Uncategorized Archives - Page 2 of 79

An incredible gift of Kindness

Here I am, Friday night, still working and giving a summary of the week that's winding up.

All in all, this adds up to a great week. I've moved into a new place with the help of a great friend, Matt Smith, that has separate bedrooms for my kids, and today received an incredible gift from a long-time friend.

A few weeks ago, Brian and I met up to have coffee and talk after not seeing each other for nearly 30 years. He had moved to Cedar Rapids, and we met up at Skate Country, a local skating rink.

As we visited, I told him I had just taken my kid's roller skating, and fell. I had rental skates on, and the trucks on the skates are incredibly tight. I told him how I missed my skates that had loose trucks.

So, Brian contacts me for lunch today, and I welcomed the opportunity to visit with my friend again. He came with a bag, and handed it to me, telling me my skates were in the box. He said he had put new wheels and fixed them up, which floored me!

I had completely forgotten that I had sold him my skates, and here he was giving me my skates so I could go out skating with my kids! How incredible is it that my longtime friend is generous enough to give me this gift, and something that is something that I could not buy if I wanted to.

My friend Brian is an awesome friend and a great man. How lucky am I to have people like him in my life.

Goldfinch Cyclery to the rescue

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Goldfinch Cyclery lived up to the hype and repaired my bicycle tire on the spot, while I waited. And the cost was unbelievably low!

Better yet, the guys at Goldfinch Cyclery love what they are doing, as they all stayed late happily working on customer bicycles.

You have to love the dedication, and their location is perfect for the bikers who are hitting the trails running through Cedar Rapids.

I wrote about them in a previous post, “The Modern Day Biker Bar“, but felt it more appropriate to give them a headline post in my blog, saying cheers to the excellent customer service.

Goldfinch Cyclery Sells Bicycles

The shop also sells bicycles, and will build them to specification. They have models in stock and available, which look way more expensive than the price tag shown on each model, and many of them in the three to five hundred dollar range.

I give Goldfinch Cyclery five stars on excellent customer service and fast service. Visit their website here, or stop by their store at 1120 2nd St SE in the Cedar Rapids NewBo district. Call them at 319.775.0203.

The Modern Day Biker Bar

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Go back ten years, and think about what a biker bar looks like, and then fast forward to today and you'll see the modern day biker bar that still serves up the beer, but to people in bright colors instead of black and brown.

Move over leather chaps; it's all about spandex for both the guys and the gals riding carbon fiber pedal powered bikes!

I'm sure some of the bikers are riding old school bikes, you know, the kind made of metal, and that will be me for awhile, but who knows, I could get into riding and go for one of the super nice carbon fiber bikes.

Why write about the Modern Day Biker Bar?

What enticed me to write about the biker bars? Well, as you know, I am working out of NewBo now, and the bikers are everywhere in this area thanks to the trails running through the area.

It's only logical to take advantage of the bike trails located in the area, given that people are driving all over the Midwest to seek out new trails.

And, I wonder how much of an impact that the bike trails in the area are bringing in tourists from outside the area? Bikers may be a big reason why NewBo Market is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iowa.

Are you looking for a new bike? Goldfinch Cyclery offers personalized service, where they will give you a cup of coffee, or soda to enjoy while visiting their store, or having your bicycle repaired. They have convenient hours including Saturday and Sunday, so check them out.

And of course, you should stop by the KickStand, the place that has all the bikers in the photo above. That is if you are a social person because you'll have plenty of individuals willing to share biking stories.

Whiskey Friday’s at Brewhemia

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This week marks the second Whiskey Friday's I've attended at Brewhemia. Now, you don't have to drink Whiskey, as Brewhemia is also a coffee shop.

Whiskey Friday's is the perfect place for coffee lovers who want to hang out with their friends looking to enjoy adult beverages at the same time.

3D Printing, Ghostwriters, temperature controls and marketing strategies

What's even more interesting is the creativity that comes with being around entrepreneurial people who do everything from designing temperature controls, 3D printing services, marketing strategies and even ghostwriters who specialize in niche markets.

People like Benjamin Hartin, who is one of those Ghostwriters. Benjamin specializes in telling your story in your voice. He helps you to communicate your message by spending time with you over several weeks to develop an open dialogue.

Whiskey Friday's happening at Brewhemia for the summer

Whiskey Friday's will continue to happen at Brewhemia through the end of the summer, which is an offsite location for an event that happens at the Vault.

