Ah, with being apart only grows fondness. (Photo: Kuzeytac)

Hi there, it has been a while since I posted yes? We’ll I’m back now!

A lot of things have been happening; I’m sure everyone’s world didn’t stop for me being gone and if it did, that is cool!

Currently I’m temporarily in wine country while I wait for my braces to be taken off (in two weeks!) and we’ll see where I end up. My priorities shift based on what my priorities are. I’m a vagabond where my heart desires!

Just to let you know, there are some affiliate links on this page, do whatever you want with them, enjoy.

Health is important!

In March I had upper jaw surgery. They literally broke my jaw and moved it to a good position. I’ve had preparation for over a year now for this surgery (who would go out and pay to have their jaw broken). Now I have 4 metal screw/plates type things holding my jaw up, my muscle will grow on top of them.

It is really fun to have the jaw wired shut, drinking only protein drinks and other liquids. Thanks to everyone who cared for me while my jaw was annihilated, I appreciate it.

I’m working out two times a week, using a weightlifting guide I found on Tim Ferriss’ Blog and it works great for me.

I’m eating a whole lot more healthy as well now, only “whole” foods. I didn’t say organic, I said “whole.” I’ve eaten well since I read the book The Abs Diet, though I’ve gone even further with it. I’ve learned from many different places at the same time that our bodies are our temples, I will sacrifice short term pleasure of sweet fattening, greasy, yucky food for long term “feel great” living. I really love this Organic Food Bar too.

Business is vital!

I canceled my Shoemoney System account, the program is just way too slow and basic and videos thrown up on the fly. The other reason I really didn’t enjoy the program is because I think there were more than 500 students in the first round of sign ups. Jeremy said it would be only open to 500 students though many other marketers advertised it after it was closed before he “opened” the doors again. The program just lacks enough guidance for some things he shows and most new videos were thrown together a few days before they were posted.

Many marketers try to create a scarcity of a product so people will buy, and when someone outright lies about it, it’s unethical. I went through a program called List Control from Frank Kern and he didn’t use this tactic as much. Except I signed up through a back link on his blog after the program had already closed. I understand why they do this, though I wish some Internet Marketers would not lie to their prospects.

Currently I now have two remote part time work items. One with the previous company I worked for and one with another company I found online. If you remember from my first post about when I quit my job, I’m actually making combined the same amount net income after taxes. I’m now able to work remotely and be wherever I want.

I don’t want to stop here though, I have many other projects I’m working on, which I’ll probably start another blog to talk about and show in-depth guides about.

A little about some of my projects, I’m currently using Aweber, to build email lists for local businesses. I’m also redesigning and creating new websites for local businesses. I’m finding local businesses will always want more customers and it is an endless place to work and help local businesses.

I’m using Facebook, Google, Yahoo, MySpace, and Bing to attract qualified leads to the email newsletter and helping the business bring in new customers they wouldn’t have received before.

A MacBook Life

My computer crashed recently, I bought this Asus Windows 7 laptop, and it just broke, the hard drive failed and I lost a month’s worth of data. I had a month old worth of data, though I did lose a whole lot of stuff I had to re-do.

I learned my lesson, continuous back-ups are number one, and I think it is especially important while traveling. I have been using this hard drive to back-up my data. It just becomes too cumbersome to carry this around.

I bought the new updated Apple MacBook Pro. I’ve never owned an Apple product and I will probably not buy an Apple product other than laptop again, though I’m really enjoying this laptop. I can focus on work instead of focusing on making things work and customizing the computer to my every need! I do need windows applications for some of my work that I do not want to buy the Mac ports for like QuickBooks . I use VMware to run the programs in my Mac OS X and it works ok. I’ll write more about my experience, I recommend a MacBook Pro to any user wanting awesome integration of features with stability.  There are some Mac only programs I really like as well such as WriteRoom (which I used to write this article and will use for all future articles).

Living in the Cloud

I’ve been moving everything to the cloud, this new awesome term even old people know. If you don’t know what the “cloud” is, it is the internet. I’ve backed up my data on Dropbox for instant access from any computer, Google docs, and Crashplan for my back-ups incase my computer fails (all the data). Another option is Mozy.

I know many people who haven’t started putting their finances in the cloud through Mint and online banking and they are missing out on the easy bill pay stuff. It makes it easier to have a clear view of where you or I stand financially and easier to automate bill pay and instead work on the important stuff in life.

