NFL Week 9

Pigskin

Here we are again, an NFL Sunday. I dropped my NFL picks off last night, and looks like I'm doing alright today. A lot of this year's crappy teams have byes today ( Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and St. Louis Rams). So I had some trouble deciding which game would be my NFL guarantee this week. I thought about going with the Detroit Lions (to lose), but the Seattle Sea Hawks haven't been playing well enough to bank on. We are talking about Money here! I ended up guaranteeing the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins game. Atlanta for the win. Currently they are in the second quarter, and the score is 14-0 ATL. So, I'm happy with that. We'll see what the day brings.

My NFL week 9 picks

• Washington @ Atlanta (Atlanta to win)
• Arizona @ Chicago (Arizona to win)
• Baltimore @ Cincinnati (Cincinnati to win)
• Houston @ Indianapolis (Indianapolis to win)
• Miami @ New England (New England to win)
• Green Bay @ Tampa Bay (Green Bay to win)
• Kansas City @ Jacksonville (Kansas City to Win)
• Detroit @ Seattle (Seattle to win)
• Carolina @New Orleans (New Orleans to win)
• San Diego @ NY Giants (San Diego to win)
• Tennessee @ San Francisco (San Francisco to win)
• Dallas @ Philadelphia (Dallas to win)
  

Monday Night

• Pittsburgh @ Denver (Pittsburgh to win)
  

Monday Night Total Pts: 45

Wal-Mart Battles Lables Over CD Prices

This is one of the those old papers I had lying around, that needs to be cleaned up. This is an old paper from my BA 101, class.

(Source: Warren Cohen. Oct. 28th, 2004 issue, Rolling Stone Magazine. Pg. 26-30)

I chose this article because this issue is going to have a major impact on future business, particularly the record industry. Currently Wal-Mart sells and often is willing to lose money on the Cd's they sell, they buy most hit Cd's for around $12 from distributors and sell them to their customers for $10. The mentality behind this is that the CD prices lure customers to the store, hoping they might also grab a boom box or DVD player while checking out the music deals.

Wal-Mart wants to keep selling their Cd's for less than $10- $9.72 to be exact, and wants the record industry and distributors to lower their selling prices to Wal-Mart. The record industry is irate over this matter, but almost forced to comply, due to Wal-Mart's effect on today's major albums. Wal-Mart currently sells an estimated one out of every five major-label albums, making it the biggest record selling store in the nation. It has so much power, industry insiders say; that what it chooses to stock can basically determine what becomes a hit. "If you don't have a Wal-Mart account, you probably won't have a major pop artist," said one label official.

If the music industry does not comply with Wal-Mart's request, Wal-Mart has threatened to remove record sales from its chain entirely. Wal-Mart can do this because record sales only account for two percent of Wal-Mart's total business, Wal-Mart wouldn't even feel the impact of discontinuing their in-store record sales.

I think this is an amazing ultimatum Wal-Mart has given, to uphold their motto of low prices, they truly do care about their customer base. (No thoughts from the author.)

NFL Week 8 Biztone Promotes!

Biztone Promotes New Orleans Saints Pierre Thomas Jersey!

Here we are, the NFL week 8 Monday night game. The New Orleans Saints vs. the Atlanta Falcons. What a game of athleticism! I'm serious, this is the kind of game I've been waiting for! What an insanely fun game it was to watch tonight.

You all know that I respect the best. Tonight, the honorary promotion goes to Pierre Thomas! This man was on fire tonight. The New Orleans Saints were the top rated, favorite tonight. Oh did they ever deliver! Although, not as easily as some might have thought. Pierre, you get the Biztone endorsement for the evening, and for a game well played here in the NFL week 8!

Other topic for week 8... Brett Farve! Back at Lambo Stadium! His ears very well may still be ringing from the boos he received when walking out on the field Sunday afternoon. I've got to admit, Farve is a class act. He composed himself and took it like a man.

What I think he should have done: If I were Brett Farve, I would have ran out with a giant Green Bay Packers flag flying. I would have stopped on the field and let the volume of boos increase. At the pinnacle of distaste from previous fans, I would have ripped the flag off the pole, held it high above my head, and tore that sucker in half. I'd let the lifeless halves fall to the ground, passing my giant ear-to-ear grin as they descended. Then for good measure, give the fabric a good stomp into the ground, and spit on it. I would then ask the water boy to run out into the crowd and collect the tears from all those cheese heads, to quench my inevitable thirst from the ass kicking I would later deliver to Green Bay on their home field.

