What is with all the "HATE"

It saddens my heart to see and hear the hatred and bigotry spewing out of people these days. Last I checked this was 2011. What has happened to our society? Are we in a backward spiral?
I don't recall a time when hatred has been so prevalent. It makes our society no better than the ones we criticize.
Take a second to think about it. Some protests funerals of our fallen soldiers. Blame natural disasters on politicians not getting along. They will hate your for your religion if it differs from theirs. The my God is better than your God mentality. Maybe your skin color is different, so that's a reason. Perhaps you love the wrong person in their eyes. You belong to a different political party.
It seems the list is endless. Hate is a learned trait. Children don't know hate, they learn it. How sad that a generation of young ones are growing up thinking hate is acceptable and normal. Why not, adults act like that, so it must be ok.
What do these people want? Maybe a stepford society would make them happy. I think not, that would be like cloning, which we know some feelings on that topic.
I realize not everyone will be happy with everything, but there really needs  to be acceptance and tolerance. We can't a people continue on this path of destruction. There is nothing productive when hate is present. Can we respect others, embrace our differences. See the beauty and wonder in all that makes us unique.
 Is there an answer or solution?
 Sadly, I think not.
But I do think if some of us, one by one can have respect and acceptance and stop our own hate. We can make a difference. Probably not change the world, but change our own piece of it. Live, Love, Laugh, we should all have that right.
Make your own change, say something nice to someone. Smile at them. You can make a difference!

Maybe a name change is needed?

As the political climate is heating up now, take an objective look at the parties. As in life there are always givers and takers. Which party fits which bill?
Not that any party is perfect, which I think is obvious to the masses. But there are some differences that set them far apart.
Lets start with givers. Democrats, the country was failing, so they gave a stimulus. Not that it was totally effective, but no the less giving. They tried to give health benefits for everyone, we know how that is going. (I'll address that when I get to the takers) They want to keep giving women the right to choose. Oh, and how about the same sex marriage issue, give you the right to marry who you love. Here are just a few examples of giving.
Now for takers, Republicans. They will take revenue away from the country, because the wealthy shouldn't have to pay more taxes. (I know they pay more than the rest, but it is because they have more. But check out the tax breaks they get) They will take away a woman's right to choose. Take away the possibility for same sex partners, to have rights including marriage. They will take away any chance of health benefits for everyone. Taken away will be the separation of church and state. Lastly, lets not forget what may happen to the elderly if they take from social security and medicare. Just to name a few.
So here is where the name change comes into play. Lets take Republican, and change it to "REPO"blican.

My First Interview (For an Adult Men's Mag)

When I was first approached to do the interview, I was really nervous. What would be asked, what would I say, would I make a fool of myself. But the biggest fear of all, telling my overly conservative mother. Needless to say it didn't quite go over very well with her. "Don't you dare do it" I think was the exact quote. No pressure there. Excited for my first interview, and a mother who is so against it. So, as you can see from the picture, I did it. Up until now, she didn't know. I guess the secret is out. I had told her back then, I wasn't going to say if or if not, the interview happened. Knowing she would never have been looking in an adult men's magazine, I figured I was safe. Perhaps I may have some explaining to do.
The day of the interview I received a call from a very nice woman, by the way her name is not really "Vonda Dix". That I saw when the article came out in print. She started just chatting, not really asking questions. So I thought. I soon realized how good these reporters are. They will have you thinking that you are bff's. You would tell them anything and everything. She had asked some questions, but mostly is was like talking to a friend.
When the call ended, (sadly I never spoke to my new bff again) I was more nervous than before. I kept going over in my mind, what did I say. The sweating began. What would come out in this article.
Knowing I would have to wait several months for it to hit news stands, I tried to dismiss it. Finally, about four months after the interview, it was published. All my nervousness was for nothing, she wrote a wonderful article about me. I was quite relieved.
Lesson learned, when speaking to reporters, you have to be so careful what you say. They have such a knack of getting you to tell them everything. No wonder celebrities actually have coaching for these things.
I survived the interview, and the article, now I guess I just have to survive my mother after she reads this.