I’ve been using many other programs as well which I won’t go into depth here. I think many travelers, business people and whoever will find this way of living awesome. Even Google is creating an operating system which most everything run on it will live in the cloud, their cloud.

Some people say there are trust issues with the cloud, and they are absolutely right. I don’t generally care though. I feel there is more protection in some online clouds then there is from physical theft of my stuff or physical loss, a risk online I’m willing to take.

Well, look forward to some great articles, I’ve learned some great techniques and I’ll be doing more videos with some great guides as soon as I learn how to scribble out private data in my videos in Screenflow or iMovie!

Posted on May 21st 2010.

Smelly feet makes a room smelly! (Photo: Princess Cy)

I had the choice recently in the new place I’m staying.

Either have the steamer guys come back and re-clean the room for more cost or find a way to remove the odor with an at home process.

I’m frugal with myself. Even if my land lady would pay for it, I opted to do it myself quickly instead of waiting nearly a week for them to come. I definitely didn’t want to sleep in a stinky room for a week.

I researched a little and set out to my local Wal-Mart to look for some carpet cleaners. I also read baking soda was great for eliminating odors. After looking for a while to only find ONE type of carpet cleaning powder, I went for baking soda. It was much cheaper and I only wanted to remove odor. I also read that carpet cleaning powder is for high traffic very short carpet, more industrial type area or office. In shag carpet, it doesn’t all get picked up by the vacuum and cleans dirt off shoes to dirty carpet.

I would not recommend using Fabreeze or other spray items to cover up smells. These are temporary and all it does is cover up the smell not eliminate it. The other joke about Fabreeze is that it makes things clean smelling even if they are dirty.

Baking soda has way more uses than just destroying odors. It (from the back of an Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda Box):

• Improves Liquid laundry performance
• Scrubs away stains and grease without scratching
• For Household Deodorizing (What I used it for)
• Personal Care
• Relaxing Bath
• Fuller Hair
• Facial Exfoliant

It says there are hundreds of uses. I like.

I also used the baking soda to deodorize my car and also accidentally cleared my nasal passages.

I accidentally cleared my nasal passages by sniffing my carpet while my carpet still had a layer of baking soda on it; I did this twice without thinking much each time. Now I can breathe clearly!

Here is what I did to destroy the odors in my carpet. I’ll tell you this, it was REALLY bad. Imagine if you had worked out in the same clothes 5 times in a week and left it in a gym bag in the sun. It was bad.

Cleaning Odors out of Carpet

Here are the tools you need:

• Baking Soda
• Broom or some type of brush that is clean
• Vacuum

1. The first thing to do is to vacuum the whole area two or three times to make sure it is clean.
2. The next step is to sprinkle the powder throughout the whole room. Be generous, use a lot.
3. Now with the clean broom or brush, start working the baking soda into the carpet and around it. The reason is so the baking soda gets into the deep places of the carpet and clings to odors below the surface.
4. Let the baking soda sit and soak for a while in the carpet. I let it sit 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
5. Vacuum the whole room.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 if smell is not completely gone. I had to do these 3 times to remove the smell.

There you have it, an easy and fast way to clean odors; you can use baking soda on many other things and in many different functions. This is especially great if you are a Vagabond traveling and odors concern you. Think of creative ways to use baking soda.

You can buy baking soda in most places in the world.

What uses do you have with baking soda?

Posted on February 12th 2010.

You may conquer with the sword, but you are conquered by a kiss. (Photo: .craig)

Valentine’s Day is coming up. V-Day is on Sunday February 14th actually.

I know I know this day is a commercial created holiday to generate sales. I know I know it is a superficial day to care about.

The girl, boy or others (maybe your dog or the other gender) usually don’t care about your reasons why you think Valentine’s day is a waste (I know this from experience). All that matters is this, their feelings about Valentine’s Day and why they want to do something special on this day.

Taking their feelings into account, it just doesn’t matter anymore what you want. Maybe they say they don’t care, when they really do, they only say they don’t to please you sometimes. If you are a vagabond traveling away from your loved ones, there are many things you can do to still show them they are special.

Now let’s think of some Valentine’s Day ideas! If you have any feel free to leave them in the comments below. I’m interested in hearing new ones for myself; I’ll steal an idea or two.

For Vagabonds or Travelers with loved ones elsewhere:

• Send Flowers (Look up the meaning of flowers before you send them)
• Send a Teddy Bear
• Send a Card or eCard
• Send Jewelry
• Send a love letter (Hand Written)
• Send a book
• Send a Unique Gift

The reason’s these things work, is because the person will receive your gift and if you include a note in the gift. You can be anywhere in the world and they will receive these items. Don’t wait too long to send these, the ones with shipping will sometimes require time to send. Some items such as flowers are sent locally.

