Reactuate

Carrying At My New Bank

Ron — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:44:41 +0000

Last week I finally had it with Compass Bank and decided to change to Chase. So on Saturday morning I went to the local branch and spent two hours creating accounts and filling out paperwork.

When I walked into the bank a young man – God I sound old – greeted me and sent me to talk to a banker about opening new accounts.

At one point I was asked for two forms of picture ID, so I naturally pulled out my Driver’s License and my Texas Concealed Handgun License. Two forms of government issued ID.

But alas, my new banker told me they can’t take a CHL as a form of ID. A credit card would be fine. WTF? She said when they get audited by the main office that isn’t one of the things on the list.

Whatever.

I was carrying. I had on jeans and a long shirt. My Springfield XD in a inside the waistband holster.

My wife wasn’t around on Saturday morning to sign paperwork, so we had to go in on Monday morning and handle it. When we did we got an interesting story from our new banker. She said the young man who greeted me at some point realized I was wearing a gun. I don’t know if I flashed while stretching or moving around, or if I printed while sitting down, but some how he saw it.

Well it freaked him out and he went and found the manager and said “There’s a guy here with a gun!”

The manager said to calm down, but they did let the banker know later that I was carrying. She said she knew because I’d tried to use my CHL.

I know I screwed up letting them see it, but here are a couple of thoughts I had.

First, I always assumed if someone saw it, they would assume I was a cop. Guess not.

Second, this is Texas, a gun shouldn’t freak you out. Remember that scene in Miss Congeniality where Sandra Bullock sees someone with a gun in San Antonio and jumps them from the stage? Her beauty pageant coach says, “This is Texas. My florist carries a gun”.

Third, even before there we shall issue CHLs, on way show need for a license was if you had to carry large amounts of money to the bank. So banks should have the most experience with people with guns. But I can understand they also have a big fear of being robbed. I’m pretty sure that was why the guy was standing there to start with. Someone told me it was a security measure they instituted to catch people acting strange before they get to a teller.

Reading a recent post about Open Carry by Hsoi made me remember and decide to post this story.

5 Things I Learned About Twitter, Blogs & Traffic

Ron — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:12:09 +0000

I have a podcast called “The Photographer & Model Podcast” and yesterday I got to wondering who were the most popular interviewees. So I pulled out Google Anayltics and looked to see which show pages got the most traffic.

Last night I had a ranking 1 to 10, but I realized this morning that I hadn’t included earlier episodes in the analytics search, so the rankings changed this morning.

Looking over the list I learned some interesting things about the power of Twitter vs a Blog post. Here’s the 10 highest ranked.

Here are a couple of things I learned.

1. Obviously its an advantage the longer the interview has been up, but it is my no means the biggest advantage. JimmyD was #4 and his podcast was less than a week old. Lots of the very old ones aren’t even in the top 10 even though they were great interviews.

2. Twitter gives you a short term boost. Both JimmyD (@pgshooter) and Frederick Van Johnson (@frederickvan) are on twitter and have pretty large followings. At the time of this ranking Frederick had only promoted the interview via twitter. I think only once and at 1 AM, but 6500+ followers was still enough to get him in the top 10.

3. Blog posts are forever. Carly has a blog, as does her boyfriend. So does Zoya. So does Vegas Alien. I don’t think Zoya posted about her interview, but the others did. So there has been a trickle of traffic coming in for them. Where as Twitter traffic goes away after 2 weeks. I expect Jimmy to be #1 within a week and stay there because he’s going to blog about it and he has a very popular blog.

4. Don’t forget the forums. JimmyD hasn’t blogged about the interview yet, but he did post it to three forums. That’s traffic that will stay around as well.

5. Google is still powerful. Zoya is in the top 10 because of google. The interview has the fourth spot on the first page for her name. Cassandra’s interview is also on the first page of google for her name.

All that being said, the podcast is new and it wouldn’t be that hard to get ranked by anyone. For instance not many of the people put a link to the interview on their model site profiles. That would lead to some more traffic.

