Crashed

I was asked, by a reporter if I was a finagler. No, I am not. What I have done is, learn how to read people by body movements and actions. As well as pay attention to my surroundings and always be prepared-thanks mom and dad.

I have always been adventurous. As a kid, I would go on hikes/bike rides within a few of miles of my house and always show up late back to my house. Boy, did my butt pay for it when I got home. I would usually find somewhere to go or something to get into. While I was doing it I was scared, but I think that’s why I did it. I've always enjoyed the thrill of talking/meeting someone, doing something, being somewhere you are not supposed to be/doing. In the past and now it has been pretty ladies and different businesses that has given me the same rush.

Here recently, in March of 2010 I went to sxsw and met all kinds of good folks. I got into all kinds of parties and different venues. Yes I was pointed in the right direction and was introduced to the right people but most parties and venues I was on my own to get into. I ate and was drinking by eleven o’clock in the morning the entire week for free. I took a hundred bucks with me and came back with seven dollars . I saw four different keynotes. Too bad three of them were talking about something I have no idea about and still don’t.

I got into the pressroom where I almost got busted because I was trying not to laugh out loud. While everyone was blogging/writing for their website or paper, I was checking my email and Facebook. I may have even gotten a massage in the pressroom!

So I guessing you’re asking yourself, how can I do this? You can, all you have to do is ask for what you want and don't forget to smile big and have a great time!

Swag

The thing about getting something for free is, it’s free I know, surprise surprise. At the recent 2010 sxsw I went to, I got forty one t-shirts, five water bottles, four bags, sixteen pins, five writing pens, four packs of cigaweeds, two pouches of smoking tobacco, two towels, six baseball caps, rolling papers,(I don’t know why the caps or tobacco or rolling papers I don’t wear caps or smoke) a tattoo sleeve that I have tricked my mom and brother with( I have been disowned by my mom and now I’m a bigger hero to brother) I have lost count on how many monster energy drinks, protein energy bars and stickers I have received. I you ever see a guy at B&N with a bunch of stickers with one @chocov sticker on his laptop that’s me. A few people I know have been asking me for tips on swag. (I even got an invite for a tech conference in June).So here’s a few tips! The thing about swag is, it’s free people just ask for it! Don’t be a beggar, no one likes a beggar. Be very nice,(like patrick swayze said in the movie roadhouse…the only thing is that there will not be a time for you not to be nice). Listen to what any and everyone has to say. Who knows you just might need the product they are trying to sell you. Treat everyone with respect and dignity this isn’t boyz in the hood or prison. Treat them like you would want to be treated it’s in the bible. Keep a great attitude. If someone says no, it’s OK. It will be alright you didn’t want to be advertizing their product in the first place. If they say no and you really want a yes, come back later and talk to someone else in that booth. Kind of like what you did with your parents. Last but not least if they don’t have your size don’t worry about it take one anyways give it to your mom or dad or brother or sister someone. What might happen is that person will see you the next day and a new shipment may have come in with your correct size. If you were nice and pleasant!

NERDS

I recently went to sxswi (you would know this if you follow me on twitter, facebook or foursquare). I saw/met a lot of smart folks, like Erika Lehmann, Justine Ezarik, Megan Strout, Pete Cashmore, Larry Chiang, Robert Scoble, Saul Colt and others (and yes, I felt like Ogre) What you didn’t know, is that all of them were cool and friendly unlike the stereotypical people that everyone (non-technical) else seems to think. I asked politely for a picture and without hesitation they said "yes"! I would love to return next year to sxsw to see who else I can meet and converse with.

Dad

My dad, in the most respectful way, is a nut! If you know me and think that I’m funny, I’m not; dad is hilarious. We were on a gambling cruise ship late one night and everyone on board was ready to call it a night and go home. Dad got the great idea to get up on stage and address the crowd. He went up; three minutes later he had everyone laughing when he got done the people from the ship asked him to come back. He asked them if they would give him his money back that he lost at the tables. (They didn’t, so dad didn’t go back either!) Growing up with my dad was fun he took us different places all the time bought us anything we wanted with in reason. Took me hunting and fishing where and whenever he could (he would even take me out of school early when my grade were good so we could go hunting). I have always been a big kid (husky) so I went through clothes quickly. All of the new Jordan’s, new pairs of custom boots; done. If I wanted a new Nintendo game I got a new latest and greatest toy I got it I wanted a new gun or fishing reel within a birthday Christmas or earned it by working for him. When I wanted a dirt bike (well he drew the line there) but got a three wheeler (just as dangerous). Bought me a truck told me to pick it out (I wanted one off the lot he drew the line there too F350 crew cab) When I graduated high school he told I didn’t have to work while I went to college (he paid for college as well) but no I was making $$$$ and knew more than he did so a little after a year I dropped out of college (stupid) and was making two to three grand a week contentiously! My problem was is I thought all the local bars needed my money more than I did! (I.e. there are girls at bars, very pretty girls). It was not fun to grow up with dad when I made mistakes. When I messed up that meant his belt and my ass had a meeting. It’s fun now a days whenever I mess up, he tells me a joke or teaches me a lesson minus the belt (although the belt might not cost me as much as it does now) After all this time dad really does love me and until here recently, I had forgot to thank him and tell him I loved him. I am lucky to still have my dad and be able to tell him that I love him(we both kind of choke up when we do that…what a bunch of sissy girls right?)

