The leaves are changing, there’s a nip in the air, and the Blues are getting almost 20% of the sports coverage in town. That’s when you know winter is coming my friend. But it’s not winter that we should all be dreading. One of the absolute worst days of the year is about to happen next Sunday (11/4), when we are forced to update our microwave clocks by moving them back an hour. This practice, which was probably invented by those losers from that rival school/country/religion/sexual orientation that you hate so much, really just makes life a lot less exciting.

I know with winter on the way that it’s going to get colder and the days are going to get shorter. The sun won’t be gracing us with its presence nearly as often. It’s finna snow like the LA club scene. But the real culprit of misfortune in my opinion is the fact that we have to change our clocks around so that stupid American drivers can have sunlight on the way to work, and whatever other reasons you need sunlight at 6:30 am and not 6 pm. It’s ludicrous!

For anyone with one of them jibs, even those with cool ones, you aren’t going to be getting off of work until at least 5 pm. Guess what time the sun goes down starting next week? About 5 pm. Sweet isn’t it. Pretty hard to go get a run in or feel like your life isn’t a state of perpetual darkness when every hour of sunlight is spent at work. Like I said, I’m not picking on winter, and I’m not picking on work. I’m looking at you old CDT. You are the bane of our existence.

Because even if you are a cold weather hater there are still things about the winter season that are welcome in our lives. Someone cue Jock Jams Vol. 1:

Sporting Scene: Me, I’m most excited about hockey being in full swing. Les Blues are skating well and the NHL Center Ice package finds me in front of a TV during the night hours (after I run on a god damn treadmill - thanks CDT). Attending hockey games is a nice pastime too. There are other sports of course . . . if you aren’t some hippie, left-wing, canuck loving fruity boy like me you probably are glad about the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl taking place in winter. That’s a man’s sport. Give me some fusion bag of Doritos and tell the wife and kids to shut up, this the man’s time. Sunday bitch. But yea, the NFL, a lot of It’s in winter. College basketball is tight too, and that has most of its season in winter. The MU vs Illini game is always a fav of mine.

Skiing, Snowboarding: Fun fun fun. Heading up to the mountains is one of the best activities a man can undertake. Gliding down a mountain is like owning a suburban house - it makes you feel free, like you’re on top of the world. The culture around snow sports is a nice one as well. It’s a lot like surfing, but more open to outsiders.

Bash for the Stache: December 23rd. Grow a mustache. Party.

Jesus’ Birthday: Parties with the fam, parties with the work. Only in winter.

Hoodies, Jackets, Sleeping Pants: The style of winter is a lot more fun than the summer. One can accessorize with jackets and sweaters, hats and gloves, and sport a wider variety of shoes. This I like. Hoodies are probably the best clothing item in the world today (close 2nd - thong), and they make me wish it was winter all year. Sleeping pants are pretty nice to throw on as well. In summer, it’s too damn hot to be lounging the house in plaid cotton pants. Not now baby.

Hot Liquids: Hot chocolate, coffee and tea taste better when it’s cold outside. When my friend Jay is feeling down about it being dark at 5:04 pm, I just grab him a chai tea latte and tell him, “Drink this man. Do you want me to reinact the final out in ‘82? It’s going to be okay.”

Appreciation: Winter also teaches us all to appreciate a lot of different things about nature and life. There is change. There are times when it’s cold and barren, but new life is waiting to spring free in April. Nature is powerful and we can’t do anything about it. Without all the great things about the Spring and Summer being held back from us for a few months, they just wouldn’t seem as enjoyable. At least that’s a popular rationalization, and I can dig.

- Other mentionables: Sledding, Skating at Steinberg, Mardi Gras, New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest (does he host it yet?), MLK day, Las Vegas PubCon, cold walks in Champaign, and making snow angels.

With all that excitement you can’t blame the winter blues on winter itself. Blame the dick that invented daylight savings time, because without him, you’d have at least an extra hour to enjoy all those things above in the light of day.

Time to go dig the hoodies out of storage and smile. Nooks.

Compliments of a feature on Swami Parthasarathy in the New Yorker, here’s some good fodder for the soul:

Stress is entirely an internal phenomenon.

Stress derives from unreasonable expectations, and attachment to what one has.

Once you make the right assessment, then you have the right expectations and you have no disappointments.

You are the architect of your fortune, you are the architect of your misfortune.

If you don’t find peace and happiness in action, you’ll never find it!

