My 5 favorite websites (circa Sep. '10)

In no particular here are my top 5 websites for the month of September 2010. Since the internet is a constantly changing beast

5) TED.com:
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment & Design. It's a mixture of a non-profit/conference/meeting-place-for-the-most-intelligent/interesting-people-on-the-planet. The great thing about the site that you'll notice as soon as you arrive is it has videos on just about every topic you can think about - from Tony Robbins talking about how his conference during 9/11 dramatically changed once he made the announcement about the twins towers - to - Astronomer Martin Rees talking about the universe and the future of the human race - to - anything and everything in-between.

If you want to learn something more about yourself and/or the world around you check out TED.
4) Dave Ramsey.com:
If there is one man who has helped me improve my life for the better in the past 5 years I would have to say Dave Ramsey has had the most influence by far. Dave Ramsey was once a debt-ridden millionaire, went bankrupt (due to the debt) and became a millionaire again completely on a cash-only basis. About 5 years ago I was scared; I was $18,000 in debt making about $22,000 a year. Since picking up my first Dave Ramsey book I've become a lot more confident with money; that first figure has gone down to $0 and the latter figure has gone up dramatically. Dave philosophy is basically the only kind of "good debt" is no debt at all. I listen to his podcast religiously and love listening until he starts his rants about politics...which happens from time to time.

If you want to stop trying to get your money right and just get your money right - listen to Dave.

3) The Onion.com:

Branded "America's Finest News Source" with headlines like How To Play Golf Against The Man Whose Wife You're Banging On The Side , Department Of Defense Unveils $83 Million Thing That Shoots and Dad Recounts Amazing Story Of How, Through Quick Thinking, He Saved $4.27 it's easy to see the writers have a sense of humor. If you enjoy satire like myself this is the best place, other than the Daily Show to get your fake news. The Onion itself started out as a fake newspaper at the University of Wisconsin -Madison in the late 80's and has since expanded into a NYC-based tabloid newspaper with the online component that includes radio & video fake news. I first came across it while working in Chicago where they pass out free copies at several locations. My favorite "headline" is still from October of 2000 (a week before the Bush/Gore election): 'Decision 2000' Actually Made In Smoke-Filled Room In 1997

If you like your satirical news The Onion is your source.

2) Weebly.com:

If you want to make free website but flunked your classes on CSS, Flash and HTML just let Weebly do it for you. Now keep in mind if you want it completely free you'll have to deal with having a small link at the bottom of you site announcing it was created by Weebly. However, for less than some people (like my wife) spend on coffee in a month you can pay to take that advertisement off for 6 months. There are hundreds of different web design templates to choose from and it helps you had difficult to program things like forms, pictures and e-mail capture and so on.

If you need a website designed on the cheap use Weebly.


1) Stumbleupon.com:

Have you ever wished there was a "clicker" for your internet? Well there is, it's called stumbleupon and if you didn't find this site through stumbleupon, I strongly advise you download(signup for) this program now. Unlike searching on Google or Bing for things you think you want... stumbleupon takes you to sites you never would have found without having them randomly appear. You can choose your interests from Movies to Art to Computers and many more. You can also find random sites that have keywords you've listed. Based on your thumbs up or thumbs down you can make the site more or less popular amongst other stumblers. I in particular like art and have found so many great artists through this website.

If you bored, download stumbleupon...just don't get addicted.

N Idaho

So I went to Northern Idaho the other weekend. I was visiting an old friend I hadn't seen in a while who was having a monumental birthday party.

I went with my wife. We being black and all and in a beautiful, 2011 Ford Mustang were just beyond the word "bait" for the Idaho cops. We were stopped twice in 3 days. Once for going 59 in a 45 zone (right after the sign switched to 45). Another time for not stopping for a pedestrian, who was jaywalking and at least two car-lengths away from my car even after I passed her.

I have never been more happy to cross a state line back into Washington -well maybe with the solitary exception of crossing back into Tennessee after entering Mississippi for the 4th of July about a decade or so ago.

The party was good though. Got to see a lot of friends I haven't seen in ages.

Now I'm back in Ohio - another forget-me-state - and I am really at a loss on what the point to this whole living thing is. At least I didn't get attacked by members of the Aryan nation as I passed the "Heart of Alene" in french. Man I need a change.

Tao of Wu - life goals found anew

So I just recently finished reading the RZA's The Tao of Wu. I am amazed and dazzled by how much knowledge this brother - who I might add I considered a "thug" until recently - how much knowledge he has gained over the years to the point where he can be considered a teacher of sorts.

If it wasn't for an interview on I believe Fresh Air with Terry Gross on NPR. I would've paid this book not even the slightest bit of attention.

In this book RZA not only talks about his experiences with the Wu Tang clan but also goes in depth into why they chose the Chinese name for their group in the first place. The brother is deeply informed in Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Hindu cultures and doesn't waste time breaking information down in a way that it's just as relevant to someone from the streets as it might be to someone just converted to the Buddhist philosophy.

It's late where I am now so I'll likely continue this post later but, MAN talk about intellectual candy! This book will wet your whistle and calm you appetite for intellectual and spiritual food for at least a day or so.

HI - an introduction

I am planning on blogging about finances, spirtuality, life and any other topic that comes to mind. Thank you for reading

-One Love.