By Derek Kosmicki (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) Thousands of Barack Obama supporters were left confused and unfulfilled Thursday when they joined a large gathering outside an Illinois shopping mall to rally in support of the Democratic Presidential nominee. The original crowd, however, was gathered to enjoy a free concert given by the country music group The Oak Ridge Boys. Due to the large crowd to watch the country music stalwarts, the thousands ...

It's a shame that so many "old-school" business people still rest on the tactics of hard-nose experience and a "get the deal done" mentality.  What people in general can't seem to understand, that when you create a strong, positive relationship with someone - obstacles that might turn up are much more easily resolved because of a trust and rapport that has been bonded. For instance:  in the process of ...

So today is the day. Childhood, high school, early 20's, late 20's... and now 30. I've long divided up my life into sections of events - events revolving around times or ages. I guess most of us probably do this. When we're young, we may look out and think that at 25 we'll be married, have kids, a house with a yard... and then 25 comes and goes with the ...

I just wrote a lengthy post over at Becomng about a few things that everyone needs to do, master, whatever... BEFORE any of us can truly become productive. Check out 3 Steps Before Thinking About Productivity :)

The eggnog is empty, the wrapping paper is <strike>in the garbage</strike> in a box ready to be moved to the garbage, and my brain and body are tired from traveling. My Christmas started on Saturday morning as Mandi and I traveled north to Chippewa Falls to see my family. We ate, sang, played games, continued our traditions (reading Night Before Christmas enthusiastically, letting the Christmas Spirit in through ...

So I was driving home for lunch today… Just riding in the car, minding my own business on our quiet residential street. Then out of the corner of my left eye, I spot something. It's approaching my car faster than a fat man to a buffet table. This massive object was a huge white-tailed deer. I turned my whole head to the left and saw this giant buck running towards the side of ...

For about 10 years now, I've had a tooth that has bothered me.  It's one of 3 baby teeth I still have because no teeth formed behind them. Initially, a popcorn kernel got stuck in the gum and messed it up pretty good.  Ever since, I've gotten chronic infections there.  It was finally time to get it out. I've decided on getting a bridge done due to cost (I'm saving ...

I'm at home during the layover between a wedding and the reception. Mandi is Maid of Honor for her best friend Becky's wedding. The ceremony was nice. It was at a Lutheran church with a really long isle. It was kind of cool actually - if you're gonna do a church ceremony, get a long isle. The reception should be fun - and hopefully short... the Badgers ...

I'm not sure if most of you have had strep or not, but I can tell you with certainty that I haven't. When I was little, my brother and sister would always get it, but never me! I was always treated though because I was considered a "carrier." Evidently I took in the bacteria, but it never infected me because I'm too tough. :) Mandi ...

Well, it's been 22 years since I first sat at computer, and now it feels like I wouldn't function normally without them. Every computer I owned has been run by Microsoft Windows. However, I often think of the first computer I learned on... the Apple IIe. Control, open Apple, reset. It was a good thing. Over time, Mac users have formed a group being perceived as wearing ...