So what do I make of all that? I think the Hindu philosopher has got in right when he says that stress is something you bring upon yourself, and that it is often the byproduct of improper assessment or expectations. To steer clear of needless stress, you have to ensure that you are evaluating whatever situation you may be in (or whatever person is causing it) accurately. I think there are a ton of common anecdotes in our everyday lives that are evidence of this.

“You just have to get to know the guy.” “Shit happens.” “What do you expect, (insert) is crazy.” “Manny being Manny.”

Those are kinda trite . . . buy you feel me right? If you have some projection of yourself in a social setting or a professional setting, one of those “Do you know who I am?” or “This isn’t my job” doobies, then stress be your lunch and dinner. You are the architect.

That last quote about finding peace and happiness in action is also pretty interesting. Swami talks about how most of us these days dread work and action like the plague, only desiring to return to our position of ‘comfort’ in front of the television or in our beds. While he’s probably a little too hardcore for me (”Why you need weekends? Why you need vacations?” he says), it’s definitely a good thing if each and everyone of us can find enjoyment in action. I think that’s what I try to preach about on my little blog here, being active and enjoying it. Work, play, whatever. Find pleasure in action, dear readers, and may the benefits be plentiful.

P.S. I told y’all kids it was all about Roots.  Even JT agrees.

Interview with a Friend is an ongoing feature on TheGreatSuccess.com.

This week, dear readers, we spotlight my friend Mike.  He’s approaching birthday number 25 this week and he’s having a big bash at his parents house this weekend to celebrate.  Constant jokes about the year 2000 snacks will be flying.  Here we go . . .

TGS: Are you ready? Here it is:
MP: No, but hell let’s go for it

TGS: State your name, age, and t-shirt size for the record.
MP: Michael Vincent Pupillo, 25 (you just wanted me to say it), If you’re reppin American Apparel, I’ll take a medium thank you. For all of you futile Wal-Mart shoppers, that’s an extra small.

TGS: I thought it would be kind of funny if you listed out all the different hair colors / combinations you went through in high school. Go for it.
MP: Hmmmmmm, red, blue, green, purple, what I like to call salt ‘n pepper and negro (that’s Spanish). I think that about sums it up.

TGS: To follow on this color theme, I know most people wonder about your ethnicity. Now are you from one of those Central American countries or are you just a straight up Mexican?
MP: Nice, for the record, my pops is Sicilian and my moms is pretty much a whitey but most people guess me Greek or Hispanic.  Last year a student asked me if I was related to Yadier Molina.

TGS: Is it true that you were the inspiration behind Tom Hanks’ character as the ‘alcoholic relative come to visit’ on Family Ties?
MP: Actually you’ve got it switched up, that character’s been my inspiration.

TGS: Do you find it ironic that Michael J. Fox was, at the time, himself a raging alcoholic?
MP: Like rain on your wedding day.  Marty McFly can do no wrong, I’d booze it with him.

TGS: Seriously though, one of my favorite stories to tell people about hanging out with you in the early years was that I would wake up from a night of drinking and be like, “I don’t want to do that again. At least I haven’t been drunk as much as Mike. Hell, I’ll never catch up to him.” It always made me feel comfort. Remember them days?
MP: You’ve come a long way since the early days.  I think it’s safe to say we’ve made invaluable impressions on each other.  As for “catching up”,  your Columbia days have most likely put you at par perhaps even birdie. Heres a tip; I combat cirrhosis with a healthy dose of café each day, really it’s cuz I like the speedy feeling caffeine gives me.

TGS: Speaking of high school, let’s go back to spring of 2001. What did it feel like to stand up there on stage at prom as the newly elected prom king? What was going through your mind? What an honor.
MP: It felt euphoric, as if Jesus himself had lifted me up. It was then I knew my life had reached it’s pinnacle. I recall thinking damn, “I feel twice as inebriated underneath these white lights.”

TGS: They always announce people and then give a list of the shit they do, like clubs and sports. They had nothing for ya. “Michael Pupillo . . . . who is on the Lindbergh lacrosse team.” Not true. Shoulda been “Michael Pupillo, who let’s people drink at his house every weekend.”
MP: That to me was the beauty of it all.  I like to think I was a quality host too.  I was an avid hockey fan as well.  Who cares if all that cheering was alcohol induced? it came from the heart and that my friend is school spirit.

TGS: Thanks to you I’ve had purple hair, attempted the guitar, fallen in love with California, tried tons of food I would’ve never tried, and become about 10 times cooler (by association). Obviously the list could go on. I want to say thanks.
MP: You’re welcome. Because of you I attended college, buy quality denim, and know the words to an absurd number of pop tunes.  Friendships should be reciprocal. One love.