Coffee Addiction

Can there ever be enough coffee? My answer is a BIG NO! It's the first thing I wake up to and the last thing at night, and everywhere in between. It is soothing, warm and cozy, makes you feel good, doesn't talk back. I couldn't think of a better relationship.

I guess my addiction started young, I'm Italian, it is kind of a given to drink coffee. We start drinking coffee at a really early age. If you have never been in an Italian home, coffee usually runs 24/7. 

Starbucks happens to be my coffee of choice. Latte to be exact. Shots of espresso. Some say that Starbucks is too strong, lightweights I think. For them I say drink tea. 

At any given time during the day, I can have 2 or more lined up. thanks to friends and clients who know me and never forget to bring one. There can never be too much. It is like a party, the more the merrier. So nice to 

walk into the neighborhood Starbucks and the barista knows your coffee drink and get right on it. Example, I walked in today the barista saw me and was making drinks for about 3 other people, I put my exact change on the counter and walked towards the serve area. Guess who got their drink first. Of course me, it pays to be a regular. 

Life is really good sometimes, made better with coffee.

Coffee + Me = Happy Boy

My recent trip to Manila

The Philippines started out as a place for me to go for business, but has become one of my favorite places. The people, the culture, the landscape.

As in any place on earth, they have affluent and poor, busy cities and quiet suburbs. My preference is the city. The non stop life in action. Always moving, never ending. Perhaps it's my favorite partly because of modern conveniences. Out in the province, it is a bit to rural of a life for me. But the people I visited there were wonderful and beautiful. We all could learn a lot from them.
They are a people who do not complain life is hard. What they have is appreciated, not expected. They make due with what they have, and open their hearts and homes as if I were family. I wonder if that would happen as easily here in my own country. Life is celebrated there, just about everything is celebrated and cause for a party.

Family is an essential part of life. they stick to together and are close knit. the elderly are revered.
My experience with them was one I will never forget, and look forward to doing again. Their graciousness and hospitality was wonderful. A fun group, singing and dancing is a must. I'm not much the karaoke guy, but they sure get into it. Writing about them makes me miss them. Thank you for such a nice time spent with you and your family.

Manila a city typical of any country with it tall buildings and life never stopping. But what stands out most is the cleanliness of the city. I grew up outside New York City, so I am quite familiar with the lifestyle. They actually wash the sidewalks in Manila. Very impressive. The people are so polite. I realize I'm getting older, but the "Sir" thing. I did hit up the many Starbucks located around the city. Which anyone who knows me, knows my slight addiction to it. One of my favorite Starbucks location is in Greenbelt Mall. In the middle of a city, a beautiful green space. Hard to believe its in the middle of everything.
I'm sure I will be counting the time until my next visit.

My Business

Back in 2005, I had an idea to start a small internet business. At first it was going to be a t-shirt business with cute sayings and double entendres. It was a good idea that slowly morphed itself in creating and designing my own line of men's underwear.
Clueless in all the aspects of starting a company from the ground up, I knew much research needed to be done. So my journey began. The how, where, when and what to do.
I started with the name, thanks to many friends, family and clients. Stunt Gear ended up the final name. Got it registered and incorporated. the excitement started to build. Made a business plan, attained domains, learned to build a website.
The internet was the greatest source of information. As many hours as possible would be spent researching. I'm not the type to rush into things without knowing.
I met a man in the Philippines, with such knowledge of the garment industry. He has mentored me throughout this entire process. Now and will continue to be a close friend as well as my eyes and ears at that end of my business. It was he, who convinced me to design my own products. Also to segue into the underwear market.
Truly amazing to see my designs on paper become actual products. The creative process is quite gratifying.
Once all details of the business were in place, it was time to travel to Manila to view the factory. Another aspect I had not originally thought about. With child labor and poor working conditions always in the news, my concern was high. I needed to see first hand, and make sure all was good. Which it turned out to be really good.
After returning home, production began. In the Fall of 2007 Stunt Gear was launched.
It took almost 2 years from inception to fruition.

Intro to my world

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