2/06/12 - Back to Civilization

Wilson? Is that you?

So it's been 6 days since I've had ANY internet access or cable TV.   At times I've felt like Tom Hanks sitting on an empty beach and talking to a volleyball.  I can stand the TV but the internet access has been killing me.  No blogs, no GBTV and all my computers are still packed in some crate and I have no idea where they are!!!  At least I was able to access my media center computer and get online through that.

I'm a bit surprised that upon re-integration with society and the internet there is no new Being George Washington post from Glenn for the month of February.  I have been panicking because I thought I was way behind because of the move but there isn't anything posted yet.  Maybe, since Glenn didn't start the challenge until late in January, he is waiting for the full 30 days to start the next month.

As far as the month of January goes, for the major items I am doing very good.  Unfortunately, because of the move I haven't been able to write or blog as much as I wanted to, but my hope is that now I will be back on track.  Going to the gym has been next to impossible but I am counting the exercise that I am getting during the move as part of my routine.  I don't feel bad in this regard because in the last 6 days I have lost an additional 5 pounds.  It might not feel the same as going to the gym but I assure you that I am getting my exercise in.

Also, the lack of TV and internet has had an additional advantage.  My wife and I have been able to spend more time together and the most important thing on my list I have been able to do EVERY day; and that's say "I Love You".  Some times I think that with the abundance of technological use in society, we forget about the simple things in life.  Saying "I Love You" seems like such a simple thing to do and yet I think that many of us don't do it often enough.  Say "I Love You" to your spacial someone today.  Maybe it's your wife.  Maybe it's your brother, mom or dad.  It really doesn't matter.

I guarantee that if you do say it, it will make your life, and theirs a little brighter.

01/25/12-01/30/12 Upside Down and Inside Out

It's amazing how much can change in the period of one week.  Since my last post, my wife has accepted a job offer which is requiring us to move to San Diego . . . THIS WEEK!  Our plan is to have the packing people come tomorrow and the move to be on Wednesday.  AAHHHH!

On a less stressful note, we found a beautiful condo and the weather is pretty nice down there.  Of course it IS still in CA and now I'll be closer to the border, but oh well.  The ultimate goal is still Texas and we kind of see this as a stepping stone on our journey.

As for George Washington and diligence, I'm doing pretty good.  Although I haven't gone to the gym EVERY day, I have been exercising in other ways, like packing, walking and lifting heavy objects in my house.  Moving is a workout all in itself.  Since this is a crazy time I might not be able to do a daily post but I will try, even if it is short and from my phone.  Tomorrow everything gets turned off at this house and we WON'T HAVE TV OR INTERNET UNTIL MONDAY!!!!!!  THE DAY AFTER THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!!  Oh well, it will ive my wife and I some quality time together and I've convinced her that we will have to take a break from unpacking on Sunday to go explore and find the game playing somewhere.  I'm actually looking forward to it and I think we will have a great time.

Anyway, I'll try to update this post with some more info later about my last week and will begin sharing my experiences again soon.  Future George Washington signing out.

01/24/12 - Day 2 of Diligence "The First Setbacks"

So it's only Day 2 of my Diligence chart and already I am finding that some things are easy and some things are harder to accomplish every day.  Here's the way it looks:

You see I missed the gym today and I also didn't make a goal.

This morning I felt horrible.  My back and neck were in extreme discomfort and getting up and going to the gym were the last things on my mind.  Actually, they WERE on my mind because of this chart but I rationalized that I would go later in the day.  Well obviously that never happened.

I'm finding that making a goal every day is kind of difficult too.  What kind of goal should I make?  This seems simple enough but I'm finding it tough.  Should it be something like; Work today at 100%?  Make sure all my boxes are checked today?  Do one random act of kindness?  Anyone reading can feel free to chime in.

01/19/12 - First Web Blog and GBTV clip

Being George Washington clip from GBTV

01/16/12 - Keep the Leeches Away!!!

So today I feel much worse than yesterday, but so far I've been able to keep the doctor with the leeches away.

A couple good things for today though.  After an extra few hours of much needed sleep and a LONG hot shower, I was able to finish my website.  That is a huge source of excitement.  I'm going to release it and let it hopefully hit before I mention the specifics on this blog, but hopefully soon.

Also, today Glenn was back on the air and we got a sneak peek at his plan for the George Washington Project.  It looks like a 12 month project and I can't wait to get started with it (on top of what I am already doing).  Having a set plan of action will be great.  Here's a picture captured off the show from today.  No details yet but it looks really promising.

And tonight was the South Carolina Fox News debate.  I have to say that for the first time I feel confident that ANY of these candidates will be far superior to the President that we have now.  I think that everyone did a great job in the debate and each one of them showed more leadership skills than Obama ever will.  That isn't to say that I don't still have issues with each of the candidates but at least now I at least feel comfortable saying that any one of them will be a vast improvement as President.

Anyway, I'm off to bed so that I won't have to be bled by leeches tomorrow.  Good night and sleep well everyone.

01/15/12 - Under the Weather But Still Going

Who would have thought that you could get sick by going to the gym?  At least that is the only thing I can think of for where I might have gotten this cold.  So a word to the wise if you are a gym rat;  wipe down your gym equipment before AND after you use it.

On a George Washington note, so far I'm still able to get on the computer and get some work done.  I'm so close to finishing the website, so I'm pretty excited about that.  Today is going to be a short post because my brain is a little fuzzy due to Theraflu but I'll be thinking about upcoming activities and can't wait to see Glenn back on the air tomorrow.

