Are emotional vampires getting the best of you?

Lucy Clark was interviewed by ABC 7 in Washington D.C.
An interesting news spot on how people in your life, both past and present can effect your outlook, self worth and friendship. If you can call this one sided type of friend in terms of a relationship. They are not always easy to spot.

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

Did you know he was a college drop out. Very inspiring! He says it all. We will all miss you, but I am personally thankful for your inspiration on how to have your eyes open to possibilities. The dots will connect.

Ur Primitive Four Bears - T-shirt design needs voting for Threadless.com submission

This is a new design created by Affehaus for Threadless.com t-shirts. Once it gets a high number of votes, then it can become a product for sale on their website. We hope you like it and vote for it as soon as you see this post. If you have any questions about this design or the submission process.

 

Record Keeping - When to throw out receipts, bills, statements

Record Keeping from Suze Orman

Financial Clutter, What To Keep And What To Get Rid Of

Keep till warranty expires or can no longer return or exchange

    ▪    Sales Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then keep for 3 years)

What to keep for 1 month

    ▪    ATM Printouts (When you balance your checkbook each month throw out the ATM receipts)

What to keep for 1 year

    ▪    Paycheck Stubs (You can get rid of once you have compared to your W2 & annual social security statement)

    ▪    Utility Bills (You can throw out after one year, unless you're using these as a deduction like a home office --then you need to keep them for 3 years after you've filed that tax return)

    ▪    Cancelled Checks (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)

    ▪    Credit Card Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)

    ▪    Bank Statements (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)

    ▪    Quarterly Investment Statements (Hold on to until you get your annual statement)

What to keep for 3 years

    ▪    Income Tax Returns (Please keep in mind that you can be audited by the IRS for no reason up to three years after you filed a tax return. If you omit 25% of your gross income that goes up to 6 years and if you don't file a tax return at all, there is no statute of limitations.)

    ▪    Medical Bills and Cancelled Insurance Policies

    ▪    Records of Selling a House (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)

    ▪    Records of Selling a Stock (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)

    ▪    Receipts, Cancelled Checks and other Documents that Support Income or a Deduction on your Tax Return (Keep 3 years from the date the return was filed or 2 years from the date the tax was paid -- which ever is later)

    ▪    Annual Investment Statement (Hold onto 3 years after you sell your investment.)

What to keep for 7 years

    ▪    Records of Satisfied Loans

What to hold while active

    ▪    Contracts
    ▪    Insurance Documents
    ▪    Stock Certificates
    ▪    Property Records
    ▪    Stock Records
    ▪    Records of Pensions and Retirement Plans
    ▪    Property Tax Records Disputed Bills (Keep the bill until the dispute is resolved)

    ▪    Home Improvement Records (Hold for at least 3 years after the due date for the tax return that includes the income or loss on the asset when it's sold)

Keep Forever

    ▪    Marriage Licenses

    •    Divorce Papers
    ▪    Birth Certificates
    ▪    Wills
    ▪    Adoption Papers
    ▪    Death Certificates
    ▪    Records of Paid Mortgages

* These documents should be kept in a very safe place, like a safety deposit box.

Baltimore Tech Businesses are Thriving

Towson Global Business Incubator, Maryland Bay Bridge Sunrise

I enjoyed the show and tell variation of recent Baltimore Tech Breakfast meeting, August 31, 2011. To give you and idea about our MeetUp group I've posted my recent comments about the new format and venue. Everyone who is involved in any aspect of technology is welcome to attend. I am seeking to offer graphic design assistance and share visual communication expertise at the meetings and perhaps work with other techs on new projects collaboratively.

