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It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted anything and it feels really weird because I had been on a roll publishing something everyday. But alas years of neglecting my body has caught up with me. No one can sustain themselves on all night binges and running non-stop for the twenty years. So I must slow down and smell the roses as it were.

Ironically my problems began about the same time Marc Orchant passed away (please visit the site for a donation link). I didn’t know Marc personally but knew him him online. It was very sobering to know he wasn’t much older than myself. This has been a personal wake up call. The past week or so I’ve tried to remove myself from stressful situations, reduce my work load and move a little slower. My doctor has put me on a good healthy routine and says my future is up to me.

I appreciate all the well wishes I’ve received, but I am doing fine. I may not be as vocal as I’ve been in the past but I’m still here.

I also wanted to apologize to those who have not been able to get to my site over the past week. Not sure what happened but I think I finally got it all ironed out yesterday. Feedburner also removed all of my RSS subscribers, just when I was trying to increase them. Anyway, if you can, please reconnect to my RSS feed, it should be working now.

The shopping season is upon us. The time of year I dread most. I’m not a shopper. And I have a hard time being around people who are shoppers. Here is how I shop:

1. I need something new, say a dress shirt
2. There are a couple of stores I like to shop at, I’ve prioritized them, and I go to the first one
3. I go right to the clothing section
4. I quickly scan the area for something that catches my eye
5. I look for my size and a nice color
6. I look at the price tag, if its within reason I keep it, if not I put it back
7. I may or may not try it on. I know what fits me and I will wait until I get home before trying something on. I figure the odds are in my favor it will fit so why waste time trying something on at the store?
8. I repeat the process if I’m getting more than one item
9. Head to the checkout counter
10. Pay the cashier and I’m out

I rarely if ever browse. Once in a while I might mosey on back to the electronics to see what is new. I never buy, but I look. I hardly ever buy the impulse items. I feel accosted by all that crap and refuse to buy it. If you have kids you know what I mean.

Now, this is how my wife shops:

1. Spend hours looking at ads in the mail and newspaper. We subscribe to the newspaper the last two months of the year so she doesn’t miss any of the “good” ads
2. Take all of the research to the mall
3. Go from store to store, whether its on the list or not
4. Look at everything in the store, and more often than not walk out with nothing
5. Try everything on, at least 6 items at a time or more
6. Fill a cart full to overflowing
7. Spend the next hour putting most of it back
8. Stand in long lines for hours
9. Buy several of the impulse items because they would make great stocking stuffers
10. Carry ten bags around each weighing in at thirty pounds
11. Bring home more than you intended and spend the next several days deciding what goes back to the store

OK, some of that is exaggerated. But honestly, the shopping experience during this time of year is very stressful to me. I’m a go in and get it kind of shopper. It’s not that I don’t want to shop, it’s that I can’t stand fighting through crowds to get the big sale items. It’s just not worth it to me.

What about you? How do you shop? How does your significant other or friends shop?

Gordon B. Hinckley, Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a strong man. True to his convictions. I would love to spend 30 minutes listening to him talk about how important God is to him.

Tony Stewart is one of NASCAR’S best drivers. Consistently in the top of the standing, I really like the way he drives, I love the way he races in various classes besides the Nextel Cup. I just think he’s cool and want to shake his hand.

Steve Jobs is Apple’s CEO. He’s responsible for some of the most significant technology advancements the world has seen. Not only has he developed some incredible technology, but he managed to keep Apple at the top of the industry. I’d take even five minutes in Start Bucks with him.

Mark Cuban is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and several other technology companies. Mark was able to sell his company Broadcast.com some time ago allowing him to move into other ventures. I have to say of all the people on this list Mark is my least favorite. The reason he’s on my list is because I think he’s a RockStar when it comes to business. He just plays at a different level. I’d buy Mark a hotdog at a Jazz/Mavs game any day.

Colin Powell is a former US Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Powell is a gentle giant. If this guy even runs for President he’ll have my vote. I’d love to shoot a few boxes of 5.56mm rounds with General Powell.

Who would you most like to meet?

The city of Sandy, Utah, put out flags around its city hall called the Utah Healing Field, in honor of the Americans who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Each flag has the name of each person killed.

All of the pictures can be seen here.

News article here.

The Wall.