FARVE! You are the man... I didn't count on promoting two jerseys tonight, but here is your promo: BUY FARVE'S JERSEY!

NFL Week 8 Pick

Depending on the Cowboys!

Well, here we are. Week 8, with new picks to turn in for the NFL packet. Things are getting shook up a little, and some teams have been waking up. I'm still in the pool with the guaranteed pick... so who's my lock?

You guessed it! Dallas? What gave it away? The header or the picture?

I'm depending on Dallas for several reasons. The first... I kept picking the Rams to lose. With the game against Detroit... who really isn't playing all that hot this season either, I was torn. I could not put a guarantee on this game, and to tell you the truth, I picked St. Louis to win this one. Shocker, I know. Also, Cleveland is pretty much a sure loss.... the problem is that Chicago has been falling apart too.

My bet is on Dallas. It's a bit biased, since I'm a Cowboys fan... but I think it's a logical call against Seattle. Dallas usually plays some solid ball. I'm hoping I'm not wrong on this one. We'll have to wait and see what the weekend brings.

Here are the goods:

• Buffalo to win (Houston at Buffalo)
• Chicago to win (Cleveland at Chicago)
• Dallas to win ( Seattle at Dallas)*
• St. Louis to win [what?!] (St. Louis at Detroit)
• Minnesota to win (Minnesota at Green Bay)
• San Francisco to win (S.F. at Indianapolis)
• NY Jets to win (Miami at NY Jets)
• Denver to win (Denver at Baltimore)
• San Diego to win (Oakland at S.D.)
• Jacksonville to win (Jacksonville at Tennessee)
• Philadelphia to win (NY Giants at Philadelphia)
• Arizona to win (Carolina at Arizona)

MONDAY NIGHT'S GAME:

• New Orleans to win (Atlanta at New Orleans) 51 Total points.
  

Weary of Monster Energy

While it looks like Monster Energy of Hansen Corp, and Rock Art brewing have squashed the beef over the name dispute, I am still a weary man when it comes to the behemoth that is Monster Energy. I do however still really like their shwag, so I’ve been surfing Amazon and found a sweet new Monster hat that I don’t even think Rob Dyrdek has yet! Well… maybe. That guy seems to get anything and everything that Monster has ever made, ever will make, or will even think about making.

Picture this. Rob Dyrdek and Drama are chilin’ in the Fantasy Factory. Rob of course is sporting the usual Monster Energy gear from head to toe. Rob grabs his board, and takes off toward the foam pit. Screaming, hollering, and acting a fool. Of course, Drama (Christopher "Drama" Pfaff: Rob's cousin and personal assistant) is awkwardly and nervously moping around.

The lawyer guy… what’s his name? I never know that guy’s name (I think it’s Geoff)… he just cries a lot about everything Rob does that is dangerous. Of course Rob is going to do some dangerous stuff… what the hell business do you think he’s in? He’s Rob Dyrdek! PRO SKATER!

Chanel (Rob's rapping receptionist), is giggling and watching, as Rob makes his rounds, acting a fool. Maybe piecing together a rhyme in head, in case Dyrdek puts her on spot. He usually does. Maybe she’ll drop a line about Rob’s “Dope” new Monster Energy hat?

Rob comes flying around the corner at break neck speed. What’s in hand? An old faded orange globe? Rob hits the ramp, propelling him through the air, and releases the ball at the most opportune moment. Half blind luck, and yet, part very advanced motor skills… the ball goes in without a sound. The net contracts back inside it’s self as screams of glory and disbelief echo throughout the Fantasy Factory.