01/14/12 - Work Ethic

George Washington wasn't the only person that had principals to live by, there was also another man and comrade of of his named Benjamin Franklin.  Benjamin Franklin also had list of things he tries to live by.  They were his "13 Virtues" and one of these virtues is what I want to comment on today.

It's kind of amazing, but recently, I have never been busier and the topic of today's discussion is Franklin's comment on "Industry" or work ethic.

Lose no time.  Be always employed in something useful.  Cut off all unnecessary actions.

Easier said than done now-a-days.  Today, with distractions like Facebook, iTunes and just access to the internet in general distracting people at work, it's nearly impossible to stay focused and not take a mental break from daily work duties.  As a writer and someone who spends a lot of time at the computer, who works from a home office and has no supervision from boss who is constantly looking over my shoulder to make sure that work gets done . . . let me tell you.  It's not easy.  I mean, who wouldn't want to jump on over to Facebook and play Farmville for a few hours?

That's one of the hardest challenges for any person in my position.  So day I make this my pledge.

When I am working, I will "lose no time, always be employed at something useful and not get distracted by any unnecessary actions."

01/07/12 - Work and Play

Back to the gym this morning.  Honestly, I was a little worried that taking a day off would make me not motivated to go back.  I'm glad I was wrong.

Anyway, today was a mixture of work and fun.  The fun part was going to the movies with my beautiful wife and spending some time with her.  We have both been so busy that it's nice to have a little quality time to just sit in a dark movie theater and relax.  We saw the new Mission Impossible movie and I must say that it was pretty good.

Aside from the movie though, getting home and getting back to work was "almost" more fun.  Before going to the movie, I was in the middle of building a new website (to be disclosed at a later date).  It was kind of frustrating because I had to stop building the website in order to go to the movie.  As a result, all I could think about during the movie was things to add and tweak on the website.

I hope to put the finishing touches on it and start marketing it to a select group of people within the next couple of days.  Wish this website luck, because it will be a game changer for both me and my family.

01/06/12 - The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior

Busy day today.  I missed my workout but it was for a good cause.  Today my wife had job interviews, so it was a day to support her.  Could I have squeezed it in between being there for her?  Yeah, I probably could have.  Instead, I decided that if she needed me for any reason I would be there for her on call.

It's actually given my body a day to rest and I'll be back at it tomorrow morning.

My on call status also gave me a chance to review a blog post that I wrote in July of 2010 in my other blog The American Herald, and it's one of the reasons why I am following the path to be more like George Washington.  Back in July of 2010 I wrote about Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior" and because of that, and because of Glenn Beck's new book, "Being George Washington", I have decided that it is time to change myself.

Portions of my article are worth re-posting, especially the key rules that I pulled from the 110.  It is time to start setting an example by our own behavior, and what better role model than George Washington and the rules that he lived his life by. Here are some of the key rules that I pulled over a year and a half ago.  It will be interesting to see how this jives with what Glenn is going to announce on Monday. Hopefully these rules will be a starting point and will give me guidance on how to start living my life in the manner that George Washington did.  It's definitely no small task, but all any of us can do in life is our best.

As you will see, living up to the standards and rules that George Washington lived by will be no easy task.  I will strive to do my best, as it is all I can do.  Enjoy, and hopefully you will learn a few things, as I did re-reading them.


1. Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.


6. Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.


17. Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal.


19. Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.


20. The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.


21. Reproach none for the Infirmaties of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.


22. Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.


25. Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.


32. To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.


35. Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.


38. In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.


39. In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.


40. Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.


43. Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.


44. When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.


45. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.


49. Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.


50. Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to the Disparag[e]ment of any.


51. Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush'd once every day at least and take heed tha[t] you approach not to any Uncleaness. (or . . . don't be a slob).


54. Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely. (avoid vanity)


56. Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.


58. Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sig[n o]f a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion [ad]mit Reason to Govern.


62. Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend.


63. A Man o[ug]ht not to value himself of his Atchievements, or rare Qua[lities of wit; much less of his rich]es Virtue or Kindred.


64. Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, tho' there Seem to be Some cause.


Anyway, you get the picture. Personally, it would do the world and our society good if we could just "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and follow that Golden Rule. To conclude my diatribe I'll leave you with Rule 110. It's a rule that, if followed, will enable everyone to enact the other 109.


Rule 110. Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Ce[les]tial fire Called Conscience.

01/05/12 - Pain and Passion

The morning workout is still going strong.  I'm sore, but it's the good kind of sore.  It's funny, but this pain is actually kind of enjoyable.  It's the kind of pain where you can feel yourself getting stronger.  I've always thought that pain was pain and really used that as an excuse not to get back into the gym and start exercising.  I know pain.  A car accident in college has been giving me pain in my back for 20 years.  Interestingly enough, with each passing day exercising, my back pain is slowly going away.

Following that, today was a day of writing and computer productivity.  It's also the first day that I have really focused on my work and not let distractions like the TV or the internet slow me down.  Somehow I think George Washington would have thought that "work is work and play is play".  As a result, I got a lot done.

I was also able to help my wife a lot today and support her in her job search.  It's not coincidence that it seems like I have a lot of time on my hands to go to the gym in the morning and write on the computer in the afternoon.  Both my wife and I unexpectedly lost our jobs right before Christmas.

I'm the lucky one.  I am an entrepreneur and have businesses on the side that I run from home.  In fact, this has been a great change for me because I have been able to refocus on what I love to do.  Now I'm able to work on my passion instead of slaving away at someone else's passion.  To top it off, what I do will hopefully help change how small business owners do business.  I believe that it is the small business owner that will help restore our country to greatness and what I'm doing will help it along the way.

I don't "think" this, I "know" this.