TGS: What’s your favorite memory of you and I (non-sexual)?
MP: Damn that’s a tough one. Probably waiting all week just to go to your house to make CD’s that took an hour and a half to burn, only to end up with BBMak and Soul Decision on them. That or star-gazing.

TGS: You’ve had some shitty jobs in your day, but you’ve always kept your head about you. What was the worst job you’ve had?
MP: Scrubbing the fat vats at Clown Dog. On a serious tip, McSqueeze was the absolute worst.

TGS: You ever gonna watch those real estate tapes your mom got you?
MP: I’m not even 26 what’s your rush for?

TGS: You probably should’ve just been a rapper. I’ve never seen someone tear it up like you. Maybe Busta Rhymes in Finding Forrester.
MP: When I come through when I blow the spot…
Ha ha. But for real, you know my first CD was Young MC? No lie. It’s In the blood I guess. What’s that line in True Romance?

TGS: You spent 3.5 years at McDonald’s. Now you’ve been a vegan for 5 years. About time to switch it up again eh?
MP: I do like to keep ‘em guessing as they say but I doubt I’ll ever break my veg. You’d have be enticing me with some pretty Big incentives if you know what I mean.

TGS: What did it feel like back in 2002-03 when you were losing all that weight and everyone in the press was like “Mikey’s on drugs!” “Mikey’s down to 125 lbs., Checks into Rehab” and “Mikey’s Shaving His Balls and Showing Everyone at the Club”?
MP: Seriously people have no idea what it’s like to work in this industry, the pressure can be overwhelming.  I’m just tryin to go to Whole Foods with my boy Timberlake ya know?  These days I say eff it, let ‘em speculate it’s more fun that way. I still shave my balls btw.

TGS: Were all those crotch shots really accidental?
MP: If you’d like a personal peep just ask directly.

TGS: I know you’re aware that the toolshed tagline on my blog is “Live Exceptionally”. Of everyone I know, you truly know how to pull that off on a budget. How have you been able to do so much with no money? Any advice for the kids out there?
MP: Ha, I’ll consider that a compliment and less a jab.
The day your bank account defines you is the day you quit living.
You can always make it happen, “it’s just a number in a computer” right?

TGS: Run me through your checklist of things to do before getting on an airplane.
MP: Charge the ipod, pop a pill or two, and get some drink tix from Nate.

TGS: What do you see for the Skinflint Montage in the future?
MP: A video(unrated), more parking lot action, perhaps a clothing line.

TGS: Last week, I interviewed Tom. Who do you like more, Chuck or Tom?
MP: Whomever I owe less money.

TGS: Well hey, thanks for playing along. Here’s to us my friend. Cheers.
MP: It’s been fun.  Cheers mate.

Interview with a Friend is an ongoing feature on TheGreatSuccess.com.

Welcome all to the first installment of “Interview with a Friend”. Most bloggers say that a great way to gain attention and traction for a new blog is to interview respected voices within your industry. Since my industry is people, and my readers are generally people I know, this series made sense to start. It promises to give us all new and interesting insights into the minds of people who’s cell phone numbers I have stored in my phone. Without further delay, I give you “Interview with a Friend”:

TGS: What’s your IMO?
TN: Are you talking about pizza?

TGS: You and I have known each other since 1987. Coincidence or conspiracy?
TN: I would like to think that it was just a mere coincidence. But as I look back at our accomplishments, and our ability to dominate everything we do I would have to say that it is a conspiracy to take over the world. The real question now is by whom?

TGS: Enough with the easy questions, who is Tom Nolte?
TN: Just your average B student. White Middle Class (on my good days upper middle), that’s for the ladies. I’m 5-9 (5-11 in heels), with a blistering slap shot.

TGS: Who will Tom Nolte be in 15 years?
TN: Hopefully a steady drinker…. I would like to change that question around to who will Tom Nolte not be in 15? I say this because I don’t want a path. I want the freedom to change and roll with the waves. Therefore, I would like to not be a washed up athletic type. I think I’ll still be dominating cats on the tailgate field, old men’s softball, and hockey. Still beating up on the young and the old. Hopefully I’ll still have some hair to speak of….yeah, doubt that. Not fat. Oh, and not dead. All good things to avoid in old age.

TGS: Everyone knows that you talk a big game but only deliver about 25% of the time. Is that intentional?
TN: Of course it’s intentional! Think about all the greats in your time. Tiger Woods, if he delivered more than 25% he would probably have old Jack’s record by now. Imagine if Bonds hit 25% of his balls over the fence. He would have been a legend * 15 years ago. What if Greg Louganis had 25% of his dives a perfect 10? Or, if 25% of Lance Bass’ songs were number 1. I see you’re trying to bring me down with that figure, but I see that figure as being better then most of the greats in our time.

