George's Downfall

Have you ever wondered how you got that girl? Not the girl you got who you wished was a four and half the next day. That was not getting anything -- except laughed at by your friends.

I'm talking about the "it" girl. The girl who you would chase, but you are smart enough not to, because everyone else is chasing the same girl.

George was a soft spoken, hardworking individual who worshiped girls, yet that was never reciprocated in the way he wanted. He was not desperate for the physical gratification of sex he was yearning for a relationship. It sound preposterous, but it's true. He wanted to have the companionship of a girlfriend and maybe some physical gratification, maybe. George just didn't get it.

When George gained enough confidence to walk up to a girl at a party and talk to her, he would shower them with compliments, buy them a drink, do all the things that you should not be doing. We've all made mistakes like this before, but the important thing is that we walk away from them having learned something. For some reason George never learned his lesson.

In the event that George got a number, he would call and ask them out on a date. He would normally go all out and by all out I mean dinner at a mediocre restraunt. There is nothing wrong with going out to eat, but not a first date. Girls have to earn their dinner.

That does not mean you can't spend money on a first date, it means you have to do drinks and a fun activity. Something that you can talk and interact. Dinner is something formal, there is no good interaction for a first date. Think about it, many interviews are conducted at restaurants-- this is a question and answer session; we're not in college anymore, you've grown up!

You have to be able to show the girl who has already accepted an invite that you can do more than just eat. Going to drinks is what works the best, that way you will both enjoy yourselves no matter what. It gets some energy into the conversation, talking about drinks is also a great thing, because funny stories will always come of this topic.

If it turns out not to be the "it" girl, you are ok, nobody got hurt and nobody ever regrets a drink, you might regret dinner.

The Rubiks Cube

I got a Rubik's cube a few weeks ago, and I decided to try it. I've seen only one person do it live in my entire life. People always say how easy it is, but still in my life I have only seen one person do it: Niv Fishbein.

So I started fiddling around with the 3x3x3 colored box twisting it every way, thinking that at some point I will get there.

I was wrong. My friends would watch me do struggle with this cube, and I would become more and more comically frustrated; however none of my friends were doing it.

I am not saying they are not capable of doing it, I'm sure one can teach a monkey how to do it. The fact remains that none of my friends were doing it. Some of my friends conceited that they would not be able to do it, but they would challenge me.

If you are just starting to understand who I am, I take these challenges seriously. I will not give up no matter how hard it may be. I am not saying that this is my life's goal, but it is something that I will get done. I am starting to get a good grasp of these cubes, and how they fit with each other.

The bottom line is: being stubborn.

NO. FAILURE. ALMOST.

None of those words mean anything to me, the only time these words will be said by me are in the context of "No problem.", "That bank was a failure too.", and "Almost Famous" a great movie.

The point that I am trying to get across, is that when I succeed I don't want that pat on the back, I don't want the recognition, nor do I want anybody to be surprised.

I will succeed and move on to my next thing. I will keep going because that's the only thing I know how to do. I do not need to make "to do lists"...

When all the colors to the Rubik's cube find themselves in perfect order, I will consider that normal. If someone is impressed by it, that's not normal. Perfection to me is the only way to get something done.

Sleep is for the weak. People can't be stressed out by life, because that is just another excuse for failure. I said I don't do that!

One of my mentors, James Brecher, said, "If you say something enough, people will start to believe it."

Maybe that was supposed to be a secret, however, since very few people actually read this blog, because they are too busy to be entertained or educated in a better way I am not too worried.

I don't waste my time blogging about other people. This is me. What you do, who you know and how you got there doesn't matter to me. I will see you when I see you.

You wanted more...

Motivation is the driving force of the world. When I first started blogging, I was not sure where it would take me. Maybe personal gratification, maybe publicity, nobody knows.

However, I was motivated. When I want to do something I do it. I do not wait around for something to happen, I make it happen.

My objectives have not changed at all throughout my entire life. I want to make a lot of money, be healthy and make other people happy.

Tall order? No. How do I get this done? How did I get this motivated? The answers are below, you just need to keep reading.

My experience as an undergraduate at USC was amazing, I would not have traded it in for anything.

I just came from my accountant, he says that I owe a TON of money to the government. That sucks. First, I don't think the government is doing a good job, and I have not signed any contracts with them guaranteeing anything. They are supposed to guarantee me life liberty and property. I am bound by law to pay my taxes which I will do. Yet, very, very hesitantly.

I asked my accountant, "Why should I pay my taxes?" He responded, "Because I don't want you to go to jail."

That's the best answer I can get? If I don't pay, I could go to jail... real motivation.

There are six levels of moral development that people should be trying to achieve.

Level 1 (Pre-Conventional)

1. Obedience and punishment orientation

(How can I avoid punishment?)

2. Self-interest orientation

(What's in it for me?)

Level 2 (Conventional)

3. Interpersonal accord and conformity

(The good boy/good girl attitude)

4. Authority and social-order maintaining orientation

(Law and order morality)

Level 3 (Post-Conventional)

5. Social contract orientation

6. Universal ethical principles

(Principled conscience)

According to these levels, my paying taxes is a combination of reward (or lack thereof) and punishment and authority and social-order maintaining orientation.

That is not where I should be. I am now going to pay taxes from money that I honestly earned to pay for the criminals in jail who are getting three meals a day and all the excersize they want!

Great deal. If I don't pay taxes, then other tax payers will bail me out. The government has bailed out thieves already, I don't see a difference.

Bottom line is: I paid my taxes. Was I motivated to pay them? Not really, but I know that it is the right thing to do.

I will continue to be driven and successful, but something needs to be done about taxes.