I’d also love to interview someone who had an email list. My bet is that would send a ton of traffic.

After watching this video by Kevin Rose about taking your site from 1 to 1 Million I decided to add a “leader board” or my most popular episodes to the podcast page. We’ll see what effect that has, and it will serve my users because new people can more easily find popular episodes.

Still Running

Ron — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:55:59 +0000

The other morning at a ridiculously early hour of the morning I tweeted

30 min into my run and I feel great. Running thru neighborhood I lived in as a teen when I wouldn’t dream of running more than a mile

That was about 2 miles in to my 7.5 mile run that morning. This Sunday I set a new personal distance record running 9.71 miles in 2:45.

It amazes me to be writing that.

I’m in training to run the Houston Marathon in January, two days after my 45th birthday.

I’m still using Maffetone’s heart rate zone for my running, but I’m getting a little frustrated with my performance. I’m SLOOOOOW. The longer I go the slower I get. I was well over 15 minute miles for that long run.

Now it is possible I’m much faster at distances shorter than that, but I don’t know for sure. If I’m faster for distances I’ve already run, then I’m still in trouble for the marathon. You have to finish in under 6 hours because they close the course then. To do that you have to average 13:45. And the training program I’m using never runs the actual marathon distance, so that race would be my longest distance.

Speaking of training systems, I’m using the KingwoodFit.com program. I joined and went to a few of the group runs and absolutely hated them. I was the slowest of the group that actually runs. By the time I finished all the provided snacks were gone, and the lecture was over. Plus it is discouraging to watch everyone else run away from you. So I do their runs, just on Sunday morning by myself rather than Saturday morning in the group.

Still it is three months away, so things may change. If they don’t I’ll just run the half marathon which gives you 4 hours to finish, 18 minute miles.

5 Reasons I Won’t Follow You

Ron — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:17:07 +0000

I get dozens of follows everyday and generally don’t follow back. Why? Because I only follow people who I’m interested in what they have to say. That isn’t always easy to tell when you first look at their profile.

Here are five things that will get the email notification sent straight to the trash.

As an aside, if I know you personally none of this applied

1. You have no avatar picture

Welcome to social media, now get a picture. Every kind of social media, from forums to Facebook to Twitter, allows a picture. Get with the program.

I’m still undecided about weather the picture needs to be of you. That is my preference, but I can understand how a photographer might use a image they shot, or a fan might use a fan related image. But realize it’s a point of evaluation as well. I also find it a little strange when people use images of their kids, or their boyfriend.

Another thing, I’ve unfollowed people because I found their avatar disturbing or gross or obnoxious.

2. You have less than 10 tweets

This is a sign of a spammer. I realize someone may be brand new to twitter, but my lack of ego wonders why you would pick me to follow first. The only exceptions I’ve made for this have been people I actually know.

3. You are obviously a marketer and I don’t know you

If you have the wizbang background and bio that says you help people make millions on the internet, I figure you are following me via the use of some automated tool. One of the big reasons I think this is I get a flood of follows if I use the term “Internet Marketing” in a tweet.

I’m not opposed to following marketers, but I want to know them. I follow my own IM mentors, @jasonvo and @jeremyfrandsen. I follow my favorite big names, like @masscontrolkern, @jeffwalker, @perrybelcher. And I follow fellow members of Internet Business Mastery Academy.

4. All your tweets are links to something for sale.

If every tweet you make is an affilate link, or a link to some product of yours, or – the worst – links over and over to one product, forget it. You are a spammer.

5. All your tweets have a bad attitude (In a bad way)

I remember meeting a MUA at a store once and we talked about working together. She gave me the link to her myspace so I could see images of her work since she didn’t have a website. I went there and it seemed every piece of text on the page was cutting someone down or bitching and complaining about something. Guess what? I wasn’t going to work with such a negative person no matter how good she was.

I’ve see the same kind of thing in twitter streams, where every tweet is bitching or moaning about something. I’m not going to follow you to listen to that.