TGS: Where were you last year? Word on the street was you took some time off to go to Europe and model.
TN: Well when I got back from that gig (gig is a term we use in the industry for work) I took some time off to reflect on past years. I sat under a dogwood tree most of my days meditating with a slick cat named Lorenzo Lamas. Really made me see the light. My focus this year on the games are stronger than they ever have been. I feel like I’m the dominate player of the past and I’m ready to put the stranglehold on the glory that was once mine. Plus that city in the middle of Missouri can really bring a brother down if you hang there to much. Didn’t want to start looking like a townie.

TGS: What is your most favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
TN: If I were B-Check I would say the beach….Ah….wait you said ‘favorite’ thing. I’ll do you one better and give you a top 5 :
1. Beach. I know the sand, sun, and fun are all horrible (see previous comment above).
2. Golfing.
3. Playing Hockey.
4. Socializing with friends and enemies.
5. Sitting on roofs and pontificating.

TGS:What is your most favorite memory of you and I together (non-sexual)?
TN: Well I would say when we went 11-1. But that’s easy. I don’t know. They are all alcohol-induced so I can’t really remember the entire thing. That night we started walking from downtown CoMo with three pizza’s a 2 liter, and a dream. Oh, and at the Comptons when we started drinking Molson at 4:00 in the afternoon and listening to Mr. Pod.

TGS:I noticed that you stopped buying new clothes in 2003. Are you waiting for the trends to recycle or are you just saying to the world “This is me, I’m comfortable”?
TN: Hahaha… Nice. I stopped buying clothes b/c everyone I know besides you fucking steal anything I get that they like. So I said fuck it! I’m not giving anyone free clothes anymore. I barely make enough money to support my weekends. I can’t afford to purchase clothes for others.
TGS: You’re getting married in July. Discuss.
TN: Well I was trying to wait it out another 3 years and do it like my role model B. Franklin did it. Just be legally married b/c of that 10 year thing. The wife was grinding on me and I caved right after you. For real though, I’m excited for it and am looking forward to the July date. However, I would like to bring it out once again that I won the bet between you and I on this [Editor’s Note: Tom will lose the ‘have kids’ bet]. You are getting hitched first.

TGS: Who are your enemies?
TN: The Brothers Bukowsky, Rick Bagy, The Yin Yang Twins, anyone with a popped collar, and stray animals.

TGS: Start this sentence.

TGS: Some say the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice. Do you agree?
TN: Older or Darker. Doesn’t matter to me.

TGS: We might as well get into a little pop culture montage. Do you think Diddy was behind both Tupac and Biggie’s getting capped?
TN: Well, being a huge Pac fan I would have to say he is still alive. Who puts out more albums after death then when they were alive? Honestly! I hope that guy wasn’t behind it. He’s kinda weak. Think about it. He roles with a preacher (Mase), and has a T.V. show that is about boy bands. Doubt it.

TGS: Do you think I should use ebonics more on the blog?
TN: I think you should cuss like a sailor. Screw ebonics. Go back to your youth hockey past. “Bang the Glass, Buffy gets wet”
“Light Beer and Low Tar cigarettes”
“Jenkerson your balls used to be this big!” That’s where it’s at my friend.

TGS: The Darjeeling Limited. Royal Tenenbaums. Life Aquatic. Rushmore. Favorite?
TN: The Life Aquatic by far is my favorite. You can add that night to favorite memories too.

TGS: Do you support gay embryo marriage or a woman’s right to free speech? Pick one.
TN: Well played. Trying to make me look like an ass. I will not choose one. Both.

TGS:What’s your name?
TN: Tom a.k.a. T-Bone, Spidey, Sea Biscuit, Purple Haze, Knight Rider, Yellow Fog, Silky Johnson, and Clarence.

TGS: What’s your address?
TN: Go Left on Sunrise Highway, Turn Right at Carmons Avenue, Go right at the first stop light. And, I’ll be outside, waiting for you.

TGS: Did Kimberly steal Jo’s baby?
TN: I don’t know.

TGS: Did Billy sleep with Allison’s best friend?
TN: I don’t know.

TGS: Did Jane’s fiance kidnap Sydney and take her to Las Vegas? And if so, did she enjoy it?
TN: I don’t know.

TGS: Did Jane sleep with Michael again?
TN: Yes! I can’t believe she did that. Out of all the…..!

