008-01-22T22:15:00.000-08:00

The death of Heath Ledger is a tragic story and one that is not limited to the world of celebrity. As the story continues to unfold, and as of this writing the trend is towards accidental death by sleeping pills, I think it is time to RANT about medications.Back in 2005, I hosted a weekly talk show called Through the Mind, Discovering Mental Health. One of the primary subjects of the show was the

Time to get Political: It Starts with the South Carolina Primary

2008-01-19T22:40:00.000-08:00

I've avoided pure political statements up until now. This blog is titles Matsonian's Rants so it is time to... RANT.John McCain, a true American hero, has just won the South Carolina primary. And now the media, based on historical trends, will project McCain to win the Republican nomination.Let me tell you a little about electoral politics. For those who do not know me, I have many years of

If Bush Were to Quit...

2008-01-16T21:17:00.000-08:00

Another great email from Michael Genung.--------------------------If Bush resigned today, this is what his speech wouldbe.....Normally, I start these things out by saying "My FellowAmericans." Not doing it this time. If the polls are any indication,I don't know who more than half of you are anymore. I do know somethingterrible has happened, and that you're really not fellow Americans anylonger

6.4 quake strikes off the coast of Oregon--USGS

2008-01-09T20:20:00.000-08:00

Incredible... an earthquake off the coast of Oregon! Hey Oregonians... welcome to California!WASHINGTON -- Inquirer.net -- A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Oregon on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey reported.The quake was located 246 kilometers (153 miles) west of Winchester Bay on the coast of the northwestern state of Oregon, and 406 kilometers (252 miles) southwest

Hacks vs. Flacks? Stop Complaining! Offer Solutions Instead!

2008-01-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

At my day job, I am director of marketing, public relations and sales for TechEd Events, a division of The Community College Foundation.Part of my job's responsibilities is to send Press Advisories far and wide to promote the conference. Recently I sent out an advisory about TechEd and the $19 billion educational technology industry it represents.A freelance journalist called me and asked how I

Need someone to Call the dry cleaners? Win a Virtual Assistant!

2008-01-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

After reading "The Four Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferris, I have been fascinated with the idea of having a Virtual Assistant. Someone to handle the minutia in my life.Well, if you, like me, have wondered what it would be like, now is your chance! Elance, a very reputable company that links freelancers with companies needing service, has a new contest. You can Win a Virtual Assistant for One Year!

Volcano in Chile Erupts - Can you say WOW!

2008-01-02T06:34:00.000-08:00

There is something amazing about Volcanoes. Their destructive power is only second to the incredible beauty of the eruption. Here are a couple stories from today on the Llaima Volcano in Chile. I hope to someday be able to visit Hawaii and visit the volcanoes there. My last trip to Hawaii was Navy-related and I spent most of my time in Pearl Harbor.Chilean Volcano Erupts; Authorities Declare

Auld Lang Syne

2007-12-31T06:27:00.000-08:00

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And never brought to mind ?Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And auld lang syne ?For auld lang syne, my dear,For auld lang syne,We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,For auld lang syne.And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup !And surely I’ll be mine !And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,For auld lang syne.For auld lang syne, my dear,For auld lang syne,We’ll tak a cup o’

Light Wedge - What is it?

2007-12-06T17:24:00.000-08:00

Not so new, but rather cool, is the ultimate book light. Amazon.com describes it as follows:Amazon.com ReviewFor avid readers who have spent many an hour squinting in dim light, LightWedge created this innovative paperback book light. The book light lies flat on the book page, creating the impression that the book itself is aglow. Designed specifically for mass-market paperbacks, this book light

Gibbs Technologies Aquada - The Worlds Coolest Car!

2007-12-02T10:44:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this? It is a newly designed amphibious vehicle that is cool, comfortable and FAST. Gibbs Technologies has done an amazing job with this vehicle. They have many different designs including a Quad-ski!-----------------------------------------------RUN YOUR CAR ON WATER INSTEAD OF GAS...-----------------------------------------------

The Real History of Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

Years ago, this story was first shared by Rush on his radio show. I am reprinting it here, now, to share with all of you. It helps to know what we celebrate when we induslge in all those great and wonderful foods each year.Rush: Now, the real story of Thanksgiving: "On August 1, 1620, the Mayflower set sail. It carried a total of 102 passengers, including forty Pilgrims led by William Bradford.

Sears Supports Our Troops... You Should Support Sears

2007-11-21T12:25:00.000-08:00

Once again, Michael Genung has sent me something to share with you. This has been verfied on snopes.... http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.aspFrom Michael: Happy Thanksgiving~!~!~!And THANK YOU & YOUR FAMILIES for what you've done and continue to do~!~!~!------------------------------SUBJECT: SearsAUTHOR: UnknownHoliday/Christmas shopping has already started. I know I needed this

Iraq is a Quagmire!

2007-11-19T15:54:00.000-08:00

This is a well written article by Jack Kelly of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.It's true: Iraq is a quagmireBut the real story is not something you have heardWe're floundering in a quagmire in Iraq. Our strategy is flawed, and it's too late to change it. Our resources have been squandered, our best people killed, we're hated by the natives and our reputation around the world is circling the drain.

A Thankful American - Thoughts for Thanksgiving

2007-11-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

My friend, Michael Genung is another prolific emailer. You can say he is of an older generation, but nevertheless, I have been urging him to turn his talents towards blogging.Anyway... today I received this great article from him and I would like to share it with you.THE BIG NORMAL MAJORITYA Thankful AmericanBy Tom PurcellI have more reason to celebrate Thanksgiving this year than ever before. I

Feeling Suicidal?

2007-11-18T05:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, I love my mom dearly, but she is sometimes a little too prolific in her forwarding of emails... but when I received this one from her... well judge for yourself.I was feeling depressed last week, so I called the mental health help line.Like all other call centers, it has been outsourced to a third-world location.So, when I told the operator in Pakistan that I was feeling suicidal, he got

2007-11-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

Hacking the iPhoneYes, friends, it continues. The Hacking of the iPhone. No, I do not have one, though I am looking forward to getting one when my current T-mobile contract runs out. Fast Company did a great article on what can be done with the iPhone and I am sure that Apple is diligently trying to fix the problem. But I just wanted to share it with you as my first entry on Matsonian's Rants.