That’s the kind of love God has for you! He wants you to love him the same way he loves you! He wants that same kind of relationship you hopefully have with your dad like I had with mine. God didn’t take anything away from me, I did that on my own. God will try to teach you a lesson, it’s up if you want to listen and learn from it. If you trust in Him, He will give you whatever you NEED. He may bless you with what you want but remember what the WANT is for… “God I NEED a new truck so I can impress the ladies so I can get a HOT one” I use to think this too…Really, if you NEED a truck for this your looking for the wrong lady to begin with…God I NEED a great paying job so I don’t ever have to worry about money again…If you trust in Him he will provide you with everything you NEED. Or God I NEED a house keeper or nanny so I can have time for other stuff in my life (sometimes you get what you ask for. I know someone that got a nanny/housekeeper/secretary and now she is the guy’s wife and the lady that asked for the helper lives…. well you get the idea) Or God I NEED to get a boob job because it will make me look better for my future husband. Lady you’re looking for the wrong husband. God made someone for everyone (hey just so everyone knows there is nothing wrong with getting a boob job. What do you plan on doing with that/them. If you’re doing it for “issues” Ok but if you had God in the first place you would be confident in yourself through Him)

Loving Great Friends

Ever since I was a little kid I could always recall having friends around to get me in and out of trouble. I’m still friends with some of them to this day. Every hunting season we would get together, hang out, shoot some ducks/deer/dove/quail and throw a few back(ok more than a few whatever).In particular this one friend, we would go hunting for two or three days but by the end of the trip we were at each others throat. I mean come on we hung out since we were kids, we went to same high school, partied together, got into fights together heck I was in his wedding(I was not the wedding bouncer btw). I look back and think what started every time. What I did what he did and it would begin with we would always take his boat; of course he was the captain. Coming from someone that doesn’t take drunk barking orders very well (me) and someone that always has to have his way no matter what happens. Like almost always coming real close to capsizing the boat or someone would exceed there limit or someone would get lost and neglect reason/a frigin compass or someone had a business to run/had to take calls in the duck blind etc… (so everyone knows none of these were me except the last one and my sense of direction in the country and on the water is spot on) Needless to say, this past year was the second year we didn’t hunt together. We still have drinks and talk about the good times (like when he got us in trouble for looking at dirty magazines all him by the way) as a matter a fact, we brought in the New Year together with other friends. I would still take a bullet for this guy as big of pain in the ass he is!

Other friends I have now are close and dear to my heart one friend in particular. I always tried to look out for him and other friends in college. I remember we were back in cc and his girlfriend’s ex was giving them both a hard time. My friend wasn’t scared but I could tell he was nervous. I had to delegate and defuse the situation (good times). Whenever there is a good deal on anything and he knows what want/ed, I always got a call or email. Now he and his wife always invite me for dinner (I’m not saying no, because she is a great cook/baker) and they let me hang out. Also I get to kind of watch them, see how a loving couple should act (my parents divorced at a young age, there was no yelling or violence but I didn’t see the love part these two have) and I get to learn from their mistakes (bring on the single ladies!) I always jump at the chance to help them out because they always help me out when/however they can.

Other close friends I have lost were my grandfather and a friend named Charles. Both taught me great life lessons. My grandfather taught me the fundamentals of business, life in the outdoors on a ranch/in a deer blind/and on a boat and you have to enjoy what you do! Charles on the other hand taught me a lot about women and living life to the fullest (funny how the people that are almost always happy die young. I guess God wants to fill heaven with happy people so the sad people coming in will have someone to laugh with.)

New close friends have helped me to see the light! I wish they were here ten years ago but then again I was at a different part of my life and city for that matter…

What I have learned (among other things, like if I ever want to get married and be happy at the same time is to learn to take orders.) the other thing is that God loves us! He doesn’t put evil in your way. He can’t, it’s not possible for Him. The close friends that God has put in front of me have made me who I am today and for that I’m happy!