I received this email from the CompUSA email list. There’s some good advice and being a tech guy, I know the importance of being ready. Here are some tips from the email:

With Hurricane Ike bearing down on Texas, we’d like to pass on some timely tips to help you keep your computer & electronic equipment and data safe and sound, at home or at the office.  And because the long hurricane season has only just begun, we recommend that you keep these tips handy so you can
gear into action any time a dangerous tropical storm or hurricane approaches.

1. First and foremost, back up all your important data!  Power outages are likely during severe tropical storms and hurricanes, and you’ll need to make sure all your critical data is stored.  Run a full back up
immediately!

2. If your area is forecast for a direct hit, unplug all your computer & electronics equipment well in advance of the storm.  This will keep your equipment safe from power surges.  Even if your equipment is plugged into battery backups, unplug your machines ASAP.  In addition to your computers, monitors, and printers - make sure your TVs, fax, machines, and phones are also unplugged.

3. If you’re not in the storm’s direct path, you still might be subject to power outages and surges. To safeguard your equipment against power surges, make sure all your computers, routers, and servers are connected to battery backups.  In addition to providing surge protection, battery backups provide your equipment some extra time to shut down properly.

4. Cover all your equipment with plastic and lift all your machines off of your floors to protect them against water damages.

5. Have a backup telephone handy - in addition to your cell phone - just in case your cell phone network suffers damages from the storm.

6. If you run a business, compile an emergency contact list with 24-our telephone contact numbers of your essential employees.

7. Keep your vital records of accounts, customers, personnel, administration, and tax information in a safe area where they can be relocated once the threat of the storm has passed.  If your home or business is in an area that’s vulnerable to storm surges, it’s a good idea to keep copies of your vital records off site.

8. Most importantly - make sure your hurricane emergency supplies are available in a secure area that’s accessible in an emergency.  We recommend the following supplies:
* Emergency communications equipment such as 2-way radios, CB radios, and satellite phones.
* Remote call forwarding access in case it’s necessary to temporarily reroute phone lines
* Battery operated television or radio
* Extra batteries
* Flashlights
* First Aid kit
* Emergency tool kit
* Food, water and utensils

Please don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for the onslaught of a tropical storm or hurricane, get your emergency preparedness plan into action as soon as possible.   In addition to keeping yourself safe from harm, please take some time to protect your computer and electronics equipment by following the tips we’ve provided.   Be safe.  Be prepared!

I found this article in Investopedia and thought I’d share it with you. I’ve blogged about my financial experiences before and I can’t stress the importance of doing a budget. In this economy you have to use your money wisely. A number of these myths have run through my mind at some point. Budgets work and it’s worth the effort to regularly maintain. There’s more info explaining each point in detail. Checkout the source link below to read the article.

1. I don’t need to budget.
2. I’m not good at math so I can’t manage my money.
3. My job is secure.
4. Government-sponsored unemployment pay will tide me over if I lose my job.
5. It won’t happen to me.
6. I don’t want to deprive myself.
7. I don’t want anything big so I don’t need to save for anything big.
8. Any money I save would just be taken when I apply to grad school/an MBA program or when I send my kids to college.
9. I don’t need to budget because I’m debt-free.
10. I don’t need to budget because I always get a raise/bonus/tax refund.

source

I had to give a shout out to this brotha because he is the perfect person to get into blogging. You’ve heard him before on the podcast and I’m sure he’ll continue to bring the real in his blog. I can honestly say, he’s never at a loss for words and that’s what makes him a fun guy to hang around. Real talk is what you’ll get when you enter his realm and I’m sure he’d be glad to get the same from you.

You can find him blogging on the websites below. TheGoodDoctor is now in. Hope you enjoy.

TheGoodDoctor

Ghetto Geekin’

The Center for Emerging Media

This has to be the best swimming relay I’ve ever seen and I’m glad they chose Cullen Jones to be on the team. I first read about Cullen in an article at Black Gives Back. I was just reading through her blog and happened upon the article, which was good timing because I had just started my three year-old in swim lessons a couple of weeks before. My wife and I thought it would be a good idea because we wanted him to be comfortable around the water. Being a Pieces, I love the water and I want to be able to take my kids to the pool without having to worry about them being fearful of it.

According to an article in the LA Times (and Black Give Back), nearly 60% of African American children don’t know how to swim and the rate of accidental drowning deaths is nearly three times higher for minorities ages 5 to 14 than it is for whites. I’m hoping as more people learn about Cullen and his accomplishments these numbers will decrease. There are a number of organizations who specialize in helping kids learn to swim. You can find more information on the YMCA website.

Today as I cruised the mean streets of H-town, I came across a new drink called…”Drank”. Surprisingly, this isn’t a joke. It’s billed as a “relaxation” drink on the opposite end of the spectrum from the coffees, waters, and energy drinks everyone else is peddling. I’ve never been one to knock anyone else’s hustle, but advertising is some of the most ridiculous collection of garbage I’ve ever seen. The drink is produced by Innovative Beverage Group who incorporate such messages as “Slow Your Roll with Drank” and even a mock warning label that cautions “This beverage…may cause one to lean”. I initially felt insulted then I recalled a scene from Spike Lee’s Bamboozled where the movie spoofs such drinks with an advertisement from “Da Bomb malt liquor”. Unfortunately, such questionable concoctions targeted towards the African-American community have been around for years going as far back as Schlitz malt liquor ( a cartoon bull chasing Black folks around a picnic?!) all the way to Lil’ Jon’s Crunk Juice in more recent years. And how could we forget Nate Dogg singing the gospel about St. Ide’s.