Remember, order now and send them early!

Now for those Vagabonds or Travelers with their loved ones traveling with them or at home, you can do many of the above items or a few other things. After searching a little around the internet, I found some good information from a famous guy, Ashton Kutcher, talking a little from his new movie “Valentine’s Day.”

He says:

“I actually think that Valentine’s Day must start first thing in the morning. I really, really do believe the only way you’re really going to catch somebody off-guard on Valentine’s Day is when they’re waking up.”

This is a great concept which can be achieved by anyone who is near their lover. Take note and surprise your lover first thing in the morning. Otherwise if you wait until later in the day, you compete with everyone else. You compete with all the flowers they receive, all the text messages and calls they receive, and all the chocolate they receive.

These gifts they receive from other people usually don’t mean much anyway, be the first so everyone has to live up to what you did. Not the other way around where you living up to what they did.

Here are some tips if you are a Vagabond or Traveler near your loved ones:

• Anything from the above list
• Prepare a delicious breakfast with their favorite items
• Prepare a delicious dinner or lunch with their favorite items
• Give them a huge heavy box containing a very small gift
• Wrap a present many times over
• Take them on a special walk
• Learn something new with them (such as dancing or cooking)
• Read a book with the special person

Many of these items do not need to cost much. I would advise not spending lavish amounts on Valentine’s Days or gifts unless the occasions call for it. The time spent and the thought spent is worth billions of dollars if done well.

If you don’t use any of these ideas, just do something simple. Think of the person you are spending your time for. Think what they want, not what you want.

Remember, it doesn’t matter how much or little you care about this day, it matters how much they care.

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day, even being with someone or without, enjoy the day.

Posted on February 9th 2010.

License and Registration please. (Photo: heather)

These dreaded four words. Before these four words, those flashing lights from some car behind you. You start to pull over and say “Ah crap.” This car from behind you pulls up, they step out of their car. You roll down your window, and the person says, “License and Registration please.”

Most every driver has had this situation, I’ve had my fair share. Luckily in almost every instance the police officer has let me go. The one time I did get a ticket was when I was on a bike in a college town, officers think bike riders in a college towns are worthless.

I think it is important as a vagabond to avoid tickets and trouble with officers whenever possible. Vagabonds may go on many road trips, so there are many chances for being pulled over. It is especially important internationally.

Here’s what happened during my road trip from California to Texas, I was pulled over in Texas.

It was daytime, around 12:00pm, I was a few hours from my destination. More and more traffic started showing up on the highway, and I found myself passing a truck and a semi, they were going 5-7 miles above the speed limit.

The whole way I was driving 10 miles per hour above the speed limit during this road trip. I saw the cop as I drove by, he was sitting in the median with his radar gun. I thought to myself, ah crap, and said to myself “he won’t give me a ticket.” He was an older officer, looks like he has been on the force for at least 10 years.

Before I tell you about the conversation, you should know this, I left at 5pm the previous day, and slept 3 hours at a rest stop that night. I also drank the rest half of my 5 hour energy drink (thanks Nick for telling me about them) 2 hours ago.

He came to my passenger side window. He asked me for my drivers license and proof of insurance. I handed him my drivers license and proceeded to try to find my insurance. I took a while to muffle through my papers (I was tired) and gave him the wrong one first, it was expired 6 months. I found the other up to date one and handed him that. During this shuffling of papers he started to ask me some questions.

The Conversation.

“Why the hurry?”

I said half of the truth, “I was passing the truck.”

“I had you clocked at 80 before the truck.”

(No reply from me).

“Where are you from?” He said.

“I’m from Arizona, I just graduated college recently and moved to California to work.”

“Where you headed?” He asked.

“I’m headed to Dallas. I’m moving to Texas.”

“Why are you moving to Texas?” He said.

“Because I don’t like California, I like Texas a lot more.” This is the truth, and I don’t like California because California is VERY anti-business, high taxes, and they waste money on silly services. Texas is a low services, low taxes state.

“Where do you plan to work?” He asked.

“I run my own online business. Though I may look into the company HP in Houston. I’ve been driving since yesterday from Arizona.”

After I said the last sentence, I found the correct paperwork. Handed it to him, he went back to his car to phone in about whatever and came back with just my license in his hand.