The pace of this last meeting of the summer felt just about right for timing, even though we ran long. I think there may be show and tell projects where the content might be able to be presented in shorter time, but it depends upon the subject. I would suggest to perhaps break out the meeting with one longer presentation and three smaller ones. I liked the questions and comments and thought the positive energy of the group was inspiring. In some cases, I would like to devote more time to providing feed back or suggestions, but only if it is requested, otherwise it might feel awkward to critique. I suggest, if each presenter could ask what they'd like to hear from the group then, we could always send comments and suggestions in our own time to help keep to the schedule.  I also am interested in the scaling topic which is moved to the next meeting. I would welcome a more technical discussion after each meeting, for those who would like to broaden their knowledge and exchange tips.


Clay Hickson at the Towson Global Incubator was very welcoming to our group and offered a very good space for us to host the meetings. His mindset and connections in the Maryland business environment are helpful towards anyone looking to grow their company or idea, as well as broaden their client base. The location is easy to get to and parking is plentiful. I'd like to see more tech breakfast events here at TGBI. They affiliated with Towson State University and are sponsored by Baltimore County Maryland.

The Baltimore TechBreakfast is a very inviting group of aspiring programmers, entrepreneurs and marketers. The open forum works very well and is free to make changes to be the best. It is fascinating to experience a diverse range of individuals representing businesses where technology is evolving to bring innovative ideas to market. I am glad to be among the group who provides a forum to discuss and receive feedback on emerging real world projects.  Thanks for sharing the inspiring positive energy.
You are invited to attend the next months Baltimore TechBreakfast MeetUp by visiting the link at the top of this post. Contact me with any questions and I welcome your comments to this post.

New parts for 1972 Beetle VW

fender for 1972 Beetle VW, a photo by flying_7ucy on Flickr.

1972 VW Beetle parts for sale. All new and selling at 75% off list price. Please make an offer and pick up the fender located in Towson, MD. I will ship smaller items. Please see my Ebay selling status to review my rating. Pre-purchase with PayPal and you can have them in a few days time. Thanks for looking.

Do you have a car, truck or parts to sell? Are you local to Baltimore, MD. I will take a 35% to 50% commission and sell them for you on Ebay or Craigslist. Depending on the prices they sell for and how many photos I need to take. If you provide the photos and descriptions, it will be in the lower percentage.

Thanks for looking.

Car art on wheels

I'm considering this car for my next ride. I love the nostalgia and the memories it evokes from my childhood. While, it's not a station wagon, it has a similar dash layout to my parents car where we took trips all across the country. I want to continue to be inspired with what I own and drive. I've loved many cars over the years. I've owned a Datsun, Ford Mustang (two different times), Pontiac TransAm, Toyota 4Runner, BMW 7 series, M5, three M3's, several 3 series, Audi S4, Toyota Land Cruiser and lastly, but most fondly, my 1977 Mini Clubman. I have enjoyed the craftsmanship of each, many were performance cars and I do love the power of those. I've had quite a bit of track time, autoX and fast track driving experiences.  Now I'm in the process of narrowing down what I might consider for my next car. Will it be a modern Mini Countryman. All wheel drive, nimble and sporty or something back to my love of old cars and the emotions they invoke.

Here's what I've found out about this car which is 'art on wheels'.

From the early years of Chrysler Corporation's history, the Imperial nameplate was used to designate the finest car of the line. Beginning with the 1955 model year, Imperial became a separate marque unto itself, with a unique model lineup for each year. Thus, the Imperial nameplate was treated as a separate make from the regular Chrysler lineup from 1955 until 1975. Unfortunately, the Imperial ceased production in 1975.

The Imperials of that twenty year span are recognized among collectors as some of the finest American automobiles ever produced. They represent an ideal of style, luxury, comfort, and excess which has not been duplicated since that time.


Imperial's styling, on the other hand, was subjected to constant experimentation. Each model year brought a new look.


"The LeBaron nameplate was introduced in the Imperial line for 1957. It was used to denote the highest model of Imperial. The midrange model was the Imperial Crown, while the 'entry' model was the Imperial Custom. The LeBaron model was used in the Imperial line from 1957 to 1975, when Imperial ceased to be."

