Thursday, July 17, 2014
Monday, September 30, 2013
Earth's Mightiest Heroes
A bit of a stream of consciousness here, I hope you'll forgive me, but it has been a while since I posted ;)
If you know me personally, then you know that I've always got like 100 project ideas running around in my head, coming up with more all the time, but this one is still there, it hasn't gone away in my mind. My life certainly changed the day that I became a father. It was certainly altered the day that I lost mine. The two events happened so close to each other that it was a bit overwhelming for me.
I recently read an article that was commenting about how you become a man either the day that you become a father, or the day the you lose yours. I guess for me, I've finally grown up. In the process, taking care of my family has become my sole priority.
It sounds incredibly selfish to admit that, but I do need to get and keep things on a solid footing in my personal life. When I was behind this project 100%, one of the things that I found was that there are a lot of people interested in or already doing something like this. The problem is that they aren't united. Everyone is just out there getting their piece, but they are small bites, and this issue still isn't being resolved. I'm feel like the need isn't to create a new entity, but to unite the ones that exist. I don't know if or how that will happen, because like a lot of things in this world, everyone has their own ideas about it, their own agenda, their own ego. Not sure how to work around that.
Recently I thought I might be on to something. I made up a parody logo for the Los Angeles Dodgers when the team was sold last year to an ownership group that included Magic Johnson. It was a simple baseball Dodger type logo that read "The Magic is Back".
http://www.cafepress.com/dd/78006738
About a year later, the team started giving away a shirt with almost the very SAME design!! I contacted them about it, let them know about my design. I was never thinking "Oh, here comes a big payday, I'm going to sue the Dodgers!!". If anything, I wanted to talk to them about using the logo for their products on an official basis, and in the process talk to them more about my plans to create this moto ride event to end homelessness. The Dodgers were one of the few entities to return my emails about the event so it seemed like a good path to take. Unfortunately, instead of all that, they called me and said they would take legal action against me if I keep selling this product. Apparently the man who called me doesn't know about the right to fair use or the meaning of the word "parody". Oh well.
The good news is that people are coming up with things. Every once in a while I'll run across something so simple that I think "wow, why didn't I come up with that!?!?!". This is one of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JruGsJLLdwI
A lot of people are calling me Captain America these days. Maybe I'll go out in Captain America gear and help out people in LA in a similar fashion. Thanks to the guy who went out and did this as Iron Man. It's very inspirational.
If you know me personally, then you know that I've always got like 100 project ideas running around in my head, coming up with more all the time, but this one is still there, it hasn't gone away in my mind. My life certainly changed the day that I became a father. It was certainly altered the day that I lost mine. The two events happened so close to each other that it was a bit overwhelming for me.
I recently read an article that was commenting about how you become a man either the day that you become a father, or the day the you lose yours. I guess for me, I've finally grown up. In the process, taking care of my family has become my sole priority.
It sounds incredibly selfish to admit that, but I do need to get and keep things on a solid footing in my personal life. When I was behind this project 100%, one of the things that I found was that there are a lot of people interested in or already doing something like this. The problem is that they aren't united. Everyone is just out there getting their piece, but they are small bites, and this issue still isn't being resolved. I'm feel like the need isn't to create a new entity, but to unite the ones that exist. I don't know if or how that will happen, because like a lot of things in this world, everyone has their own ideas about it, their own agenda, their own ego. Not sure how to work around that.
Recently I thought I might be on to something. I made up a parody logo for the Los Angeles Dodgers when the team was sold last year to an ownership group that included Magic Johnson. It was a simple baseball Dodger type logo that read "The Magic is Back".
http://www.cafepress.com/dd/78006738
About a year later, the team started giving away a shirt with almost the very SAME design!! I contacted them about it, let them know about my design. I was never thinking "Oh, here comes a big payday, I'm going to sue the Dodgers!!". If anything, I wanted to talk to them about using the logo for their products on an official basis, and in the process talk to them more about my plans to create this moto ride event to end homelessness. The Dodgers were one of the few entities to return my emails about the event so it seemed like a good path to take. Unfortunately, instead of all that, they called me and said they would take legal action against me if I keep selling this product. Apparently the man who called me doesn't know about the right to fair use or the meaning of the word "parody". Oh well.
The good news is that people are coming up with things. Every once in a while I'll run across something so simple that I think "wow, why didn't I come up with that!?!?!". This is one of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JruGsJLLdwI
A lot of people are calling me Captain America these days. Maybe I'll go out in Captain America gear and help out people in LA in a similar fashion. Thanks to the guy who went out and did this as Iron Man. It's very inspirational.
Friday, July 20, 2012
When I Came Home
I feel bad, like I've not paid enough attention to this project, but I've needed to take care of a lot of family things in the last couple of years. I'm still watching, looking, studying, planning. It sounds selfish, but I need to take care of my personal situation, get a solid foundation going so I can really make this happen. I found this documentary that I highly recommend that you watch.
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/when_i_came_home
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/when_i_came_home
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Eating an Elephant
My posts here are pretty infrequent these days, and this project has taken somewhat of a backseat. It's been 3 years since I started this blog, and a lot has happened, both globally, locally and personally.