In conclusion I want to repeat why I follow people, Because I’m interested in what they have to say. So don’t be a wall flower and say nothing. Don’t be obnoxious. Don’t be boring. Be fun and interesting.

P.S. And for me Photographers & Models get special treatment because they are my interests.

Netflix Knows Customer Service

Ron — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:13:27 +0000

This is how you handle a problem.

We’re sorry you may have had trouble watching instantly via your Xbox

Dear Ron,

Last night, you may have had trouble instantly watching movies or TV episodes via your Xbox due to technical issues.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused. If you were unable to instantly watch a movie or TV episode last night via your Xbox, click on this account specific link in the next 7 days to apply your 2% credit on your next billing statement. Credit can only be applied once.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding. If you need further assistance, please call us at 1-866-923-0898.

-The Netflix Team

It actually wasn’t my XBox, but my LG BD 370 Network Blu-ray Disc Player. A message popped up on screen when I tried to watch something instantly that it couldn’t authorize that device and to call LG support. Which I did, but couldn’t get through. Then a few minutes later it just started working again.

But Netflix didn’t even wait for me to call and ask what was up. They proactively sent this email and gave me a credit. I would have been happy with just a reason, but I’m impressed with this.

Professional Photography For Business

Ron — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:34:49 +0000

I wrote this as a post a year ago on an internet business forum I’m a member of. I got a question about it today and thought it would make a good post for this blog. Interestingly a photography post NOT suitable for my photography blog.

Written Aug 20, 2008

Was trying to cram Book Yourself Solid into my head last night until it exploded. But one thing he talks related to credibility was having a professional photograph.

Given I’ve done a lot of people photography I thought I’d give a few tips and thoughts.

There are different kinds of photographers. Unfortunately most are what I refer to as PPA photographers. They are stuck a couple of decades back on the curve of photography. If you are looking for a headshot and they put you in front of a mottled blue background, you are in the wrong place.

TIP 1: The best people to have do your head shot are photographers who specialize in actors headshots.

Your images should reflect a feel or emotion. Just like copy isn’t just about what you are selling, your image isn’t just about what you look like. It should make the viewer feel something.

Your expression is going to have a lot to do with the feeling. So think about the feeling you want and then what expression causes that feeling.

TIP 2: Just like I tell my models, practice in front of a mirror. Try different expressions and poses.

Feeling will also be influenced by lighting and depth of field. This is why you need to get the right photographer. There is technically right lighting and there is artistically right lighting. You want artistically right lighting. I’m not even going to try and explain that right now, but you’ll know it when you see it.

TIP 3: Pick a photographer based almost solely on their portfolio.

The biggest problem when trying to commission any kind of art is knowing what you are going to get in the end for something that hasn’t been created yet. Fact is you won’t know 100%. The best indicator you can get is the images they have already taken. This tells you something about their “style”. A style is made up of the things an artist is comfortable creating and the elements they use over and over.

TIP 4: Use a modeling site to find a photographer.

The yellow pages or local newspaper rarely will help you find the kind of photographer you are looking for. You need to go where you can look at a photographers work when they are most expressing their style. Since you want them in your area, a modeling site lets you search by zip code.

Here are a couple:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/
http://www.onemodelplace.com/
http://www.deviantart.com/ < - not really modeling, but artistic photography

You also may find what I call a professional amateur on these sites. They are photographers who love it as a hobby and have gotten really, really good, but they don't do it for the money. They will if it comes along, but aren't really marketing for it. Offer these guys some money and you'll get a quality product for good price. I'd consider myself one of these guys.

TIP 5: Not every photographer is good at everything, but style does come through.

There are two areas of photography where you see the high quality artistic photographers excelling. Wedding and High School Senior photography. These also happen to be the biggest money makers. So if you are looking for a good portrait, look at who the best of these guys are in your area.

Lastly I’d just like to say photography matters. It tells people if you are serious or not. It’s like good webdesign.