This luxurious Canadian special order 1964 Imperial LeBaron Coupe represented the finest Chrysler had to offer in terms of style, luxury and comfort. The powertrain is an Overhead Valve 90 Degree V-8 engine producing 340 horsepower at 4600 rpm. The transmission is a torque flight fully automatic Pushbutton controlled. The exterior is a gorgeous Black, the interior is a white vinyl.  Options include Pwr.Steering, Pwr.Brakes, Pwr. windows, Pwr. seats, Pwr.locks and factory A/C. Art on wheels!

Why not get something just like this instead of a Honda, Subaru, VW or even a BMW? I don't even care if the AC doesn't work. I guess I better head out and test drive it so I can begin to find my art inspiration everytime I drive. Send me your suggestions for other cars to consider. I welcome the discussion.

The best camping and travel truck - for sale, my Toyota Landcruiser 1989 FJ62

1989 Toyota 4x4 Land Cruiser FJ62 - For sale by hiking, climbing and camping owner.
I'd love to tell you more of the adventures I've had in this truck, but then I think you'd rather imagine your own. Suffice it to say that this is an ad for selling my truck. I thing blogging is the best way to get the word out there. Let me know your thoughts.

1989 Toyota Landcruiser FJ62 4x4 For Sale, Westminster, MD

Asking $7,000 (you will have to come and see the truck before I negotiate on the price.) Do not ask in email what the final price is. I'm asking 7,000 and will accept offers in person.

202,688 original miles
4x4 Sport Utility
6 Cylinder 4.0 Liter
4 speed Automatic Transmission (shifts great)
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Locks (not working at the moment, it's probably a fuse)
Tilt Wheel
Upgraded Stereo FM/AM CD and MP3 player
Roof Rack
Tow Package Installed (hitch optional)
Chrome Bumpers
Seats 5 comfortably

Highlights:
I am the third owner of the vehicle. It is reliable, starts and drives fine every time I get in the truck.
The Land Cruiser runs great with no problem. No visible oil leaks.
Rear bed gray carpet in excellent condition.
Installed a CD, AM/FM, MP3 player from a Scion with original Landcruiser speakers.
Original chrome wheels in good condition, no curb rash, no chips, no damage! They do show a little staining from normal rain and weather exposure.


Notes:
• This has been an extra vehicle for errands and such. NOT a daily driver. I have never taken the Land Cruiser off-roading.
• Oil synthetic blend changed every 4k miles.
• Interior is all original with No tears, but a small stain shows on the passenger seat (it looks like it can be cleaned, but I haven't been able to tackle that yet).
• The dashboard is in pretty good condition with one crack in the middle.
• all components and gauges are present, working and all original.
• The paint is decent and shines well for original. I can't tell, but there may've been some repaint in a isolated spot or two before we owned it.
• No major body damage or accidents. One small dent in the rear hatch. No noticeable rust, but I can see where there may be a spot appearing on the front fender. v
• It has been garage kept for a majority of it's life, so it's in great shape for a 20 year old Land Cruiser.

OPTIONS:
A set of off road tires and mounted on chrome rims that were never used. If you want them please add $500.00
Take a look at the pictures to see for yourself at the bottom right.


The Land Cruiser is sold as-is with no warranty. I ask for a $500 non-refundable deposit. If it is a personal check then I'll need to wait for it to clear my bank before the truck can be picked up.
I prefer not to ship the Land Cruiser, although you are free to arrange your own shipping and I can coordinate the delivery on this end.
Local pick up preferred. May deliver to you with a small extra fee for my time and fuel.


If you have any specific questions which is not listed above, please feel free to email me and I will update this ad with those questions answered.

Contact me to set up an appointment to see the truck. 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm. EST.

Located in Towson, Maryland, 1/2 mile off the 695 beltway.

The Truck is Sold. Received $6,000 fyi