TGS: Thanks for your time Tom. Go Blues?
TN: Don’t forget about the Indians.

There was a great post over at Copyblogger last week about fighting through obstacles to creative thinking, and the quote that really stuck in my head was “Quit worshipping rule breakers start breaking some rules.” Pretty sexy huh? I identified with it immediately because I feel like people that are ‘rule breakers’ are often revered in everyday life, but rarely mimicked.

And I don’t just mean the sexy fella on the Harley that smoked Kool’s and used to pick up your grandma for a late-night spin in the 50’s. People that achieve great things - whether they do so in business, art, music, philanthropy, etc. - can generally be traced back to specific actions or decisions they made that went against the norm or the safe play. You may not always see it as breaking rules, but their actions can definitely be characterized as going against the norm. They are the men and women that you talk about inside your living rooms.

The teachers didn’t understand them. Mom and Dad strongly disapproved of their decision. But they took a leap of faith because they believed in themselves and it didn’t matter what other’s thought or what was expected of them. Some may have ended up victims of the times, and yet others fell flat on their face. But I doubt they’d have it any other way. After all, you don’t learn much by not trying. You don’t live much either.

So if you’re sitting back in that leather desk chair and you’re Firefox is fresh off a visit to the FB, play a little game with me. Think of a few people you admire. Did they break some rules along the way? Did they do something out of the ordinary, make a move in life that wasn’t necessarily ’smart’ to most, but now it’s looking mighty bright? I think typically the answer is ‘yes’. In business, it is almost certainly ‘yes’.

Michael Dell. Bill Gates. Somebody named Bukowsky. I know you Facebookers would be interested to read about Mark Zuckerberg. I don’t think he made it to graduation. Really, just insert the parade of names right here, cause it goes on and on.

I suppose what I’m saying is it’s always high time to break a rule or two. If you are thinking of starting a business but you’re stuck in college, think about taking less classes for a semester to get it off the ground. If it starts to go well, drop out. If you need money, be creative. Break some rules. Call everyone you know and seek counsel, and email big name guys that could help you on your way. You never know until you try.

One good way to always break a rule is to do it with confidence. If you act like you know what you’re doing, however big or small, people will generally think that you do. It’s like another favorite quote of mine: “All you need in life are confidence and ignorance, and then success is guaranteed.” (para) From our boy Sam C. up the Mississippi River.

And in the spirit of good fun, here’s the TGS-endorsed rules to break in your lifetime:
- Quit your job and start a new business.
- Skip class. Better yet, drop out.
- Start a band.
- Sneak into a sporting event.
- Go on a last-minute trip.
- Skip a week of work and go on a road trip.
- Write something that pisses someone off. Preferably a blogger.
- Use a fake ID to get into a club or buy alcohol. Or to vote if you’re a needling little pussy. If you’re too old for that, make a fake ID for a Rec center or something like that and try to use it. This makes me think of that scene in Slackers when they go to the restaurant and have fake ID’s saying it’s their birthday. I bet you thought that was cool. But you’d be too scared to do it I bet. Or what about McLovin? His fake ID did him some good.
- Shoplift.
- You should probably do every drug out there. I don’t know about those chemical ones or the ones that require needles, but hey, “Carpe diem!” right?
- Vandalize some property.
- Set things on fire. This may be combined with many from above.
- This list should be a lot longer but I’m tired . . .

And everytime some says “Like that will ever happen”, make it happen. If there is a will there is a way dear reader, there is a way.

Chances are you’ve been introduced to the Dutch phrase “Carpe Diem” in one of 3 ways:

1. A borderline gay movie featuring Robin Williams and some schoolboys, held up in a Northeastern prep school in the 1950’s.
2. A coffee mug on someone’s desk in your office.
3. An interview published featuring a resume-building high school kid, destined for superstardom as a desk jockey at Edward Jones, who is asked, “Now that you’ve achieved Vice President of the Junior class, tell us, what is your personal motto?”

Yes, “carpe diem” is often used. In my mind, it’s often misused. To live life the way you desire and to be happy you don’t have to “seize the day” or “live life to the fullest”. Rather, you need to strike a balance (on your own terms) between all the things that make up your daily routine. Work and play. Eating right and eating for pleasure. Watching the game and watching the trees blow in the wind. Achieve a level of moderation amongst them all. Yes indeed.

This is a matter of interpretation of course, but I think that there’s no greater way to go about anything in life than in moderation. It’s those extremists, diehards and fanatics that stand out from the crowd and usually cause harm to themselves and/or to others. Do I have to even go into examples? Alcoholics. Religious zealots. Cardinals fans. 6 hours of TV a night and a side of fries. 60 hour work weeks. Unimaginable wealth at a young age. These people are hardcore and they pay a price for it. You’ve got to tone it down and do a little bit of this, a little bit of that.