Misc. Notes

More Old Notes:

These are out of the collection. I'm not sure who they stem from, or who deserves the credit. None the less, I need to get them in the old business blog. I think these are more toward attitude development and motivation. While some of these will seem like common sense... sometimes it's good review what we already know. Here they are:

• No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.
• Most People will be about as happy, as they decide to be.
• Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.
• Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have.
• Success stops when you do.
• When your ship comes in... make sure you are willing to unload it.
• You will never "have it all together." ACT NOW!
• Life is a journey... not a destination. Enjoy the trip!
• The biggest lie on the planet: "When I get what I want, I will be happy."
• The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.
• I've learned that ultimately, 'takers' lose and 'givers' win.
• Life's precious moments don't have value, unless they are shared.
• If you don't start, it's certain you won't arrive.
• We often fear the thing we want the most.
• He or she who laughs... lasts.
• Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.
• Look for opportunities... not guarantees.
• Life is what's coming... not what was.
• Success is getting up one more time.
• Now is the most interesting time of all.
• When things go wrong... don't go with them.
  

Rock Art Brewery Vs. Hansen's Monster Energy!

Monster Energy Drink Lawsuit!

Matt Nadeau of Rock Art Brewery in Vermont was delivered a cease and desist order to quit brewing his Vermonster barley wine style strong beer. This small Vermont brewery has been in around for nearly 12 years!




It looks like the issue was resolved. Matt Nadeau of Rock Art Brewery and Rodney Sacks Hansen's (Parent Company of Monster Energy Drink) CEO were able reach some common ground. That along with a lot of public and Internet out crying... the issue is now resolved.

Check out Rock Art Brewery's website here: http://rockartbrewery.com/

Old Business Notes



It is house cleaning time and I found a bunch of old papers lying around. Bits and pieces of business related notes, I have had stashed away. I decided that it was probably about time I alleviate myself of all the clutter, and store them in the old blog. That is after all, one of the reasons this blog was initially started.

The notes:

*Drive:

-Why approach the starting line, if you don't plan to win?

-"I know why he's a billionaire and why I'm a millionaire." (Kiyosaki on Trump)

-"While talent is the ability to hit a target that others miss, Genius is the ability to hit a target that others do not even see." (Schopenhauer)

-"Anybody that would say money is not important, would lie about other things too." (Zig Ziglar)

-Market America is the only business that your boss wants to make more money than he/she does.

-People dont plan to fail... they simply fail to plan.

-100% of the shots you don't take... You'll miss.

-How many people told you "no" last week? If you don't get a 'no,' you're not doing anything.

-3 keys to making money and running a successful business:
1. Leverage
2. Residual Income
3. Timing

-We work trading our time for money & you get paid what 'they' think you are worth.

-To be a professional at anything you must master the basics.

-Repetition is the mother of skill.

-SNIOP (Subject to Negative Influence of Other People)

-Who are you getting your advice from?

-You cannot negotiate the price of success.

-Excuses are the nails to build your house of failure.

Week 7- NFL Picks!

NFL Picks for Week 7



It's time for the picks again this week. It was hard again this time. Well... some of them, not all of them obviously. I'm basing my NFL savvy on the players, where it is a tough call. Take the Arizona and Giants game for example. Arizona has been making a bit of come back in the past couple weeks, and New York has been playing solid. What to do? Go with the quarterback! Solid players are always a good bet!

Here the are... the Week 7 NFL picks:

* Chicago @ Cincinnati ( Chicago to win)
* Green Bay @ Cleveland (Green Bay to win)
* San Diego @ Kansas City (San Diego to win)
* Indianapolis @ St. Louis (Indianapolis to win)
* San Francisco @ Houston (San Francisco to win)
* Minnesota @ Pittsburgh (Minnesota to win)
* New England @ Tampa Bay (New England to win)
* Buffalo @ Carolina (Carolina to win)
* NY Jets @ Oakland (Oakland to win... yes, Oakland)
* New Orleans @ Miami (New Orleans to win)
* Atlanta @ Dallas (Dallas to win)
* Arizona @ NY Giants (NY Giants to win)

(This week, the byes are: Denver, Detroit, Tennessee, Seattle, Jacksonville, Baltimore)

* Philadelphia @ Washington (Philadelphia to win)

Monday Nights point total: 38

Run away gold

Gold's Bull Run

I've been chomping at the bit to get into gold and it's a really good thing I haven't. I still feel it's on the verge... like right now! I'm calling a top! Puts are affordable and if you get one with enough time, I think you stand to make some serious cash here.

If you look at the monthly chart, and weekly chart, it sticks out like a sore thumb. On the daily, I'm seeing some justifiable conformation signs by the last two days opening high, closing lower. I think now is the time to call the broker and the bronco that is gold.