He told me that to give me a ticket he would have to drive with me to the court to pay for it since I was from out of state. It is because Texas and California do not have a compact.

After he told me this, he let me go and warned me to drive the speed limit since I was from out of state. I thanked him and he went on his way while I went on my way.

Now, after you heard the part about him having to escort me to court to pay the ticket, you might say that’s why I did not get a ticket. Wrong. My plates said California, and many people have told me how rude California people are, and the rudeness is true most of the time (I was a rude one for a while). People in Oregon hate California people is what I hear. Expect to be pulled over in Oregon with California plates.

If I acted rude and abrupt to this officer, he would have enjoyed taking me down to the court and having me pay it.

This would

• one, cost me money
• two cost me time
• three, annoy the hell out of me

There is no pleasure for a veteran police officer to discipline a very nice person. Though newer officers will take pleasure in giving a ticket to anyone.

Now, if you followed the story, I did a lot of specific things to avoid getting a ticket from he officer.

Here are the 7 ways to avoid a ticket. I did not apply all of these, though they are all ways to avoid a ticket.

7 Ways to Avoid a Ticket

1. Be Genuinely Nice

The officer can tell whether you are being real or not most of the time. They’ve met thousands of people with many different attitudes. They have listened to liars and every weirdo you can think of. Be nice.

2. Don’t Waste Their Time

When I was shuffling through my papers, my goal wasn’t to waste time and he knew it. I had my license ready, and my car packet ready. I just couldn’t find the insurance earlier while looking through it.

Officers are busy people. Do what they ask (ask long as they are reasonable). Some officers do want to waste your time, don’t let it show you are in a hurry.

3. Be Calm

Some people get angry when they get pulled over. Others say bad things to cops. Just don’t do it, being calm transfers to the cop. Being nervous may transfer over too.

4. Be Honest

Now, you don’t say things which will hurt you. Say things which will help you.

I told the officer everything he asked about honestly.

Now if your honesty is a negative thing, you can tell half of the truth like for what I did with the passing of the truck.

5. Silence is Golden

Every veteran officer has heard thousands of fake stories. If you start making up an excuse when he first comes to the window, he knows you are trying to avoid the ticket.

I was silent when he came to the window and started talking. He knew I wasn’t going to make up stories or try to the avoid the ticket, I did all the above 4.

Now, if I started making up a story about X or Y before he asked any questions, I probably would have gotten the ticket after that.

Silence does something to people. It is awkward. Most People have a habit of trying to fill up silence. With this cop, he started to ask questions. He learned I liked Texas and was moving there.

6. Ask and Sometimes You Shall Receive

Sometimes you just need to ask for forgiveness. If you follow the above steps, and you ask, you are more likely to receive no ticket or a reduced ticket. Be honest when you ask and tell them honestly you will not make the same mistake. Promise them sincerely and follow through with it.

7. Believe You Won’t Get a Ticket

Sometimes you just need to believe you won’t get a ticket. Truly believe it. Believing is seeing.

I subconsciously followed most of the steps because in my heart I said I wouldn’t get a ticket. If I was to panic and worry about getting this ticket, I would subconsciously screw it up.

Bonus!

The reason for the bonus is because it is a way I would not recommend though it still works some of the time.

8. Tell a Made Up Story with Passion

I’ve seen this done by many different people. Women with kids can usually get away with it if they tell a believable story and the kids play along.

The person telling the story shows a lot of emotions, concern, sadness, whatever emotion goes with the story.

Tell a believable story. Be consistent with the details, cops will spot what spots you change.

–

Even if you follow everything, it won’t work every time. Using these techniques, they will help you most of the time, especially with veteran officers.

One of the best thing which happens when you follow all of the above, some cops will reduce what ticket they give to you. Reduce meaning giving you another ticket which costs you less and has less of a penalty, if any, to your insurance. Sometimes officers have no choice but to give you a ticket, so do your best to reduce it.

There is not much you can do with a rookie except follow these steps. Rookies will follow the rules and give you a ticket, if they try to piss you off, it gives them another reason to give you the ticket if you get angry.

I’ve had rookies not give me tickets because I stayed calm and honest through the situation. I followed the first 5 steps and the 7th.

One very large item I must mention. I have a deep respect for cops. I’ve met dozens of great ones and few terrible ones. They work hard most everyday and risk their lives at the same time. Have some true respect for them, respect is not something you should fake.

What has worked for you? Have any tips to not get a ticket from a police officer?

Posted January 23rd 2010.