“I’m going to wake up every morning and grab the day by the balls! I read TGS mothafucka! I’ll run 8 miles in the morning, put in 12 hours at work, head out for a phat 5-course dinner and then go snort lines at da club til 2!”

“I hate my job/wife/shoes. I’m going to tell my boss to screw off, track down some 19-year-old chick and go buy me some new Nike’s. Live exceptionally. Amen.”

“All these not-our-religion people are going to pay. Today’s the day, man. I’m strapping on the road flares and these cats are gonna know we mean business. Who are they to think they get all the money and pow- . . . I mean . . . belong on this land/get to go to heaven?!”

All these people could be seen as seizing the day to me. Perhaps if they all did their seizing in a level of moderation the world would be a better place.

I know I’m not making the clearest of arguments here, but you might say I’m a bit self-conscious about sporting a blog that has a tagline about ‘living life exceptionally’. Know that it doesn’t mean going crazy and taking radical action. It’s about enjoying the ride by sampling all that’s out there, and changing the things that you don’t like through prudence and hard work.

Live your way, just don’t be a nutjob.

P.S. Honestly, you were going to let Robin Williams inspire you instead of me? You know who else seized the day all the time? Rick James. He’s dead.

Here in the land of Missouri we are currently about 3 days away from being in the midst of one of the most exciting times of the year - tailgate season. As much as I’d like to make a valiant effort at writing a blog about inspirational living or making one of them internet websites, I must pay homage to the tailgate lord. For the past 4 or 5 years, tailgating down in Columbia has been a whole lot of fun and it’s become tradition for me and all ‘ma’ friends. Not even just a tradition, but more like an institution. Therefore I give you, dear reader, 13 Reasons Why I Love Tailgating:

1. Dedication - To tailgate our way you have to have one thing and one thing only - Dedication.

2. Crisp mornings - While September tailgates usually bring warmth and sunshine, the later in the year it gets the more crisp the morning air at 7 am. The perfect feeling I conjure up in my memory when I think of tailgating has always been the cool October morn, myself and the other true tailgaters standing in a circle, shivering, holding some kind of drink, smiling on the outside yet utterly confused on the inside.

3. My esteemed partner, Tom Nolte - Echoes of our 2003 debut still haunt the hills of South Providence. When your grandchildren turn to you and say, ‘Grandpa, did you tailgate when you were younger?’ You will inevitably draw up memories of 2005 when Tom and I went on a rampage and won 10 quarters games in a row, Could we stand? Barely. Did we really even need to? Probably not. We are tailgating bitch, we are the heart and soul and the stars of the show. Before we came on the scene it was just a few guys in a tent calling Ticketmaster at 8 am.

And yes I’m trying to stir up more fodder for our matches with the Bukowskys this year. 11-1. 11-1.

4. A Coming Together - Throughout the tailgate season, friends and relatives from near and far always make an appearence. It’s always cool to see old Columbiates return to the land of their youth (I guess that’s me now), as well as all the esteemed guests we have that come in from faraway lands. Pak and Mango come back, Jeff Coyle flew in last year. That Big Joe character likes to make an appearence. The Silverback shows up once a year and mans the grill. Only the tailgate can draw them all in.

5. The Bukowskys - I probably should have seen this coming back when I was a freshman and I heard this guy yell my name in the walkways at Faurot. I turn and look to see Brock and Brant stumbling around with a few other people, drunk off their ass, and they’re like “Heeeyy”. That’s about all it was, but it foreshadowed what has become a Golden Era in tailgate history. If I say that Tom and I are the heart and soul of a true tailgate, these fellas are the architects and the gods on high. They bring the people together and put on a show that you can’t get anywhere else in the US and A, and for that we are all thankful. They’re also my favorite opponent in any ill-conceived, trivial game of skill involving alcohol. Remember the “hold the cups between your crotch and throw a quarter” game? Only the Bukowskys would’ve welcomed that challenge. I am humbled by their love for the tailgate and all they have imparted on us followers about the ways of the modern man. Cheers.

6. The Grill - On the regular I am generally a fairly healthy eater. Some might say I’m a “gay healthnut” or “hippie”, and I deserve it. But outside of a tipped-over plastic cup, the grill is the epicenter of the tailgate. Donkey flipping burgers, hot dogs, Boca chickens, eggs, sausage and pepper sandwiches. We do it up. And who could forget the masterful skill of Brian Hall? That guy could make a burger. The grill, it’s integral.