I didn't get into business school. I was far too distracted and maybe a bit too casual about the GMAT test. I simply didn't have time to study for it. No excuses, I rated what I got. Not too long after the fact I ran into a friend who went to both USC and UCLA. She told me that for what I'm doing, it's a waste of time and money. Truthfully, if I don't have time to study for a test, how am I going to have time for school? Right now, it seems as if I'm too busy doing things as opposed to studying and learning how to do things. In any event, I really have a lot of respect for my friend and value her opinion.
One of the greatest inspirations in this quest to end homelessness has been my father. He was a Harley rider and took part in a lot of rides and charity runs, so he really pointed me in the right direction. He helped me find people I could talk to or get advice from.In June of 2011, just before my son's first birthday, my father fell ill and went into the hospital. He was in and out for the next 6 months, but eventually lost his fight with cancer on December 5, 2011.
It's been just over a month now since I delivered his eulogy, but not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about him. I miss him so much, I can't put it into words. I'm disappointed that I didn't get into biz school or got this event together while my dad was still alive. But then I ran across these words that he sent me:
"Petey checked out your blog and i am impressed by your commitment to get involved in a problem that is monumental. the scope of the task at hand is huge. there is a theory that is applied in the workplace called the "hawthorne affect"-small changes can bring great results.this is a project that will require a long term commitment.START SMALL look forward. i wrote down a lot of notes tonight while looking at your blog. i will think about this stuff and respond soon. love dad PS, HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT----ONE BITE AT A TIME!!!!"
I love you Dad.
I didn't get into business school. I was far too distracted and maybe a bit too casual about the GMAT test. I simply didn't have time to study for it. No excuses, I rated what I got. Not too long after the fact I ran into a friend who went to both USC and UCLA. She told me that for what I'm doing, it's a waste of time and money. Truthfully, if I don't have time to study for a test, how am I going to have time for school? Right now, it seems as if I'm too busy doing things as opposed to studying and learning how to do things. In any event, I really have a lot of respect for my friend and value her opinion.
One of the greatest inspirations in this quest to end homelessness has been my father. He was a Harley rider and took part in a lot of rides and charity runs, so he really pointed me in the right direction. He helped me find people I could talk to or get advice from.In June of 2011, just before my son's first birthday, my father fell ill and went into the hospital. He was in and out for the next 6 months, but eventually lost his fight with cancer on December 5, 2011.
It's been just over a month now since I delivered his eulogy, but not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about him. I miss him so much, I can't put it into words. I'm disappointed that I didn't get into biz school or got this event together while my dad was still alive. But then I ran across these words that he sent me:
"Petey checked out your blog and i am impressed by your commitment to get involved in a problem that is monumental. the scope of the task at hand is huge. there is a theory that is applied in the workplace called the "hawthorne affect"-small changes can bring great results.this is a project that will require a long term commitment.START SMALL look forward. i wrote down a lot of notes tonight while looking at your blog. i will think about this stuff and respond soon. love dad PS, HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT----ONE BITE AT A TIME!!!!"
I love you Dad.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Stand Down events
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/07/the-season-of-stand-down-has-begun-_-efforts-by-governmental-agencies-non-profits-and-others-to-help-homeless-and-hardluc.html
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Vets take action
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/06/homeless-vets-file-suit-against-va-for-failing-to-provide-adequate-housing-at-west-la-campus.html
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Finally, an update!
I realize that I've not posted much, but to be honest, there hasn't been much to post. My personal life has taken time out of this project, partly because I've been trying to start my own small company and maintain work, partly because I was taking some classes, but mainly because I had my first kid and have really taken point on taking care of him. He's 10 months old now, and being a parent is really quite a handful. But I've not forgotten about this project.
I'm still meeting and talking with people, learning more about charity events, and trying to figure out how I can "start small" as so many of you have suggested, and yet still make a difference. One of the major things that I realized in interviewing people is that, even if it is a non profit organization or a charity event, there is still money involved, and therefore, it's very much a business deal. Many of these non profits have a board of directors, department heads, bank types, etc. I realized that I know nothing about things like that, so one of the things I've been doing for the past year is studying for the GMAT, looking into MBA programs, and going to campus tours and information sessions. I've found a school I really want to get into, and have started the application process. I've made the first cut, which is to say, the school called me in for an interview, which I had today. I hope it all went well. It seemed like everything was good. Now I need to really study up hard on this GMAT test, and kick it's butt. It's not going to be easy, but so far, none of this has been. What would be the fun in that?
I'm still meeting and talking with people, learning more about charity events, and trying to figure out how I can "start small" as so many of you have suggested, and yet still make a difference. One of the major things that I realized in interviewing people is that, even if it is a non profit organization or a charity event, there is still money involved, and therefore, it's very much a business deal. Many of these non profits have a board of directors, department heads, bank types, etc. I realized that I know nothing about things like that, so one of the things I've been doing for the past year is studying for the GMAT, looking into MBA programs, and going to campus tours and information sessions. I've found a school I really want to get into, and have started the application process. I've made the first cut, which is to say, the school called me in for an interview, which I had today. I hope it all went well. It seemed like everything was good. Now I need to really study up hard on this GMAT test, and kick it's butt. It's not going to be easy, but so far, none of this has been. What would be the fun in that?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
