Web of Allies

Imagine you are driving down a long, flat road. It has a steep hill in the distance and nothing but the past stretching far behind you. Maybe there is someone with you, perhaps you have only the conversation in your head to keep you company. No matter - your cruising along, wind running up your forearm, angled perfectly to hit your face. The sun is warm and the cruise control has you covered - your biggest problem is a slight boredom. With the radio up to keep your mind at bay (take note for future reference), you don't hear the slight whimper coming from your car. The picture of what you've left behind or what compels you forward is perfectly covering your emergency warning light. With not a car in sight for hours, your feeling of freedom is waiting for the moment about to come, your senses heighten and you mistake precognition for a rush of energy. But no, reality is a winner and it makes no mistake in taking you out at the height of your feeling. Shot down, the car is no ...

It's odd when someone passes on. This past week, I learned that 'Uncle Brian' has died. I'm not sure why I call him that, he isn't my uncle and although he is the Uncle of a family I have been close to over the years, it's not typical of me to offer such terms of endearment to people that are not blood related. I am, after all, a Mason and a Gron. Two powerful families on opposite ends of the spectrum though united in intensity and purpose. And this is similar to how Brian was when I knew him. One of my favorite stories was about the opening of his Mexican restaurant in California. In a rough neighborhood littered with vandals and bullets, Brian decided to open his business. As an incredible cook, he knew he'd be able to win over customers so long as he could keep the violence at bay. He worked on his place, dealt with the incidents he'd expected and one day, decided to go to the parking lot and show the neighbors he meant real business. With a racin...

"It wasn't that bad" said the girl in grey. A friend of hers was asking after a recommendation for a restaurant and this was the review. I chuckled for a second and then got moderately annoyed. Since when has "not that bad" been acceptable? Fast forward a few days when I'm talking about business to someone trying to figure out some "good" last minute promotions. But good isn't good enough. Seems that society has gotten lazy. Applebee's (sorry) just aren't that good. Neither are all of the other many Chili's, IHOP's and similar food chains across the country. To have standard food products across the country, you have to have standard foods - which means distribution trucks, frozen foods and heavy costs on the environment and health care. So why do people do it? It's not that good, but it's easy and you don't have to think. Small, local restaurants are lovely and have products delivered (usually) from local ven...

Nathan Hull of Phoenix, AZ has been selected as the likely candidate for co-founder of iJar. With extensive business relations equating to eleven years history with iJar founder Jennifer Mason, negotiations are anticipated to move quickly. IJar is buzzing in preparation for the Utah launch and the upcoming UAPSF SummX convention for education foundations and this (next?) week. On Wednesday, the newly named company added even more energy to its sustainable funding program with a potential co-founder, Nathan Hull of Phoenix, Az.  “I’m working on multi-million dollar projects for multi-billion dollar companies but it’s never going to make me truly wealthy. Wealth in terms of perceived value or contribution to customers on a personal level.     I want to work on a project that will have an impact.” And an impact is exactly what iJar has been poised to make. Education has long been a problem within the US and around the globe. Funding deficiencies cause a variety of...