7. The Competition - Sometimes it seems like this is the only reason we go to all the trouble of getting up early and stocking the tailgate - to yell derogatory comments at each other from somewhere between 3 feet (flip cup) and 21 feet (washers) away. Some games are stupid, some are legendary, but overall they are low-skill and high-intensity and everyone involved would make you think it’s Game 7 of the Stanley Cup. It’s awesome. Bring on the Med School.

8. Keeping the World Guessing - Our tailgating escapades have moved around from location to location the last few years, but we continue to try and make the heads of passer-by turn and look at us in astonishing fashion. A few years ago, one may have peered over and wondered exactly why a bunch of grown men were sleeping in a tent along Providence with a few kegs to keep them warm. It was only Friday of course. Or perhaps the boom-box touting crew of 2005, featuring a 2 on 2 match of quarters with one team wearing blindfolds may have drawn stares. How about an impromptu kickball game? Or a kid body-surfing a hill on a blazer? 5 guys dressed in Halloween costumes? NARF on the sidewalk? And I can’t wait til this year when 20 people are hovered around a championship Wii bowling match on the back of a trailer. Keep ‘em guessing.

9. The Crew - Shoutouts to everyone that is a staple of the core team of tailgaters. My aforementioned partner and the Bukowskys, the Donk, Mr. Rahn, Burcheck, Andy, From . . . even the typical visit from Koko and the First Aid group. You know Dipps will come late. Jarad might bring the dogs. These people you can depend on.

10. The Consistency - Like I said, if there is a home football game you can be damn sure there will be a strong showing from our tailgating crew. People are chastised beyond remorse for showing up 2 hours late, let alone missing a weekend. Points are given out for playlist additions based on attendance, and trust me, mental scoresheets are kept by all the diehards on who is showing true spirit and who comes up lame (cough . . . ahem . . . TOM NOLTE. . . 2006 . . . )

11. The Lineup - Back in the earlier years, our tailgate spot was a good 1/2 mile from the stadium. And for some stupid reason, I used to go into the games. Now that we are closer (generous financial donation anyone?) and I have wised up, the lineup is but a relic. But oh how it would help pass the time as we trekked up the hill towards Faurot. 3 beers, check. Starting on left wing?

12. Our spot.

13. The Quotes - Perhaps you will enjoy those found here, and there are many more.

Eye-appealing titles aside, most of all I love the camraderie of the tailgate and how it has become such an important event. I love looking ahead at the calendar and knowing that there will be a group of guys ensuring that they will be nowhere else, doing nothing less, than tailgating come those blessed Sept/Oct morns. I have high hopes for 2007 my friends, and if your last name starts with a B-U-K I suggest you send back that “How to Throw Washers While Drunk - by Vince Coleman” DVD and send home the personal trainer you hired. The day of reckoning is near.

R-8 represent.

I’m sure many a person my age looks around one day and asks, “Where did everybody go?” Friday night rolls around and I’ve got 4 or 5 people I can call, hopefully snagging 2 of them for a night out on the town. A few years ago it seemed like I couldn’t keep up with all the par-tays and people wanting to get out and get rowdy. Now it’s a miracle to get 8 people to a restaurant or bar in the same evening. Question mark?

Well, I think the short answer for the majority of folks is they got one of them “jobs”. Truly, a whole new littany of excuses bounce from my cell phone to my ear and out the other these days.

“I gotta work.”
“Well, I have to get up in the morning.”
“I’m so fucking tired from work this week, I think we’re just gonna stay in.”
“I would do that if I had money.” (I’m sorry, what are you working for? Company scrip?)

I mean, I’m no fool. I can take a look at society and see that as people get older, they do less stuff, they have kids and financial obligations, etc. But at 24 or 25, you’ve got to recognize that your time is fleeting and you still have a lot of opportunity to be free in your decisions. However grim you may think your situation is, however tired you may be, it is the things you currently lust for - a house, a family, a promotion - that will really just rip out your free time and free will. Better live it up.

I suppose my biggest point of confusion with these folks is that I see no difference in the working lives of my friends that keep it real and those that keep it weak. Full-time jobs. Night classes. Not breaking the bank, but not scraping by financially by any means. Yet such different decisions about what to do with their free time. It’s unreal.

Your life isn’t hard, at least no harder than anyone else’s. Be happy, be active, and stop whining about whatever it is you’re whining about. You’re more free to do what you want to do today than you will be in 10 years, and in 25 years you’ll be old and weak (especially if you keep smoking and eating American).