The event is not exclusive to Vault members, so if you are in the area, you are welcome to join us next Friday, and we will tell you more about who we are.

Entrepreneurs and business owners will find comradery amongst friendly faces who are as excited as you to talk about what's happening in your business.

I'll continue to tell you about other people who are a part of the Vault Coworking space in future posts.

And, after you go to Brewhemia for Whiskey Friday's, you don't have to go home because you're right in the heart of NewBo with plenty going on up and down the street. You could even stop over at NewBo Market and grab a bite to eat from one of the vendors. The flavors are out of this world!

First day at Vault is an incredible experience

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The Vault Coworking space located in NewBo(Cedar Rapids) is a huge lifestyle change for me. I've been working from home for the past eight years, with no social interaction.

Now, I am amongst others who are energetic and are committed to living their dreams. This environment is different, as I've never worked around so many people focused on their passions.

From the moment you walk in the door, you feel the intensity of the people who are around you, and yet they are so friendly, willing to take a few moments to interact, and still respecting your space and your focus.

We are amongst people who are equals and focused on their world. So refreshing, so enjoyable, and even so peaceful. A place where everyone is already motivated doesn't need a push, and yet thrives on the energy of others.

A perfect environment for me, as I'm inspired to write more about passions, desires and life. Not hard to do when others around you are willing to live and walk the talk.

The environment is perfect for creativity, imagination and achieving success. For me, I suspect will come better time management, more efficient results and overall greater satisfaction in life.

Vault Coworking amenities in NewBo

And, what's great is not just the emotional state that is obtained working in Vault, but the amenities galore, like the professional kitchen, which features everything you need to cook wonderful meals or the shower you can use after you go for a run or ride on the bike trails nearby.

Foosball and Ping Pong are readily available if you have a challenger for short work breaks and lots of entrepreneurial people who are interested in learning new things about other people.

Then there is the recording studio available for resident members of the Vault, perfect for recording podcasts or even video, and something I am very interested in learning how to use.

NewBo is beginning to get into my blood; I could even see myself taking residence in the area should I be able to find a charming three bedroom home, comfortable enough for my kids and me.

Could this be the coolest move I've made in some time? I think it just may be the case!

You’re on the Internet Dad! Happy Father’s Day

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Fathers day is an honor my dad has had for over fifty-five years, and right around father's day is the day he celebrates his birthday, along with my sister, who landed on the same birthday. That's a lot of Father's days to rack up, and even more, birthdays as he will celebrate his 90th on the 23rd.

My Dad's Ship - USS Wichita CA-45 — The USS Wichita is the ship my dad cruised on during World War II. He fought in Okinawa and Nagasaki, Japan among other places.

The experiences that have come before his eyes are incredible, from World War II as a young man, fighting in Okinawa, and Nagasaki Japan. He's seen many things, quite many that he's never shared with us when it comes to war, I've had to learn through Internet research, something I wish I would have done long ago.

And, as a kid, my dad hauled me every place and even got mad at me a few times. I remember vividly one incident that he probably would like me to forget today, as it happened on a Friday night going into the races at Hawkeye Downs.

Every week, we went to the 1/2 mile track, which was dirt then, and much more exciting than today. We would also travel to other places, like West Liberty to watch races during the week. And, I am digressing, who would be surprised by that?

We came up to the ticket counter, as I had just turned twelve years old, meaning significant ticket price increase, when the lady asked how old I am. Of course, My dad says eleven, and I chime in saying, no I'm not! I'm twelve years old!

He turned to me and said, “You're eleven, not twelve” and I began to argue with him, to the amusement of the ticket lady, until my dad finally gave in and paid the higher price.

As we walked away, he turned to me and told me “You're not going to the races anymore!” Geez, I get busted for telling the truth, something that has been known to happen throughout my life, but more importantly, the following week, we were at the races and no longer eleven years old.

I know I let you down on the day you tried to save a few bucks; you'd probably trade those few bucks for all the other big bucks incidents I've cost you throughout the years.

And while I enjoy the humor in that episode, I am so thankful to have a wonderful dad like you who no matter what accepts me for who I am, without question! How many people have a dad like that?

And one more thing, my dad has always wanted to get on the Internet, but my mother put the brakes on this happening, so I decided to honor his request, and put him on the Internet! His picture is attached to this post! Happy Father's Day Dad!