4 Aspects of Sexiness

Ron — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:32:11 +0000

Skin, Access, Fit and Heels

There are 4 things that make an outfit sexy. Maybe these are obvious, but I find a lot of women have no idea how to be sexy. They often have no clue about what makes an outfit sexy verses pretty, which are not related.

Skin

This one seems the most obvious, but still needs to be addressed. The more skin your outfit reveals the sexier it is. There is a limit to this. 100% nudity probably isn’t as sexy as 90%. Also for most people you probably want to cover flaws.

But as a general rule, the more skin you show the sexier your outfit is.

Access

Why is a mini-skirt way more sexy than a pair of short shorts?

Because a mini-skirt promises access to even more skin in a way shorts don’t.

A crop top that hangs from the breasts, away from the body, is sexier than one that clings tightly to the breasts and belly.

Why?

Again a promise of access. It gives the idea you could slide a hand up under it and adds to the sexiness.

Even fake access ads sexiness. For instance a skort is really shorts, but looks like a skirt. A wrap of fabric over a bikini bottom, looks like a skirt, even though you know it covers a bikini bottom that prevents access.

Fit

I was going to say tightness adds to sexiness, but I realized that fit is a better way to put it. Yes, a form fitting outfit – assuming you have an attractive form under it – is sexy. But even a non-clinging outfit that fits properly is better than a baggy ill fitting one.

In general the tighter an outfit is the sexier it is. Tight jeans are sexier than loose ones. A tight sweater is sexier than a loose one.

The biggest counter example to this is the lose man’s t-shirt, which is the staple of many women and is totally unsexy. Wear a top cut for a woman and that fits flatteringly to your frame.

Heels

High heels are the salt of fashion, they increase all of the other flavors in the recipe. High heels make any outfit sexier. By high I mean over 3″.

You can be wearing baggy jeans, a loose T-shirt and 4″ heels and your sexiness will be increased.

Why do I make my models wear heels when I’m not even shooting their feet? Because it make them stand different. Heels tighten muscles from calves to neck. And they make your feet look smaller.

They also make you move differently and in a way that makes you sexier to men. Don’t ask me why.

A common misconception is since they make you taller, you are more attractive. I don’t actually think this is true. Most men don’t care how tall you are up to a point, and then it is a problem. 5′ 2″ vs 5′ 6″? Men don’t care. 5′ 8″ to 6′? Now most guys are looking up at you and generally don’t like that.

Context

While I’ve told you what makes an outfit sexy, I’m not telling you to use all four all of the time. You should use the different aspects appropriate to where you are going, and what outcome you want.

If you are going out to a club, use all four. If you are going to work, wear something that fits and heels if you are able. Adding a little sexiness to a professional outfit makes you more attractive, without looking like you are trolling for sex. Being more attractive will help you in business.

If your outcome for any event includes meeting men, then you need to add some aspect of sexiness to attract attention. “But I don’t want a man who’s attracted to me because I’m sexy. I want him to be attracted to me for my mind.” Then you better not be passive, because men are unlikely to approach you without some physical attraction.

Pretty Vs. Sexy

When I said lots of women didn’t know how to be sexy, I remembered a story about a woman who didn’t know how to be pretty without being sexy. A friend used to be a parole officer and she had a client who had a court date. She told her to dress nice, and the girl showed up dressed like she was going out to a club, because that was the only definition of nice she knew.

I said an outfit can be sexy and not be pretty, there are plenty of outfits that never should have made it out the door, but that a guy will still think are hot. On the other hand there a beautiful dresses that men will admire, but not be attracted to. You are best off striking the correct balance between the two.

Guess Placement Does Matter More Than Caliber

Ron — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:21:09 +0000

I was reading a Houston Chronicle story about a homeowner defending his property and person from a criminal with a tire iron and had a couple of interesting thoughts.

First, the most fun I’ve had reading a news story comments in a long time. I love Texas. Normally threads on news paper websites are some of the worst on the net.

Second, was the paragraphs at the end about other homeowners defending themselves. Compare the main story and the last other shooting.

