A Look Back at 2010

I like the idea of looking back and reflecting on what happened last year. I found these questions in a blog post by Rich Schefren.

What were your greatest accomplishments in 2010?
1. The birth of my baby daughter Nadia Jay Dasia
2. Switched to pellet heating (in November)
3. Bought a new Chevy Traverse
4. Celebrated by parents 50th wedding aniversary
5. Learned much more about social marketing and facebook
6. Began learning about html 5 (also a goal this year)
7. Had a successful golf tournament fund raiser for Jaiden's Angel
8. Recieved my first raise and bonus with woodpellets.com
9. Put up a new swing set play area for the kids
10. Replaced the front fender on the toyota avalon
11. Strengthed my marriage
12. Grew spiritually
13. Rekindled lost relationship with Jeff B.
14. Spent a fantastic week with the family at the beach

What were your biggest disappointments in 2010?
1.My trading (lost 20K, gained it back, then lost it again)
2.Still no side business or revenue streams
3.Never learned asp.net MVC
4.Didn't stick with my health goals (workouts, eating)
5.Didn't give back anything to the universe (via blog, articles)

How did you limit yourself last year, and how can you remove those limits in 2011?
1. Don't follow through on investment ideas/advice
2. Don't put in the work required to acheive goals
3. Afraid the share my opionion; raise my voice (getting better)
4.Didn't use my time wisely

The Scandium Story

Check the 11/18/2010 emerging trends report for all the details.

Spotlight two companies: au:mlm and ca:emc

Rare Earth Companies - Missed Opportunity?

I think not..

Dr. Marc Faber Recommends Vietnam

First, US dollars flow to the countries with the highest current account surpluses and, as explained earlier, push these countries’ asset prices up either through appreciation of the currency or through high domestic price increases – or a combination of the two. In a second instance, this “additional liquidity”, which created enormous wealth in Asia, will flow to the least developed countries. I believe that in this context, Vietnam is currently an attractive investment destination.

I was recently in Vietnam and, as on previous visits since 1989, I was immensely impressed by the dynamism of its population and the ongoing economic growth. This is not to say that Vietnam is problem free (witness the struggle between the reformists and the hard liners in the government, the large trade deficit, high inflation of between 12% and 15%, a weakening currency, etc.), but for the first time in years the valuation of the equity market has become compelling.

For a modest exposure to Vietnam, investors may consider the purchase of the Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM), which is listed on the NYSE.

Companies Using Facebook To Market

Coca-Cola
Starbucks
Dell
BestBuy
Vitamin Water

Chris Brogan thoughts on Twitter

Questions:

How do we share? LinkedIn example, do you use it for a digital resume or are you actively helping others and building a network?

How do we extend experiences and relationships? How do we bring them outside..?

How do we collaborate?

How do we wire networks? How do we make new distribution?

How do we develop relationships that yeild? How do we take our commnity and find that part that makes money?

Do not go where the road may lead, but go where there is no road and leave a trail.

The Lowest Point In My Life Part II

It's been two weeks since I stepped into the light. Things have gotten a little better - my wife and I talk often and very openly about this problem. Although her scars are big and will take a long time to heal. She has periods where she just breaks down emotionally - and can't stop crying over the pain.

By using porn, I destroyed her sense of identity - and made her question her desirability as a woman. She said to me "at least if you had an affair with a real women, I might have a chance. But I can't compete with just images. You'll always find them more alluring than me."

But our problems with our marriage go further back than what occured two weeks ago. As I said before, this problem has been around a long time, going back to my days a a young boy. And as I got older and began dating, I always found it hard to develop a close relationship with someone else. And even as I desparately yearned to find a girlfriend - and build a strong bond - it never worked out. I could never quite get over the hump and let my guard down about my hidden dark side. At the time I had no idea why this was so. I simply rationlized that I just hadn't met my soul mate yet -someone who would unconditionaly love me for who I was. Little did I realize how my sexual appitite for porn controlled me and pushed away anyone I might have been happy in a relationship. It hurt a great deal and caused me to question why I was so different from my friends. Now I understand.