Chicago Has The Nicest People!

I was walking to the train last evening and passed a couple standing on a corner looking at a map, then looking around, then back at the map. So I went back and said, "Do you need help?"
They said, "Yes, thank you, where is the Drury Lane Theater?"
I gave them directions (they were very close) and then the man said, "Can you tell me something else?"
I said, "Sure."
In German-accented English he asked, "Why is it in Chicago whenever we open a map, boom! someone stops to help us? This doesn't happen in New York. It doesn't happen in any other city we visit. It's amazing. Chicago has the nicest people!"

The Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl

Do I care about college football? Not really. Did I follow the season? Only to see how Ohio State and Notre Dame were doing (passing interest). Did I watch any games? Maybe twelve and a half minutes, all told. So, you might ask, why the heck did I go to Detroit to the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl? Because my cousin Ken Hoffman (above right, with his son Luke) is the creator and Executive Director of that bowl game (which used to be The Motor City Bowl) and I love my cousin and don't get to see him very often. And it turns out to be a mini-family reunion and a chance to spend time with some more of my favorite cousins.

This year my sister and her husband from San Antonio were there and two of my nieces.
(My two nieces from Toledo and me with my sister who's wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt under her jacket.)

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Rock Star

Saturday night was my Bill's family's family Christmas, complete with Santa for the little ones. But the star of the night was little Jack Castady. What a cutie!

First Snow in Chicago

It was the perfect first snow in Chicago today; a light and fluffy coating on the trees and shrubs, then the sun came out and the streets and sidewalks were clear by 10 a.m.

Tiger Woods Update

Wait a minute. He's being issued a citation for reckless driving? In his driveway? OMG

The Real Tiger Woods Story

Jeez, how can so many people talk so much about a subject and say absolutely nothing? Every TV station, every newspaper, every radio show is obsessed with this non-story.
Yesterday, every talk show host on WGN talked about Tiger Woods, ad nauseum. Garry Meier (who I love) went on and on, doing nothing but speculating and fanning the flames. I turned him off after about 20 minutes and when I turned him back on (thinking he'd have moved on) he was still at it, an hour and a half later.
And they're still at it today. John Williams talked about Tiger Woods for the first hour of his show this morning. With nothing new to say. I don't get it.
Why are people so interested in this story? Why are they so anxious to believe that Tiger Woods is cheating on his wife and that she went after him with his own golf club? And even if that's the case who cares?
I hope Tiger Woods never elaborates further on what happened. The world will go crazy not knowing THE REAL TIGER WOODS STORY, but I'm confident it will continue spinning.
BTW, I'm also sick of those White House party crashers.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a great time to show your appreciation for your family, your friends, your business, the roof over your head. Yes, it's a challenging time economically and everyone's felt it in some way, some more than others, but I bet you have things to be grateful for.
I am so grateful for the life I live. I feel blessed (not in a religious way) for all that I have, where I live, what I do, the people who love me.
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your small business is give back, do something good for your community, get involved. It'll come back to you ten-fold. How? Here are five ways:
1. It makes you feel good about yourself when you help someone less fortunate than you. Feeling appreciated and needed are basic human desires.
2. You meet people in the business community, make new connections.
3. You gain a new perspective on life. Help someone whose life is not as easy as yours but who's hanging in there and it will make your problems look smaller.
4. You learn something new about yourself. Volunteer in an area of interest and gain experience and skills that can go on your resume.
5. Doing something outside of your comfort zone gives you a sense of accomplishment.
If you live in Chicago check out CASA of Cook County for a volunteer opportunity that gives abused/neglected kids a voice in court. You can make a big difference in these children's lives. Check out National CASA for opportunities in other parts of the country.
CLICK HERE to learn more.