In the main story the homeowner had a 45 pistol, and fired 4 or 5 times and still doesn’t stop the guy. Eventually the guy does bleed out, after struggling for the gun, and dies trying to drive away.

In the last paragraph is says:

On June 17, a north Harris County man shot and killed a teenager who refused to leave his property in the 5500 block of Susanna. Sheriff’s investigators said Dwayne Austgen, 69, feared for his life when he fired a .22 caliber rifle at 17-year-old Vidal Herrera.

Here the guy uses a 22 and kills the assailant, apparently only shooting him once in the abdomen.

I guess the lesson here is that just because you shoot someone – maybe even leading to their death – they probably won’t stop.

Guess that’s why at FrontSight they teach, two shots to the chest, and if they don’t stop, one to the head.

The Maffetone Method I’m Running Again

Ron — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:57:11 +0000

I’m a horrible personal blogger right now, I blame Twitter.

I haven’t blogged about my new diet and weight loss because I figure you don’t care. Nor have I blogged about the fact I’m running again, but I’ve decided it is time.

The week before Memorial Day I decided to start running again. I don’t actually remember why, though realizing I was getting fat was part of it. When I decided to start I decided to use The Maffetone Method because it make running easy and fun.

The Maffetone Method was something I heard about from my Austin Chiropractor and Tony Robbins a number of years ago. It is a method of aerobic training focused on running by heart rate and time and not by distance. I did it somewhat in the past, but not very strictly and therefore didn’t get the promised effects. This time I did it by the book.

What is The Maffetone Method

Here’s an article by Phillip Maffetone himself explaining it. Here’s my break down of it.

1. Calculate your target heart rate using the 180 rule. Basically, 180 – your age. Your training range in 10 point under that. For me that means my range is 121-131 BPM.

2. Spend 15 minutes warming up to that range. When I started this was all walking.

3. Spend 15 minutes running in this range. The amount of time in this range can be increased once you are totally comfortable with it, but not more than once every 2 weeks.

4. Spend 15 minutes cooling down back under your heart range.

5. Run 5 or 6 days a week. For me first thing in the morning.

6. Once a month test yourself using a MAF test. Basically run a mile in your target heart range and record the time.

I didn’t do a MAF test at the beginning, but I did something similar a couple of weeks into it. I ran a 2.1 mile loop after warm up in my target zone. Doing a little division, that turned out to be a little over 17 minute miles.

The idea is that if you run at a particular heart rate for a number of weeks you will get where you are faster at that rate. I’ve found that to be true, but that you don’t really see it until you’ve been running about a month. I did a MAF test on Saturday and my mile was 16:12.

Even since that run I know I’m having to running faster to maintain the heart rate. I seem to have broken through some barrier and now every time I run I’ve got to run faster.

No Discomfort.

My running never hurts. Never feels horrible. I often feel like I could run forever.

When I have felt some discomfort I’ve learned it means something is wrong. Normally either I’m getting dehydrated, or I’m overheating – something easy to do in Houston’s summer heat.

When my feet gave me a little problem – something was rubbing on one of my toes – I took this as a sign something needed to be fixed. I’m pretty sure it was my socks, because I’ve tried a couple of different running specific socks and haven’t had the same problem.

Pain is an indicator something needs fixing.

My Ultimate Goal: The Houston Marathon.

I’ve decided I want to run a marathon. I know I’m signing up for Houston’s marathon in January. I’m not sure if I’ll really be able to do the whole thing, mainly because I’ve very slow and you have to complete in under 6 hours. But I’m going to start training for it. I may only do the half. Matter of fact there is a half in November that I plan on running and finding out if I can do the full from that.

The Niche Show Interview With Me

Ron — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:02:41 +0000

If you are at all interested in listening to me discus internet marketing and the ups and downs of my various ventures, check the interview on the Niche Show.

I know Shawn and Nick from the Internet Business Mastery Academy and am honored they wanted me on their show. We talk about success and failure. Actually a lot about failure really.