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May 30, 2008

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Videos

Meeting My Idol…

May 19, 2008

For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with drums. I actually had my first set before I was 5 years old. Unfortunately, at that age, the only thing I knew how to do with them was poke holes in the heads…

During my childhood, through my teens and on to adult hood, drumming would remain a dream. You know how it is - single mother raising 4 kids, apartment living, no money. Drums were the last thing on my mothers mind.

Even so, for as long as I can remember the drums have always intrigued me. When I listen to music, I listen for the drums. I listen to the beats. I woud close my eyes and imaging myself on the throne, keeping time. Playing one of those Bonham style rock solos.

Back in 1980, I discovered the group Journey. This group had become one of my “staples”. The music of such albums as Escape, Infinity, Evolution and more defined my late teens through early 20’s. No other music transports me back to this time period the way Journey does.

But aside from the awesome lyrics, the crooning of Steve Perry, or the unique guitar style of Neal Schon, the drumming of Steve “The Animal” Smith is what caught my attention. His drumming exudes both power and style. From both a technical and creative standpoint, he immediately became my favorite drummer. You could immediately hear the jazz influence in his play.

Fast forward to 1998. At 33 years old, I FINALLY decided to get myself a drum set. I took a few lessons from a good friend who used to play professionally, but then I really just stuck to playing along with the radio and my CD’s. Mostly rock and roll from the 70’s and 80’s because most of it is simple.

My goal was never to join a band, but to simply fulfill my childhood desires to play. I stll play, though not all that well…

When I started drumming, my musical taste expanded more into the Jazz scene. Let me tell you, if you like drumming, there is simply NOTHING like Jazz Drumming. And this is where I rediscovered my Journey hero Steve Smith.

I won’t go in to his history, as you can find out all about it at his website, Vital Information (his jazz/fusion band he started in 1983).

Fast forward again to earlier this year…while checking out his tour dates, I found his band would be at the Irridium Jazz Club in the heart of New York City. I bought tickets on the spot! The show was a few night ago (May 16th).

My wife and I got a table up against the stage, so close to the drums that I could reach out and touch them. Here’s a really dark picture of his drum kit:

When the show started, we were treated to about 90 minutes of some of the best drumming I have ever seen/heard. Now, the entire band and the music was absolutely awesome, but for me to be sitting close enough to my drumming idol to see the sweat pouring off his bald head, well, let’s just say I was in heaven.

After the show the band got a table in the back of the club to meet and greet and sign autographs. Of course, I couldn’t miss that. Here’s yet another dark picture (new high-tech PPC with camera…):

Now, it turns out that not only is he an awesome drummer - he’s a really nice guy. We chatted for a good 10 minutes. Told him about being a fan for the past 27 years or so…he took everything well in stride.

So, meeting my long-time idol for the first time is an experience I will always remember. I plan to see them next time they come around. Like I said - his drumming is phenomenol. To get an idea of what I mean, check out the video on this page (it will auto start…but really watch).

Ok, enough of this off-topic stuff. Thanks for taking the time to read. If you have a dream, I highly recommend trying to make it happen. It’s awesome!

Written by Mike · Filed Under Mikes Musings

Profits in Your Home Business

May 7, 2008

Home business profits is Real for some and sure as a Myth for others, which readily prompts one to ask the question, what then is the truth behind successful home businesses or online businesses.

Without batting an eyelid, the answer comes straight from most entrepreneurs (the successful ones) as “Business plans” or planning properly right from the start. The successful ones looked before they leapt, while the not-so-successful ones did the opposite, they leapt and then started to look.

In the modern internet age, venturing into successful home business is easy, and quitting with remorse even easier, - there is so much hype as to the path to financial freedom and wealth promotion.

But if one can sift through the mass of hints, self-help programs, literature, and promotional schemes, we can find the answers from the scores of success stories as well as failures.

Common myths but real: (1) To open a website and - watch the floodgates of wealth and luxury open. (2) Read through only the names of successful businesses, but not see through their toil and endurance.

What then can be done: The idea of using the medium of Internet for starting and running a successful business is good, but to sit and plan every critical move in the right direction is key, if you want to taste success and ensure a profitable home business. Use the proven strategy of compiling a practical and workable business plan, that covers some key steps as below:

First things first: Choose from millions of already well-researched topics from sites that specialize on content or practical schemes. Focus on sites which offer ideas and solutions for many styles of home business.

Any idea, product, or process has to be sold, and thus developing a solid marketing plan should occupy the next key place.

The last and firm stuff comes easy, once the first two are well planned, and going into doing the actuals as demanded by those sites, using proven marketing techniques can be surely successful and profitable.

Blend skills with efforts: The greatest asset that a successful entrepreneur possesses is his/her individual special skill which no one else has. Each person has something special and that has to be believed by him/her, first.

Next is the art of mixing or using those skills with efforts using standard tools and techniques such as products, software, full websites, ebooks and evolve a business plan to suit the business and its owner’s unique points.

Steer to Success: One has to begin with an unique idea, do the homework of selecting the supporting sources, evolve the business plan, and install the framework accordingly.

Last but least is the power of the individual brain and the energy that emanates from his/her motivation to make a success of the project. If one has followed most of the steps as explained above, there can be only one way - that is the path to profits and eventually to a successful home business.

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Article Copyright 2008 Central Net Enterprises, LLC and Michael Ambrosio. You may reprint as long as you leave this resource box in place.

Michael Ambrosio is an entreprenuer and online marketer. To read more marketing nuggets from Michael please visit http://www.mikeambrosio.com. Marketing For The Rest Of Us!
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Written by Mike · Filed Under Articles