It's the Most Wonderful halftime of the Year

Cliche title, I know. But it works. Now that 2008 is half over, I can recap the first half of the year in just about three things: the price of oil and gas, the Lakers losing to Boston (that will be my only mention of that thing ever), and of course the upcoming election.



Not that I have taken any scientific polls, but it seems to me and many of my peers that 2008 has been flying by. A New York minute is just that fast and a "hot minute" is still one hour (Thank you HJO).



As people who are part of society, it is important to know one's roll in society, but at the same time, it is essential to enjoy life. Now, don't get me wrong, I love America, and would not change my life here for anything else in the world; yet when I speak to Europeans they happen to be enjoying life a lot more than us these days. Maybe it's because the dollar is so weak compared to the EURO, maybe it's because Europeans take 6 week vacations at the bare minimum for the summer - only to come back to work and go on strike!



It has been said that time flies when you are having fun, it's true, but I haven't neccessarily had more fun in the first six months of any calendar year than in years before, nor have the first halves of previous years been shitty.



I am looking forward to all the exciting things that are about to happen during the second half of the year: Save A Brain Foundation's first annual gala will take place towards the end of the calendar year (please visit: http://www.saveabrain.org), one of my best friends, Yoni Braun will be getting married at the end of the summer, and there will be a new leader elected by the people of the United States.

The best part of the election is that it will be done legally, not with government corruption and murder. All in all, we all will be able to look back at 2008 and say that it was a good year. Oil will still be up, the Lakers will be back on top, and the world will still be in turmoil just with a different leader.

In a few weeks there will be several opportunities to contibute to Save A Brain Foundation. Just visit http://www.saveabrain.org and all the information will be up soon!

halftime's over, now get back to work!

The Editorial

get me my editor! See? People have told me that my messages in my blogs are good, yet I need to make a few small changes to my grammar. I do not take offense to critique. I have thicker skin that that fat black girl from "Road Trip." The only problem is, is that I do not get a response, nor a challenge to my entry.

I want to know. Have I made too bold of a statement? Have I made cases that say it's me against the world? If I have, I don't have any regrets, but I DO want to hear what you think!

I respect authority. Whoever becomes President come November will not be a person who I respect. He will be Our nation's security, the U.S.A, will be no different if we remain in Iraq, I truly believe that. Israel's security will strengthen because they will feel less of a reason do be on defense from that part of the Mid-East.

All in all, we need to focus on our nation's security by responding to our dwindling economy. Bottom line remains the same: we will still live life over here while people we don't even know yet thank so much for sacrificing their lives upsets us so much, while we barely care about relief to China for its recent earthquake or the cyclone in Myanmar. Yes. There are celebs doing PSAs and money is not being sent there, but at the end of the day we are not so upset.

Think about it. I now need to finish watching one of the teams who the Lakers will beat in the Finals, starting on June 5th!

It's been way too long!

Everyday people make decisions based on information provided to them. A CEO has to execute based on all the hard work his or her colleagues put together, a taxi driver will take a different route due to increased traffic, and an athlete will facilitate his or her team winning based on the situation.

Why am I mentioning this? It's to tell you about who I am. I am a doer. Yes I react, naturally, but more importantly, I act. I'm a passionate person, I do not hesitate to take a chance, however sometimes taking a chance requires us to change our course while we are working towards a goal.

We make our own boundaries, but unfortunately, sometimes we need to read the signals around us that tell us to slow down, make a change and see what happens. How do we do this when we're dealing with emotions?

The answer is: with difficulty. That does not mean it is impossible. It means that we have to think outside of the box, improvise, talk to the people who you trust and the answer will be there.

I am of the strong belief that if you put some time and effort into anything you will get the results that you want. Nothing happens instantly, there is no such thing as instant gratification, unless you want to "feel good about yourself."

Lastly, do not do ANYTHING wrecklessly! I promise, my next post will be soon, more lighthearted and happier. Until then, keep your eyes open and GO LAKERS!!!

Roger That!

What happened to America? The land of the free, home of the brave?

As I write this, I am watching the witch hunt of the 21st Century, aka the Congressional steroid hearing.

As I write this, the economies of the world are crumbling right before our eyes.

As I write this, we are in the midst of a war on terror.

So why is the government wasting time, money and our congressmen and senators on trying to find out if Roger Clemens and several other baseball players took HGH, steroids, and other "performance enhancing drugs?"

I've had it. I worked in politics, it's an experience that I will cherish, yet I am jaded by it. The people who are persecuting these baseball players are not doing it for the betterment of mankind. They are doing it for personal selfish goals - to get recognition. These politicians are not in any place to make rulings about baseball or any other sports leagues.

Having said that, Brian McNamee is a liar that is a fact. He is now being pummeled by congressmen because he lied to them. He is screwed.

Problem solved, right? Of course not. Why are they wasting our resources? President Bush urged Congress this morning to come together and pass an act that really matters -- the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He said, "If Republicans and Democrats in the Senate can come together on a good piece of legislation, there's no reason why Republicans and Democrats in the House cannot pass the Senate bill immediately."

He should go back and tell the House to come together the same way they have to make a mess and mockery of the governmental system they are now running. We need to take care of the most important issues first.

Sports is something that unites people. During trying times, there is nothing more unifying than a winning team. Just last week in New York, one of the busiest metropolitan cities in the world, the whole city came together to celebrate the New York Giants Superbowl victory.

Now is not the time to crucify sports, even if it's not as "sacred" as it used to be, it still brings happiness to the masses.

The economy is what matters, if the economy continues to suffer as it has, we will not be able to go to these sporting events, pay these politicians and be the consumers who really run the economy.

On that note, roger, I am out.