And if your paid employment somehow is getting in the way of the person you want to be, time to seek new paid employment. You can do anything to make money. Sell bananas. I’ll buy 4. If it will keep your spirit alive, I’ll buy 6.

Kwantsu dudes. Kwantsu.

There’s no doubt that the 20-something American male communicates better amongst his peers using movie quotes than actual, original statements. They make us laugh, they allow us to identify with one another, they let us express things emotionally that we have no idea how to get across otherwise. Every circle of friends has their own little array of quotes that defines them.

And let me say - quotes are always better when shared with a friend. You can’t have much fun sitting around quoting shit to old women or apparent savages who haven’t had the time to watch any of the mid-90’s comedies (or 80’s) thirty-seven times since the year 2000.

Case in point: Perhaps the most agonizing day of my entire academic life came a year or two ago when I had to take this moronic Management class at Mizzou. I didn’t show up until day 3 or so, and I had to fill out one of those “Get to Know You” sheets that the grad student teacher wants for their personal file. First of all, it had some question about “career aspirations” and I took that opportunity to let them know I already have the greatest job in the world and oh by the way I make (way) more than the tenured professor they jerk off in the afternoons. Then, at the bottom, I saw the greatest question ever asked of me while in school: “What do you want on your tombstone?”.

Yeah, it’s a pizza commercial. If that’s all you see then leave my blog and never come back . . . Ok, for those still here, what an array of quotes dazzled before my eyes! Royal Tenenbaum was an early favorite. Orange County. I thought about tying in hand-crafted obits that detailed how a character had humorously passed. Every movie with a funeral scene ran through my head. But in the end, I had to come back to old faithful, the most perfect fit for this question. I wrote:

“Shot in the back by Buford Tannen over a matter of 80 dollars.”

I have never felt more complete in my life. The teacher collected my profile along with a few other stragglers who were making their Management 829954 debut that morning and began reading them aloud. (So our peers could get to know us and later we could have a Subway sandwich in Brady). She gets to mine and stares at the paper confused for at least a minute. Then she skips over it! Fucking cunt. Ruined my day, ruined my opportunity for the perfect quote, and basically left me deflated emotionally to this very day.

Damn you grad student teacher lady. Have fun working at Toys ‘L Us you twinkie biotch and may you never understand the beauty of the connection of two grown boys finding perfect harmony in a few good quotes. Remember - do it with a friend, it’s more fun for both of you!

That’s a lesson that Wayne Gretzky’s father once imparted on the young superstar, and it’s a quote I heard many times when I was younger.  As I’ve progressed from spending time on the ice to spending time in the online realm, it still rings true - Anticipate.  Plot a Course.  Execute.

An entrepreneur is a visionary type.  I think that goes without saying.  A big part of what you do is simply searching around for the next point of inspiration to catch your mind’s eye and send you off on another project.  I’m kind of at that point right now, given recent developments (not sure if I can speak about them publicly yet).  And it’s also something I do pretty consistently no matter what I’m involved in at the time.

Where’s that next idea?  We all know you only need to be ‘right’ once, but rising from nothingness into a $20 million company doesn’t necessarily happen on your first try, or your 2nd or 3rd.  You gotta keep your ear to the grindstone.

So, anticipation.  Let’s consider that for a moment.  For me, there are a core group of factors that come into play when ‘anticipating’ where to take action in business.  First off, it always begins with a check of how the market in question is performing online.  So you’ve got an idea?  Well, how competitive is it to rank organically in Google?  Are there big players currently involved?  What’s the search volume?  How hard is it to get a domain, build links, etc.?  That kind of stuff.

Part two is all about potential profits.  I’m not about to dive into anything that I don’t 100% believe can make me a millionaire, hands down.  That goes without saying.

Beyond those two things, I’ve learned in the past few years to consider seriously the type of business model that will follow the lead of my ability to market online.  How many employees will it take?  What will the overhead be?  The regulations?  Can I/we provide the complete service, from customer origination through finished service?  (that’s a biggie)  If these type of things add up to too much hassle, I’m out.  If it’s gravy, I’m in.

While I’m almost embarrassed by the apparent simplicity of the criteria listed above, it’s the way I’ve come to find ‘my way to the puck’ so to speak.  I truly believe that if you can check off all of these things, then combine the key ingredients of PASSION and a TALENTED TEAM, then you’ll find yourself in the high slot waiting to score the gamewinner while everyone else is left wondering how you pulled it off.

PS I’ll talk about passion and the importance of surrounding yourself with great people in coming posts  . . .