Who Ate My Pancakes?

It might sound silly to start my next career preoccupied with what happened the day I met a realtor for breakfast a couple of years back when I was in the market for a new house. But, the fact is that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Not dinner. Not lunch. Breakfast.

Let me explain. When I start my day, I'm almost always in a good mood, particularly when I've had my six hours of sleep. Even when it's raining or snowing cats and dogs, I'm in a good frame if I don't have to leave the house.

Anyway, about my breakfast. It's usually my quality time - with a great pot of brewed coffee, assorted diced fruit, a toasted bran muffin and cream cheese with Mozart (18th century rapper) in the background, the Journal in the foreground (at home, of course). You don't top something like that.

So, I'm sitting in a favorite restaurant one day, waiting for this realtor to show up at 8 in the morning. Let's call her Shelley to protect the innocent (now, how do you know "Shelley" isn't her real name?) At 8:15 Shelley hasn't shown up. I was hungry; so, I put in my order for a stack of buckwheat cakes topped with strawberries and sour cream.A couple of minutes later, in walks Shelley. She was huffing and puffing so hard, I imagined for a split-second that she had to push the car to the restaurant. She apologized and explained that traffic was snarled and it made her late. I had already assumed as much.

What happened in the ensuing moment was a near tragedy. Shelley placed her order for a soft boiled egg and toast. Then, she asked me if she could be excused to use the ladies room. I wished her well.I was in the process of ravenously wolfing down my second delicious bite of my stack of cakes when she returned. Suddenly, I noticed an horrendous odor. It was a cross between pine needles and beet juice. There was no doubt in my mind about its origin.

"What on earth is that fragrance you're wearing?" I asked.

"Oh it's a new cologne I discovered when I was in Acapulco last December. Do you like it? It's called Baja Rain, by Juan Dupre!"

"You're kidding me!" I said. "Baja Rain? As in rain from the sky?"

"Exactly!" Shelley said, misconstruing my curiosity for a sign of approval. "It's sensational, don't you think? Juan Dupre is going to be hot, soon. I just know it."

I decided that what Shelley knew about colognes was extremely questionable. While Shelley started chomping on her 3-minute egg, my appetite for food had taken flight. We had a nine o'clock appointment to look at a house. All I had to do was survive the breakfast that I had anticipated to be an ideal spring board for Shelley and me. I could only hope, at 8:40 a.m., that the morning would not be a total waste.

It wasn't. I was very dexterous when I gave Shelley the reasons I needed to drive my own car to the location in question. She did not take offense and jumped into her car to lead the way to what she probably hoped would be a profitable experience. For my part, I drove the distance with all four windows open. The treatment was a relief. Later that morning, I sprayed the interior of my car with an Arm and Hammer air freshener made by Church and Dwight Co. (NYSE-CHD). (Great, great stock, by the way - worth owning before it hits 50. How do I know? I am senior analyst for a fast-growing advisory firm.)

Did I like the house? It was alright, for a forty-year-old frame and brick bungalow, but nothing special. I thought I might work the owners on price for a while.

Let see, so what's the point of this theme (better yet, what is the theme?).

Odors, including the best fragrances can kill an appetite for food. People (including men) ought to be careful about using fragrances, especially in the course of doing business. That about covers it. Don't forget what I said about CHD! (Is this a plug? What do you think?)

Disclosure: "Baja Rain" is a fictious title and does not exist as a product, to my knowledge.

Hudster

He's No Secret Agent

Have you ever met a Quixtar agent? No? Well, I have. He's no 007, but man, is he smart! I say that because he understands me when I talk about making money on the Internet. You got to have an I.Q. that's in the stratosphere to do that.

With that said, I just got off the phone with Patrick Scully, mild-mannered Quixtar agent. He's got it together doing mega deals around Bucks and Sussex counties. Don't know exactly where that is, but it doesn't matter. What's important is that Quixtar is his part-time gig, it' s going to help him buy a new house. Now, that's cool, in my book. (No, it's not "hot" because "hot" is something - or someone - that fizzles out in nothing flat.

Quixtar. The name has a nice ring to it and so does Pat's website. Check out the link shown to your left (my right). Take a look around. Get back to me and tell me what you think of this new business opportunity. I'll be waiting!

Hawk

About My First Novel

Yes, it's true. I am an author. It feels great to say that.

I wrote a commercial fiction drama that I hope to get on to the shelves of major bookstores around the country. My story is called "Stock Power (The Novel)". "Why the tag?" you ask. The answer is pretty simple, once you know what it is.

The title of my book is remotely related to a legal document. A Stock Power is an instrument used to transfer ownership of a particular security (e.g., stock or bond certificate) to another entity. Stockbrokers and lawyers use it all the time.

In my case, stock power - which might someday be coined as "stockpower" - is the inate ability that I have to enlighten investors on how to evaluate investments. In other words, the knowledge and experience that I acquired in 18 years as a former stockbroker is a key factor to my success as an advisor and writer.

I never did much "cold" calling throughout my career. Instead, I worked diligently to provide a valuable service to each of my clients and found a way to stand apart from my peers. For a few short years, my reputation took me to various parts around the country.

This story takes place toward the end of my career when I began to lose my original vision of putting investors' interests ahead of my own. Roughly two years before my demise, I began to regard money as a source of power and comfort; and I identified with people who refected similar attitudes. When my career ended, I was demoralized and alienated, long before I was arrested by the local sheriff.

The inspiration for "Stock Power (The Novel)" came about when I reached a point in my mind where I could begin to live with my destruction and think about what I could do to reconstruct my life. The pain that I experienced was more of a prod than an excuse. The realization that I had lost one of the most precious commodities in life - a thing called trust - was agonizing and terrifying, yet motivational.

I have written hundreds of essays and editorials over the years, but nothing as dimensional and challenging as this project. During the course of working through private thoughts and hidden fears that I harbored for too long, I discovered that writing about them caused me to feel a sense of recovery and growth. Of course, psychotheraby was a necessary staple through this venture.

My greatest ambition, at this juncture, is to see the first copy of this work go on to the bookstores where readers will discover the title and find it to be of spiritual and financial value. Although it will be listed as fiction, I expect the story to have a constructive impact on investors and stockbrokers alike.

Watch for this new title at online and local book sellers for news about this exciting drama. In the meantime, I invite you to visit the link below for additional information about this project:

http://www.stockpower-thenovel.com

Bill Hudley

Sharper Edges

How to you spell acceleration? You might as well start with T-e-c-h-n-o-r-a-t-i. OMG! I haven't even cut my teeth yet on where to hang my WTF ideas. Now, we have cutting edge socio/eco/enviro fast lane blogging media that can give you whiplash if you're not awake.

Technorati is the place to be if you have anything to say! No question about that. This hot trailblazer has captured the imagination of blogoholics and other strange new species. It's a far cry from the first email. Here's to a creative and exciting new environment!


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Goldbuxx007

What To Do With Your Next Million Dollars

My posts are aimed aimed at the myriad ways of creating wealth in the course of doing business. Thanks to the Internet it is now possible for anyone with ambition and modicum of intelligence to generate a substantial income stream, if not several income streams.

We want to be innovative in our proposals and discussions about doing business on the Internet because we believe it should be fulfilling and fun. With a great degree of stress removed from the daily task of seeking opportunity, there should be a healthier approach to communicating with our suppliers and clients.

One thing before I sign off. If you have never heard of an equityphile, or don't know exactly what that is, stick around. You will be well versed on the subject in a very short time.

Thanks for stopping by. Visit me again soon!


Hawk