I realized that there’s no reason for me to feel embarrassed because I don’t perpetuate or represent these stereotypes. As long as there’s someone to buy it I doubt that these “drinks” will ever go away. If anything, I’m probably doing more to promote “Drank” than detract from it. It speaks to a bigger ill for our whole society that if we put the appropriate makeup on any old pig then the appropriate consumer will buy it. Drink Crunk Juice to get you going, Diet Coke to keep you going, and Drank to calm you down. Maybe Chingy will come out with a new line of pacemakers to help regulate your heartrate after years of taking in liquid uppers and downers.

http://www.drankbeverage.com/

Now that all of the candidate’s speeches are over, I’d like to take you back in time. The day is August 3rd in the year 2000 and we’re at the Republican National Convention. A younger, spunkier Gov. George W. Bush is at the podium giving his acceptance speech for the Republican nomination for the President of the United States of America.

As a teaser, I wanted to share with you a clip highlighting the hypocrisy I eluded to in my post yesterday. As we come up on the last eight years of Bush’s term I ask that you take the time to read the full speech. It’s interesting to see how history actually played out and play close attention to the promises he delivered on.

Governor Bush delivers remarks at the Republican National Convention

source

Mr. Chairman…

(APPLAUSE)

Mr. Chairman… (APPLAUSE)

Thank you all.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you very much. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

Mr. Chairman — Mr. Chairman, delegates and my fellow citizens, I proudly accept your nomination.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you. Thank you for this honor.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you for this honor. Together, we will renew America’s purpose.

Our founders first defined that purpose here in Philadelphia. Ben Franklin was here, Thomas Jefferson and, of course, George Washington, or, as his friends, called him, George W.

I am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side.

He is a man — he is a man of integrity and sound judgment who has proven that public service can be noble service.

American will be proud to have a leader of such character to succeed Al Gore as vice president of the United States.

I’m grateful for Senator John McCain. I appreciate so very much his speech two nights ago. I appreciate his friendship. I love his spirit for America. And I want to thank the other candidates who sought this office, as well. Their convictions have strengthened our party.

Read the rest of this entry →

Here is a video clip about the Sarah Palin Gender Card from The Daily Show with John Stewart. Last night the Bulldog with Lipstick took the gloves off and proved herself ready for the fight.

Ding, Ding! Round 1.

Hilarious! Thanks JG.

There’s been a lot of debate over Sarah Palin and whether she can “do it all” as a Vice Presidential mom. It’s become a hot topic over the last couple of days, but it’s nothing we haven’t heard before. My wife works and she has had this same discussion with other moms many times. Being the soft-spoken, politically-correct Democrat that I am, I tend to keep my mouth shut regarding the subject. But I do have my own opinion and after seeing Sarah’s speech I was inspired to write this little post.

Being raised in a Christian household, I was taught the Bible has the answer to any situation you can face. While it may not always give you the exact answer, through prayer and studying there’s enough to get you on the right path.

Here’s a post from gotquestions.org regarding women in the workplace. I heard a similar response in a family ministry Bible study my wife and I attended a couple of years ago:

Read the rest of this entry →

I’ve been away from the blog for a couple of days and in my absence a couple of thinks have happened. So I thought I’d group my opinions of those events all together in one post. As always, I’d like to know what you think.

The Democratic National Convention was a historic event. Michelle Obama did a good job kicking off the convention with her speech. She seemed a little nervous, but did well and got her message across about her husband. I had mixed feelings about Hillary’s speech, but she had to speak to the many volunteers that spent countless hours working to get her elected. I thought she spent too much time on herself, but in all fairness it may have been necessary. I do have to say, I was proud to see them officially endorse Obama and move to the suspend the roll call making him the presidential candidate. It was a special moment.

I thought “Wild” Bill Clinton’s speech was on point! He gave one of the best speeches I’ve seen him give and he did exactly as he was supposed to do. The comparisons between himself and Obama were pretty funny. This was the Bill Clinton black people have come to love. The Republicans are good at standing behind their nominee even when it’s obvious they don’t agree with them. That’s the way politics works. Stand by your man (or woman).

Barack closed out the DNC with his speech at Mile High Stadium in front of more than 75,000 supporters. The Nielsen ratings were ridiculous with his speech being seen by more than 38.4 million viewers. This was a bigger US TV audience than the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, this year’s American Idol final and Oscars coverage. I like the way he “talked” to the crowd and didn’t try to preach to us. In my opinion he delivered on his speech. Whether or not all he said can be done isn’t a big deal to me. We hear promises from the politicians all the time and I realize that it takes an act of Congress to get things done.

And finally the big story. John McCain’s choice for Vice President. Sarah Palin seems to be an amazing person. As a mom, wife, governor and future grandma she has a lot on her plate. I think the pregnancy of her daughter is a non-issue, but I’m not surprised at the media reaction. This is what they do and I’m sure Palin is not surprised by it. I do question McCain’s choosing her. I think it was a way to pull in the Clinton votes and I also think it might have been done to cause division in the Democratic Party. I’m sure Hillary is a little peeved, but she’ll be well taken care of if Obama wins.

I’ve heard rumors of McCain really wanting Liberman on the ticket, but it was stopped by members in the party. While Palin may be a great governor, I don’t see her as a Vice President. For the longest time we heard so much about Obama’s inexperience, so I’m confused why it’s not a big deal anymore. Palin was a choice to get the female votes (see the Civil Rights Movement was important). I guess they figured women would rise up in support since Hillary was not in the running. Insulting.

There’s more to comment on, but I think I’ll save it for another post. How do you feel about all this stuff?

I found these on the MSNBC website and thought they were pretty funny. Don’t worry, there aren’t any baby ones. More commentary to come.

Sarah Palin, VP Candidate Political Cartoons